Alaska Hairdresser and Barber Certification Practice Exam

What does a 'balayage' technique involve?

1. Applying hair dye in foils

2. Hand-painting highlights onto the hair

3. Using a cap to highlight hair

4. Performing a full hair color

The correct answer is: Hand-painting highlights onto the hair

The balayage technique involves hand-painting highlights onto the hair, which gives a natural and sun-kissed look. This method is characterized by its freehand application, allowing the stylist to control the placement and intensity of the color more effectively than traditional highlighting techniques. The subtle and blended result becomes an attractive feature for clients, as it resembles natural color variations in hair that occur from sun exposure. This is distinct from other techniques, such as applying hair dye in foils, which tends to create more uniform and defined highlights. Using a cap for highlighting is an older method that can produce a more systematic pattern, and performing a full hair color is a completely different process that involves dyeing all of the hair rather than adding dimension through highlights. Overall, balayage enables stylists to achieve a bespoke look tailored to each client’s preferences and hair type.