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Highlights or Balayage?

Jul 23, 2019

Where to Start

When determining where to start with your hair coloring needs it is important to consider factors that are aligned with your hair maintenance objectives. If you are opting for subtle highlights to break up your hair silhouette, then balayage is the way to go. However, if you are looking for more control of the tonal outcome foiled highlights would be recommended. You’re likely more familiar with the term ombre versus balayage, however, the key difference between ombre and balayage is that there is a clear horizontal fade line in ombre. Balayage has a more natural appearance and tends to be placed vertically.

What do the Styles Have in Common? 

While there are subtle differences between traditional highlights and Balayage they can be used in conjunction to achieve your desired look. With both styles, it is important to make sure your hair colorist uses Olaplex which is a bond multiplier that protects the integrity of your hair while coloring. This is done to ensure that minimal chemical damage occurs during the lightening process.

Maintenance 

One primary difference between highlighting and balayage is that highlighting requires more maintenance because your hair will experience grow out. Conversely, as balayage grows out the changes are almost undetectable, making salon visits few and far between. 

Differences

Another main difference between highlighting and balayage is the highlighting method has more long term damage effects. However balayage requires a stronger bleaching agent to lift and surpass the unwanted brass tones, therefore despite differences in methods both have risks to consider.  

Not sure which look is right for you? Contact us today and let us make your hair vision come to life!


