12 Balayage Straight Hair Looks From Subtle to Striking
A gallery of balayage winners to inspire your new look.
This one goes out to all the women with straight hair who sometimes struggle with styling challenges. You know the drill: Curls that go limp by lunchtime, dealing with hair that’s too straight and slippery to hold a braid, or simply feeling bored with your strands day after day. To amp things up a bit, why not try to add some color? Balayage on straight hair is an easy way to add some visual interest to your hair via subtle or bold balayage highlights. So, regardless of whether your hair feels like holding a curl, you’ll always have a little unexpected color to fall back on.
A Collection of 12 Trendy Ideas of Balayage on Straight Hair
Read on to check out some of our favorite straight balayage hair ideas that we hope will inspire your new look this year.
1. Super Long Balayage
Take your super-long strands to the next level by adding a high-contrast dose of balayage. Bleach blonde ends will make your dark roots pop and help elevate your waist-length strands.
2. Warm Balayage
The warm tones in this balayage make it the perfect blend to pair with darker roots. The transition feels effortless while it still manages to make a major statement. Talk to your stylist about finding a warm shade of hues that perfectly complements your skin tone.
3. Just the Ends
Are you nervous about making a big commitment when it comes to coloring your strands? Consider a balayage option that includes just the ends of your hair. You can easily let go of the extra-colored weight if you decide to get in on the bob trend later this summer.
4. Amp Up the Contrast
If you’re working with a shorter haircut and worried that your balayage won’t have the impact you’re looking for, you’ll want to consider amping up the contrast. Pair much lighter ends with your dark roots for a style that makes a statement, with a shine spray, like Bed Head by TIGI Headrush Shine Spray, giving your look more gleam.
5. Balayage on the Ends
This might be a good option if you’re worried about your hair looking over-processed and damaged. This is what we like to call ‘second glance balayage’ because it requires a double-take to see the subtly lighter ends. Talk about a head-turning style!
6. Soft and Feathered
This style also highlights darker roots, but the contrast is softer. A honey blonde keeps this look soft and subtle. Want more body? Make sure your hair is refreshed and clean-feeling by spritzing it with dry shampoo at the root. We like Dove Between Washes Clarifying Dry Shampoo.
7. Golden Balayage
Get in on the gold trend that’s been taking over Instagram by adding subtle gold balayage to your brown strands. These subtle yet impactful strands of gold add a sun-kissed element to your look.
8. Barely-There Balayage
This is another great option for those with difficulty committing to one bolder style. By starting with a color that’s pretty close to your natural shade, you can slowly transition to a lighter color down the line or stick with something subtle yet equally striking.
9. Caramel Balayage
Caramel will be a hot color in 2024, especially for brunettes. This lighter shade of brown instantly breathes new life into your strand, plus its low maintenance, and it gets better the more it grows long. What more could you wish for?
10. Lilac Dream
Give some edge to your balayage with a splash of color. Violet and ash tones go perfectly together, even more, if you want to highlight your naturally dark roots in a fun way.
11. Shades of Grey
This stylish grey balayage is ideal if you want to spice up your style elegantly and understatedly. It’s also a great option if you want to conceal grey hair and blend it into your color.
12. Fire and Flames
Bright and bold red and orange shades really take the concept of highlights up a notch. It’s not for the faint of heart but guaranteed to make heads turn.
Are you thinking about trying out one of these styles? Be sure to share the results with us over @AllThingsHairUS!
