Meet Mary Allen, a writer at The Right Hairstyles Magazine with a passion for the artistry of hair, who first joined our editorial team in January 2022. With a keen eye for trends in haircutting and coloring techniques, Mary Allen explores the diverse spectrum of beauty, ensuring that her articles resonate with women from all walks of life.
Read full bio Editorial guidelines
Balayage highlights have finally found their worthy opponent, represented by its majesty reverse balayage. This sophisticated yet low-committal hair coloring technique will infuse your blonde strands with natural bronde and caramel hues without additional bleaching.
Browse these 30 newest ideas of reverse balayage hair color to find out how to craft a deep and multidimensional look with the least effort.
Reverse balayage in darker tones is a low-effort way to bring depth and dimension to golden blonde tresses. To achieve this stunning satin glow, apply a tiny amount of hair oil for the healthiest, shiniest finish.
@coloredbycaitlin
Monthly salon visits can be quite overwhelming for you and your budget, but this doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a fresh hair color. Choose reverse balayage coloring, a trendy style that involves darker lowlights and root touch-ups, saving you time between hair coloring appointments.
@colorbymarina
Just like blonde balayage brightens up darker hair colors, reverse highlights in light brown tones set off and illuminate a bright blonde base. Both result in a stunningly dimensional look, perfectly complemented with loose curls.
@adina_pignatare
Sometimes, the most unexpected changes are the best, and you’re going from honey blonde to dark brunette can be one of those happy outcomes. With this hair color, you can forget about hair coloring once and forever, as these subtle teasylights will beautifully complement your grown natural strands.
@ricardoalonsobeauty
Let your hair speak for your love for a spiced caramel latte and walnut cake by bringing this sweet reverse balayage hair color to life. The combination of chestnut and golden honey shades will also emphasize the warmth of your skin tone.
@capellibymegs
This brown-meets-blonde painting reveals the brightness of warm blonde hair at the front and the ends but, at the same time, makes it more natural. Best suits to sunny summer and cozy autumn looks.
@ali_theartist
Reverse money pieces create a soft and luminous effect of the highlights lit from within, allowing you to frame your face and enhance the skin’s radiance. And you don’t need to bleach your hair to go from buttery blonde to lived-in bronde, so try it on your fine locks without any doubts.
@lift_lob_love
“As you all know, taking a blonde to brunette can be very tricky,” says Lisa Mathews, a blonding specialist and the creator of this stunning look. But as well as we agree with this statement, we all witness this transformation is worth all the effort. If your goal is delicate warm brown hair, a reverse balayage is to your service.
@hairbylisamathews
Reverse balayage needs way less upkeep than traditional hand-painting highlights since it involves hair darkening. Yet, you still get pops of brightness from your highlighted ends and money pieces.
@hairbychrissydanielle
As cool blonde tones are mostly associated with winter, we offer to make them more summer-appropriate by playing with the reverse balayage trend. Suitable for both straight and naturally curly hair, reverse highlights add depth and movement to your light hair without making you choose between brunette or blonde.
@beauty_by_amandaa
As no lightener (bleach) was involved in creating this mesmerizing dimensional look, we highly recommend it to ladies with fine hair. A reverse balayage not only adds depth to your locks but also makes them easier to grow, as you don’t need to paint your hair often.
@angela_doeshair
While copper hair colors are always in trend regardless of the season, they require regular painting sessions to maintain the vibrancy of the chosen hue. Here’s where reverse balayage comes in handy, with its ability to safely darken your strands without compromising those rich bronze tones.
@colorbymarina
Root shadowing is an excellent technique for a healthy transition from blonde to brunette. Mix it with lowlights to create a well-blended, sun-kissed balayage, popular this season.
@hairby_savss
The best way to go back for a more natural look without dyeing your mane in a solid color is with this reverse balayage. Simplistic as it is captivating, it will give your locks an enviably glossy shine and beaming warmth.
