Services · Color
Balayage in Santa Monica
Soft, dimensional, hand-painted color that grows out beautifully — by Anna Berglund, a colorist with 20+ years at high-end salons in Beverly Hills and the UK.
What is balayage?
Balayage — from the French for "sweeping" — is a freehand highlighting technique. Instead of saturating strands in foils from the root, color is painted onto the surface of the hair exactly where the sun would hit it. The result is soft, natural dimension: brighter through the ends, seamless at the root, with no stripes and no harsh regrowth line.
It's the most low-maintenance way to wear lightened hair. Because the color melts into your base, it grows out gracefully — most clients refresh every four to six months, often with just a gloss in between.
Anna's balayage is a foilayage: the same hand-painted placement, wrapped in foils. Foils hold gentle heat around the painted sections, so the lightener lifts further and more evenly than open-air balayage — you keep the soft, blended look but reach brighter tones in fewer sessions, with less time in the chair.
FAQ
Balayage questions
How long does a balayage appointment take?
Plan for 2.5 to 4 hours depending on your hair's length, density, and starting color. Every appointment begins with a consultation so Anna can map out placement and tone before any color is mixed.
How often do I need to touch it up?
Because balayage grows out softly, most clients refresh every 4 to 6 months — often just a gloss between full sessions. It is one of the most low-maintenance ways to wear lightened hair.
What is the difference between balayage and highlights?
Traditional highlights are woven and foiled from the root for uniform brightness; balayage is hand-painted for a softer, more lived-in gradient. Anna's balayage is a foilayage, which combines painted placement with foils for brighter, more even lift.
Will balayage damage my hair?
Any lightening service must be done carefully. Anna uses only high-quality products and keeps lightener off the scalp — and if your hair needs extra support, a bond-building treatment like K18 can be added to your appointment. Beautiful hair begins with healthy hair.
Does balayage work on dark or previously colored hair?
Yes — placement and expectations just differ. Dark or previously colored hair may need more than one session to reach a light tone safely; Anna will map out a plan at your consultation.
Ready for softer, sun-kissed color?
Anna sees clients at a private suite in Santa Monica, Sundays and Tuesdays, by appointment only.
Book an appointment