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Balayage hairwhich first became popular in 2014 and has stayed that way ever sincehappens to be one of those.

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What is balayage?
Simply put, balayage is a highlighting technique that doesnt use foils.
Thus, its great for clients looking for low-maintenance, natural-looking hair color.

And despite discourse online thatbalayage might be cheugy, Kim insists that the hairstyle is still very modern-looking.
Whats the difference between balayage and highlights?
Highlights might be more suited for clients who want a pronounced lightness.

Its perfect for someone looking for a natural, sun-kissed effect.
What is balayage maintenance?
We rounded up some of our favorite examples of the technique, below.

Scroll on for the best balayage hair ideas to try this year.
Lopez is known for her signature warm caramel balayage that enhances her golden complexion, Kandasamy says.
Money-Piece Highlights
Add a subtlemoney pieceto draw attention right to yourface shape.

Instead theyve been asking for a look that Jimieson dubbedtweed hair, essentially subtle highlights that are evenly distributed.
A contrast is still present, but not as overachiever as seen in recent seasons, he says.
One of our favorite versions of the look?

This rich brown with golden-blonde balayage pieces fromSimplicity Salonin South Florida.
Root Blur Balayage
Color that grows out easily is understandably one of this years top trends.
Touch-ups are only needed twice a year, and the look maintains an intentional and fresh feel.

This color works best for those with thicker, dark hair, says Tardo.
The lighter ribbons of color give separation to highlight beautiful natural textures.
He says to ask for subtle ashy-bronde highlights.

Red is notoriously high-maintenance, but done like this, its easy to keep up.
She recommends asking for half-head highlights in sun-kissed caramel and golden tones.
Golden Balayage
You cant really go wrong with gold tones, especially if you have dark skin.

Here it looks gorgeous on natural hair vloggerNicollette.
According to coloristKarissa SchaudtatMaxine Salonin Chicago, twilighting is for brown hair colors with warm undertones.
The look is achieved by painting a few balayage pieces in addition to foiled babylights, she says.

Its a low-maintenance color that will carry from season to season.
Brown Ale
Brown-ale hair has a deep mahogany base and swirls of amber highlights.
Caramel Mocha
For brunettes, its all about dimension.

Caramel mocha is a nice way to add some brightness without going blonde.
To get the shade, Grummel uses a foilayage (a combination of foil and balayage) technique.
Iced Mocha
Starbucks has nothing on this gorgeous shade.

Just be prepared to sit in your colorists chair for a while.
So if youre wishing for heat wave weather, this is the closest youll get.
Subtle Caramel
Warm, caramel balayage on dark brown hair adds an unreal glow toJoan Smallss skin.

Plus, it highlights and emphasizes the structure of her waves.
I love using the balayage technique when making someone a nice California blonde, says Ortega.
Pastel-Purple Balayage
Forget sun-kissed.

It looks extra cool on short hair.
Choppy Color
A whole lot of layersplus bangs, plus balayagehas an easygoing, I-just-got-back-from-a-four-month-vacay vibe.
Think effortless and sun-kissed.

Toasted Coconut
A riff on bronde, toasted coconut is even more low-maintenance.
Baby Balayage
Your balayage doesnt have to look likebalayage.
Maybe the lighting is perfector, more likely, maybe her hair color is just that good.

The gradient looks just as good now as it did then.
Bonus: It gives lovely curly hair like this more definition.
Balayage Bangs
Bangs can get in on balayage too.

Incorporating the tone into long, grown-out bangs, like Ciaras, gives hair color a cohesive look.
Copper Balayage
Balayage still flies under the radar for natural hair.
The wordbalayagehasnt quite made it in the natural-hair arena, says Black.

Natural-hair vloggerBianca Alexaproves that a metallic shade, like copper or gold, can seriously pay off.
Rainbow Balayage
Rainbow tones are a growing trend in balayage.
Colorists are realizing that you’re free to go beyond the basics, says Ortega.

With the various blonde tones,Michelle Williamss iconic cut looks piecey and cool.
Red Balayage
A naturally bold hair color like red doesnt eliminate you from playing with color.
Going from true strawberry to strawberry blonde is basically foolproofand, bonus, it makes red look more natural.

On natural-hair bloggerPriscilla Flete, the blonde emphasizes her coils.
Chocolate Balayage
Before she wentblondeand thenback againDemi Lovatohad some subtle balayage.
Lightening up just one shade, likePriyanka Chopradid, is enough to change your hair game.



























