What are Balayage Highlights? 21 Perfect Examples

Dirty Blonde Balayage Highlights on Curly Hair

@hairandmakeup_by_jo

Embrace your curls and update them with a balayage technique to create this dirty blonde hair! Get effortless volume and character when you unleash your beautiful natural locks.

Partial balayage with highlights

@colorbymarina

A partial balayage with highlights is perfect for brunettes looking for a sunkissed look. The balayage sits perfectly around the face and parting line, while the highlights are thin to create the illusion of naturally lightened hair.

Rich, Dark Chocolate Balayage for Women Over 50

@bonvoybalayage

A rich, dark chocolate balayage for women over 50 is a smart choice when you want more dimension. Adding a subtle balayage will make the color pop! This is a perfect low maintenance color to try.

Auburn with amber reflections for older women

@savannahrbeauty

Auburn with Amber Highlights for Older Women brightens skin tone and adds a glow to paler skin tones. As we age, our skin becomes more sallow, so adding warmth by adding bright shades like amber and auburn suit your complexion well. The two-dimensional balance of color also brings more depth back to the hair and gives it a fuller feel.

Golden Peach Balayage for Women Over 60

@graceparente.hair

A golden peach balayage for women over 60 is a good choice. It can be very youthful for women with a more golden complexion. Golden blondes can be modified to suit your skin tone. A balayage is a technique achieved by skillfully hand-painting color directly onto the hair. This creates a more natural, blended, sun-kissed color.

Rainbow Balayage Hair

@mermeg.pelo

A rainbow balayage hair color consists of several colors and can range from pastels to shimmers. Multiple colors create beautiful dimensions and take precise placement, so seek out a balayage specialist.

Light blonde balayage on red hair

@desiree_styles

Feel edgy and dreamy with pops of color from a red balayage on long, delicate layers. Balayage tips are what give red hair a soft color melt effect. This hairstyle looks especially magical when paired with elegant braids!

Bronde Balayage on Long Black Hair

@mizzj_at_play

Balayage hair ideas are really eye-catching! Long wavy hair with the right colors of balayage highlights would make anyone stand out, whether at a formal event or on the beach.

Sun-kissed balayage highlights on brown hair

@keziasimoes

These sun-kissed balayage highlights look best on brown hair and can be easily achieved by a skilled balayage specialist. Going from dark to light with these vivid highlights requires a purple shampoo to keep your tone fresh.

Golden balayage on brown hair

@sarabotsfordhair

Ditch the traditional highlights and ask for gold balayage pieces instead, because let’s face it, dark hair shouldn’t be boring. Add a handful of warm caramel streaks for new dimensions and face-framing highlights – you’re sure to have that glowing effect on your gorgeous face!

Rose Gold Balayage Highlights

@karasprinkle

Rose gold balayage highlights have become super trendy due to the unique shade that is created that can complement many base colors. Cotton candy or a pastel pink balayage plus textured waves are super cute and playful! With a spray hold and a few strokes of a brush, have fun with this adventurous transition from dark hair to pastel pink.

Light Blonde and Chocolate Brown Balayage

@hairbyamybee

Light blonde and chocolate brown balayage hair creates a sexy date night look that looks edgy yet sweet. These ash highlights on balayage hair look stunning with a middle parting and big loose curls, creating a more casual but put-together style.

Balayage on dark hair with purple highlights

@elissawolfe

Intensify your long locks with a purple balayage and soft, sexy waves towards the ends. This two-tone balayage style is perfect for an everyday rocker look!

Caramel Balayage on Brown Hair

@hairmeroar

Show off those fabulous beachy waves with sweet honey accents and a caramel balayage that add body and dimension to your brown hair. Shades like this look stunning in any hairstyle, be it wavy or straight.

Subtle balayage with cool brown highlights

@laurengrummel

Use a subtle balayage with cool brown highlights if you want to see some dimension in your locks. New York-based stylist Lauren Grummel used the light application of foil to achieve the look.

Balayage works for most women, says Grummel. His biggest recommendation? “A good shampoo and conditioner. These will help keep your color fresher and longer. As well as to nourish your hair, ”she adds.

Subtle face-framing balayage on dark hair

@sarabotsfordhair

Face-framing balayage highlights are a low-maintenance way to brighten your hair while spending minimal time in the salon.

It’s good for the woman who doesn’t like to sit through hours of foil and/or balayage, but still wants that pretty sun-kissed blonde. The best thing about this look is how much more dimension it can give you. This is a good example of the phrase ‘less is more’ because that pair of brighter pieces of money around your face can really bring out a nice color contrast.

This hair color is flattering on most women just because you can really adjust it to each individual. You can adjust the hue, blonde (or tan) level, and placement.

Copper blonde and strawberry balayage highlighting on a dark root

@crystaljasbeauty

This look features subtle dimensional highlights of sun-kissed strawberry and copper balayage. It was created by stylist Crystal Jasmine from Chicago, IL. “I freehand painted strands of hair that I really wanted to pop when the light hits them, but still, they have that natural bronzed effect,” Jasmine explains.

It is very low maintenance while giving that hair the subtle dimension it needs. Balayage is ideal for the low-maintenance girl who wants to lengthen her hair but doesn’t have root growth right away.

“All women are candidates for highlights; it’s just about finding the right shade for your skin tone,” she adds. “Easy to follow or just let it grow, there’s no commitment, that’s what makes it so much fun!”

Ash Blonde Highlights on Light Brown Hair

@theroomhairbycourtney

These softer balayage highlights were created by hairstylist Courtney Rollo of Windsor, ON.

“Since the model’s base color was already a cooler shade of brunette, these ash-mixed balayage highlights complement her natural coloring,” Rollo explains. “To go with the bold ash shades, we did a fun, textured angled bob and finished the look with effortless messy beach waves.”

These styles can be very versatile as they allow more time between appointments and therefore less maintenance. They would allow their natural roots to grow. Rollo believes the cut is best suited for finer hair and can be worn sleek and straight to show off the edgy concave shape, or wavy to accentuate the volume that can be created with this type of cut.

Blonde highlighting on brown hair

@doreneatgadabout

This elegant ash blonde balayage color was created by hairstylist Dorene Camarena of Tuscon, AZ.

“What I like best about this style is that it’s fun, simple and low maintenance. It will grow beautifully and naturally looking,” he notes.

This color and cut are great for women with naturally fine hair texture, who don’t do much with their hair and are looking for a new look that either looks straight or curly to enhance their natural hair.

Ash Brown Hair with Honey Balayage Highlights

@_lexo._

“The most beautiful thing about this balayage mane is its color. These honey tones really complement the natural base color,” says New Jersey-based master stylist Lex Olson.

“Balayage highlights are the perfect introduction for women who have never had color before and want to try something new,” Olson explains. “For example, this guest walked in with a full head of beautiful natural hair! Balayage is the perfect introduction for first-time color clients. With the right regimen in the home, these looks are low maintenance. Lightening techniques like balayage can drastically improve hair color.”

Caramel highlights on dark brown hair

@cepilladoporaven

Hairstylist Nicole went for this balayage in a light tan shade on dark brown hair and it did not disappoint. The coloration carried out highlights the darkest hair and fine density for a soft look.