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Confused between a balayage and babylights? Industry experts explain today’s hottest hair dye techniques.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Confused between a balayage and babylights? Industry experts explain today’s hottest hair dye techniques.

<b>Jamie Chung</b>
<b>Jamie Chung</b>
Balayage

Meaning “to paint” in French, this technique gives a coveted sun-kissed look. “Highlights are applied on selected sections by hand and brush for a most natural blend and texture,” says  Hairloom’s stylist Bosco Eng.

<b>Giant Pink</b>
<b>Giant Pink</b>
Colour Melting

Basically an updated ombre, “colour melting is a technique that blends highlights with a base colour to reduce harsh lines [between the colours]”, says Salon Vim’s Director John Tham. “Multiple shades are used to create the ‘melted’ effect which helps to enhance your facial features.” Deeper tones are applied at the roots and gradually overlapped with lighter and even lighter highlights to achieve a more seamless blend.

<b>Michael Kors</b>
<b>Michael Kors</b>
Ombre

If you want the look of a slimmer or more oval-shaped face, get an ombre. “It means ‘shaded’ or ‘shading’, and features dark roots that gradually get lighter from mid-shaft to the ends,” says John. “To get this ombre effect, opt for lighter hues from cheek down to create movement and elongate the face.” 

<b>Drew Barrymore</b>
<b>Drew Barrymore</b>
Colour Contouring

Inspired by the face-sculpting makeup trend, colour contouring suits all hair lengths and face shapes. “It’s customised to define one’s face shape and enhance skin tone via a combination of various techniques,” John explains.

<b>Jessica Alba</b>
<b>Jessica Alba</b>
Babylights

“This delicate highlighting process uses a very fine technique to mimic the subtle multi-dimensional hair colour seen in children’s hair,” says Bosco. “Small sections of hair are wrapped in foil with minimal separations between each one, so that the highlight blends in more seamlessly with the base colour.” They can be achieved in any shade that matches the skin tone.

PHOTOS: TPG NEWS / SHOWBIT

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