Balayage on dark brown hair.
I gave hair lightening through balayage highlights a shot, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. If you aren’t sure what balayage is, it’s a specific technique where color is painted on the hair for a more graduated effect. I was a busy grad student, and the stylist advised that this method would keep me from having to visit the salon every time my roots started to show because they would mostly blend into the layer of colors.
Since I have dark brown hair, we had to bleach it fairly heavily to eventually paint in the copper tones. With bleach, my hair wanted to become the color of Big Bird, but the stylist was diligent and I think in the end my hair passed. Check out the picture on this page and let me know if you disagree.
Ultimately, balayage wasn’t a lifestyle I wanted to upkeep. But, if you’re bored with dark brown hair and wondering if balayage highlights are for you, consider the following:
1. Balayage on dark brown hair can be a gamble.
You’ll want to find a trusted hair stylist in your area who understands how bleach might react to your hair and who is willing to put in the hours to paint your color layers. Mine had experience working with Asian hair and dark brown hair using this technique, and that was comforting.
2. Cost of upkeep.
Unlike dyeing your hair and coming in for touchups when the roots show, balayage doesn’t require as much upkeep. However, each trip to the salon can be costly and do remember to tip your stylist. I waited about three months before a touch-up, which in New York was about $250 including tip.