[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":159},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-rubric-coloring-en":3,"blog-rubric-posts-coloring-en":14},{"id":4,"slug":5,"sort_order":6,"is_enabled":7,"locale_code":8,"name":9,"title":10,"meta_title":11,"meta_description":12,"created_at":13,"updated_at":13},"11b28fa7-8847-4e4f-b430-4427cd972a7b","coloring",2,true,"en","Hair coloring","Hair coloring and hair care","Hair coloring: balayage, blond, highlights","Balayage, shatush, airtouch, blond and highlights: hair coloring techniques and care explained in plain language.","2026-07-23T12:56:53.644837+00:00",{"rows":15,"total":158},[16,45,66,83,102,121,140],{"id":17,"slug":18,"image":19,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":21,"last_modify":21,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":22,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":26,"locale_code":8,"title":27,"description":28,"body":29,"meta_title":27,"meta_description":30,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":34,"tag_ids":36,"tags":39},"c0488b83-bb60-467b-8b01-1ce1055506df","grey-hair-coverage","blog\u002Fgrey-hair-coverage-1785485217620.webp","2a68314b-323f-4ed4-9c24-dbfb7e9690ac","2026-08-27",false,"done",null,"2026-07-23T13:05:03.273585+00:00","2026-07-31T11:24:18.157736+00:00","Grey Hair Coverage for Men and Women","Grey hair coverage for men and women: how it differs from full colouring and how to tone grey naturally through gray blending. Colourist tips from Trueman.","Grey hair coverage solves a delicate task: making grey hair less noticeable without going into dense, flat single-tone colour. Grey appears in everyone sooner or later, but not everyone wants to cover it \"to zero\" — for some, keeping things natural matters more. Let's break down how grey hair coverage works for men and women and how it differs from ordinary colouring.\n\n## Grey hair coverage: what it is and why\n\nCoverage here means gentle toning that mutes grey rather than covering it densely. Instead of a sharp switch to flat colour, it partially darkens the grey strands while keeping a natural play of shades. The result looks as if there's simply less grey — with no \"dyed head\" effect.\n\nIf you want an even but natural result, at Trueman it's done as part of the [single-tone hair color](\u002Fservices\u002Fsingle-tone-color) service — the stylist selects the formula and shade for your percentage of grey and your base.\n\n### How coverage differs from full colouring\n\nFull grey colouring uses permanent dyes that cover grey hair densely and give an even, flat tone. It's reliable but needs regular root correction and looks more \"flat.\" Coverage works more softly — often with milder or demi-permanent formulas that wash out gradually and leave no sharp regrowth line, a true grey blending effect.\n\n| Criterion | Grey coverage | Full colouring |\n|---|---|---|\n| Coverage | Partial, natural | Full, dense |\n| Longevity | Medium, fades softly | High |\n| Regrowth line | Barely visible | Visible |\n| Correction frequency | Less often | Every 3–4 weeks |\n| Effect | Natural | Even, flat tone |\n\n![grey hair coverage before and after — visible grey strands on the left, a softly blended natural tone on the right, the same person, close-up](blog\u002Fgrey-hair-coverage-1785485737806.webp)\n\n## Grey hair coverage for men\n\nMen most often want naturalness above all — so that no one notices any colouring happened. That's why men's coverage is done quickly and delicately: the formula is left on for less time than in women's colouring, and a shade slightly lighter than natural is chosen to avoid a \"drawn-on\" effect. Often it's not the whole head but the temples and beard, where grey shows most, that get covered. The result — a few years off and no sense of \"dyed\" hair.\n\n## Grey hair coverage for women\n\nWomen have more to juggle: grey can be distributed unevenly, and the base colour is often already coloured. Here it's important to match the tone and account for the percentage of grey — the more there is, the denser the formula needed. With a little grey, gray blending through highlights or a colour stretch works well: light strands mask the grey naturally and regrowth is barely visible. With significant grey, a more durable but still soft single-tone colouring is chosen.\n\n## How to care for the result\n\nTo make coverage last longer and not fade:\n\n- use shampoo and conditioner for coloured hair;\n- don't wash your hair in very hot water — it flushes pigment out faster;\n- add nourishing masks, as grey hair is often coarser and drier;\n- refresh the toning as it washes out, usually every 4–6 weeks.\n\nOne important point: grey hair has a denser structure and takes pigment less readily, so covering grey hair at 100% is a job for a stylist, not a home dye — especially when there's a lot of grey and you want a natural rather than flat result.