Ombre vs. Balayage: What is the Difference? - Wakeup Beauty Full Service Salon

Clients are often confused about the difference between an ombre and a balayage when they book an appointment. They know how they want their hair to look but, once they are in the salon explaining what they want to the stylist, it becomes apparent that the wrong term is being used.

We’re happy to talk through your expectations – we pride ourselves on being the most approachable stylists for hair color in Torrance, California, and want you to be totally satisfied the end result. However, you’ll feel much more comfortable if you understand the difference and what is actually meant by balayage and ombre.

In the salon, ombre is the styling of hair coloring so that a gradient of dark at the roots diffuses through medium shades to being lightest at the ends. If you’re a brunette, you will truly make an impression when you debut your ombre. Dark hair lends itself to the technique. You won’t be overlooked! The more subtle effect of an ombre on blonde hair is often referred to as a sombre because, naturally, it’s less striking.

Blonde or brunette - done well, the ombre’s consistent transition of dark to light through the length of your hair looks beautiful. How does “best hair color in Torrance,California sound?”

Simply put, in the world of the hair salon, balayage is a technique whereby the stylist sweeps color through triangular sections of hair so that the transition of dark to light is natural looking. Unlike simple highlighting, the focus is on light color at the ends that blends in a more feathered look to darker color closer to the roots, achieving a very natural sun-kissed look.

Unlike ombre which creates a uniform dark to light shaded cascade of color, balayage is more free-hand, achieving an overall multi-shade result. The transition of dark to light is varied in different sections of the hair so that not all the ends of the hair are light.

Balayage is a basic hair color technique whereby color is painted or swept on the surface of the hair in contrast to the saturation required for streaks. The result of balayage is soft color diffusing from dark to light which involves hair regrowth being entirely unnoticeable as time goes on.

Ombre is, in effect, a balayage style of hair lightening rather than a separate technique. Both are a great improvement over the foil highlights of yesteryear. They allow your stylist to basically color your hair to complement your skin tones, features and hair style. And, the greatest advantage is that balayage doesn’t take very long – you can be in and out of the salon during your lunch hour, and have time to eat lunch, too.

For great, natural looking hair color in Torrance, California, book your next appointment for a balayage or an ombre at Wakeup Beauty Full Service Salon, 4126 Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, California 90505. Telephone: (310) 465-0035.