You are familiar with foils. Balayage is something you’ve tried before or you might have even tried an ombre before. So do you need more lift than balayage? Then Foilyage can be your next alternative technique that can deliver the results you desired. The fundamental of this technique must be understood first which is this highlighting technique, is designed for dark hair colours (e.g. brunettes) to lighten the shade and bring out the natural glow for sun-kissed effect.

The foilyage process, like the hybrid name, is achieved by balayage combined with foils – part mixed brush-painting and part colour-concentrating power. Foils are used to control colour alteration by keeping strands separated, contained and controlled. This allows the colour or highlighter to have more time to take effect so that it can create a more dramatic, bold result.

Bold and natural looks are a big trend today. It’s easy for foilyage to fit right in with this trend. This technique combines the best of both the foil and balayage techniques. What is the result? Modern and striking finishing that grow out beautifully. Now that you have some knowledge about foilyage, it is time to get out there and experience the hype. Your signature colourist will help you choose the right foilyage look for you, whether you are looking for a striking contrast or a summery sun-kissed shade.

Foil is preferred in the foilyage because it conducts heat more efficiently than the open air and plastic film used in balayage. This allows the product to penetrate deeper into the hair. This gives clients with darker hair more lift than balayage. Foil also keeps the hair separated from untreated hair. This can prevent a messy end result. While foilyage can produce beautiful results when done correctly, it can also cause problems. Many of these complaints revolve around the fact that foilyage can cause splotchiness or hard lines of demarcation, rather than the natural and beautiful results everyone desired for their hair goals.

However, these unwanted effects of splotchiness or hard lines of demarcation can be avoided by coating smaller, thinner sections of foil to ensure even penetration. If you’re more concerned about having harsh demarcation lines, you might consider adding brightness points to the hair of your client. This can give you the natural look you desire, without causing too much splotch or harshness.

Foilyage can be similar to a traditional foil technique as it uses foils to ensure the product penetrate deep into the hair. There are many important differences. Traditional foils have a tendency to entail more harsh, sharper demarcation lines than what is expected. The colourist need to be careful with colour placement and blending techniques in order to avoid such harsh lines. Your colourist may consider adding water mist to your hair when they are performing blending the hair. This will allow for more porosity, which allows the product to glide easily through the hair and give you the blended look that you desired.

The finer teeth of the foiling comb will result in a more secure and heavier teasing on the client’s hair which can have a significant impact on the final finishing foilyage outcome. Keep your thoughts open to TEASING. How much hair the colourist has teased will affect how easy you are combing out. It will take longer and more difficult to comb out in the sink if your hair are teased more. It is a good idea to tease the hair down “tip-to-top” once per section. This makes the hair less snarly and allows for a quick comb out in your sink.

Lightener is applied to your hair by concentrating the saturation on the midshaft, then saturating the ends and blurring up. This will allow you to concentrate the colour exactly where you desire while still creating a natural blended look.To achieve a balayaged look as close as possible, your colourist can create “balayage ribbons” by performing placement of three to four teased foils placed back to back. It won’t look as bright and vibrant if you do only one or two sections. The desired outcome should be driven by the choice of colourist’s lightener. However, smoother and creamier lighteners are known to allow for easier gliding and less splotchiness.