A new season means new opportunities to give your hair light, life, and a fun new color. If you aren’t keen on the idea of changing up your color completely, you can add a more subtle, versatile glow with well-placed highlights and hair coloring techniques that deposit color in unique ways. Three major techniques that may already be on your beauty radar include balayage, ombré, and sombré. But what are the major differences among these color techniques and what results (and maintenance) can you expect from each? Master Colorist Tiffanie Richards at Louise O’Conner Salon, goes in depth to explain the popular techniques so that you can determine which one is best for you.
Balayage
One of the most popular salon request of the past few decades (can we credit Gisele Bundchen for this one?), balayage is, to put it simple, freehand highlights, Richards explains. “Lightener is painted on the hair sectioned out and placed underneath a strip of cotton and plastic,” she says. “Balayage can technically achieve any color look. A lot of people like to attach it to ombré but that is by far not its sole purpose. Balayage of also often confused as an “ombré look” rather than a technique. As balayage is a technique, not a look, anyone can benefit from this approach.”
So whether you’re a blonde looking to add brighter Barbie-blonde pieces to your hair or a darker brunette who wants more dimension, balayage is a less formal version of foil highlights that can help you achieve that look.
Here’s the downside: balayage is (most of the time) a lot more damaging on hair, according to Richards. “Typically, you have to use a much stronger developer to achieve the same color you could achieve in a foil (foliage) due to the fact that with balayage the freehand highlight is exposed to oxygen,” Richards says. “This will cause a lot more at home maintenance. Conditioning and hydrating the hair to keep it healthy.”
With balayage you may also be more prone to oxidizing, which is when the hair turns brassy or orangey toned. “Regular toners or purple shampoo will be needed to maintain this color,” Richards says.
Ombré
Unlike balayage (which is a technique, remember), ombré is a style of color. “It’s the definition of one color melting into another,” Richards explains. “Ombré is the fading of one color to another. It can be any color transition as long as there’s a subtle melt into each. (Examples: brown to blonde, brown to copper, dark blonde to blonde, dark brown to light blonde.)”
Ombré can work on anyone as long as you’re choosing the right tones of color for your skin, Richards adds.
As far as maintenance goes, you can expect ombré to typically be a pretty low maintenance color — less of a burden to maintain than balayage. “The grow out is nearly unnoticeable due to the fact the color starts off-root,” Richards says. “At-home conditioning is always recommended to maintain color. Toners may be needed if oxidation occurs.”
Sombré
A newer hair color name on the block, sombré is the same as ombré — but the “S” stands for subtle, Richards says. “So while it’s one color melting into another, it’s a more tone-on-tone approach.” An example of this could be dark brown fading to light brown instead of brown fading into blonde.
“Sombré can work on anyone as long as you’re choosing the right tones of color for your skin,” Richards adds. “Sombré is typically the lowest maintenance color. The grow out is nearly unnoticeable due to the fact the color starts off-root.”
To keep sombré looking its best, it’s always a good idea to invest in a quality conditioner or maybe even a mask that you can use weekly to impart intense hydration.
Which one of these coloring tricks are you excited to try? Depending on the look you are going for and the aftercare you’re comfortable taking on, one of these hair color techniques and styles may be perfect for you.