\n\nThe best way to know which option is yours — dense colouring, soft coverage or masking through highlights — is to come in for a consultation. The stylist will judge the percentage of grey and the base colour and pick an approach where the grey disappears from view while the hair looks living and natural.","Grey hair coverage — how to cover grey hair naturally for men and women and how gray blending differs from full colouring. Colourist guide.","valeria","team\u002Fvaleria.webp","Valeria",[35],"647a2e83-4f7f-4b3a-b125-060d2cc0cb8b",[37,38],"5912f1ff-9932-44eb-9cca-adb188e4f210","68899165-57f2-4baf-b9b0-c71a0d8ad191",[40,43],{"name":41,"slug":42},"Grey hair","grey-hair",{"name":9,"slug":44},"hair-coloring",{"id":46,"slug":47,"image":48,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":49,"last_modify":49,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":22,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":26,"locale_code":8,"title":50,"description":51,"body":52,"meta_title":50,"meta_description":53,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":54,"tag_ids":56,"tags":59},"6bca1d47-d465-4a6c-b871-42eff21e338b","perm-hair","blog\u002Fperm-hair-1785486288657.webp","2026-08-20","Perm Hair: Types, Formulas and Care","Perm hair explained: the types of perm, how bio perm differs, what root volume and a wave perm are and how to care for curls. A stylist's guide.","Perm hair is making a comeback — but not the perm our mums had. Modern formulas are gentler, the curls look more natural, and there are more options: from soft waves to springy curls and root volume. Let's break down the types of perm hair, how they differ and how to care for the result so the curls delight rather than disappoint.\n\n## Perm hair: how it works\n\nThe essence of any perm is that the formula softens the hair's inner structure, the hair is shaped on rods or rollers, and then it's fixed. The hair \"remembers\" the new shape and holds it for months. The types of perm differ mainly in the strength of the formula and how long the result lasts.\n\nIt's a procedure where the stylist's experience and the right formula for your hair structure matter. At Trueman it's done as part of the [perm](\u002Fservices\u002Fperm) service — with a prior assessment of the length's condition.\n\n### Classic perm\n\nThe most durable option. It uses stronger formulas and gives springy, defined curls that last up to six months. It suits anyone wanting pronounced curls for the long haul. The downside — it's a real stress on the hair, so on bleached or damaged length a classic perm is done cautiously or not at all.\n\n### Bio perm\n\nBio perm is the gentler alternative. The formulas here are milder, often with added protein components, so the hair suffers less. The curls come out more natural and soft and last 2–4 months. A sensible choice for anyone trying a perm for the first time or protecting hair quality.\n\n### Wave perm (beach waves)\n\nWave perm is a trendy, light perm that creates the effect of messy beach waves rather than tight curls. The hair is wound on large rollers, and the result is relaxed and natural. A great option for anyone tired of curling with an iron every morning but not after defined curls.\n\n### Root volume\n\nA separate task is root volume. Here the formula is applied only to the root zone to lift the hair at the base. The length stays straight, and the hair stops clinging to the head. Ideal for fine hair that lacks fullness. When more heat-shaped, defined curls are the goal, a stylist may suggest a digital perm instead.\n\n![a comparison of perm types on strands — springy defined classic curls, soft bio-perm waves and a relaxed wave perm side by side, a clear difference in curl character](blog\u002Fperm-hair-1785486424630.webp)\n\n## Perm comparison\n\n| Type | Longevity | Stress on hair | Result |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| Classic | Up to 6 months | High | Springy, defined curls |\n| Bio perm | 2–4 months | Medium | Soft, natural curls |\n| Wave perm | 2–4 months | Medium | Relaxed waves |\n| Root volume | 2–3 months | Medium, roots only | Volume at the roots |\n\n## Who it suits and who should wait\n\nA perm sits well on healthy, non-over-dried hair. It adds volume to fine hair and disciplines frizz-prone hair. But heavily bleached, recently blonde-coloured or damaged hair is a reason to be careful: the formula may take unevenly and finish off weakened length. In those cases the stylist will suggest restoration or a gentle bio perm first.\n\n## Caring for hair after a perm\n\nPermed hair needs hydration and gentle handling:\n\n- don't wash your hair for the first 2–3 days — the shape needs to set;\n- use products for curly hair and hydrating masks;\n- dry with a diffuser or naturally, scrunching the strands with your hands;\n- avoid frequent flat-ironing — it weakens the curl;\n- trim the ends regularly, they wear out faster.