Color
Balayage Hair Color
Dimension that grows out softly, not in a line
- Price
- $180 – $260
- Duration
- 2.5 hr
Overview
What balayage & gloss involves
Balayage is freehand — color is painted onto the surface of the hair rather than saturated from the root in foils. That's what produces the soft transition at the top and the brighter ends, and it's why the grow-out is gradual instead of a hard line across your parting.
It also means the result depends almost entirely on placement. Where the paint starts, how densely it's applied, and how the pieces are broken up around the face decide whether it reads as sun-lightened and expensive or stripy and obvious. We place around your parting and how you actually wear your hair, so the brightness lands where it's visible.
Every balayage here finishes with a gloss. Lifted hair is porous and tends to look raw or brassy on its own; the gloss evens out tone, closes the cuticle, and adds the shine that makes the color look finished rather than merely lighter. It's included, not an upsell.
If you're going significantly lighter than your natural depth, we'll be honest that it may take more than one session. Lifting several levels in a single appointment is how hair gets damaged, and we'd rather book you twice than compromise the condition.
Why choose us for this
What you get
A grow-out you can live with
No hard regrowth line. Most clients comfortably go 3–4 months between appointments instead of 6 weeks.
Placed for your parting
Brightness is painted where it will actually be seen, based on how you wear your hair — not to a fixed template.
Gloss included
Every balayage is finished with a toning gloss to kill brassiness and restore shine. It's part of the service, not an add-on.
Condition first
We'll stage the lift across sessions if going lighter in one hit would compromise your hair. Bond protection is used throughout.
The appointment
How it works, step by step
Consultation and strand test
We assess your natural depth, any existing color, and condition — then agree a realistic target for this session.
approx. 15 min
Freehand painting
Lightener is painted by hand, section by section, with the density and starting height set by your parting and face shape.
approx. 60 min
Development and rinse
Watched throughout rather than timed blindly, and rinsed the moment the right level is reached.
approx. 45 min
Gloss and blow-dry
A toning gloss to perfect the tone and add shine, then a full blow-dry to show the finished result.
approx. 30 min
Pricing
What it costs
Standard
$180 – $260
Duration
2.5 hr
Members from
$144
Up to 20% off with membership
Includes the finishing gloss. Confirmed at consultation for very long or thick hair.
Bundle and save
Packages including balayage & gloss
The Colour Refresh
Save 12%Balayage with a bond-repair treatment worked in during development — the pairing we recommend to anyone lightening regularly.
175 min across 2 services
Real results
Before & after
Grown-out all-over color broken up with balayage and gloss — one session
Portfolio
Recent balayage & gloss work
Looking after it
Aftercare
- Wait 48 hours before the first wash so the gloss can settle.
- Switch to a sulphate-free shampoo — sulphates strip toner fast.
- Use a purple shampoo once a week if you've gone cool or ash blonde.
- Heat protectant every time; lightened hair scorches at lower temperatures.
- Book a gloss refresh at around 8 weeks to keep tone true between full appointments.
FAQ
Balayage & Gloss questions
From $180, including the finishing gloss. Very long or very thick hair needs more product and time, so it may be quoted higher — we'll confirm the price at consultation before starting, never after.
Around 2.5 hours for most clients. A first-time balayage on dark hair, or a color correction, can run to 4 hours or more. We'll tell you the realistic time when you book so you're not caught out.
Traditional highlights are woven into foils and lightened from the root, giving uniform, all-over brightness and a definite regrowth line. Balayage is painted freehand onto the surface, starting lower down, so it's softer, more natural, and grows out without a hard line.
Every 3–4 months for most people — that's the main advantage over foils. Many clients book a gloss-only refresh at the halfway point to keep the tone fresh, which is quicker and cheaper than a full appointment.
Any lightening affects the hair's structure, so the honest answer is that it isn't damage-free. We use bond-protecting additives throughout and will stage the process across sessions rather than over-lift in one appointment. If your hair isn't in a state to take it safely, we'll say so.
Yes, and it looks excellent — warm caramel and toffee tones sit beautifully on dark bases. Going very light from dark hair usually takes two or three sessions spaced a few weeks apart to protect the condition.
Client feedback
What clients say about balayage & gloss
Best balayage I've had in this city — subtle, dimensional, exactly the reference photo I brought in.
Six weeks post-appointment and the color still looks freshly done. The gloss add-on is worth it.
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Ready to book your balayage & gloss?
$180 – $260 · 2.5 hr · both studio locations