Partial balayage is a hair coloring technique where highlights are placed only on specific areas. It’s a free-form painting that creates a softer and more natural dimension in your hair.
Changing the color of your locks is a process. Some shades are achievable during the first session, like chocolate, copper, and caramel.
If you’re opting for a lighter hue, such as blonde and ash, it’ll take more than one session. A salon director from New Zealand, Cas Roycroft, gives her opinion on this trend.
“This would be the best time to invest in good hair care products to prepare your tresses for the balayage. These must nourish your hair with protein and moisture,” says Roycroft.
A partial balayage can be low-upkeep, yet some colors need high maintenance. These include bright or ashy tones like red and copper or silver and grey.
Roycroft’s top recommendation is to use tinted and hydrating shampoos and conditioners. She states, “Our hair needs hydration, especially after having any color services. Using a serum or oil is also great to replace the natural oils removed from your hair due to bleaching.”
When struggling to keep your hair color, pop into your trusted salon and ask for the toning service. “It’ll be a quick procedure to give you a relaxing wash and fresh tone of your desire,” Roycroft adds.
This photo gallery will inspire you to revamp your hair color. Find the most stylish ways to get a partial balayage here!
#1: Bronde Partial Balayage on Dark Brown Hair
A bronde partial balayage looks stunning on dark brown hair, and thankfully, it’s low-maintenance. The high contrast between these two colors creates a lot of dimension and has a unique take on bronde.
#2: Deep Purple Hair
Partial balayage highlights can create a night sky effect on deep purple hair. The expertly placed bits of lightness in this look gain an extra POP from the purple overlaid on top. Women with this hair color can extend the life of their look at home by incorporating purple shampoo into their routine.
#3: Brown and Blonde Partial Balayage
Brown and blonde balayage has become the most cost-efficient look. A partial balayage is a great way to receive a refreshed look by receiving about 15 foils, mainly on the top of the head. I suggest asking your stylist for a money piece with a grown-out balayage effect. It will give you the longest wear out of this specific look.
#4: Trendy Ash Brown Balayage Ombre
An ash-brown balayage ombre is a natural take on hair painting. In general, hair painting is always the best option for women who prefer a more natural hair color.
#5: Stunning Rose Gold Balayage
Women who love red waves should try a rose gold balayage. This elevated take on the “traditional red” looks particularly stunning on women with longer hair, but also looks amazing on any skin tone.
Related: Hottest red balayage hair ideas.
#6: Warm Honey Balayage
A warm honey balayage is a great way to add some warmth to your strands. Women with dark hair will find that this technique can make a huge difference in their overall color. If you do decide to go for this look, it’s best to avoid going too light with your highlights, as the color will appear too stripey and not as blended.
#7: Soft Ash Brown Balayage on Black Hair
A partial balayage on black hair is possible with a soft ash-brown balayage! It’s often thought that there isn’t much you can do with black hair without creating a “skunk” effect, but that is not the case. A soft, subtle partial balayage can create a lot of interest in this traditionally one-dimensional color.
#8: On-Trend Golden Brown Highlights
Golden brown highlights are a backyard hair color that looks fabulous on any woman. Those looking to try out a balayage hair color should ease into the trend. Try a golden brown hue first before going too light.
#9: Subtle Auburn Balayage
A subtle auburn balayage is a balayage color that compliments darker hair colors. Women with dark hair who want to try a partial balayage will find that auburn and warmer tones make the best match for their deeper natural color.
#10: Natural Balayage with Chocolate Brown Shade
Another hue that compliments darker shades is a natural balayage with chocolate brown. By keeping the balayage soft and close to the existing color, your stylist can create a nearly natural hue that looks almost sun-kissed and “born with it.”
Related: Stunning brown balayage hair color ideas.
#11: Gorgeous Blonde Face-Framing Highlights
Blonde face-framing highlights can truly transform dark blonde tresses. Utilizing a partial blonde balayage in this way will draw light (and eyes) to your best features – your gorgeous face!
#12: Dimensional Gray Balayage
Dimensional gray balayage is one of the latest, and most creative, hair color ideas. This unique take on a dark and smokey hue makes your lengths shine like glass or the surface of the water at night, extra shiny and super smooth.
#13: Sweet Ash Blonde Balayage Ombre
Dark locks look gorgeous with an ash-blonde balayage ombre. If you take this look to the salon, don’t forget to ask your stylist for an in-shower toner recommendation to keep your tresses extra sparkly.
#14: Beautiful Light Brown Hair with Platinum Highlights
Women looking for a partial balayage on light brown hair should opt for light brown hair with platinum highlights. The contrast between the two hues creates a strobing effect that actually draws light to your lengths, making your color look and shine brighter.
#15: Modern Blonde Partial Foilayage
Traditional foil highlights meet balayage in this new technique – the blonde partial foilayage. If you have hard-to-lift hair but desire a balayage style color, ask your stylist to incorporate foils. The heat from inside the foiled balayage pieces will actually help push your hair to lighter, brighter levels.
#16: Color Melt with Ashy Hair Color
Women who prefer lighter shades should try a trendy color melt with ashy hair color. Since subtle, natural tones are in, the color melt has found its way back to the top. This color technique is a great way to incorporate an on-trend look without having to take your hair too far.
#17: Classic Brunette Partial Balayage
Ladies with dark hair should try lightening their look with a brunette partial balayage. The simple addition of free-frame printing can totally transform a brunette from standard to stunning.
#18: Soft Balayage on Brunette Hair
Get gorgeous tresses with a soft balayage on brunette hair! Balayage is all the rage- and for good reason. This expertly created hair painting technique works wonders on almost any hair color, especially brunettes. The addition of slightly lighter pieces creates a hue that looks as if it were created by the sun.
#19: Sun-Kissed Caramel Partial Highlights
Caramel is a much-loved hair color, and an easy way to incorporate this hue is with sun-kissed caramel partial highlights. No matter your natural or starting hair color, adding some caramel strands will help boost the overall warmth, making your locks appear healthier and more youthful.
Related: Beautiful caramel balayage hair colors.
#20: Subtle Highlights on Dark Hair
Subtle highlights on dark hair are a great option for women who aren’t looking for a full-color change. A partial balayage on dark hair will create points of impact by lightening carefully chosen areas. The end result will create an almost entirely new hue with very little maintenance.
#21: Fun Copper Balayage Highlights
Maximize your mane with copper balayage highlights. Fun-colored hairstyles are often thought of as pinks and blues and greens, but this copper hairdo shows that you can have just as much fun with red tones too!