Dip-dye
Looking for a two tone hairstyle that you can carry out at home? Dip-dyeing involves dying the ends of your hair a completely different color. Unlike an ombre there is no gradual fade, but instead a sharp color change. Dip-dyeing can be a great way to experiment with more daring colors like blues, reds and greens. If you don’t like the color or need to switch to a more formal hairstyle, you always have the option to cut off the colored ends.
So just how do you dip-dye hair? Contrary to the name, it doesn’t involve dipping your hair into anything. Start by putting your hair in a ponytail, placing the hairband where you would like the new color to start. Then, over a bath or sink, thoroughly saturate the end of your hair in your desired color dye. Braiding your hair can help to achieve a more blended look. This guide to dip-dyeing hair offers a more detailed explanation on how to carry out this technique.
Balayage
Balayage is a highlight technique for coloring sections of hair. However, instead of using foil, it involves painting highlights throughout the hair with a brush (the French word ‘balayage’ literally means ‘to paint’ or ‘to sweep’).
When applying a balayage, a stylist will usually start about halfway down the hair, starting with light strokes and then adding more dense highlights towards the tips. There is an art to this style, which is why it’s worth paying a stylist.
Reverse balayage
A reverse balayage is exactly the same as a balayage, but involves applying lowlights throughout the hair instead. For example, it could involve adding some strands of brown to blonde hair. The lowlights are similarly applied in a painted fashion.
Like a balayage, this is not a hair technique that you can DIY and you probably want to pay a professional to do it for you.
Ecaille
An ecaille is also known as ‘tortoiseshell hair’ and is a type of balayage. It involves painting highlights in several different tones – traditionally golden brown, caramel and honey tones. This can create a very natural and sophisticated look.
As this is quite a niche hair color technique, you’ll want to use a specialist stylist who is familiar with it so that you don’t end up with a regular balayage.
Half-half
As the name suggests, this technique involves literally dying one half of your hair one color and one half another color (think Cruella DeVille). It’s definitely a statement look, and there is not much you can do to make it subtle aside from choosing a slightly different tone to your natural hair on one side. Most people who opt for a half-half, choose two very bold contrasting colors on each side such as blue and pink or red and black.
A good half-half hairstyle comes down to getting the split right. It’s possible to do a slightly uneven split to help create a fade between the two colors, or you can stick to a dramatic split. Be prepared to keep your hair parted down the middle to maintain this look.
Source link