This is probably the question hairstylists get asked the most. The word balayage (pronounced BAH-lee-AHGE) means "to sweep" in French. It refers to the sweeping motion of the brush as it paints lightener onto the hair. This creates a natural, diffused effect that looks like a more sun-kissed blonde. There are however, many ways to create this look, so sometimes the lightener will be painted on in a free-hand style, and sometimes the hair will be painted inside of a foil, or even cling wrap. None of these techniques are wrong, just different methods to achieve the desired look.
The process of achieving platinum blonde hair can be tricky, and is initially considered a color correction. Depending on the length and texture of your hair, the first session can take anywhere from 5-10 hours, if done correctly. The reason this process is so lengthy and expensive, correlates to the amount of time and product used during the session. A virgin bleach application typically requires multiple lightening sessions back-to-back, because every strand of hair must be carefully saturated in lightener. A huge factor of this process is maintaining the health and integrity of the client's hair, and keeping over-processing and damage to a minimum. This means a lot of time and care is necessary during the bleach application. Not everyone is a good candidate for becoming a bleach and tone; this is determined by a client's natural color, porosity (quality of the hair), and previous history of chemical processes. The pricing for a virgin bleach application, or color correction requires a $150 product fee, and costs $100 per hour. I require a consultation before booking to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this service. To read more about what it's like to go platinum blonde, this is a great article!
If you are willing to put your hard-earned money towards getting your hair professionally cut and/or colored by someone you trust, why not invest in products that maintain it between appointments? As hairstylists we are able to give you our expert opinion on what products will work best for your hair specifically, and we want you too look just as good out of our chairs as you are in them! Using quality shampoo and conditioner will keep your color looking vibrant, and can also provide the right amount of hydration or repair to keep it healthy. Product is also key in styling your hair to achieve a desired look, and also protect it from UV rays or damaging hot tools. Many drugstore hair products are loaded with heavy silicones, or stripping alcohols and sulfates. This can leave your hair waxy and dry at the same time. The quality of ingredients in the products your stylist recommends, will make your purchase 100% worth it.
Yes, I do 100% human hair, tape-in extensions. The reason I like to use this style of extensions is because they lay flat, are not as damaging, and are the most affordable compared to others. Pricing depends on how many packs are needed to achieve the desired length and volume of the hair. A 14" pack of hair costs $125 per pack, and 18" costs $165. The way I start extensions is to have a consultation in which we determine the color and length of the extension, and how many packs to order. Typically 2 to 4 packs of hair are need to create a natural look. If a client wants to move forward and book an appointment for an extension installation, they pay for the packs of hair when they book the appointment, and when they come back they pay the installation fee, which is $60 per hour. This style of hair extension can be removed, re-taped, and reinstalled, which is also $60 per hour. When you have tape-in extensions maintenance and care is very important to protect your own hair, and keep the extensions looking their best as well. It's important to use a sulfate-free shampoo, and a quality leave-in conditioner spray to detangle and hydrate the extensions. Sleeping with your hair in a low, loose braid also helps them from tangling while you sleep.
I always do my best to have thorough consultations with all of my clients, and set realistic expectations. That being said, if something about the way your hair turned out after a service doesn't seem right, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. I'm more than happy to make adjustments to a service within two weeks of the original appointment. I want all of my clients to love their hair!