\n\nA perm gradually straightens as the hair grows and the formula washes out — that's natural. You can refresh it once the roots have grown out noticeably, usually every few months.\n\nIf you're thinking about a perm but unsure of your hair's condition, start with a consultation. The stylist will assess the structure and suggest which type suits you without harming the length.","Perm hair — what types there are, how bio perm differs, what a wave perm and root volume are and how to care for curls. Guide from a stylist.",[55],"f1eb4e00-149b-45bc-b448-0c627fe41229",[57,58],"a3b70a5c-d917-45ee-be17-0693eb69ff6f","757fccb0-fca9-4fb7-8a43-36a61e5e3371",[60,63],{"name":61,"slug":62},"Hair care","hair-care",{"name":64,"slug":65},"Perm","perm",{"id":67,"slug":68,"image":69,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":70,"last_modify":70,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":22,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":26,"locale_code":8,"title":71,"description":72,"body":73,"meta_title":71,"meta_description":74,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":75,"tag_ids":76,"tags":78},"048769e6-27c6-4df8-a1ea-e13a3dac76f6","how-to-choose-hair-color","blog\u002Fhow-to-choose-hair-color-1785484956619.webp","2026-08-13","Hair Color Ideas: How to Choose by Skin Tone","Hair color ideas and how to choose a shade by your skin tone: who suits chocolate and who suits bold colours, warm vs cool tones explained simply.","Looking for hair color ideas is trickier than it seems: the same shade looks completely different on different people. It's not just about trends but about your undertone, your starting colour and your hair's condition. Let's work out how to navigate hair color ideas — and how to choose a hair color you won't regret.\n\n## How to choose a hair color that suits you\n\nThe main guide is harmony with your appearance. A flattering shade freshens the face, evens out skin tone and brightens the eyes. An unflattering one does the opposite — adding tiredness and highlighting flaws. So the place to start isn't a photo online but an understanding of your own undertone.\n\nIf you want a clean, even colour along the whole length, at Trueman it's done as part of the [single-tone hair color](\u002Fservices\u002Fsingle-tone-color) service — the stylist helps both with shade selection and with colour care.\n\n### Finding your undertone\n\nSimplified, undertones split into warm and cool — by skin undertone and eye colour.\n\n- **Warm undertone.** Skin with a golden or peachy cast, veins on the wrist look greenish, gold jewellery suits you. Warm hair shades flatter these people: caramel, copper, golden brown, warm chocolate.\n- **Cool undertone.** Skin with a pinkish or porcelain cast, bluish veins, silver suits you. Here cool tones win: ash brown, cool chocolate, platinum, blue-black.\n\nThis isn't a rigid rule but a starting point. Many shades exist in both warm and cool versions — the key is hitting the right undertone.\n\n![warm and cool colour type comparison — two models side by side, warm hair shades on the left (caramel, copper), cool ones on the right (ash, platinum), a clear difference](blog\u002Fhow-to-choose-hair-color-1785484982265.webp)\n\n## Hair shades: from natural to bold\n\n### Chocolate colour\n\nChocolate is one of the most versatile options. It's rich, deep and suits almost everyone if you pick the right undertone: warm milk or caramel chocolate for a warm type, cool dark chocolate for a cool one. Chocolate hides grey well and looks expensive without much effort.\n\n### Natural browns and chestnuts\n\nIf you don't want drastic change, natural shades are a safe path. Brown, chestnut and dark brown look natural, are easy to maintain and forgive mistakes. A great choice for a first single-tone colour.\n\n### Bold colours\n\nBold colours — red, copper, pink, blue — are daring self-expression. But they come at a price: most bright pigments wash out quickly, and cool or fantasy shades almost always need pre-lightening. A bright colour also commits you — it draws attention and demands a groomed look. Before you commit, honestly weigh your readiness for frequent refreshing.\n\n## Comparison by undertone\n\n| Shade | Warm undertone | Cool undertone |\n|---|---|---|\n| Chocolate | Milk, caramel | Dark, cool |\n| Brown | Golden, wheat | Ash |\n| Blonde | Honey, beige | Platinum, cool |\n| Bold | Copper, warm red | Pink, violet, blue |\n\n## What else to consider\n\nBeyond undertone, three things matter. First — your starting colour: you can't cover dark with light without lightening, and a dark shade over light may go on unevenly. Second — lifestyle: the more complex and bright the colour, the more often you'll need salon visits. Third — hair condition: on damaged length a rich or cool tone holds worse.