Serious question, I had to pick between a classic balayage and a full foil highlight for a client wanting a big change but with low upkeep.

I went with the balayage because her hair was already dry from past color, and after two sessions the grow-out looks way more natural than foils would have, so what's your go-to for clients who hate frequent touch-ups?

3 comments

3 Comments

reesel501mo ago

Totally agree on balayage for that grow-out. It blends so much better over time. For clients who really hate coming in, sometimes a root smudge or shadow can buy them even more time. That way the line between their natural color and the lightened bits gets even softer. It's a game changer for someone who might stretch appointments to five or six months.

drew551mo ago

Yeah, that root smudge trick is a total lifesaver. Read a whole article about how it basically tricks the eye into seeing a softer grow-out line, which is exactly what @reesel50 is saying. It's not just about color, it's about creating a blurry effect so the new growth doesn't look like a harsh stripe. For someone who hates salon visits, that extra step can add months of peace of mind. Makes the whole balayage process way more low-maintenance in the long run.

tara_patel1mo ago

Oh the root smudge thing is so true. My friend got a balayage last year and her stylist talked her into adding that shadow root, she was so mad about the extra cost at first. But then she went like seven months without touching it and it still looked amazing, like she had just left the salon. She finally admitted it was totally worth it because she could just ignore her hair for ages.