Balayage in Winter Park: Cost, Process, and What to Expect

Table of Contents

• What Is Balayage
• How Much Does Balayage Cost in Winter Park
• What Factors Affect the Price
• Partial vs Full Balayage
• What to Expect at Your Appointment
• How Long Does Balayage Last
• Balayage vs Highlights
• Signs of a Quality Balayage
• Questions to Ask Before Booking
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve been watching Instagram recently, you’ve likely seen a lot of pictures of soft, sun-kissed hair, looking pretty naturally that way. Bonne Vie Salon in Winter Park is offering balayage in Winter Park as one of its most popular services, and that’s what Balayage is. You may have a bunch of questions before booking, though. What is the price of it? What does the appointment entail? But how to know if you’re having a great one?

Everything from pricing to post-care is covered in this guide, so that you can be confident going in, and fall in love with your hair when you walk out.

What Is Balayage

Balayage originates from a hand-painting technique used in French that involves sweeping the color onto the hair as opposed to using foils to paint certain sections of hair at a time. The term itself translates to “to sweep,” and they do just that! Rather than lightening throughout to the hair’s root, balayage adds lighter color to mid-lengths and ends, but not as harsh or intense as it is to the root.

This delivers a graduated and multi-toned color range, which simulates the color changes that occur in the hair when exposed to the sun. There is no sharp edge at the beginning of the color. Instead, everything blends.

For one simple reason, this technique has become one of the most sought-after color services: it looks good for a longer period of time. In contrast to traditional foil highlights, traditional foil highlights grow out with a visible line at the root, meaning more salon visits are needed to maintain their freshness. The regrowth is soft, and it just blends in with your natural shade in the lighter ends of your hair. This is a huge advantage to busy citizens of Winter Park who don’t have to follow a strict four to six weeks maintenance regimen for beautiful color. Given this flexibility, along with the ability to create nearly any color, texture, and length, it’s no surprise that balayage is a staple for salons and not just a passing fad.

How Much Does Balayage Cost in Winter Park

The price of balayage will depend largely on the length of your hair, as the longer your hair, the more time it takes, more product, and more skill it takes to get it to blend beautifully. Here’s a rough guide to what you can expect at Bonne Vie Salon.

• Short hair (above shoulders): Usually is the least expensive as there is less area to paint, and less chair time.
• Medium hair (shoulders to mid-back): This is the most popular length of hair for balayage clients, and is in the middle price range because more sections and time are needed to blend.
• Long hair (mid-back to end): This is the most difficult type of hair to color evenly from the root to the ends and will require the most product, time, and skill, and therefore will be the highest-priced option.

Some important price considerations. The toner is typically not part of the balayage process, and thus is usually an additional cost. Most stylists sell toner separately in addition to the main service, as it is not a part of the base cut, since toner will neutralize brassy and warm colors and provide the hair with a soft, cool, or golden look, as seen in photos. Yep, it’s an additional step you don’t want to miss out on, but it will make the total more.

Remember, the newer, more advanced air touch balayage technique, which uses air to part the hair in order to paint, is usually more expensive than standard balayage. It takes much longer to do and yields a much more muted and spread-out result, so it’s a higher price.

It is always best to have a consultation for an exact quote, as your stylist will need to see your hair in person to provide you with an accurate quote.

What Factors Affect the Price

The balayage hair color process can be a bit more expensive, as the price varies depending on the client. There are a number of factors that influence the amount you will spend.

• Hair length. The more hair that is available, the more time and product will be required, which will cost more.
• Starting color. Lighter shades are more difficult to achieve with darker hair, and may require more processing time or sessions, and thus more money.
• Desired result. A natural balayage is a more subtle, less dramatic, and quicker transformation than a high contrast transformation.
• Quality of hair and what has happened to it. Hair that has been box dyed, chemically treated, or damaged might require additional attention, strand testing, or corrections prior to applying balayage.
• Partial/full balayage. Full balayage covers the entire head rather than just face framing pieces; these are more expensive.
• Technique. These advanced techniques, such as air touch, are more time-consuming and challenging than regular hand-painted balayage, and therefore, more expensive.
• Stylist experience level. A senior colorist or one trained in balayage could cost more as they have the knowledge to perform these services.

These factors help to explain why two individuals can obtain “the same service” and pay such different amounts.

Partial vs Full Balayage

The first thing you will need to decide will be whether you plan to go partial or full.

Partial balayage highlights are usually applied to the top of the hair: the crown, the side framing, and the top half of the hair, the most visible area of the hair when down or pulled back. It skips the lower layers on the lower part.

Full balayage will cover all areas of the head, including the underside, for a more complete and dimensional look that is visible through when hair is pulled up or styled in other directions.

Partial balayage works best for those who are new to balayage, are looking for something that will be easier to maintain, or just wear their hair down the majority of the time. It’s also a less drastic option for those who don’t know if they want to go with an all-lightened look. Full balayage is ideal for people who desire the maximum dimension, people who are often in the process of wearing their hair up, and people who want to see a definite change in their current hair color.

So, it’s no surprise that full balayage is more expensive than partial, as there are more sections, more time, and more product involved.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

If you have never been to a balayage appointment, it can be a little uncertain if you’re not sure what to expect. This is a typical day at Bonne Vie Salon.