@sophieortonhair
Darker roots contribute to the overall hair thickness, but if you’re not ready to completely refrain from honey blonde hue, switch to reverse balayage first. To emphasize the dimension of your color, ask for loose curls or beach waves.
@kaceydunndidhair
For those appreciating the dirty blonde hair trend over there, here we’ve got something more stylish and less high-maintenance. Start with root shadowing and smoothly go down towards the ends with balayage highlights, all in brown shades fitting your complexion.
@biancalorrin
The moody shadows of reverse balayage enhance ashy blonde tones here, creating the illusion of a lovely sun bleach. Make it look fresh and shiny by using a hydrating mask once a week. When styling loose waves, apply an appropriate hair mist to protect your locks from heat damage.
@hair_by_dall
Lisa Giles reveals the secret to this striking hair color so that you can recreate it with your colorist. “I went in with the root shade first, applying with a diagonal back pattern, and went back through with the same pattern, doing a reverse balayage with slices of lowlights,” she explains. Looks absolutely divine!
@lifeoflisag
While adding depth and dimension into the right places, reverse balayage highlights can change things up a bit for you and your hair color without commitment. If you are an overly highlighted blondie looking for a more low-maintenance style – this is your win ticket!
@adina_pignatare
Take your strawberry blondie back to the dark-ish side with this low-commitment balayage coloring featuring delightful warm brown tones. By leaving face-framing blonde highlights, you will also complement your lighter complexion.
@melissamcsimmonshair
Elegant and alluring, this smoky, cool balayage is best-suitable for women with cooler skin tones. Pair it with a layered haircut to take over two trends at a time: a reverse balayage and V-cut layers.
@hair_by_eliserenee
Nicole Jackson is a whisperer of reverse balayage, so no wonder this is her favorite service to do in the salon. If you prefer natural-looking balayage or highlights, you should definitely try this painting, which tends to bring depth and dark tones back into your hair.
@nicolehairstylist
Balance out your solid blonde mane and get rid of brassiness with this dimensional reverse balayage. Leave some face-framing pieces to brighten your look, accentuate your features, and make your hairstyle more appealing.
@colorbymarina
Luminous blonde is undoubtedly attractive, but we love the trend of embracing naturally looking colors with reverse balayage highlights. This is how you can go back to the color that mother nature, aka genetics, has generated for you while leaving some light accents.
@kasmynstyles
Give your hair and yourself a break from bleach and opt for something more natural and less complicated, for example, this soft brown reverse balayage. Leave some babylights and money pieces to frame your face and be gently mixed with your grown-out hair later on.
@allthings.iris
By choosing a light blonde hair color as a brunette, you end up with a necessity to dye your roots every other month. An alternative is a reverse balayage that implies adding darker touch-ups and letting blonde shades shine through.
@_inchloeschair
Lowlights and reverse balayage can add depth and darkness to your lightened hair, creating a charming sun-kissed effect. But our personal choice is balayage, which can be refreshed every 4-5 months, allowing your hair to rest from bleach or extreme coloring.
@cazmortimerhair
You will appreciate this reverse balayage hair color trend for its low maintenance and soft contrast that reveals the depth of your original hue. Use a protecting shampoo and conditioner to maintain the vibrancy of your color and boost its shine.
@angela_doeshair
If you got bored with a solid blonde hair color, this is a worth-trying look that keeps your hair healthy and captivating. A reverse balayage technique also helps kick some of the brass out and enjoy this beautiful dimension.
@flippinhairdresser
While traditional balayage involves painting your natural strands with lighter shades, reverse balayage reintroduces deeper hues into your hair. So, if you’re looking for a healthier way to get one of the flattering two-tone hairstyles, rich chocolate balayage is a great idea to consider.
@hairbyjaimemarie
Whether you’ve decided to break up with your ‘blonde’ past or aim to try something more earthy, these reverse balayage ideas will make you look drop-dead gorgeous!
Enter your email to get this picture to your inbox, and get other ideas you might like 💌