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The ultimate guide to highlighting your hair
11 Apr, 2024
The art of hair highlighting is a canvas of personal expression. It's a popular choice for those who wish to add dimension, depth, and drama to the color of their locks. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the various hair highlighting techniques, offer tips on choosing the right one, and provide insights. This post is designed to empower beauty enthusiasts and those seeking a salon transformation with everything they need to know about highlighting hair. Understanding Hair Highlighting Hair highlighting is the process of lightening strands of hair to achieve a desired effect, such as a natural sun-kissed glow or contrast against a darker base color. This method can be tailored to different types of highlights to enhance your facial features, complement your skin tone, and reflect your personality. Benefits of Highlighting Hair Adds dimension to one-dimensional hair colors. Camouflages the appearance of thin hair by creating the illusion of depth in overall look. Offers a low-commitment pathway to a new hair color without fully dyeing all your hair. Types of Hair Highlighting Techniques There are several popular highlighting techniques: Traditional Highlights: This method involves lightening sections of hair using foils. Balayage: A French term that means "to sweep or paint," balayage offers a soft, natural-looking transition between colors. Ombre: Darker roots gradually blend into a lighter shade towards the ends, creating a stunning contrast without a harsh line. Babylights: Extremely fine highlights are woven into the hair for a delicate, youthful result. Choosing the Right Highlighting Technique Selecting the right highlighting technique is critical for a flattering and desirable result. It's important to consider factors such as your skin tone, hair type, and lifestyle. Additionally, consult with a professional stylist to get personalized advice. Matching Hair Highlights With Skin Tone Cool Undertones: If you have fair skin with pink or blue undertones, ash-colored highlights might be more flattering. Warm Undertones: Golden and coppery shades work well with warmer complexions. The Importance of Hair Type Fine Hair: Look to techniques that add volume and texture, such as Babylights or finely painted balayage. Thick Hair: Ombre and traditional highlights can help to break up heavier hair textures. Considering Personal Style and Lifestyle If you prefer a low-maintenance look, a balayage technique might be a better fit than traditional highlights that grow out visibly. Traditional Foil Highlights Foil highlights, a traditional technique, involve strategically placing hair strands treated with a lightening product in foil for processing in an isolated environment. The Balayage Technique Explained Balayage is a technique where color is painted onto hair for a natural, gradual effect. Process and Cost: This method involves a skilled stylist hand-painting the color, allowing for more customization. Balayage typically costs more than traditional highlights due to its artisanal approach. Maintenance and Versatility: Balayage is valued for its low-maintenance growth and can be stretched between salon visits. It's a versatile choice that complements different hair lengths and textures. Ombre Styles Ombre and sombre are hairstyling techniques that create a seamless color transition from the roots to the tips of the hair. Sombre, in particular, achieves a softer and more understated effect compared to the bolder look of Ombre. The Art of Babylights Babylights mimic the natural highlights of a child's hair—subtle, delicate, and youthful. Ideal Hair Types for Babylights Babylights are perfect for those who desire a sun-kissed look without the contrast of more noticeable highlights. Maintaining Babylights Regular touch-ups are needed to keep Babylights looking fresh, but they are less labor-intensive to maintain than traditional highlights and are recommended if you have dark roots. What Color of Highlights Looks Best? Deciding on the color of your highlights heavily depends on your base hair colour, skin tone, and desired maintenance level. For those with darker hair, honey, caramel, or bronze highlights can add a warm glow without harsh contrast. Lighter shades of hair, such as blonde or light brown, can be enhanced with blonde highlights, ash, platinum, or even pastel shades for a more striking effect. It's also crucial to consider how much time and effort you're willing to invest in upkeep; natural and subtle highlights tend to require less frequent touch-ups than bold or very light colors. Professional Highlighting At M Salon Professional hair stylists play a crucial role in the success of any highlighting endeavor. They possess the expertise to assess your current hair color, whether it's darker shades of brown hair, blonde, or black, and determine which highlighting shade and technique will best achieve your desired look. M Salon's knowledge extends beyond color choice; they understand how different pigments interact with various hair types and conditions. Trusting a professional with your hair not only ensures the achievement of optimal results but also minimizes the risk of damage and dissatisfaction. Conclusion Highlighting your hair is a significant decision that can result in a beautiful and fresh look. With the array of techniques available, there's a style that will suit everyone's preferences. By understanding the different highlighting methods, considering expert advice, and using high-quality hair care products, you can confidently step into a new you. Take the time to book a consultation with M Salon to discuss your options, and don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Hair highlighting is a powerful tool in the hair coloring world, for changing up your appearance, and when done right, it can make you feel truly magnificent.
a woman is getting her makeup done at a salon
04 Apr, 2024
