If you want a lighter look for a wedding this summer but are wary of a full-on dye or highlights, a Balayage offers the perfect solution.
Balayage, or ombre dye as it’s sometimes known, sees your hair ‘painted’ with bleach to lighten the ends. It’s perfect for Asian hair, gently lightening naturally dark locks to add depth and tone – and making it look fabulous in pictures.
It’s super low-maintenance (there’s no need for root retouches as the colour is only the lower half of your hair), easy to grow out and oh-so wearable - especially when finished with a volumising blow dry or styled into a W-day updo. No wonder it’s been one of the top hair requests amongst brides and guests alike in recent years!
I headed to The Rosewood’s resident celebrity hair stylist Matthew Curtis to have my naturally black hair transformed by Balayage.
The salon is tucked away next to the spa on the lower ground floor of The Rosewood in Holborn, away from the bustle of the reception area. Despite its small size (there’s just three styling seats and one sink), the salon offers everything from cut, colour, waves and blow dries.
Décor is wonderfully retro, inspired by a vintage Orient Express train carriage; think vintage leather seats, brass fittings and overhead luggage compartments.
Having scrolled through dozens of dark Balayage posts on Instagram, I decided I wanted my hair to resemble a waterfall of melted chocolate; dark roots, blending through to dark brown and finishing with a splash of light caramel.
The salon’s Artistic Director, Jason Collier assessed my hair’s health and condition, taking into account a fading dye job, before suggesting a darker honey hue for the ends of the hair. This would suit the tones that were already present and give a more natural, sun-kissed finish.
Once the dye was mixed and painted through the mid to lower sections, I was led to the spa’s relaxation room to relax (or in my case, snooze) for an hour. Throughout, Jason returned to check my hair was lightening correctly. Once the hour was up, I was led back to the salon for the wash, cut and fabulously bouncy blow dry.
From stepping into the salon to leaving, the entire experience took a little under two hours.
I got the melted chocolate waterfall my heart so desired, although with darker ends, which suits me better than the lighter caramel I originally requested. My hair looks rich and healthy, with the dye blending perfectly from dark to light; I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Jason, who’s behind some of the best dressed heads in town.
A couple of days, and washes, later and my colour continues to look good, but it would really sing with a professional blow dry.
If you’re a dye newbie, Summer is an ideal time to try Balayage as the sunshine will further enhance your hair halo. And there’s nowhere better to try it than at the Matthew Curtis salon, which offers a bespoke experience that’s all about one-to-one luxury. Jason and his assistant were chatty, knowledgeable and helpful in suggesting alternatives that they knew would complement my hair and complexion.
If you want to try Balayage, you’re in safe hands at Matthew Curtis at The Rosewood.
• www.RosewoodHotels.com
• www.MatthewCurtis.biz