A popular technique for adding dimension to hair, reverse balayage is also much gentler on the hair fiber because it does not involve bleaching. We tell you everything about this trendy coloring.
Very trendy in 2024, reverse balayage is an ideal coloring technique to enhance hair and its bring more contrast while offering a natural result. Unlike balayage, which lightens fine strands of hair and creates a “highlight”, reverse balayage involves darkening strands of hair to give a “lowlight” effect. The goal of these two techniques is to give more dimension and contrast to the hair, but with different undertones.
Because it allows you to bring darker shades to the hair, reverse balayage is often recommended for light to medium hair, natural or colored (blonde, dark blonde, brown) but also for those who wish camouflage what is called a “roots effect”. Hairdresser Thomas Tuccinardi, a specialist in this technique, shares some before/afters on his Instagram account.
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Reverse balayage, an ideal technique to avoid the root effect
After bleaching or highlighting a little too much (often poorly done), hair regrowth can be very visible and create a bar at the roots. This is what we call a “roots effect”. To make up for this and blend the roots with the rest of the hair without bleaching the hair again, reverse balayage is highly recommended. It allows you to create harmony throughout the hair, while keeping certain points of light on the lengths, without the need to go through the bleaching stage. Hairstylist Thomas Tuccinardi explains that he achieves this result by applying different glosses to the hair. The only disadvantage is the durability of this sweep, which fades with each shampoo and will have to be be refreshed after 6 to 8 weeks.
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The advantage of performing reverse balayage on white hair
By bringing darker undertones to the hair, reverse balayage can be very interesting for white hair. It gives more dimension to the hair, create contrast and a contouring effect. Enough to give a less “flat” and less bland side to the hair while remaining natural and tone-on-tone. It can also be suitable for graying hair that lacks harmony, with lighter or darker strands in certain areas.
Reverse balayage and gray blending, what are the differences?
Also very trendy, gray blending is a technique which consists of combining the classic balayage technique and reverse balayage to create contrasts within salt and pepper hair. Highlights can be darkened or lightened as needed to add more shine or dimension. Indeed, in certain cases, it is sometimes recommended to go through the bleaching stage to brighten up certain areas of gray or salt-and-pepper hair. We then speak of gray blending and not of reverse balayage. Gray blending can also be interesting for those who want to go from colored hair to natural white hair and who have a “roots effect”. The hairdresser will bleach the lengths to blend them with the white roots.
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In Summary: The Pros and Cons of Reverse Sweep
Its advantages :
- It provides more dimension and contrast to light/medium hair
- It allows you to avoid going through the discoloration stage
- It allows you to camouflage a dark roots/light lengths effect
- It brings more dimension to white hair
Its weak points:
- It requires regular salon maintenance
- It is not suitable for dark hair
- It is not suitable for those who have a light roots/dark lengths effect
Head of beauty/fitness/nutrition sections
After working for the Marie Claire and Prisma Media groups, Inès arrived at aufeminin in April 2022. Responsible for the beauty, fitness and nutrition sections, she likes to decipher the latest…