Getting your makeup done professionally in a salon is an experience that transcends the mere application of beauty products. It's a luxurious pampering session that not only enhances your physical appearance but also uplifts your spirit. Professional makeup artists use their expertise to tailor a look that perfectly complements your features and occasion. They wield a vast arsenal of high-quality products, ensuring longevity and flawlessness of the makeup. From the initial skin prep to the final touches, every step is meticulously crafted to make you look and feel your absolute best. The Art of a Professionally Done Full Face of Makeup The application of a full face of makeup is more than just a routine; it's a self-expressive art that empowers us to highlight our best features and step out with confidence. A makeup artist that has skills for years, and now it’s your turn to implement their expert techniques. Understanding the nuances of application can transform your look from amateurish to impeccably polished. For this guide, imagine taking a seat in a professional salon, like the renowned M Salon, where every stroke of the brush and every dab of the product has been carefully crafted to enhance your natural beauty. We will walk through each step of the process, starting from skincare prepping to the final setting spray, ensuring that the end result is nothing short of stunning. Preparation Steps—The Foundation of Your Makeup Before any makeup touch, it’s essential to prepare the canvas of your face. Skincare prepping is a crucial first step that can significantly impact the finish and longevity of your makeup. Hydrating and priming the skin are not to be overlooked. Skincare Prepping Begin your full face makeup session with clean skin. Apply a gentle cleanser to remove any impurities and follow with a toner to rebalance the skin’s pH levels. Next, apply a hydrating serum or moisturizer. This is particularly important in creating a smooth surface for makeup and ensuring that it doesn’t settle into any dry patches or fine lines. Choosing the Right Products The success of your makeup look is heavily reliant on the products you choose. Select a primer that corresponds with your skin type—whether it’s mattifying for oily skin, hydrating for dry skin, or illuminating for a radiant base. Quality foundation, concealer, and setting powder are non-negotiables. opt for products that match your undertones and offer the coverage you need for your particular skin concerns. What to Avoid Before Getting Your Makeup Done Preparing for a professional makeup session requires not just what you should do, but also knowing what to avoid to ensure the best possible outcome. A simple misstep could affect how the makeup adheres to your skin or how long it lasts. Here are critical things to avoid before sitting in a makeup artist’s chair:  Avoid new skincare treatments or products : Stick to your regular skincare routine in the days leading up to your appointment. Trying out new products or treatments can potentially irritate your skin or cause an unexpected reaction, making it difficult for makeup to apply smoothly. Shaving Face: Refrain from having your facial hair waxed, even your brows. Waxing can irritate your skin and can cause it to become too sensitive. This, in turn, might give your makeup artist a difficult time when applying makeup to the said area. Do not exfoliate right before your appointment: While exfoliation is essential for smooth skin, doing it right before your makeup session can leave your skin sensitive and more prone to redness. Ideally, exfoliate 24-48 hours beforehand, allowing your skin to settle. Skip heavy moisturizers or oils : On the day of your makeup application, avoid heavy creams or facial oils. These can interfere with the primer and foundation, causing them to slide off or not adhere properly to your skin. Understanding these pre-makeup application do’s and don’ts ensures your skin is in the best condition to achieve that flawless, enduring makeup look you’re aiming for. Benefits of Getting Your Makeup Done for Special Events Long-Lasting Makeup: Professional makeup artists use high-quality makeup products, ensuring your makeup stays flawless all day long. They are trained in techniques to make your look last through sweat, tears and even a dance party. Customized Look: Whether it’s for a wedding, prom or any special event, professional makeup artists personalize the makeup to suit your preferences and features. They work with you to create a look that enhances your natural beauty while also taking into consideration the occasion's theme and dress Makeup Experience: As mentioned earlier, having your makeup professionally done is a luxurious experience. It's an opportunity to relax and be pampered while also gaining insight into new techniques and products that you can incorporate into your own routine. Professional Touch: Makeup artists are experts in their field, with years of training and experience. They know how to bring out the best in every face shape, eye color, and skin tone. M Salon Signature Tips for a Flawless Makeup Finish M Salon has mastered the art of achieving a flawless makeup finish through a combination of skill, technique, and the right products. Here are some of their signature tips to elevate your makeup game: Layering for Longevity: Begin with a light application and gradually build up. This technique ensures your makeup not only looks more natural but also lasts longer. M Salon artists swear by layering, especially when it comes to foundation and blush, for a look that endures the entire event. Blending is Key: The secret to a seamlessly beautiful look is blending. M Salon professionals spend ample time blending eyeshadows, foundation, and even lip liner to ensure there are no harsh lines. They often use a combination of brushes and sponges for the best effects. Highlighting with Precision: Instead of applying highlighter all over, M Salon experts apply it strategically to areas where light naturally hits the face. This includes the brow bone, the tops of the cheeks, and the cupid's bow. The result is a subtle, natural glow that enhances your features. Setting Spray in Layers: One of M Salon's ultimate tricks for makeup that lasts is to use setting spray in between layers of makeup, not just as a final step. Spritzing a little setting spray after applying foundation, then again after powder, helps lock everything in place for a longer-lasting effect. Personalized Product Selection: Recognizing that everyone's skin is unique, M Salon artists always tailor their product selection to each client's specific needs. They consider factors like skin type, tone, and individual concerns to choose products that will perform best for each person. By incorporating these M Salon signature tips into your makeup routine, you're sure to achieve a beautiful, lasting look that feels as good as it appears. Conclusion — The Power of Professional Makeup The precision and finesse of professional makeup application have the power to boost your confidence glam and give you a fresh outlook. Whether you're preparing for an event, a special occasion, or just a regular day you want to feel exceptional, trust that M salon will do an amazing job in making you feel and look your best. So why wait? Book an appointment today and experience the transformative magic of professional makeup for yourself. Don't forget to follow these tips to get the most out of your session and maintain that flawless look all day long! With M Salon, you'll be ready to take on any event with confidence, knowing you have a team of skilled makeup artists.
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