27 Balayage Ideas For Short Hair, From Rich Tones to Playful Pastels | keensg.com

27 Balayage Ideas For Short Hair, From Rich Tones to Playful Pastels

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When it comes to hair coloring techniques, approaches—and their intended effects—can run the gamut from barely there babylights to gradual ombré to full-head dye jobs. On the more low-maintenance end of the hair color spectrum, you’ll find balayage. A French term that means “sweeping,” balayage involves hand-painting on highlights to create a relaxed, soft gradation of color that delivers lived-in, multi-dimensional effects. Best of all, the technique requires little maintenance, allowing your natural color to grow out without any harsh demarcation lines.

And while balayage is a favorite among those with long, flowing locks, it’s just as stunning on shorter lengths, enhancing the natural movement and texture. Don’t believe us? Keep scrolling for 27 screenshot-worthy balayage hair ideas for short hair.

01of 27

Lived-In Highlights

Lived-in brown balayage hair with a lob cut.
@STEPHENGARRISON/INSTAGRAM

According to celebrity colorist and Redken expert Tracey Cunningham, one of the major benefits of balayage on short hair is that it requires less time in your colorist’s chair at the salon. Because balayage is meant to give that lived-in look, it takes less time to achieve and requires far fewer touch-ups.

02of 27

Caramel Mocha

Caramel mocha colored balayage on short hair.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA/INSTAGRAM

Giving hair a two- or three-dimensional look with contrast, like these caramel mocha highlights, adds visual volume and depth to the hair, says celebrity hairstylist Olivia Thompson. This can be especially helpful for shorter styles, particularly on fine hair.

03of 27

Warm Dimensional Brunette

Subtle dimensional brunette balayage highlights.
@STYLEDBYSAM_X/INSTAGRAM

To achieve a soft, dimensional look, colorists hand-paint highlights from the mid-lengths to the ends. It’s important that the color isn’t too close to the root, says Cunningham; otherwise, it can look like an all-over color application.

04of 27

Baby Brown Balayage

A brown, wavy, balayage lob
@STEPHENGARRISON / INSTAGRAM

Most people mistake balayage as a ‘look,’ but it’s actually a painting technique. That’s why darker hues, like this baby brown, can sometimes be mistaken for traditional highlights.

05of 27

Ombré-Style Balayage

An ombre-esque blonde bayalage bob
@ARIEL_HAUCK / INSTAGRAM

A more textbook use of balayage is for an almost-ombré, sun-kissed effect along the hair, as seen above. Cunningham says the technique is a great way to achieve that natural, beachy look.

06of 27

Dirty Blonde

Dirty blonde balayage on short hair.
@STEPHENGARRISON/INSTAGRAM

Balayage is a favorite among those with short hair because it gives cuts more movement and dimension. It also helps enhance the natural texture of shorter styles, creating a customized and chic look that will grow out naturally.

07of 27

Face-Framing Butterscotch

Face-framing butterscotch balayage on a bob haircut.
@STEPHENGARRISON/INSTAGRAM

Thompson says balayage is a great way to highlight someone’s most beautiful features—and these face-framing butterscotch pieces certainly prove that.

08of 27

Ash Blonde Brunette

A fluffy, ashy bob with balayage
@CAMOUFLAGEANDBALAYAGE / INSTAGRAM

According to Thompson, balayage helps create a seamless transition from roots to end, making it the perfect choice for a low-maintenance, high-impact hair color.

09of 27

Caramel Pixie Cut

Caramel highlights on a pixie cut.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA/INSTAGRAM

While balayage requires less maintenance than a traditional dye job, it’s not completely work-free. Cunningham suggests watching for brassier tones and scheduling an in-salon gloss when they appear. This will help keep the hair looking more natural and sun-kissed.

10of 27

Tortoiseshell Blonde

Tortoise-shell blonde balayage on a natural afro.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA/INSTAGRAM

Balayage creates a light, natural effect, which is particularly helpful with shorter styles and for those looking to enhance their look.

11of 27

Fire Cracker Brunette

Firecracker red balayage on brown hair.
@STYLEDBYSAM_X/INSTAGRAM

Even with a less traditional shade, like this firecracker red-orange hue, balayage helps naturally weave the color into the hair.

12of 27

Sun-Kissed Ginger Snap

Beach-kissed ginger hair cut in a bob.
@JOHNNYRAMIREZ/INSTAGRAM

Balayage is a great way to create a one-of-a-kind cut and color—because of how the dye is swept across the hair, no two balayage jobs are exactly alike.

