Foils vs. Balayage
Posted on: May 22, 2009
People often ask the difference between traditional foiling and the artistry of hair painting. Not only is the result or hair painting far more beautiful but it is much healthier for the hair. Aluminum foil is a conducter of heat which almost bakes the bleach into the hair creating a very brassy effect .
Hair Painting is a process that we teach all of our colorists at the salon. We have also developed an advanced training program that we have designed for outside stylists and salon owners to come to our salon to learn this technique.
Originating in France, the word “Balayage” translates to “sweeping”, and the actual sweeping of color can be placed more exactly on the hair. As a colorist we can place the highlight more exactly where nature intended it to be. The result from using foils can be color that has obvious strips of color that can look brassy or too white. The art of hair painting is a process that gives more dimensional natural looking color.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Is this a technique that can be used on tinted hair that is shorter, bob length or shorter. I have frizzy hair damaged from foils, irons, etc. Do you know of any salon’s in Southern California (South Orange County/Newport Beach) using this technique. I have a great stylist (Dusty Simington) but my hair is cooked and I am really concerned!
Thanks,
Gretchen Manoogian
(949) 683.4955
June 1st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Hi Gretchen,
Yes the balayage technique would be great for your hair because you can place the color exactly in the root area with out risking further breakage within the hair. I think I know of a hairdresser in your area. Please email me at beautytalk@evascrivo.com so that I can refer you to her.
Best,
Eva
June 17th, 2009 at 6:00 am
I have been living outside of Baltimore Maryland for ten years and have not had a great colorist. interested in the balayage technique. Anyone you suggest. Thanks
June 17th, 2009 at 6:13 am
left incorrect email
..corrected
I have been living outside of Baltimore Maryland for ten years and have not had a great colorist. interested in the balayage technique. Anyone you suggest. Thanks
June 25th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Hi Ann,
Thank you for your comment. Ted Gibson has opened a salon in Washington DC which you should try. I’m sure he has some really wonderful stylist working for him there. I hope this helps!
Best,
Eva
September 19th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
hello i would like to have trainning class 4 this fabulous technique im a hair stylist but wanna to try that please send me and email .
October 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I am a Stylist in Lakeland, FL. Is there training for Balayage in my area?
October 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Hi Diane,
L’Oreal offers hands-on training for Balyage. You should look for an academy, hair show or salon that offers advanced classes. Typically, you have to carry L’Oreal to attend. I do offer advanced education at my Bond St location in NY to outside salons and teach handpainting methods.
Hope this helps!
Best Wishes,
Eva
December 16th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
What colour highlights would you suggest for very dark brown hair that goes slightly red in the sun?
I considered red, but i’m not very keen about having red highlights.
and what hairdressers use the balayage technique in Australia?
Thank-you.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Kylie,
Your hair has to be bleached to a pale yellow shade and then toned to a light brown or even dark golden brown. You have to completely remove the natural red pigment from the hair to ensure it will not go red or brassy. I do not know any hair dressers in Australia personally, but will continue to research that for you.
Best Wishes,
Eva
January 13th, 2010 at 5:49 am
Hi,
can we do balayage with wella product ? if so which one?
many thanks.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:48 am
Yes, you can use Blondor. It can be made into a creamy bleach which is great for balayage.
Best Wishes,
Eva
March 21st, 2010 at 9:23 am
Hi,
I hope you can help me. My hair is long and needs a double process now, it has some grey in it. My base color has a lot of red highlights. I have blond highlights and have been hopping from salon to salon. My base is coming out brassy copper! My highlights are all wrong, I like contrast and don’t want to look all over blond. Can I get a balayage with a double process? I live on the south shore of long island, Bellmore. Please help….
Thank you so much
March 27th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Hi Dianne,
It sounds like you should be receiving a single process with highlights and lowlights. It’s hard to be completely sure without seeing your hair in person-since you don’t live very far from the salon we would love to have you come in! We have many excellent colorists here that would be happy to help you. Call 212.677.7315 if you would like to make an appointment- I hope to see you soon!
April 1st, 2010 at 4:43 am
Would love to learn the technique. I live in Pflugerville,Texas, near Austin. Please send me class information.
April 13th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Hi Janna-
I’m so glad you’re interested in the class. I will have someone contact you by email with more information!
Best wishes,
Eva
April 18th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
What happened to just doing good color both painting and foils done by a skilled colorist can produce beautiful results. I love the depth of highlighting with tint and high lift tint if you are not changing the base. Baylayage is a great technique but you can only use bleach. I was trained to do both but got really comfortable with foil. I should as a great colorist be proficient in both. Every client is different and require different techniques. A great colorist should be versatile and dynamic. That is the challege. I respect everyone on here who is looking to further their education. But in the end it is just about good color and client satsifaction.
April 19th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I am also interested in a class….that is the one hair coloring system we do not do in our salon and I am VERY interested in it. Please send info! Also,,,what is the price point for this kind of service?
April 21st, 2010 at 5:27 am
Hi Susan-
I will have someone contact you via email with more information about the class!
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:45 am
Hi Simone,
I completely agree with you. Choosing the right technique for the client should always come first. There are instances where foils will do a job that balayage won’t and vice versa. For the most part our clients have been extremely happy with high lighting and low lighting using balayage (at my salon we balayage with color and with lightener)- and find that the look is softer and more natural which allows you more time for grow-out between visits. However, there are those clients who need more lift or who simply prefer the foiled look. Good colorists should be well versed in not only in the different techniques, but in application of each as well.
