hair color focus: the balayage!

First...WELCOME TO MY FIRST POST! I'm starting this blog because I wanted another way to connect with you all, keep you up-to-date with the latest haircut and hair color styles, trends, products, and industry techniques, and basically, just share a bit of my crazyawesomecolorful world with you :) I absolutely LOVE my career, and few things in life give me greater pleasure than seeing that giddy sparkle in your eye after you leave my chair with a fabulous haircut or hair color Madison Indiana. 

Ba-lay-whaddy?

Today's focus: the balayage! It's a French term that means "to sweep", and if you've ever actually watched me giving someone a balayage at the hair salon, this will totally make sense to you. When I'm applying hair color for a balayage onto a board or foil, I am literally sweeping color through small triangled sections of their hair. This allows me a great deal of control over the color gradation as it transitions naturally from dark into the lighter color. To create even more dimension, I will usually leave a few darker pieces at the bottom so it looks natural and not too "perfect". This technique beautifully and naturally mimics the sunkissed highlighted effect you'd get after spending a summer at the beach. It's all about the subtlety, baby! It's a big hit with my Madison hair color clients, not only because it looks gorgeous but it's also wonderfully low maintenance!

how to choose the right stylist for your balayage

You've seen the pictures, you know you'd rock this color style, and you now want to take the plunge - what's the next step? Call your regular hair stylist and ask if he/she has had experience with this technique; then, request to see pictures of their balayage portfolio. Remember, it's not enough for someone to have just had experience - you want them to execute their hair color technique like a boss! Have they chosen colors and tones that work well with their clients? Meaning, do their results look natural? You can't be too picky here - I mean, this is your hair we're talking about after all!
If you can't find someone local who does this technique well, it's definitely worth the time, distance, and money to travel to a nearby city to a salon with a great reputaton for their balayage and where they've amassed a lot of positive reviews. Find someone who won't rush this treatment and will take the time to make sure it's done well. 
Lastly, you should leave the hair salon completely satisfied! You've shelled out some good money for this hair service, so make sure you locate a stylist who won't be offended if you feel your balayage is "not quite right" and will work to make you happy with your hair.