From Monroe blonde to copper contouring and ripple highlights, there are numerous hair colour trends coming to the fore as we (slowly) enter a new season. One of them that’s held on for another year and seems to be coming back stronger than before in 2022 – French balayage.

Here, Adam Reed, UK editorial ambassador for L’Oreal Professionnel, breaks down everything you need to know about one of this year’s biggest trends.

“French balayage is a colour philosophy. It’s all about taking balayage back to its Parisian roots to create that effortless natural-looking colour that so many are now seeking.

“The Parisians are well known as the epitome of graceful and easy-looking style and French balayage is just that; it looks beautiful, luminous, healthy and completely effortless. However, it takes a huge amount of skill to blend the colour this seamlessly, something only achievable in a salon with a professional.”

“The beauty of balayage is that it’s a highly personalised service and the techniques can vary depending on everything from your hair type and texture to the result you are looking for. It’s all about an artistic eye for placement and painting colour onto the hair almost freehand, blending light and dark shades and enhancing the individual’s face shape, hair colour and cut.”

“French balayage is for all; all hair types and hair colours, it’s a wonderfully beautiful technique that can be dialled up or down, depending on the desired end finish. The key to maintaining this look on all hair types is colour maintenance.

“Using a colour-protecting shampoo is perfect to help maintain hair colour and its vibrancy. I always recommend using heat protection before heat styling to protect hair from damage and colour from fading.”

“The beauty of French balayage is that it is achievable on all hair colours, from light to dark hues – gone is the idea that only blondes can achieve a beautiful balayage.

“Those who are looking to enhance their natural colour may opt for a soft transformation, brunettes could look to copper and caramel hues being painted in to offer more depth, whilst lighter hair colours may look to brighten their blonde with beautifully-toned face framing.

“Balayage always looks it’s most beautiful when super vibrant and glossy – my favourite product to keep hair healthy and offer that glass hair effect is L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, £17.70. Use this once a week and leave in hair overnight for a deeper treatment for luscious, high-shine hair.”

Main image: Getty