How long does balayage take? | Abingdon | Didcot | Wantage | Oxfordshire

On average a typical balayage appointment (we’ll define this later) can take anywhere between three to four hours. The considerations for your Stylist will typically represent what you hope to achieve, the thickness of your hair, length of your hair, your hairs resistance, the processing time required, the number of lighter pieces that you need and the type of blend desired.

A typical balayage is your ‘balayage top up’ meaning your ‘next’ balayage appointment following the last appointment. Balayaging on virgin hair or already balayaged hair is quicker than other types of balayages.  Other types of balayages include (but are not limited to) balayage transformations, AirTouch balayage or balayages with roots. The appointments are highly bespoke and they can often range from 3.5 hours to 6 hours, on occasion more. To contextualise the variety of balayages seen in salon against desired look and what a Stylist could be working with, as of writing this week the salon has seen nine balayages this week. The shortest was 2 hours and 45 minutes. The longest this week was 4.5 hours, they not only can balayages and their projected timings change, but so can the cost.

In summary balayage is not a one-size-fits-all service. When your Stylist see’s you, they will consider all factors when estimating both time and cost. If your hair is long or thick, expect to be in the salon for closer to the four-hour plus mark. On the other hand, shorter or finer hair may fall closer to the three hour mark.

In most cases there are three components to balayages. These components are as follows: the balayage itself, your toner and your neutraliser. Theses are outlined below with anticipated timings:

• Balayage Application: The is the most time consuming aspect of the balayage the time commitment that requires the most investment. This can range from anything between one hour and two hours on average.
• Processing Time: This is the time that your Stylist allows for your balayage to achieve its desired level of lightness. The maximum time is one hour however this can average between 30 minutes (albeit rarely) and one hour.
• Toning: Toners neutralise and allow your colour to be more bespoke. It’s very common to have  a toner with balayage and most of the time this is inavoidable. On average this can take for most hair roughly 30 minutes but for thicker hair or more challenges colours up to one hour (including application, washing, conditioning and detangling).
• Haircut/Blowdry: Depending upon thickness, anything between 45 minutes and one hour and 15 minutes.