\n\nOne more tip: if you want a dramatic change, don't leap straight to the extreme. It's often wiser to shift a couple of shades, see how the colour lives with your face, and go from there.\n\nThe best move before colouring is a consultation. The stylist will look at your skin undertone, starting colour and hair condition in person and suggest the shade that pleases you not just in photos but in the mirror every day.","Hair color ideas: how to choose a shade for your skin tone, who suits chocolate and who suits bold colours, warm vs cool tones. Colourist guide.",[35],[77,37],"47c4b178-64a3-429b-b97c-26500315e0a7",[79,80],{"name":9,"slug":44},{"name":81,"slug":82},"Style","style",{"id":84,"slug":85,"image":86,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":87,"last_modify":87,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":22,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":88,"locale_code":8,"title":89,"description":90,"body":91,"meta_title":89,"meta_description":92,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":93,"tag_ids":95,"tags":97},"5f807084-d392-41af-92ee-a63a40a3dfe9","airtouch","blog\u002Fairtouch-1785329871502.webp","2026-07-30","2026-07-29T13:15:20.814164+00:00","Airtouch: What It Is and Who It Suits","Airtouch coloring explained: what the technique is, how the airflow colour stretch works, who air touch suits and how long the result lasts.","Airtouch is one of the most sought-after complex colouring techniques of recent years. The name airtouch coloring literally translates as \"a touch of air,\" and that's no marketing: the stylist quite literally blows the short, weak hairs out of a strand with a dryer and lightens only the long ones that remain. This produces a delicate, very soft colour stretch with no harsh regrowth line. Let's break down what airtouch is, who it suits and how it differs from ordinary highlights.\n\n## Airtouch coloring: what it is and how it's done\n\nThe essence of the technique is in selecting the strands. The stylist takes a thin strand, directs the dryer's airflow at it, and the light vellus hairs separate from the main mass. Lightener is applied to the remaining hair, kept away from the roots. Because not the whole strand is lightened, the border between dark and light comes out extremely blurred — there's no sharp line of regrowth.\n\n![airtouch process — the stylist blows the short hairs out of a thin strand with a dryer before applying the lightener](blog\u002Fairtouch-1785330608087.webp)\n\nIt's painstaking handwork: a session can take several hours, since the stylist treats each strand separately. That's exactly why airtouch is classed as a complex technique. At Trueman it's done as part of the [airtouch hair coloring](\u002Fservices\u002Fcomplex-coloring) service — with a prior assessment of hair condition and selection of the final tone.\n\n### How airtouch differs from classic highlights\n\nIn ordinary highlights the strand is lightened in full, from a backcombed or root section. In airtouch only part of the hair in a strand is worked, so the transition is softer and regrowth is almost invisible. Another difference is the time and skill involved: airtouch is harder and pricier, but the result is more natural and looks more \"expensive.\"\n\n## Who airtouch suits\n\nAirtouch is a very flexible technique and suits most people. But there are nuances.\n\n- **Dark hair.** On a dark base airtouch is especially striking — soft light highlights on a deep background. Sometimes more than one session is needed to reach a clean light tone with no brassiness.\n- **Light and medium brown hair.** A great option for gentle brightening and dimension without harsh contrast.\n- **Grown-out roots.** If you're tired of touching up roots every month, airtouch is exactly that: the stretch lasts a long time.\n- **Fine hair.** A colour stretch adds visual volume and depth, so it flatters fine hair.\n\n![airtouch result on a dark base — before and after, dark hair on the left, a soft colour stretch with light highlights on the right](blog\u002Fairtouch-1785330146500.webp)\n\nWho should be more careful: anyone with heavily damaged, over-dried or recently permed hair. Lightening is always a stress, and on weakened length the result may disappoint. In those cases the stylist will suggest restoration first rather than lightening at any cost.\n\n## How long it lasts and how to care for it\n\nAirtouch's main advantage is longevity. Thanks to the soft transition, regrowth doesn't create a coarse border, so correction is usually needed every 3–5 months rather than monthly. Between sessions it's enough to maintain the tone.