13of 27

Golden Balayage

Golden toned balayage on short hair.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA/INSTAGRAM

We love how the golden hues here complement and brighten the skin. The balayage technique allows for a more lived-in, sun-kissed effect rather than streaky stripes.

14of 27

Brown-Blonde Fade

Brown-blonde balayage on coily hair
@HAIRCOLORKILLA / INSTAGRAM

Utilizing multiple hues, balayage can help enhance a shorter style by adding visual interest and emphasizing natural texture.

15of 27

Millenial Pink Tones

Baby pink highlights on blonde hair.
@CAMOUFLAGEANDBALAYAGE/INSTAGRAM

Balayage can also be a great low-commitment way to try out a more daring color, like a pop of pink, before agreeing to a full-on dye job.

16of 27

Sunny Butterscotch Brunette

Butterscotch brunette highlights on a bob cut.
@COLORBYMATTREZ/INSTAGRAM

Cunningham says a shorter cut with balayage can be especially great in Southern California summer climates—the effortless effect will last through beach days, outdoor workouts, and the like.

17of 27

Sand and Pearl Brunette

Sand and Pearl balayage on a brown base.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA/INSTAGRAM

Balayage can also help contrasting hues come together in harmony. This stunning example features a slew of tones from sandy, pearl-blonde shades to darker brunette hues. The result is a swirl that evokes the natural effects of the sun.

18of 27

Pastel Unicorn

Pastel unicorn balayage.
@CAMOUFLAGEANDBALAYAGE/INSTAGRAM

pastel balayage offers a more sophisticated way to play with color than an entire head. Given that these colors can be a bit more high maintenance, Thompson suggests using a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for damaged, color-treated hair, like the Joico Defy Damage Shampoo and Conditioner ($45.69).

19of 27

Two-Toned Balayage

Two-toned balayage on a short haircut.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA/INSTAGRAM

A melted effect, like the one seen above, provides natural regrowth without a noticeable line of where the dye job starts and ends; the new, darker hair will blend into balayage seamlessly. That means you can wait more time between salon visits, extending your style by months.

20of 27

Golden Touch

Mousy brown bob.
@STEPHENGARRISON/INSTAGRAM

You don’t have to go full-on blonde to create a beachy look. By weaving subtle golden tones into darker brown hues, you can achieve a just-got-back-from-vacation effect all year round.

21of 27

Sun-Kissed and Swooped

Swooped, sunkissed balayage hair
@HAIRCOLORKILLA / INSTAGRAM

High-contrast shades work particularly well with the balayage technique since the placement feels so natural.

22of 27

Kiss From a Rose

Brown balayage with a rose colored overlay.
@CAMOUFLAGEANDBALAYAGE/INSTAGRAM

The subtle ombré effect of this rose-y balayage means the grow-out phase will be a breeze since any new growth will seamlessly transition into the natural color.

23of 27

Choppy Chestnut

Choppy chestnut balayage.
@STEPHENGARRISON/INSTAGRAM

A chestnut-y, burnt caramel color is always on trend—plus, it adds some serious oomph factor to a blunt-cut bob.

24of 27

Honeycomb Hive

Honeycomb hive haircut.
@CAMOUFLAGEANDBALAYAGE/INSTAGRAM

By sweeping color across the crown, balayage helps add movement and body to shorter cuts. It’s the perfect way to avoid that post-chop regret.

25of 27

Hollywood Golden Blonde

Hollywood golden blonde hair.
@HAIRCOLORKILLA / INSTAGRAM

Balayage offers an opportunity to ease the hair into a lighter tone without the intense, immediate damage. For example, this Hollywood golden blonde hue can be built up over time or pared back as the client sees fit.

26of 27

Peaches and Cream

Peach cream balayage on short hair.
@CAMOUFLAGEANDBALAYAGE/INSTAGRAM

Rosy metallic shades have been popping up all over the place. They take on a peachy effect when woven through bright blonde hair.

27of 27

Piece-y Bronde

Short, piece-y bronde hair viewed from behind
@JOHNNYRAMIREZ / INSTAGRAM

We’ve always been fans of bronde balayage shades to brighten up brunette hair and tone down blonder hues for a more subtle, natural effect. With the balayage technique, you can achieve a naturally sun-kissed pattern that feels easy and low maintenance.

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