Balayage

At Faking It Hairdressing and Beauty, our bespoke balayage blends light and depth exactly where the sun would hit resulting in soft face-framing, seamless ribbons and a glossy, expensive finish. We map placement to your cut, skin tone and lifestyle, keeping roots low-maintenance and the ends luminous. Perfect if you want brightness without harsh lines, or you’re transitioning from old colour and need a smarter, softer plan.

  • Portrait of woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and caramel highlights on gray background

    Ombre - Refresh

    120 mins

    Revive faded ombre with a tailored refresh that rebalances tone, softens lines and restores shine. Includes consultation, bond care, toner and a professional blow-dry finish.

    Patch Test Required

    £45 – £80
  • Three women with long wavy hair in lace white tops pose together in studio

    Balayage - Refresh

    120 mins

    A targeted balayage top-up to brighten and rebalance tone, with root smudge and gloss for a soft grow-out. Includes consultation, cleanse and professional blow-dry finish.

    Patch Test Required

    £45 – £80
  • Woman with long wavy ombre hair looks down in studio portrait

    Ombre

    165 - 180 mins

    Seamless ombre by Faking It with consultation, custom lightening, root melt, toner, bond care, and blow-dry. Soft blend, low-maintenance colour with clear aftercare.

    Patch Test Required

    £58 – £90
  • Profile portrait of woman with long glossy ombre waves, looking down

    Balayage

    165 - 180 mins

    Seamless, low-maintenance dimension with bespoke balayage at Faking It. Includes consultation, hand-painted lightening, bond care, toner, a blow-dry, and aftercare advice.

    Patch Test Required

    £58 – £90
  • Portrait of woman with long, voluminous wavy hair and soft balayage highlights on a neutral background

    Balayage and Root Stretch

    180 mins

    Seamless, low-maintenance colour that blends your roots and brightens lengths. Bespoke balayage with root stretch, toner, and blow-dry for a soft, natural finish.

    Patch Test Required

    £70 – £100
  • Woman with long flowing ombre blonde hair looks to the side, holding a strand against a gray background

    Toner (Balayage Comb Out)

    25 mins

    A fast, tailored toner applied after balayage comb out to refine tone, cancel brassiness, and add mirror-like shine. Ideal for a seamless finish or a quick colour refresh.

    Patch Test Required

    £28.50

Frequently Asked Questions

What is balayage and how is it different from highlights?
Balayage is hand-painted colour placed on the surface for a soft, diffused blend with a natural root. Foil highlights start closer to the scalp for brighter, more uniform lift. Balayage gives a sun-lit look with softer grow-out; foils deliver higher contrast and maximum brightness. We can hybrid both for tailored results.
How often will I need maintenance?
Most balayage clients return every 10–16 weeks for a refresh or tonal gloss. Because the root is lived-in, you won’t see a hard line. We’ll schedule mini face-frame top-ups or gloss appointments between bigger lightening sessions to keep tone fresh and hair healthy.
Will balayage work on dark or previously coloured hair?
Yes with a plan. Dark or box-dyed hair may lift warm and can require staged sessions. We’ll strand test, protect with bond-builder, and tone intelligently to achieve the target shade without compromising condition.
How do you protect hair health during lightening?
We use bond-building additives, controlled saturation and low-and-slow processing. Afterward, a custom gloss seals the cuticle and refines tone. We’ll send you home with sulphate-free care, heat protection and a mask schedule to maintain strength and shine.
What should I book if I’m new to balayage?
Book a consultation or “Balayage + Toner + Cut/Finish.” Bring hair photos you love and those you don’t placement matters. We’ll discuss lift potential, upkeep, and budget, then create a phased plan if needed.