Life needs a little shaking up now and
again and our hair is no different. But instead of a new color or a
drastic cut for summer, why not try one of the hottest hair trends to
sweep Hollywood? Actually you have your choice of two: Ombre and
Balayage.
Remember the highlights you got as a
child playing in the summer sunshine? That is pretty much the look
these techniques replicate.
Ombre, French for “shading,”
is when the hair strand is gradually lightened, starting with dark
roots growing lighter near the ends. This lightening can be dramatic
or very subtle. Drew Barrymore was an early pioneer of this look.
Balayage means “to paint” in
French. A master colorist, like Believe's
own Lisa, paints color vertically on the hair strand, using the tip
of a brush, and only on the front of the hair—giving those
sun-kissed highlights.
Both these techniques can be combined,
of course, and Hollywood beauties from Jennifer Beal and Sarah
Jessica Parker to Lauren Conrad and Giselle have all been spotted
experimenting with the trend.
Before you decide which is right for you, ask yourself some questions:
- Do you like the look of your roots growing out?
- How many shades lighter are you willing to go?
- Do you wear your hair curly or straight?
If you are okay with “roots” and
wear your hair curly, Ombre may be for you. (Straight hair would have
too definite a line of demarcation showing. Waves or curls look
better). Talk to your Believe
stylist about how dramatic you want the lightening to be so there are
no surprises (and you may want to get your ends cut before lightening
them, to avoid drying them out). Afterwards, get a deep conditioning
treatment at Believe,
too, to keep your new look healthy and glossy.
If you wear your hair straight or are
searching for a more subtle look, Balayage is probably for you.
Depending on how light you and your Believe
stylist want to go, you may not even need to use bleach on your hair
(for the more natural look of Balayage, you really want to only go
two or three shades lighter than your natural color anyway.) Since
the hair is painted vertically in Balayage, you will avoid that
really clear line of demarcation where the color changes, meaning
less trips to the salon (we'll miss you). You can go out and play in
the actual sun (wear a hat!) and look like you hair has been
sun-kissed without those damaging UV rays.
Both techniques take a little more time
in one of our comfy Believe
chairs (you can't rush artistry) so make your appointment when
you have a little time to sit and chat (we'll provide the herb tea)
and get ready to show the world there's more to you than one
dimension. Then go out and enjoy all the fun you can pack into one
summer.