We might not be ready to say goodbye to summer, but the sweet smell of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and the crisp cold front is telling us that fall is almost here. While we wait for the colors of the leaves to change and for the temperature to be cool enough to pop on our favorite sweater, we’ve got a slew of hair color inspiration waiting to be tried on. As we brace for the weather and finally return to the salons, we’ll notice clients are asking for more natural-looking shades and the low-maintenance placement to match. Get ready for brunette balayage - sure to be the it-trend of the season.
After a long summer of postponed salon appointments, clients will most likely have a great deal of regrowth giving the appearance of overall darker shades. Unsure of what the future holds, many clients are embracing their new look and asking stylists for more low-maintenance color options.
Enter: Brunette Balayage
When clients think of “balayage” they conceptualize a beachy blonde finish. However, as stylists, we see a diverse range of options that can cover any tone. 50% of women who color their hair fall in the brunette category, which means sun-kissed balayage looks to enhance these tones will be bigger than ever this season.
Expert Tips for Lightening
Redken Brand Ambassador Matt Rez knows that balayage in brunettes will always read warm. Therefore for the most natural results, he recommends not lifting more than two or three levels lighter than the base.
Product Picks for a Healthy Lift
Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside with 30 Volume is Redken Brand Ambassador Matt Rez's go-to! The extra protection that Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside gives you helps him ensure his clients, who might have previously lightened hair, will stay as healthy as possible when lifting.
Achieving the Perfect Tone
Achieving the ideal amount of shadow and depth is key to creating the quintessential brunette balayage, which is why stylist’s everywhere trust Shades EQ. With the new Matte and Ash Brown series, achieving a balanced brunette is even more attainable.
Redken Brand Ambassador Matt Rez's Favorite Formulas:
"I love all over glossing my brunette clients that get highlights, whether with balayage or foilyage. For lighter brunettes, I use equal parts of Redken Shades EQ 08GG and 08N. For dark to medium brunettes with, I love Redken Shades EQ 07G + 07M or even 07m alone. It so beautifully. Because darker brunettes lift super warm, the Shades EQ Matte series neutralize to perfection.”
The Take Home
To ensure your brunette balayage clients get the most of their color, be sure to send them home with Redken Color Extend Brownlights. A pigmented shampoo and conditioner duo that keeps brunettes looking their best in between appointments. With a blue-hue, Brownlights is making unwanted brassy fade out is a thing of the past.