Balayage is a somewhat new hair coloring option that almost every salon now offers. If you've been getting solid color or foil highlights for years, you may be wondering whether it's worth making the switch to balayage. While everyone's hair color preferences are different, the answer is almost always "yes." Balayage is pretty much the ultimate hair coloring option. Here's why.

Balayage gives a more natural look.

With foil highlights, there is a very distinct difference between the hair that is highlighted and the hair that is not. Either a hair strand is your natural color, or it is the highlight color. This makes the look of foil highlights a little harsh or unnatural. Similarly, solid color results in a harsh line once your roots grow out. Balayage is brushed into your hair in a very gentle way. This results in a gradual transformation of color from the roots to the ends, almost like an ombre effect. The result is a more subtle hair color without immediate gradients or straight lines.

There's no scalp contact with the hair color.

Does your scalp ever feel itchy or irritated after hair dye is applied? You're not alone. Stylists try to avoid applying hair dye directly to the scalp for this reason, but they are not always successful. With balayage, though, the roots are left natural, and then the color is gradually worked in further down. There should not be any contact with the color and your scalp at all, so you don't have to worry about irritation. This makes balayage a common option for people with eczema, dandruff, and other skin conditions.

You can wait longer between color appointments.

Even if you love having your hair colored, you have to admit — it gets a bit expensive and time-consuming. When you have balayage, though, you can wait longer between appointments because you won't get that distinct line where your roots grow out. A single balayage appointment tends to cost a little more because it takes the stylist longer to apply the color. However, you can space the appointments out more, lowering your overall costs over time. Many people can go three months, or even longer, between balayage appointments.

Balayage is a really popular hair coloring choice these days, and this is because balayage is awesome. Schedule your appointment soon, and enjoy some of that awesomeness for yourself. Your stylist can work with you to craft a custom look.