PaintS/S19

Mallory Eaton, The Bespoke Salon
Bixie Colour
Mallory Eaton, The Bespoke Salon
Mallory Eaton, The Bespoke Salon
CHANGING THINGS UP
A mastery of techniques can result in some unexpected
combinations. As a specialist in balayage, Nancy Stripe was
particularly impressed by the masterclasses she attended by
Australian artists, who brought some new and innovative ideas
from Down Under to delivering that perfect sun-kissed blonde.
“Bixie Colour and Edwards & Co in Sydney actually use a lot of foil
to create their balayage looks, so they’re able to get the maximum
lift that sometimes isn’t possible with traditional freehand
application. They then use zonal toning to soften out the roots and
it really gives a flawless finish,” she explains. “Learning when to use
which technique has made such a difference. Freehand and foil
both have a place in lived-in colour, and that’s what I am now
teaching to my students.”
Combining classic foil techniques with freehand painting also
brings a level of sophistication to the look – something Benjamin
Close, owner of Benjamin Close Hairdressing in Bangor, has been
experimenting with. “My clients love seamless colour but would like
that classic element back into their hair,” he says. “The highlights
help create that precision colour with a soft feel towards the front of
the hairline, whereas balayage creates that lived-in colour, allowing
the stylist to create pops of brighter shades where needed.”
“Foils can be used to create beautiful bright contours and they
will help to enhance the neutral negative space in-between,” adds
Gareth Williams, creative ambassador for Headmasters. “This is a
return to super-polished hair, so shine is key.” Colour-centric salon
Skyler London is also seeing a real upswing in highlight-balayage
combos, with colour director Lloyd Court noting that “combining
highlighting and balayage techniques creates the perfect balance
of depth and brightness to the hair”.
Salon Sloane’s John Vial recommends layering a tint over your
balayage work to soften the look and remain on-trend for 2019.
“People are going to go back to blanket colour, though all is not as
it seems; natural blanket colour is not uniform from root to tip. We
begin by pre-lightening the hairlines and the ends, before applying
an all-over tint to give gentle differences with the appearance of
block colour.”
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