Best wishes,
Eva
May 27th, 2010 at 7:25 am
Hi Eva,
Thanks for the info. I have been wanting balayage for quite some time but have been taking my time and doing research to find the right colorist for the job. I live in NYC and have heard mixed reviews about lots of salons. I have light brown hair and normally get a double process with rich brown and highlights, however, my highlights keep coming out brassy and I end up liking my color the most when it has grown out and faded. I am thinking balayage will be the perfect solution and then I won’t have to do a double process and can just use my natural base.
I want to go somewhere where it will be done well, but wonder if I can afford it. What is the price range for balayage at your salon?
Thanks!!
Allison
June 1st, 2010 at 4:29 am
Hi Allison,
There’s a rather wide price range depending on your colorist and the amount of highlighting you’ll need done. Someone would be happy to discuss your options in detail with you based on your needs. Please give us a call at 212.677.7315 to discuss your options and schedule a complimentary consultation!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Best wishes,
Eva
June 19th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Hi Eva,
I am a stylist looking to learn the Balayage technique but I am not in a salon at the moment, I am looking for work. I feel that if I can learn this it will help with my employment search. Is there anywhere around my area that will educate me. I live in Redmond WA.
Thanks,
Belinda
June 30th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Can my hair be highlighted a few different colors using balayage? I have dark, dark brown hair and would like some medium brown highlights with a few dark blonde near the face. Thanks!
July 1st, 2010 at 5:14 am
Hi Tara,
Is your hair currently color treated? This would make a difference in the approach that should be taken for highlighting. Balayage can be effective for putting different colors and dimension throughout the hair, but if you’re hair is tinted to a darker shade than your natural color, foiling might be a better option. You definitely want to see someone that has a decent amount of experience since lightening the hair from dark to light requires a strong skill set in color theory.
Best wishes,
Eva
July 1st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
hey.
Personally I of the balayage technique, it makes hair look really natural and beachy.. so i was wondering what colour I should get done.. I have mousey brown hair, and im from queensland, Australia, so i have a “permanate” tan.
By the way im 13.
(I was thinking a light brown/dark blonde style.)
Thanks
July 7th, 2010 at 3:21 am
Hi Amy,
A light golden blond is a good choice for you, since you’ll naturally go lighter having as much sun exposure as you do. You can find an example of this color on Kendra in the gallery (http://www.evascrivo.com/gallery Kendra has a blue top and long blond hair). I lightened Kendra’s naturally light brown hair using the balayage technique and then used a light golden glaze. Hope this helps!
July 8th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Hey! How in the world do you pronounce Balayage? I don’t want to sound like a total dummy when I call to make an appt!
Ann, there’s a salon in Baltimore called La Clinica that offers Balayage. I’ve never personally tried it, but theyre good with highlights!
July 11th, 2010 at 2:14 am
Hi Eva-
I have seen a lot of your work and love it. I have benn trying for a while to find a Balayage class over here in Orange County/CA, but without any luck. Do you know of any one out here who teaches classes? If not, I would be willing to come to N.Y. for one of your classes. Could you let me know the class schedule?
Thanks.
Elizabeth
July 11th, 2010 at 2:15 am
Also, what bleach do you prefer?
Thanks.
Elizabeth
July 13th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Hi, I want to to know if balayage is right for me. If you think balayage is right for me then what color do you think i should get to get that natual look? I’m asian and have silky black hair, but sometimes my hair turns into a medium/dark brown when
I’m under the light.
Thanks
July 14th, 2010 at 1:06 am
Hi, I am also a hairstylist, I reside in Staten Island,New York. I am 22,and I have been licensed since I am 16. I have really had my eye on venturing out into Manhatten,it was always my goal. I am also very interested in learning this technique. Is there any employment opportunities at your salon? As a stylist or colorist assistant?
July 14th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Hi Everyone,
Sorry that I have not responded over the past week - been crazy busy! Even neglected to have your comments posted until now… very bad! So now I’ll start responding…
July 14th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Jess: it’s pronounced (let me try to do this phonetically) ba-li-a-ge. Hope that makes sense!
July 14th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Elizabeth: We don’t have a specific class schedule for balayage, and offer them by request. The classes are usually very small or even one-on-one. If you’d like to speak to us about arranging for one, please email us at info@evascrivo.com or call us at 212-677-7315 x 4 and ask for Arik.
My favorite bleach for balayage is Platinium by L’Oreal, which also comes in an amonia-free version. It has a toning agent that helps to combat brassiness.
July 14th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Linda: it depends on the color highlights you want. If you prefer a warm reddish tone, balayage works well for dark hair. If you like cooler tone highlights, then you need to use foils.
July 14th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Nicole: thanks for your interest. Although we are not actively seeking to hire another assistant now, please feel free to send us your resume to info@evascrivo.com. Something may come up in the near future.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I WOULD LOVE TO LEARN THIS.IM INRTERESTED IN A CLASS . PLEASE CONTACT ME.THANK YOU
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
CHRISANTHA67@aol.com
August 11th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
I have been trying to find a hairstylist for so long to get the natural highlighted beachy look that balayage gives. I have been getting foil highlights with lowlights but the lowlights always pull a little of red/orange color with every hairstylist I have been to. I do not want that all. My natural hair color is a light/medium ash brown. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem? Do you know a person in Orange county/Newport beach area that does this technique that you could refer me to?