Balayage Aftercare: The First 48 Hours Matter Most

Avoid washing your hair for at least 48 hours after a balayage appointment – the cuticle needs time to close back down after lightening, and washing too soon can cause the toner to fade unevenly. Use a sulphate-free shampoo afterwards, and a purple or silver shampoo once a week if you are blonde, to keep brassiness at bay between salon visits. Heat styling is fine after the first wash, just use a heat protectant every time, not just on special occasions.