Whether you are a long-term lover of highlights or tempted to try bleaching your hair for the first time, you’re in luck this autumn/winter. ‘No regrowth’ balayage is the hair colour application technique that’s making it easier than ever to maintain blonde styles.
No regrowth balayage is a variation on the classic balayage technique, which is designed to give you an effortless ‘lived-in’ blonde colour – without the need for trips to the salon every three weeks. Ideal for those who want to spend their time seeing the world, rather than in the stylist’s chair, it’s a perfect solution for CF’s travel-hungry readers. We’re predicting it will be one of the biggest trend this autumn, and beyond.
What is No Regrowth Balayage?
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“Balayage is a hair colouring technique where the colour is hand painted onto hair giving a much more natural and sunkissed look than traditional highlights,” explains the leading celebrity hair colourist Nicola Clarke (aka the queen of blondes). “The aim is for there to be no harsh contrast between colours at the roots.”
The latest iteration of the classic technique – no regrowth balayage – was first brought to our attention by the leading hair colourist Arron Taylor, who works at the John Frieda salon in Mayfair. An easy-to-upkeep balayage upgrade, the trend is all about a laidback approach to maintaining your blonde. The aim is to provide something that feels a little more lived-in and relaxed.
It’s also specifically designed to avoid that tell-tale thick line of darker regrowth at the roots that makes your blonde look fake and untidy over time. All of this means you can leave more time between your appointments, topping your colour up when it suits you.
Who is the trend great for?
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If you love an effortless highlighted blonde, but find you need constant root touch-ups, this is the modern alternative. It not only makes your hair look less stripy (especially true if you have naturally darker hair) but, because it grows out more naturally, you can invest less time (and money) in maintaining the look.
“You can have balayage on all hair textures and colours,” says Clarke. “With afro hair, the colourist just needs to make sure the client hasn’t had too many processes beforehand otherwise hair can be prone to breakage. In fact, it works really well for those who have some texture running through their hair if they want to achieve a more wavy, undone look.”
“This look is perfect for women that run busy lifestyles as it will grow out seamlessly,” continues Taylor. “It’s also a style that can easily be maintained with a gloss in-between balayage appointments to supercharge your hair’s condition.”
How to achieve No Regrowth Balayage
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Interested in trying the trend for yourself? Here’s how Taylor achieves it: “I created the low maintenance balayage look by teasing the roots when applying the colour in order to create a more blended base which will prevent you from getting a harsh regrowth. Then, by placing each individual brush of colour at angles that create dimension and lift to the hair, the style will give the mid-lengths and ends a beautiful pop of colour, complimenting in with the natural hair colour of the individual.”
It’s basically the lazy woman’s modern approach to going blonde.
What colour shades should I choose?
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As for the exact tone you are aiming for, that’s equally relaxed: “The tone of the balayage is very relative to the client’s natural hair colour. If they have a naturally warmer hair colour, I would tone towards more golden and beige. If the client’s hair is more ashy, I would keep the colour relatively cool and neutral.” Clarke agrees, telling us to “opt for a look and colour that is more boheme and chic, rather than Glastonbury and grungy. The colours [for this trend] are more muted and sophisticated; it’s lived-in but healthy and shiny, so it will give the impression of being a woman who looks after herself. The roots stay natural and the light pieces are scattered softly throughout.”
How to maintain your No Regrowth Balayage?
Of course, the whole point of no regrowth balayage is that maintaining it should be easy – and it is! What’s important post-dye – as with all other dye techniques – is keeping your tresses in good condition.
“My top tip for maintaining and prolonging the colour would be to use a purifying shampoo every other wash to keep the hair free from product build up as well as hard water minerals,” Taylor tells us. “This can really enhance the colour for months after the appointment. My favourite shampoo for this is Virtue’s Purifying Shampoo.”
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“Using hydrating and conditioning masks in the run up to your appointment and then after you have had balayage is a good idea too,” says Clarke. “I recommend using a mask once a week and you can combine that with glosses and toners so that your colour lasts without fading or brassiness. Just make sure they are clear, otherwise it can compromise the range of colours you have in your hair.” Try Sam McKnight’s Intense Treatment Mask and Ouai’s Hair Gloss.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?