• Consultation. Your stylist will examine your existing hair color, texture, and condition and discuss your expectations. It’s the time to provide photos, ask questions, and tell the truth about your hair troubles, even if you’ve colored in the past!
• Sectioning. To ensure an organized and controlled hair painting process, your hair is sectioned.
• Painting. The hair is colored and lightened in a hand-painting technique using a brush or other tool, with attention focused on mid lengths and ends, and the color feathered up towards the root to achieve a soft, blended look.
• Processing. The color must be allowed to lift and will be left for a prescribed period of time, which your stylist will keep a close eye on.
• Toner. Once the lightener has been rinsed out, toners are used to neutralize any unwanted “brassiness” and to bring in the desired shade.
• Blowout and finishing. Your hair is dried and styled, and you’ll see the final color in its finished form and get any final adjustments from your stylist.

The total time spent on the balayage will vary, but typically the entire procedure takes 2 to 4 hours depending on the length, density, and amount of lifting required. Hair that is longer or darker is on the “longer” side of the range.

How Long Does Balayage Last

Most balayage color will last 3 to 5 months after application. One of the top reasons for people liking it is this one. The technique does not involve a hard root line and therefore does not look obvious or “hard” in the grow-out and gives more flexibility in when you re-enter the grow-out.

However, there are a couple of things to consider when living in Florida. Sun and humidity in Winter Park can age color and cause dryness more quickly than in other, cooler climates. Over time, UV exposure can cause hair color molecules to degrade, which may cause the balayage to fade or change warmer than anticipated. Humidity can also play a part in the way toners hold, and can at times get a brassy tone back in sooner.

Your stylist will probably suggest a few at-home things to help preserve your stylist’s work between appointments: Use a purple or toning shampoo to help prevent brassiness, as well as a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to help slow the fading process; and use the heat protectant on days you use hot tools. These minor adjustments can help you get a better hold on the color’s longevity.

Balayage vs Highlights

Both types of lightening services, Balayage and traditional foil highlights, have different effects and different maintenance routines and costs.

• Cost comparison. In addition to the time and skill required for freehand painting, balayage can be more expensive than traditional highlights, depending on the amount of product needed. Yet it expands out more suitably, and you can possibly have fewer touch-up appointments all year, making the overall cost comparable.
• Grow-out difference. Foil highlights will give a uniform and consistent pattern and will make the line of demarcation visible at the base of the hair as it grows. When intentionally placed, balayage will blend well with your natural root color so regrowth will be much less noticeable.
• What hair type does each look good on? Color highlights are often suitable for individuals who prefer to have consistent color throughout their hair or have very short hair with limited length to highlight. Balayage looks best on medium to long hair length, where there is sufficient space to achieve the desired dimensioned look. It also tends to be more natural on those wishing to have their color match a sunlit hair color, instead of a flat, uniform color.

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages overall. It all depends on your hair objectives, upkeep choices, and finances.

Signs of a Quality Balayage

This is one area that most guides neglect to go into, but it is the most important one when judging the success of your efforts.

A well-done balayage will have a natural, gradual transition from root to end and no harsh lines; simply no obvious “banding” or distinct stripes or blocks of color can be seen. The toner should be uniform, not patchy, and leave no areas of unwanted warmth and orange around the crown/part line.

Bad balayage can end up with a choppy or streaky effect, or be orange or brassy from the start or from an improperly neutralized color. There are times when it’s more like a heavy chunky highlight than a painted look due to the fact that it wasn’t planned out very well and/or the blending was done quickly.

Here it really does all depend on the experience of the colorist. Balayage is an artistry technique without a stencil or foil pattern; it is free-hand. A qualified colorist understands your hair, your face shape, and the natural hair growth pattern to strategically position color where it will appear most natural and grow out the most gracefully. It is not a service that you can find that is “cheaper” and “faster” but also high quality like a pro.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Before booking, here are the right questions to ask:

Do you include toner?

It is included in the price for some salons or at its own cost for others. The foreknowledge of this assists you to budget correctly.

What is your experience with dark hair?

If you’re considering having dark hair lifted, it is a skill that requires some expertise, and you may want to ask an expert about their experience in lifting dark hair if they do it.

What is the maintenance plan?

Skilled stylists can estimate approximately when you’ll need to return and which products they suggest to prolong your color.

Can I see your portfolio?

Images of previous balayage jobs, preferably on hair that is comparable in texture and shade to yours, will give you a good idea of what to anticipate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does balayage cost in Winter Park?

The cost will depend on the length, condition, and technique of the hair, and is generally lower for shorter hair and higher for longer or fuller head applications. Standard prices also include a base price, with the addition of toner and other features such as air touch.

How long does balayage take?

The entire appointment normally lasts anywhere between two and four hours, depending on the length, thickness, and amount of lightening desired.

Can I get balayage on dark hair?

Yes, but it may take longer or multiple sessions to lift dark hair to the desired lightness without compromising its health. A master colorist will be able to give you some tips on the best way to color your hair.

How do I maintain balayage at home?

Always use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, add a purple or toning shampoo to reduce any signs of brassiness, use heat protectant to help the color hold, and avoid direct sunlight when possible.

What is air touch balayage?

Air touch is a high-end balayage technique that incorporates air to part the strands, resulting in a more diffused and even application of color. Requires more time and skill than a standard balayage, and this is why it is more expensive.

Ready to get beautiful balayage? Schedule your appointment at Bonne Vie Salon in Winter Park today.