\n\nTo keep the colour stretch looking fresh:\n\n- use products for coloured hair;\n- every 7–10 days apply a toning (purple) treatment if you went cool blonde — it neutralises brassiness;\n- don't skip heat protection before styling;\n- every couple of weeks do a nourishing or restorative mask on the length.\n\n## Is airtouch worth it\n\nIf you want a natural, expensive-looking colour with minimal root upkeep and you're ready to invest the time in a session, airtouch is a great choice. It's not the fastest or cheapest technique, but the result earns its keep: a soft colour stretch that grows out beautifully and doesn't demand constant salon visits — a true color melt effect.\n\nThe best way to know whether airtouch suits you is to come in for a consultation. The stylist will assess your base, texture and hair condition and honestly say whether the intended tone is achievable in one session or will take several.","Airtouch coloring — what the technique is, how the airflow colour stretch works, who airtouch suits and how long the color melt lasts. Colourist guide.",[94],"a5e5f044-dece-42ad-b0f6-c2962df695fb",[37,96],"b53690c9-ce37-47f2-a40d-87fee48e9b5a",[98,101],{"name":99,"slug":100},"Blond","blond",{"name":9,"slug":44},{"id":103,"slug":104,"image":105,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":106,"last_modify":106,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":22,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":107,"locale_code":8,"title":108,"description":109,"body":110,"meta_title":108,"meta_description":111,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":112,"tag_ids":114,"tags":116},"bedcf53a-3bf6-410b-93ac-73e72914caf1","types-of-highlights","blog\u002Ftypes-of-highlights-1785483804837.webp","2026-07-25","2026-07-31T11:27:11.775302+00:00","Types of Highlights: How to Choose Yours","The main types of highlights explained: classic, partial highlights, babylights and money piece — how they differ, who they suit and how to care for them.","Types of highlights have long moved beyond the single '90s technique. Today the word \"highlights\" covers a whole family of ways to lighten strands — from the recognisable classic to the softest babylights and the face-framing money piece. Let's break down the main types of highlights so you know what to ask your stylist for and what result sits behind each name.\n\n## The main types of highlights\n\nAll the techniques share one principle: individual strands are lightened, not the whole mass of hair. They differ in strand thickness, the zone worked, distance from the roots and the final pattern. If you'd like a specialist to pick the technique for your base, at Trueman it's done as part of the [highlights and balayage](\u002Fservices\u002Fhighlights-balayage) service.\n\n### Classic highlights\n\nClassic highlights are an even lightening of thin strands all over the head, usually from the roots. They give noticeable contrast and volume and hide early greys well. The downside — as the hair grows a border appears at the roots, so correction is needed regularly. It's the most recognisable and predictable technique.\n\n### Partial highlights\n\nPartial highlights touch only certain zones — for example the top of the head, the face or the fringe. It's a gentle option: less lightening, less stress on the hair, more affordable and faster. A great fit for anyone who wants to freshen up their look without going for a full colour job.\n\n![a comparison of highlighting types on strands — classic highlights, babylights and a money piece side by side, the difference in strand thickness and lightened zone clearly visible, studio lighting](blog\u002Ftypes-of-highlights-1785483936278.webp)\n\n### Babylights\n\nBabylights are a technique that mimics the naturally sun-lightened hair of children. Very thin strands are lightened, so the result comes out soft, almost natural, with no obvious contrast. It works brilliantly on a light-brown base and adds a gentle glow. It takes patience from the stylist — there are many strands, and all of them thin.\n\n### Money piece\n\nThe money piece is an accent lightening of the strands around the face. Two light strands on the sides frame the face, brighten the look and visually freshen it. The technique came from the trends and pairs well with any base colour. A plus — it can be done quickly and without lightening the whole head.\n\n## Technique comparison\n\n| Technique | Zone | Contrast | Stress on hair | Regrowth visibility |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| Classic | Whole head, from roots | High | Medium–high | Visible |\n| Partial | Certain zones | Medium | Low | Medium |\n| Babylights | Whole length, thin strands | Low | Medium | Invisible |\n| Money piece | Around the face | Medium–high | Low | Medium |\n\n## How to choose a type of highlights\n\nStart from your goal. Want pronounced volume and not put off by regular correction — classic. Want to freshen up with minimal effort — partial highlights or a money piece. Dream of a soft, natural glow with no borders — babylights.