Where To Go From Balayage: Your Hair Update Options

If you’re one of the many who have dipped their toes in the balayage pool, and are itching to update your ‘do, you’ve got three options with your hair colour: go darker with a block shade, lighten your locks starting at the roots or change up your balayage with a bit of a refresher.

Here’s how to update your locks in no time!

POST-BALAYAGE OPTION #1: Lighten up

Lightening your hair can be addictive – ask anyone who’s ever gone from subtle highlights to full-on blonde. If you’ve loved having lighter ends but feel like you need more, then why not take that blonde all the way to your roots?

THE PROS:
If you choose to put different tones of blonde throughout your hair, you can hold on to that textured look you loved about balayage. Also, depending on your skin tone, lighter hair can complement your features and make your skin glow.

THE CONS:
As beautiful as honey blonde hair can look, you have to be on top of the upkeep. If your hair is naturally really dark, it will only take a few weeks for your roots to show. So if this is the direction you’re looking to go, be mindful of the time and money it’ll take to maintain it. Oh, and don’t forget the lighter your hair, the more you need to care for its condition.

bh loves:

1. SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Colour Care Shampoo, $21.99 at Priceline
2. Wella Professionals ColorMotion+ Structure+ Mask, $34 at Price Attack
3. Hask Argan Oil Miracle Damage Repair Cream, $7.99 at Chemist Warehouse

POST-BALAYAGE OPTION #2: Go darker

If your roots are naturally brown, embrace a darker, richer hair colour – especially as we head into the cooler months.

THE PROS:
Darker hair automatically looks shinier and healthier, and you won’t have to worry about things like topping up the balayage as it grows out. Going all-over dark after having the ends light can change your look quite drastically, so if a hair overhaul is what you’re looking for, this could be just what you need.

THE CONS:
Blonde hair doesn’t hold onto pigment as well as virgin or brown hair, so you might find your balayage will start peeking through after a few washes (which is why you should definitely use a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner!). Also, keep in mind some hairstyles (like boho waves or curls) may not look as textured with a block hair colour as it does with balayage.

bh loves: 

1. Pantene Pro-V Nutrient Blends Sulphate-free ‘Illuminating Colour Care with Jojoba Oil’ Shampoo, $17.99 at Chemist Warehouse
2. De Lorenzo Novafusion Colour Care Shampoo – Intense Brunette, $29.90 at Price Attack
3. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette® Colour Vibrancy Conditioner, $18 at Woolworths

POST-BALAYAGE OPTION #3: Change it up

If you love your balayage but need to do something to change things up, there’s no harm in just tweaking it slightly. Take Gisele Bündchen’s approach and work in some fancy tortoiseshell ombré, take your cues from a delicious bakery treat or go down the bronde route and follow in JLo’s footsteps. Adding a more honey/caramel tone to your ends, or adding a few lighter highlights so they’re almost ash-white is a subtle, yet very effective way of upping your colour without doing anything too dramatic. Another approach? Change it up with a cut. Go shorter or add a fringe – you’ll be surprised at how much a snip will make to the overall look of your hair. 

THE PROS:
You get to hold on to your beloved balayage while still changing your look ever so slightly.

THE CONS:
Unless you were dead-set on getting rid of your balayage, there aren’t really any negatives to this option. Just keep in mind things like conditioning hair treatments to nourish your ends and prevent them from looking dry and ratty.

bh loves: 

1. Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment, $45 at Adore Beauty
2. A’kin Miracle Shine Conditioning Hair Mask Tub, $21.99 at Priceline
3. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Restoring Argan Oil, $20 at Woolworths

*This article has been updated since its original publication.

Do you have balayage and are looking for a change?