Balayage for curly hair is a modern coloring technique that creates a chic dimension, highlighting the cut and curls’ texture exceptionally. You can go for a subtle sun-kissed effect or go all out with heavier highlight placement. The choice is yours!

Recently, I had a conversation with Lisa Amato, a professional and independent stylist in Denver, CO. She revealed a few balayage secrets for curly-haired girls.

💡 Key Things to Know First

• Find a hairstylist that’s experienced with curly hair. Visit their website or Instagram to learn more about their work. Schedule a consultation first to ask questions.
• Please talk about your routine and the amount of upkeep you’re willing to put in with your stylist.
• L’oreal Professional Blond 7 Clay or Blonde Studio 9 – Bonder Inside are great products to use during the session. Both can lift the base color slowly without obtaining damage.
• The L’oreal Professional Curl Expression line is excellent for at-home care to nourish and hydrate hair.
• Book a gloss session six weeks after the initial appointment for vibrant and healthy color.
• Ask about adding fringe or bangs to your curly hairstyle.

Amato also advised bringing some visual inspiration to the consultation. Here are some pictures of the most attractive ways to rock balayage for curly hair.

Ash Brown and Strawberry Blonde Curls

Strawberry blonde balayage highlights complement these ash-brown curls. They add the right amount of warmth to brighten up the waves. The best way to style these curls is to apply a curl cream like Redken ringlet to wet hair. Then, scrunch with a microfiber towel to minimize frizz. Let the curls air dry entirely before raking them out with your fingers. That way, you get shiny, frizz-free ringlets.

Brunette Balayage for Tight Curls

Curly-haired ladies, look no further for your next color choice! Balayage is an amazing fit when lightening tight curls. Just hand paint where that lightness will lay to enhance your look best. Ask for a stylist well-versed in curly hair. It takes an expert eye to see where that hair will lay and live with a new color. In my opinion, the best color pairing is rich and tone-on-tone. This will keep your hair healthy and shining in all the right ways.

Light Blonde Balayage for Mid Back-Length Layered Hair

A mid-back-length layered haircut shines with a light blonde balayage. Balayage helps to show off the gorgeous curls. Curly hair always looks dimensional when there are highlights. My favorite technique for a light blonde on my clients is using the k18 molecular hair treatment. I use it before and after highlighting. It maintains the integrity of the hair so the curls will still be bouncy and shiny.

Curly Highlights

Did you know this look is done by painting a lightener around the natural curl pattern of your hair? It’s a great way to add dimension without compromising your curls! To ensure long-lasting color, you should use a color-safe shampoo. Try Redken’s Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo. This helps to maintain vibrancy between salon visits. This is a special technique for curly hair not every stylist knows how to achieve this look. So ask around for recommendations and see who is popular in your area!

Golden Highlights on Curly Dark Brunette Hair

The perfect accent for dark brunette curly hair is golden highlights. Ask your stylist for balayage or teased highlights to achieve this sun-kissed look. Make sure they use a bonder in the lightener to prevent damage, like Olaplex no. 1. This product will keep your curls healthy and strong.

Short Layered Curly Hair with Subtle Pops of Honey

Pops of honey make this short layered curly hair stand out. But it remains subtle and natural. The soft dimension brings out the movement of the curls. And it still maintains a sun-kissed look that you can wear.

Mocha Caramel Swirls on Brunette Curls

Brunette curls look amazing with mocha caramel swirls throughout the tresses. The warm hues look great on women with darker skin tones and brown eyes. And it will accentuate textured hair nicely.

Summer Highlights on Spiral Curly Hair

Nothing brings out the details of spiral curly hair more than bright highlights. The bright pieces allow you to see each curl and make them pop. To maintain highlights like this on darker hair, it’s best to use a purple toning mask. Pravana has “the perfect blonde” toning mask to keep the blonde icy and eliminate any brass.

Dimensional Light Brown and Blonde on Loose Curls

For a fresh take on loose curls, try a dimensional light brown and blonde combo of color. Ash blonde looks great on short curly hair with balayage. It’s great for women with most skin tones. Especially if you have a lot of pink undertones. Ask your stylist for a free-form painting for a nice melt of color starting at your natural root.

Mid-Length Curls with Ginger Brown Balayage Ombre

It’s the perfect time for ginger brown balayage ombre. Hair painting has a beautiful effect. Lighten towards the midshaft and through the ends. Balayage on natural curly hair is a low-maintenance style. But you will need more appointments to keep the gingery hue fresh.

Shoulder-Length Kinky Hair with Bright Cinnamon Highlights

Cinnamon highlights create a warm hue on shoulder-length kinky hair. Afro-textured hair should be lifted slowly and gently. That way it stays healthy. Stylists should use 20 to 25 volume developers for the best results. Lift to a dark yellow for bright cinnamon highlights. Or, for red or burgundy, lift to a light red.