\n\nThe second factor is your starting colour. On a light base almost any technique sits easily and naturally. On dark hair the contrast will be stronger, and reaching a clean light tone sometimes takes several sessions. The third factor is hair condition: on damaged length the stylist will choose a gentler option or suggest restoration first.\n\n## Aftercare for highlights\n\nLightened strands need attention regardless of technique:\n\n- shampoo and mask for coloured hair;\n- a purple treatment once a week against brassiness;\n- heat protection when styling;\n- nourishing masks on the length and timely trims.\n\nCorrection frequency depends on the technique: classic is refreshed every 1–2 months, while babylights and colour stretches last longer — up to 3–4 months. If you're unsure which type of highlights is yours, come in for a consultation — picking the technique for your colour, length and lifestyle in person is always easier.","Types of highlights explained: classic, partial highlights, babylights and money piece. How they differ, who each suits and how to care for the colour.",[113],"9e17cfa8-4e0b-44a6-9b9e-f9853fc1726d",[37,115],"f0acf0df-6b2d-48c7-b607-92841445842b",[117,118],{"name":9,"slug":44},{"name":119,"slug":120},"Highlights","highlights",{"id":122,"slug":123,"image":124,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":125,"last_modify":125,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":7,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":126,"locale_code":8,"title":127,"description":128,"body":129,"meta_title":127,"meta_description":130,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":131,"tag_ids":132,"tags":134},"9e54d6dc-0914-4012-befb-3ae317d71443","balayage-vs-ombre","blog\u002Fbalayage-vs-ombre-1784894160045.webp","2026-07-22","2026-07-24T12:06:40.170791+00:00","Balayage vs Ombre vs Shatush: The Difference","Balayage vs ombre vs shatush: how each hair painting technique works, who it suits and what to choose — with a clear comparison table from our colourists.","Balayage vs ombre — plus shatush — three techniques people constantly confuse and sometimes use as synonyms. In reality they're different ways of stretching colour down the length, and the results are noticeably different. Let's break down the differences between balayage, shatush and ombre calmly and clearly, so you walk into the salon with a ready request rather than a vague \"I want it like the photo.\"\n\n## Balayage vs ombre vs shatush: what's the difference\n\nOne thing unites these techniques — they all create a soft stretch of colour from darker roots to lighter ends, with no harsh regrowth line. They differ in *how* the stylist applies the lightener and what pattern comes out in the end.\n\nIf you'd rather leave the choice to a colourist, at Trueman it's part of the [highlights and balayage](\u002Fservices\u002Fhighlights-balayage) service — at the consultation the stylist looks at your base and picks the right technique for your texture and length.\n\n### Balayage\n\nBalayage (from the French \"to sweep\") is a freehand painting of the strands. The stylist applies lightener with a brush across the surface, keeping away from the roots, and stretches it toward the ends. The result is a natural, sun-kissed effect with soft highlights. Balayage sits well on both straight and wavy hair, suits any length and barely needs a clean regrowth line.\n\n### Shatush\n\nShatush is a technique of soft stretching on backcombed strands. The stylist lightly backcombs the hair, which makes the lightening border especially blurred and smooth. The result looks as natural as possible, as if the hair simply faded a little in the sun. Shatush usually touches a smaller volume of hair than classic highlights and works well on medium and long hair.\n\n### Ombre\n\nOmbre is a horizontal stretch: a dark top and a noticeably lighter bottom with a pronounced transition in the mid zone. Unlike balayage and shatush, ombre's transition is more contrasty and \"reads\" as a separate zone. There are variations too — sombre (soft ombre) with a less pronounced border.\n\n![three hair strands side by side for comparison — balayage, shatush and ombre, the difference in the colour transition clearly visible, studio light on a light background](blog\u002Fbalayage-vs-ombre-1784894575366.webp)\n\n## Technique comparison table\n\n| Criterion | Balayage | Shatush | Ombre |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| Application | Freehand brush painting | Stretch on backcombing | Horizontal stretch by zone |\n| Colour transition | Soft, vertical highlights | As blurred as possible | More contrasty, visible border |\n| Naturalness | High | Very high | Medium, decorative effect |\n| Amount of lightening | Medium | Small | Medium–large on the length |\n| Hair length | Any | Medium and long | Medium and long |\n| Regrowth | Invisible | Invisible | More visible due to the border |\n\n## What to choose for your goal\n\nIf you want a fresh but natural look and minimal upkeep as it grows out — look toward balayage. If you want the colour to go unnoticed entirely and read like natural sun-lightening — that's shatush. And if you like a pronounced play of dark and light, a \"two-colour\" effect — that's ombre.