Cosmetology Practice Test – Pass the Massachusetts State Board Exam (2025 Guide)

Balayage is a popular hair coloring technique characterized by its freehand application, which allows for the creation of soft, natural-looking highlights. The term "balayage" comes from the French word meaning "to sweep," reflecting the sweeping motions used by the stylist to paint the lightener onto the hair. This technique is designed to mimic the way hair naturally lightens in the sun, resulting in a sun-kissed effect.

Unlike techniques that rely on foiling, which can create more defined and noticeable contrast between the highlighted and base colors, balayage offers a more blended and graduated look. This gives hairstylists the flexibility to customize each application based on the client's hair type and desired outcome. The result is often low-maintenance, as the grow-out looks softer and more natural compared to traditional highlighting methods.

In contrast, techniques that use foil create distinct sections with more uniform highlights, the method of coloring with stripes focuses on stark lines, and chemical processes for permanent hair color typically involve changing the overall color rather than lightening sections in a gradient fashion.