What Is Hygge Hair?
Only The Warmest, Most Comforting
Color Trend Ever
By Ariana Marsh

Considering autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to embrace a newer, more fiery hair color (unless you prefer to look like an ice queen, which I think is totally rad, too), there’s no better time than the present to get your hygge on. Head to the salon in a cashmere sweater, lambswool boots (again, Uggs are the optimal choice), and a hot drink in hand, for an especially cozy effect once your dye job is done.


This article first appeared on  Elite Daily

Nowadays, whether or not you actually request balayage hair color in the salon, chances are you’re going to get it. That’s because balayage is one of the most modern, natural-looking, gorgeous hair color techniques around and more and more hair stylists are adding the service to their repertoires. If you have any doubts about the popularity of balayage, take a close look at any celebrity “It girl”—Hadids, Kardashians, Jenners, Swift, etc. On all of those constantly-scrutinized heads of hair, you’ll see evidence of carefully crafted balayage highlights. So if you ask your stylist for sunkissed, dimensional hair color, chances are he or she will incorporate balayage into your color service.

So what exactly is balayage?  Matrix Celebrity Spokesperson George Papanikolas is a balayage expert—his work can be seen on the tresses of Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Hailey Baldwin, Hannah Jeter and loads more. “Balayage is actually a French word for painting,” says George. “And the technique originated in France. It’s a method of hand-painting sections of hair with lightener or hair color in order to create highlights that look as if the sun had lightened the hair naturally.” 

Typically, balayage highlights are concentrated on the center and ends of the hair, for the most natural-looking result. Many hair color experts also like to frame the face with balayage highlights. Because they’re not placed right at the root, regrowth is not noticeable, so frequent touch-ups aren’t necessary, making balayage a cost-effective hair color service. However, sometimes color artists like to combine balayage highlights with traditional, foil highlights for a more substantial lightening effect.

The best part about balayage highlights is that they are completely customized. That means your colorist will place them in the precise sections that will make your hair and your complexion look their very best.

You may think balayage is just for blondes, but that’s not the case. Balayage can be done on any color—blonde, brunette, red and more—and it can also be adapted for any length.

So — ready for hand-painted hair color?  Here are 10 of our favorite balayage hair color designs.

Platinum Balayage
Ice princesses rejoice! This clean, clear blonde balayage is completely Frozen-worthy, and has the cool impact of a Scandinavian blizzard. The roots are light, beige blonde and the wide balayage highlights in the center and on the ends are snowy pale.

Light Blonde Balayage
It’s blonde hair shot through with moonlight. Champagne strands are embellished with glistening silver balayage highlights to produce this shimmering effect. Applying the highlights with a delicate touch produces the all-over, gleaming result.

Medium Blonde Balayage
Also referred to as “bronde,” this medium blonde confection combines the best of both palettes. It’s a mélange of milk chocolate and cocoa brown, plus mocha and light cream highlights.

Dark Blonde Balayage
Perfect if your hair is on the dark side naturally, this combo maintains some of your rich, natural hue, then enlivens it with streaks of smoky blonde. Highlights should be heavier on a darker base, and for the most natural-looking results, your stylist will mix up the sizes, making some highlights thicker and some finer.

Light Brown Balayage
As innocent as a little kid, these subtle tones of sandy brown and buttery blonde will look like you spent the summer building sandcastles on the beach—even if you never left your desk! The key to placing these balayage highlights is to aim for the spots where the sun would hit your hair—around the face, on the crests of the waves and on the tips.

Medium Brown Balayage
Warm brown haircolor is lovely on its own. But add a few golden blonde highlights and, whoa! The results turn heads! Subtlety is the key to highlighting this hue. George Papanikolas recommends placing highlights in a v-shape on select sections, leaving the center of the “v” un-highlighted, for delicately beautiful results.

Dark Brown Balayage
Chocolate, caramel and honey work beautifully on the dessert tray, and the combination is equally delicious when it comes to balayage. These dramatic hues are bold and glamorous, and they reflect your confident approach to style and fashion.

Watercolor Balayage
If you’re looking for a cross between natural and high fashion, unconventional color, consider Watercolor balayage. Here, pale moss highlights are nestled in a smoky base, for a result that’s fashion forward yet still classic.

Grey Balayage
Grey is the new black. Rather than running screaming at the onset of a few greys, fashionistas are flocking to their color pros for cool versions of slate, steel, violet and blue-grey shades. One of the most popular “grey-dient” approaches is balayage. A deep base gradually morphs into lighter tones on the midlengths and ends. For example, if the base is inky blue, the lighter sections may be pale blue-grey and blue-silver.  If the base is deep violet, the ends could be done in variations of steely lavender.

Red Balayage
Think balayage is just for blondes and brunettes? Nuh-uh! It’s a gorgeous technique for redheads, too! Balayage provides the natural-looking dimension that redheads need, and the results are super subtle. For the most realistic results, your stylist will create a warm base color of auburn or chestnut, and then add balayage highlights in lighter tones of strawberry and toffee.

Trending: 'Lived-In' Hair Color
By: Lori Barsamian

Ombre’s were fun for a while, and bright hues of color made last summer pop - but what’s next in the color world you ask? The “Lived in Hair Color” Trend will rule the world this next year - which means.. Balayage is BACK baby!

Undone messy hair has already proved to be a front runner in the beauty world, and its not just because its easy - it actually isn’t, it takes hours to make that hair look perfectly messy (don’t worry we have you covered - check out the tutorial for the perfect beachy chic messy look here).

We’re sure you've seen it gracing the pages of your latest issue of ELLE and wondered how to recreate the look? It will take more than a product and a curling wand. That hairstyle is accentuated by the placement of color in the model's hair and the texturizing of her cut, which means… you’ll be needing to schedule that appointment with your stylist ASAP.

Updating your current coif with a fresh cut and “lived-in” color will ensure you can create that Instagram worthy style you see all over the streets. A few tips for you next salon appointment:

1. Bring Photos - Stylists are visual artists and speak a different dialect than “non stylists”. The easiest way to ensure proper communication is through visual references. Be sure to look for examples of photos with similar skin tone or hair base color to your own. Prior to cutting and coloring - also discuss what type of style you are aiming for, so they can ensure they cut your hair to create this.

2. Book the proper type of appointment - if you are going to a big change; schedule a consultation appointment first so that when you do take the plunge, your stylist will have ample time and the proper supplies.

3. Be Reasonable, and PATIENT -  Although there have been major improvements in the technology of hair color treatments to protect your strands during coloring, (ie, colorpHlex, Continuum, Virgin), don't expect to be blonde at the bat of an eye. Depending on your starting point and desired outcome, more than one visit may be necessary.

4. Learn how to Style your Hair - Ask your stylist to show you quick tricks that you can take home with you to get the look you desire. No one knows your hair better than the stylist who has been elbow deep in it all day.  Based on your cut, and specific texturizing techniques your stylist is able to ensure you will leave the salon with manageable messy hair!