Balayage at Johnson Blythe Hair Salons in Hertford & Harpenden
Balayage remains one of the most sought-after hair colour techniques at our Hertford and Harpenden hairdressers. But what exactly is balayage, and will it work for you?
At Johnson Blythe, our award-winning hair colourists specialise in creating bespoke balayage that enhances your natural hair, complements your skin tone, and fits your lifestyle perfectly.
To book a balayage appointment, call us on 01992 568924 (Hertford) or 01582 353698 (Harpenden). Alternatively, you can book online.
Please note: If you are new to hair colour, or haven’t had a colour appointment with us in six months or more, you will need a quick allergy patch test 48 hours before your appointment.
What Is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word meaning “to sweep” or “to paint.” This hand-painting technique allows our stylists to create a natural, sun-kissed effect, with soft, blended highlights that grow out gracefully. The beauty of balayage lies in its versatility—it can be subtle or bold, and it works on all hair types, whether you’re looking to add dimension, texture, or a low-maintenance colour update.
Balayage for Every Hair Type and Colour
Contrary to popular belief, balayage isn’t just for blonde hair. It’s perfect for brunettes who want a natural lift or seasonal warmth, as well as for blondes looking to soften previous highlights with a root shadow or tone-on-tone effect. Each balayage is tailored to your hair, creating a unique, personalised finish. Because the technique is hand-painted, no two looks are ever exactly the same. This makes it ideal for those who want a bespoke, modern style.
L’Oréal French Balayage
At Johnson Blythe, we offer L’Oréal French Balayage, a two-step professional method designed for natural-looking results. First, sections of hair are lightened in sweeping V shapes, keeping roots soft for low-maintenance regrowth. Then, contrasting L’Oréal Dia-Light toners are applied to neutralise brassiness and enhance shine.
The result is glossy, dimensional hair that looks effortlessly natural, tailored to your hair type, length, and lifestyle.
Maintaining Your Balayage
Balayage is designed to be low-maintenance, but the condition and longevity of your colour depend on professional care and a customised home routine.
We recommend toning treatments every few weeks and the use of high-quality hair care products to keep colour vibrant and hair healthy. During your complimentary consultation, we’ll advise on the perfect maintenance plan to keep your balayage looking fresh and radiant between visits.
Book Your Balayage Hair Colour Appointment at our Salons in Hertford or Harpenden
Ready to transform your hair with a personalised balayage? Book a consultation or appointment at Johnson Blythe Hair Salons in Hertford or Harpenden call us on 01992 568924 (Hertford) or 01582 353698 (Harpenden). Alternatively, you can book online using the pop-up button to the right of the page.
Balayage FAQs
What is balayage hair colour?
«The word balayage comes from the French, meaning "to sweep". Balayage hair colour is a free-hand technique, which involves the colour being painted or swept through your hair with a brush. This approach allows us to place your highlights exactly where they are need to give your hair a bespoke, natural look. The highlights are designed to give your hair a sun-kissed look, lifting the colour in the way it would if you had been out in the sun all day. As the colour is painted on by hand, the effect is subtler than that achieved with conventional foil highlights as there are no hard lines. We can adapt the look to suit your individual personality and style.
What’s the difference between balayage and ombré?
«Ombré produces a contrasting two-toned effect whereas balayage is subtler and more multi-dimensional. With balayage, highlights will only be added to certain sections of the hair, with a finer and more intricate pattern near the roots and larger brush strokes toward the tips. By contrast, ombré is a simpler gradation, from dark roots to lighter tips.
Is balayage suitable for all hair colours?
«Yes, balayage can look beautiful on all shades of hair. Whether your hair is blonde, brunette, red or even grey, we can add balayage highlights to suit you. Buttery blonde tones and platinum colours are particularly popular, but warm caramel balayage can look beautiful to add extra dimension to brunette hair. In fact balayage can be created on all hair colours from copper balayage to silver ombré and lots of colours in-between! It can also be a great way to play with some bright fashion colours, adding splashes to your hair without the commitment of a full colour change.
How long will it take to create a balayage hair colour for me?
«The length of time will depend on both the length of your hair and how many balayage highlights you want added to it. For example, adding balayage throughout your hair would take longer than just a few face framing highlights. Book a complimentary hair colour consultation at our Hertford or Harpenden salons and we will be able to advise you on how long it will take.
Please note, if your hair is in poor condition or damaged, it may take longer to reach your final desired look as we will work with you to improve the health of your hair so it is ready for the colouring process. We recommend using Kerastase Fusio Dose to improve your hair’s strength and condition and produce a more vibrant colour.
How do I maintain my balayage hair colour?
«Balayage has the advantage of being relatively low maintenance. The root regrowth will be considerably less noticeable than with traditional foil highlights and you can expect to need to visit your colourist around every 8 -12 weeks to refresh your colour.
We also recommend using a professional quality colour care shampoo to make sure your colour stays vibrant.
Will balayage suit me?
«Our dedicated stylists in Hertford and Harpenden will create a bespoke balayage look that suits your hairstyle and skin tone. We'll work with you to find a beautiful shade that you love. Balayage works well with a wide range of hair colours, meaning that we can always find the perfect colour for your unique style.
How is balayage applied?
«Balayage is applied with a brush, hand painted directly onto your hair by one of our colour experts. It will be applied to those areas where it will look most naturally sun-kissed.
Will balayage damage my hair?
«At Johnson Blythe Hertford and Harpenden, we prioritise hair health. During your balayage appointment, we will advise on the best in-salon treatments to nourish your hair from within and prevent breakage. Revolutionary treatments like OLAPLEX will protect your hair during your colour service and keep your colour vivid for longer. We can also advise on the best at-home products to keep your hair healthy and nourished in-between salon visits.
What colour works well with balayage?
«While people might traditionally associate balayage with blonde shades, caramels, and golden hues, it works well with a wide range of colours including rich brunette shades, vibrant reds, on-trend coppers, and creative colours. Balayage is incredibly versatile, so we can find your perfect shade during your balayage service at Johnson Blythe Hertford or Harpenden.
Does balayage work on grey hair?
«Yes! Balayage is a wonderful technique for grey hair as it can help us seamlessly blend your grey hair and offer a youthful, beautiful look. Colours including soft blondes, beige tones, caramel shades, and mushroom browns work well with grey hair. As always, our colour specialists will find the perfect shade to work with your natural tones.
How do I maintain my balayage?
«Wait 48-72 hours before washing your hair after your balayage appointment and use special colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner. Avoid using hot water when rinsing your hair as this can strip your hair of natural oils and minimise heat styling where possible. Chat with our colour specialists about the best products and aftercare tips.
What is a patch test?
«If you haven't had a hair colour service at Johnson Blythe salons in Hertford and Harpenden in the past 6 months, we kindly ask that you pop in for a quick patch test 48 hours before your colour service. This is an allergy test where we pop a small amount of dye solution onto your skin to make sure that you don't have an allergic reaction to it.