V-Cut Bronde Curls on Dark Hair

Have the best of both worlds with V-cut bronde curls on dark hair. If you have dark hair, consider giving your mane a fresh color. The natural technique of a sweeping balayage will give your locks a bright pop of color. A curly balayage is always in style and blends nicely into your beautiful tendrils.

Warm Blonde Curls on Dark Brown Hair

Try the perfect shade to brighten your dark brown hair with warm blonde curls. A warm blonde hair color will bring your dark hair to life. Curly hair with blonde balayage will look natural and have depth. Balayage will brighten your hair and your skin for a warm glow.

Light Auburn Tones on Curly Balayage Hair

Give your hair love and try auburn tones on your curly hair. Balayage on curly hair looks seamless and gives your hair shine. Plus, it’s low-maintenance. Visit your salon every couple of months to keep your warm tones fresh.

Sun-Kissed Balayage with Long Tousled Curls

When my curly-haired clients want to change their color, I recommend balayage. It will change the entire look while still being soft and natural. When you balayage highlights on curly hair it accents each tendril. So you do have to plan where that hair is going to live. For example, for the pieces in front, I always use a diagonal section so you’re hitting more length of the hair. Ensure all hair is healthy and shiny with great treatment, as there is nothing worse than a brittle curl at the end.

Long Naturally Curly Hair with Blonde Accents

Look truly unique with long, naturally curly hair with blonde accents. Give your natural dark brown color an upgrade with a seamless balayage. Ribbons of bold sandy blonde will give your brunette hair lots of dimension. Curly blonde balayage is always in style and is a great low-maintenance color.

Related: Best ideas for curly long hair.

Spiral Curls with Medium Blonde Highlights

Medium blonde highlights bring spiral curls to life. A warm shade like caramel will compliment blonde balayage on curly hair perfectly. Ask your stylist for light and dark creamy tones that will enhance your skin tone and make your eyes pop.

Related: Best medium blonde balayage ideas.

Deep Copper Streaks on Curly Black Hair

Tendrils of tightly coiled black hair needing a color change should look at balayage. Balayage on black curly hair softens your look while allowing for seamless grow out. Just as the curl flows in circles, the color also does so from dark to light. For products, use a frizz cream and shine oil to keep your color looking polished and hydrated.

Fluffy Curls with Ash Blonde Balayage Highlights

Have your locks look amazing with fluffy curls with ash blonde balayage highlights. Give your natural ash-brown hair a lift with some beautiful blonde ashy highlights. Swirling tones of chocolate and vanilla give off a multi-dimensional tone and shine.

Deep Caramel Balayage on Brunette Curly Hair

Brunette curly hair showcases balayage beautifully, especially in deep caramel tones. A caramel balayage on curly hair looks very dimensional. There are alternating tones within the bronde family. Honey and blonde swirl together to create luscious waves of color. Try Moroccan Oil’s Curl Creme for extra frizz control and definition.

Hand-Painted Honey Blonde Balayage with Long Curls

Be in love with your long curls and try hand-painted honey blonde balayage. A sun-kissed light brown balayage is the way to go if you’re looking for a low-maintenance color. Add golden tones to add warmth and shine for a glistening glow when the sun hits.

Tight Curls with Melted Warm Blonde Color

Try a warm blonde color melting from dark to light if you have tight curls. Balayage on dark curly hair tends to lift very golden. So, hairstylists need to neutralize brassy tones with the proper toner. Kinky curls may need to be treated with a foilyage instead of a painted-on technique. This will help you reach the desired level of lightness.

Very Long Sandy Blonde Curly Hair

Make everyone envious with very long sandy blonde curly hair. Balayage highlights will give your curly locks some much-needed dimension. Swirling tones of icy blonde will make your curls pop for beautiful-looking locks.

Reddish-Beige Blonde Curly Hair

A soft copper balayage on curly hair is so fitting. It could almost be mistaken for naturally sun-kissed locks, too. A deeper warmth will look more natural and give your skin tone a golden hue. For products, use a frizz cream, gel mousse, and oil for a soft, never-crunchy curl.

Chestnut Brown Balayage on Voluminous Curly Hair

Spice up your locks with chestnut brown balayage on your voluminous curly hair. Blended foil highlights will brings lots of dimension to your brown mane. You can do ombre highlights and make the ends pop for a more natural look and less maintenance.

Curled and Dimensional Milk Chocolate Brown Hair

Have luxurious locks with curled and dimensional milk chocolate brown hair. Balayage on curly brown hair looks natural and will make your color pop with dimension. Deep caramel highlights will reflect light and make your hair shine. Maintenance is low and to upkeep, you will only need to do a partial highlight every few months.