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Skullgrass
{hair studio}
Literally just means "free painting" in French, and we applied it to hair, therefore "Balayage" = Painted Hair. Which is technically what we do when we color the hair within foils but this is more accurately "open-air hair painting". Usually we use a lightener to "lighten up" your ends while blending into a root, whether natural or colored, this may include a separate "root" application. Discretion here is completely up to the stylist. We can use powder bleaches, clay lighteners, mega speed lighteners, and then there's deciding which accelerent to use. Do you want to blast open that cuticle or do you want a softer, lighter lift? Then after that, we decide where to place the product to get the best results. In a traditional Balayage, most, if not all of the product is layered on top of each previously colored section without much to separate them. This is ideally going to give you a nice, soft blend of saturation. Now, sometimes people want a more dramatic look. Maybe that icy white look or a blend of the Balayage technique and traditional foiling. This is called a Fusion.
The "Fusion" coloring technique blends traditional foiling and open-air, balayage. This is going to give you the most saturation and the most controlled lifting while still maintaining that natural shadowed root. Usually, soft "baby-lights" or micro-foils are done around the hairline to mimic a natural sunkissed look. Strategic highlights are placed around the hairline and throughout the rest of the head. Afterward, the colorist will go back in with more product and use the balayage technique to color the ends, blended up toward the root.
A "Foilage" is a foiling technique that pretends to be a balayage. Sometimes it's easier to control the lift when the hair is separated by foils but you still want the balayage look so this is a great technique to use here. Sometimes a colorist will use this technique when fine-tuning a balayage or to blend a shadow root back out. So, yeah, we know you asked for a "Balayage" and what you see is foils. Hopefully we did a great consultation and we explained but when so many techniques can be employed, you gotta trust the process! This is also a modern technique when applied appropriately!
I found this explanation of toning on instagram from a fellow hairdresser and she puts it so simply and so easy to understand.
credit - instagram: @wellahairusa
Micro-fine highlights with little to no hair in between each foil. Usually done around the hairline to mimic natural highlighted, sunkissed look and to keep the brightest pieces around the fringe, complimenting facial features.
A darker effect on the root to compliment any balayage or color melt. Also used to diffuse highlight lines for a more lived-in look.
Shadow root blended down into balayage or toning gloss after a balayage.
Basically the same thing as a toner but specifically designed to maximize shine for anyone, even non-colored hair!
Ombré
The Ombre is a look, often achieved by balayage, fusion or traditional foiling. "Ombré (literally "shaded" in French) is the gradual blending of one color hue to another, usually moving tints and shades from light to dark." - wikipedia.com
The term "Holographic", when applied to hair coloring is used to describe a color pattern painted on the hair to achieve an iridescent, light-reflective optical illusion. Usually done in vivid color schemes.
Extensions in short, is a weft of hair that is not your own, synthetic or authentic, attached to your own hair to add volume and/or length. There are many ways to attach hair extension, braiding, glue-in, tape-in, keratin bond, clip-in, threaded, and the list goes on and on. People use hair extensions for many different reasons and occasions. You can add length or fullness to emphasize your own hair. If you want to try out a color without coloring your own hair or for a fun accent. Usually the extension is made from 100% real human hair or a man-made synthetic but I have done everything from feathers to tinsel to beads as well.
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I am certified in Cinderella Hair® which are the keratin bond type, although that is not the method I prefer. Each type has it's pros and cons. Cinderella Hair® (keratin bond fusion) has a celeb quality, beautiful, seamless finish when applied correctly. The hundreds of individual bonds blend in like it's your own. This takes hours upon hours, and so many dollars you'll be wondering if it was worth the headache, and yes, you will get headaches from how tightly these are applied. This is why I prefer the tape-in method. Faster, easier, less damage and highly customizable to the individual look your are going for.
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Typically I prefer HOTHEADS® brand extensions. Application requires a thin slice of your hair to be sandwiched between two wefts of hair that are held in place by double-sided surgical strength tape. This will grow out with your hair and will need to be either moved up or taken out altogether. Removal is easy as spraying a hair-safe oil solvent and washing it out. Typically, you can re-use each weft up to 3 times with 6-10 weeks in between each removal and re-application.
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* Extensions are custom ordered for you, if you want more info or want to discuss options head over to the "Appointment" page to book an appointment for "Extension Consultation" and we can chat about it!
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