How to grow out your balayage

First, some good news: balayage grows out better than almost any other colour technique. Because it doesn’t start at the root, there’s no stark line appearing a few weeks after your last appointment. It just softens. You’ve already got a head start.

Here’s the rest of it.

Can you just wait?

Sometimes, yes. If your balayage was done well and your natural colour isn’t dramatically different from the lighter ends, leaving it to grow can look genuinely good. The contrast softens, the colour gets more dimensional and after a few months it reads as intentional rather than neglected.

This only works if there isn’t too much contrast to begin with. If you’ve had years of balayage and the ends are quite light, a fully unmanaged grow-out can start to look like two separate hair colours having a disagreement.

Option 1: a root smudge

Our most requested grow-out service. We apply a demi-permanent colour to the root area to soften the contrast between your natural colour and the balayage. No hard line. No obvious transition. Just a gradual fade from dark to light that looks like it was always there.

It’s quick, it’s not a long-term commitment, and it buys you months of breathing room. Fades out naturally, no regrowth issues.

Option 2: go darker deliberately

Sometimes the cleanest grow-out is a purposeful shade change. A demi-permanent toner or a gloss treatment can bring the lighter ends closer to your natural colour so the whole thing reads as dimensional rather than half-finished.

This is usually our suggestion for clients who want to stop highlighting altogether and come back to something close to their natural shade.

Option 3: grow out into grey at the same time

If you’re going grey and growing out balayage simultaneously, grey blending is the move. We use highlights, lowlights and toning to gradually integrate your natural grey with the fading balayage so the result looks considered at every stage.

How long does a full grow-out actually take?

Average hair grows about half an inch a month. If your balayage starts at mid-length, a complete grow-out takes close to a year.

A managed approach almost always looks better than just waiting.

Come in for a free consultation

We’ll look at where you are in the process and tell you exactly what we’d recommend. No commitment required.

Notting Hill, Fitzrovia and Liverpool Street.

FAQ’s

• How long does it take to grow out balayage?

  It depends on hair length and growth rate. Average hair grows about half an inch per month, so a full grow-out can take 12 months or more. A managed approach such as root smudging looks better throughout.

• What is a root smudge for balayage grow-out?

  A root smudge is a demi-permanent colour applied to the root area to soften the contrast between your natural colour and the balayage. It creates a gradual transition and extends how long the balayage looks good without refreshing.

• Does balayage look bad as it grows out?

  Not if it was applied well. Balayage is designed to grow out gradually rather than creating a hard regrowth line. A root smudge or toner can help manage the transition if there’s significant contrast.

• Can you go darker to grow out balayage?

  Yes. A demi-permanent colour or gloss treatment can bring the balayage ends closer to your natural shade, making the grow-out look more seamless and intentional.

• How do I grow out balayage if I’m going grey?

  Grey blending is often the best approach. Your colourist uses highlights and lowlights to gradually integrate the grey with the fading balayage, creating a dimensional result that looks intentional rather than transitional.