Continuing our three-part series, we’ll now be exploring how you can give your clients the caramel balayage looks seen in their inspiration images. Bringing the seamless freehand technique of a balayage and the warm golden caramel colours together, this combination creates a soft sun-kissed look that adds dimension to dark and brunette bases.
A Spotlight on Balayage Part 2: Caramel Balayage
A Spotlight on Balayage:
Part 2 Caramel Balayage
Part Two: Caramel Balayage
Using some of our top colour brands, follow our guide on creating a luscious ‘Caramel balayage’, a versatile option that sits somewhere in the middle of the balayage spectrum. If you want tips on application and to learn about other types of balayage, check out our the rest of the series focussing on blonde and brunette balayage.
The Consultation: When is a caramel balayage not achievable on a client?
Blonde and red shades
A caramel balayage is designed to add dimension and shine to hair that has a base level of 6-8, so it won’t really work on clients with blonde and red shades. If your client plans on getting their hair dyed brunette followed by a caramel balayage, be sure to inform your client it may take several sessions depending on its condition.
Clients who have used at-home hair dye
While it is possible to perform a balayage on a client who’s used an at-home dye, you will need to remove it beforehand. Depending on the type, and your client’s past colour history, you can remove it using Colour Undo and perform their balayage on the same day without damaging the hair.
Porous hair
Take care when looking to perform a caramel brunette balayage. Porous dark and brunette hair is susceptible to breakage, and bleaching it may cause further damage. Depending on the hair’s condition, you can repair its broken bonds during your client’s appointment by adding the Olaplex No.1 Bond Multiplier into your balayage dye. After the dye has developed, follow up with the Olaplex No.2 Bond Perfector as an additional backbar treatment.
Be inspired by these sun-kissed caramel balayages
Recipe Guide: How to Do Caramel Balayage on Dark Hair (base level 6 or 7)
Step One
Using the V-section technique from part one of this blog series, lift your client’s hair to level 8 or 9 with your chosen bleach powder and developer. Leave to develop for the recommended time and wash out thoroughly.
Step Two (optional)
If there is still brassiness in your client’s hair following their bleaching, use one of the following toners to neutralise oranges. Mix in with the appropriate developer at a 1:1 ratio and leave to develop for 5 to 15 minutes before rinsing out.
Shop your caramel toners
MEGA DEAL
Exclusive
€6.90
ex VAT
5+ FREE 1L DEVELOPER OR BUY 8 GET 3 FREE
<ul><li>Professional ammonia-free demi-permanent hair colour</li><li>Low commitment; colour gently fades over 24 washes with up to 50% grey coverage</li><li>Enriched with Keratin and shine polymers to smooth the hair's surface, deliver extraordinary softness and a brilliant shine</li><li>Perfect for refreshing previous colour, and toning natural or bleached hair</li><li>100ml tube means great value</li></ul>
MEGA DEAL
Exclusive
€10.30
ex VAT
BUY 5+ GET FREE DEVELOPER 1L OR SHAMPOO 500ML | BUY 8 GET 3 FREE
<ul><li>To pastelize or mattify bleached hair</li><li>No grey coverage or lift</li><li>Glycerin, wheat protein and pro-vitamin B5 repair, condition and protect hair</li><li>Offers long-lasting colour with intense shine</li></ul>
MEGA DEAL
Exclusive
€8.85
ex VAT
5+ FREE 1L DEVELOPER OR BUY 8 GET 3 FREE
<ul><li> Extensive permanent hair colour range with 100% grey & white coverage </li><li> Powered by Triple Color Technology™ with high performance pigments for bold, long-lasting colour and even coverage </li><li> Panthenol and Plant Protein conditioning agents regenerate the hair and protect the cuticle during colouration </li><li> Shade specific, low ammonia and alkali concentrations </li><li> PPD free, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly formula </li></ul>
Learn more about our colour ranges and switch and save offers that will help you create incredible Balayage looks. XP Colour is a great place to start; an easy to work with formulation, twice the product per tube and an incredible shade range for all shades. Next we talk about Brunette Balayage in Part 3 of out Focus on Balayage Series.
Learn more about our XP Colour Collection
Recent Posts
10 April 2025 |
Posted
by
Salon Services
in
Hair
10 April 2025 |
Posted
by
Salon Services
in
Hair
10 April 2025 |
Posted
by
Salon Services
in
Hair
Recently Viewed Products
Exclusive
£19.95
ex VAT
<ul><li>Versatile formula for precise and global application techniques</li><li>Delivers superior conditioning during the lifting process</li><li>Protective crème base soothes the scalp and reduces sensitivity</li><li>Moisturising agents for optimal protection during and after the lifting process</li><li>Formulated by Guy Tang</li></ul>
Offer
£18.99
ex VAT
BUY 2+ SAVE 20%
<ul><li>Texture polish for shine and control</li><li>Provides light control for wavy, curly or unruly hair</li><li>Creates head-turning shine and reflection</li><li>Formulated with premium white oils and natural extracts</li><li>Smoothes, softens and conditions textured tresses</li></ul>
Offer
Exclusive
Limited Edition
£10.09
ex VAT
offers available
<ul><li>#Hairbesties, I incorporated an exclusive Keratin & Argan Seed Oil Blend to improve the overall integrity of the hair while providing maxinum color retention and vibrancy up</li><li>Arctic Blue creates a vibrant, cool blue tone. Smoke out by adding Charcoal or mix with Pink Diamond to make a custom deep lavender color.</li><li>#Hairbestie Tip: For maximum vibrancy & animation, pre-lighten the hair using #Big9 or #Magnum8 prior to appliaction.</li></ul>