15 Balayage Hairstyle Ideas That Highlight Your Color

There are endless ways to wear balayage. The painterly technique is forever in flux, shifting in shade and placement to stay at the top of 2021’s must-have hair trends list. But, better yet, it works with every hairstyle, too.

Here, we’ve rounded up 15 covetable balayage hairstyles for you to try. Save them, and pin them for some styling hairspiration…

1. CHOPPY BLONDE BALAYAGE BOB

A choppy bob haircut gets a piecey boost from chunky balayage. If you need proof that short blonde hairstyles work with freehand highlights, here’s a flawless demo. The multi-tonal finish of the color gives chin-skimming hair plenty of texture and dimension, while body-boosting styling takes it to the next level. You'll be left with the perfect choppy blonde balayage bob of dreams.

2. CURLY HAIR WITH BALAYAGE

Balayage and curls are an unbeatable combo. While the highlights help every curve glow, the right styling routine creates gloss and definition from root to balayaged tip. The Nutricurls collection has got you covered with co-washes and masks that pamper curly strands. As for styling, the Milky Waves Spray will nourish loose curls, and the Curlixir Balm will boost bounce in tighter coils.

3. LONG BROWN HAIR WITH BALAYAGE

Long, chocolate brown hair gets a glow from balayage two or three shades brighter than the base. Make sure, if you opt for this color, you have the perfect products lined up for maintenance.

4. BRONDE BOB WITH BALAYAGE

Combining ash brown roots with caramel blonde lengths, this bob is the perfect bronde. Throw tonged waves into the mix, and you’ve got the most multi-dimensional short cut out there. Our favorite way of turning up the texture begins with a rough dry using EIMI Ocean Spritz. Finish by wrapping sections of hair around a Ghd Curve Soft Curl iron, then mist with EIMI Stay Firm.

5. BALAYAGE WITH MONEY PIECE HIGHLIGHTS

Here’s evidence that money piece highlights make you richer. We can’t get enough of this decadent look. The key to making that money piece pop is adding the softest, smoothest waves, tonging face-framing layers away from the face for the most flattering finish.

6. HALF-UP BLONDE BALAYAGE

Clients with a partial balayage you will love a half-up, half-down ‘do. Why? Because a bumper knot, like this one, creates striking contrast between the lightened top layer and the darker lower layers. The finished look is beachy, blonde and brimming with body.

7. STRAIGHT HAIR WITH BALAYAGE

We see a lot of balayage styled with waves and curly tendrils, but straight hair and balayage are a match made in coiffing heaven too. The key is boosting shine with a finishing spray. It’s light enough to up the gloss without weighing locks down, so silky-straight hair looks its light-reflective best.

8. BALAYAGE FISHTAIL BRAID

We often see balayage styled in long, loose waves or a blunt cut bob, but the technique is just as striking when locks are swept and smoothed into an elegant updo. While loose, face-framing tendrils make the style appear effortless, it requires plenty of hold to keep every twist and turn in place. Opt for EIMI Stay Firm; a must-have, in particular, for bridal hair stylists. The extra-fine diffusion allows for firm hold for up to 24 hours, but it’s easily brushed out when you're is ready to switch up your style.

9. BALAYAGE WITH HAIR ACCESSORIES

Balayage can be worn with every style of hair accessory, whether it’s a bridal crown, a vintage gold grip or a scattering of hair rings.

10. BALAYAGE BLOWDRY

Balayage gives the bouncy blowdry a modern update. For who craves smooth, volumized locks, recommend a nourishing care routine, featuring Oil Reflections Light Luminous Reflective Oil. Dosing mid-lengths and ends with featherlight hydration, it smooths the cuticle to reflect radiance. Even fine hair types can use this sumptuous oil, as it doesn’t weigh strands down.

11. BRAIDED BALAYAGE

Fact: few hairstyles show off balayage better than a boho waterfall braid. The texture and tones come together to give ‘lights through the lengths a multi-dimensional upgrade. If you’re creating this style on freshly colored hair, mist hair with EIMI Dry Me before plaiting. The dry shampoo will give strands more grip, so the braiding stays in place.

12. BRUNETTE BALAYAGE WITH BANGS

Here’s the trick for teaming balayage with bangs: to make the lift look natural, focus lightener through the mid-lengths and ends only, leaving the fringe the same color as the base. You must-have products are a round vented brush and EIMI Perfect Me to blowdry hair smooth.

13. HALF-UP BALAYAGE TWIST

Any hairstyle that plays on texture looks dreamy with a beachy balayage. We recommend to try this hairstyle with day two hair to start. For those who prefer just-washed locks, INVIGO Volume Boost Bodifying Shampoo creates an easy-to-coif canvas. Then, prep hair for styling with EIMI Ocean Spritz; a texturizing salt spray that gives hair tousled movement for an undone finish.

14. BLONDE BALAYAGE PONYTAIL

Just look at the shine in this ponytail. By tying a pony low, you give balayaged highlights a chance to glow in all their multi-tonal glory. To recreate this look, blowdry locks smooth with EIMI Perfect Me for a sumptuous finish, then secure lengths at the nape of the neck. Pull a few tendrils free for an effortless finish.

15. BALAYAGE CHIGNON

Looking for a bridal hairstyle that works with balayage? Then look no further. A chignon is a wedding staple that’s high on styling and high on glamour. For this use a combination of EIMI Ocean Spritz and EIMI Dry Me.