Wisconsin Cosmetology Practice Exam

Balayage is a hair coloring technique characterized by its freehand application method. This approach allows the colorist to paint the dye directly onto the hair in a sweeping motion, mimicking the way sunlight naturally highlights hair. The freehand painting technique gives the stylist more control over where the color is placed, resulting in a more natural, sun-kissed look with soft transitions rather than the stark lines that can occur with other methods.

This technique differs from others, such as foil highlighting, where the hair is sectioned and wrapped in foil to process the color; cap highlighting, which uses a perforated cap to pull strands of hair through; and dip dyeing, where only the ends of the hair are dyed, usually in a more solid fashion. Each of those methods serves different aesthetic goals and techniques, but the essence of balayage lies in its artistic application through freehand techniques. This results in a blended, dimensional effect that is highly sought after for its low-maintenance and natural finish.