Balayage Maintenance
Hi friends!
Some of the most common questions I get asked are “how can I keep my balayage fresh?” and “what products do I need to keep my hair healthy after a balayage?”. Today I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to maintain your hair in order to keep it looking healthy.
What is balayage?
If you don’t know what Balayage is, it’s a hair colour technique that consists of lightening the ends towards and moving upwards towards the roots to achieving a natural and blended look.
The main components of Balayage are bleach, peroxide and in my case, Olaplex too. Every hairdresser is different though, and will use varied amounts of each.
The bleach, peroxide and Olaplex are what can affect the hair in different ways. If you’re using poor quality bleach, high levels of peroxide, long developing times and not using Olaplex, it’s a recipe for disaster.
For those of you who love your hair and put effort in to looking after it, you should be cautious of where you go to get your colour done. Once your hair is damaged, there’s no going back and the only way to fix it will be with a good hair cut.
The best routine
To keep your Balayage looking fresh, you’ll need a good treatment routine either at home or at the salon. It’s also key to avoid using too much heat, and to make sure you’re using protective products when you are.
I recommend a regular trim (every 2 months) to keep the hair free of split ends and looking fresh.
The products I recommend are:
After 2/3 weeks of having balayage done I would use a purple shampoo for blonde balayage and a blue shampoo called “no orange” for a golden, dark blonde balayage. I use the shampoo to give a boost of cool pigments, and to get rid of the warmth, once a week or every 2 weeks (this totally depends on your preference and what shade you like).
Warning: Overusing purple or blue shampoo can make the hair look dull, so be careful and use it sparingly.
A hair mask is an essential step but oils and natural masks are an additional treatment. I recommend a professional hair mask such as Pureology or Kerastase. A professional hair mask will nourish the hair keeping it stronger and healthier. If you use it every time you wash your hair, even better! You can use the mask before washing or after washing and towel dry it. Apply the amount of a 2 pound coin, starting from the ends to the roots and leave it in for at least 20 minutes.
Olaplex. To see exactly how I apply it my Olaplex products and the results it gives, watch this video on my Youtube channel.
Follow these tips and you’ll be able to keep both the colour and condition of your hair on point after having balayage done.
With love,
Lorena Castro xo