Ombré, pronounced "om-bray," is a hair coloring technique originating from the French word meaning "shading." It involves a transition from dark roots to lighter ends, usually starting around the top of the ear and blending through to the tips.
Balayage, a method used to achieve ombré effects, involves selectively painting strands for a more blended transition. When requesting ombré in a salon, however, it typically results in all the hair ends being lightened, with color application beginning lower on the hair shaft.
Ombré creates a distinct dip-dye effect, dividing the hair into two contrasting sections that transition smoothly from dark to light. The balayage application is predominately horizontal, with stylists bleaching and coloring the lower part while keeping the top section natural. This results in a stark contrast at the roots, blending into a sun-kissed middle, and finishing with the lightest tones at the ends. In addition to balayage, lowlights and babylights may also be used, especially when replacing or correcting a previous hair coloring experience involving highlights.
Reverse ombré, where the lighter color is at the roots and the darker shade at the ends, is also an option.
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