\n\nOne important point: all three techniques involve lightening, which means the result depends on your starting colour and hair condition. On a dark base, highlights and colour stretches may need several sessions to reach a clean tone with no brassiness. Dark and damaged hair lightens more cautiously and slowly.\n\n![care for coloured hair — purple shampoo and mask, applying product to the light ends](blog\u002Fbalayage-vs-ombre-1784894772955.webp)\n\n## Aftercare for a colour stretch\n\nAny of these techniques lasts longer with the right care. Use shampoo and a mask for coloured hair, and once a week a toning treatment (a purple conditioner to fight brassiness on light ends); don't over-dry the length with a blow-dryer or flat iron without heat protection. The upside of colour stretches is that the roots don't need touching up every month — a refresh is usually needed every 3–4 months.\n\nIf you're torn between techniques, that's normal. Come in for a consultation: seeing your length, density and base colour in person, the stylist will suggest which option gives the exact result you have in mind.","Balayage vs ombre and shatush explained simply: how each technique works, who it suits and what to choose. Clear comparison table and colourist tips.",[113],[37,115,133],"1ec16d5f-42a0-423e-9169-303a3571e51e",[135,138,139],{"name":136,"slug":137},"Balayage","balayage",{"name":9,"slug":44},{"name":119,"slug":120},{"id":141,"slug":142,"image":143,"rubric_id":4,"author_id":20,"published_at":144,"last_modify":144,"is_enabled":7,"is_main_page":7,"status":23,"comment":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":145,"locale_code":8,"title":146,"description":147,"body":148,"meta_title":149,"meta_description":150,"rubric_slug":5,"rubric_name":9,"author_slug":31,"author_image":32,"author_name":33,"service_ids":151,"tag_ids":153,"tags":154},"e3b7c826-dedc-48c4-900e-ed64fbee9e2a","ash-blonde","blog\u002Fash-blonde-1784893560820.webp","2026-07-21","2026-07-24T12:01:33.285823+00:00","How to Get Ash Blonde: Bleaching and Toner","How to get ash blonde without brass: how bleaching, lift levels and toner work and what platinum blonde takes. A cool blonde guide from our colourist.","Ash blonde isn't just \"light hair.\" It's a clean tone with no yellow or orange, achieved through proper bleaching and mandatory toning. Understanding how to get ash blonde comes down to three things: levels, the underlying pigment revealed by lift, and the work of the toner. Let's take them in order.\n\n## How to get ash blonde\n\nThe road to ash blonde almost always runs through two stages: first bleaching, then toning. Bleaching removes the natural pigment; toning sets the final tone. You can't skip the second step — without it even well-lightened hair will look warm.\n\nIt's a real stress for the hair, so this work is best done by a colourist. At Trueman ash blonde is part of the [bleaching and blonde](\u002Fservices\u002Fbleaching-blonde) service — the stylist assesses your starting colour and texture to reach the right level without frying the hair.\n\n### Depth of tone levels\n\nIn colour theory, hair lightness is measured on a scale of levels — usually from 1 (black) to 10 (the lightest blonde). Natural medium brown is around 6–7, light brown is 8. Ash and especially platinum blonde live at levels 9–10. To get there from a dark base you need to lift the hair several levels, and that isn't always possible in one session.\n\n### Underlying pigment (the lift level)\n\nThe most important concept. As hair lightens it passes through the so-called underlying pigment — the residual warm tone that shows at each level:\n\n| Level after lifting | Underlying pigment |\n|---|---|\n| 6 | Red-orange |\n| 7 | Orange |\n| 8 | Yellow-orange |\n| 9 | Yellow |\n| 10 | Pale yellow (pastel) |\n\nTo get a true ash blonde, the hair must be lifted at least to a clean pale-yellow stage (level 9–10). If you stop at orange, no toner will make the result truly cool — it will only mute the warmth, not deliver clean coolness.\n\n![colour scale of the lightening background across levels 6–10 — from red-orange to light yellow, with hair-strand swatches](blog\u002Fash-blonde-1784893717108.webp)\n\n## The role of the toner\n\nA toner is a colourant that neutralises leftover yellow and sets the shade. It works on the colour-wheel principle: opposite colours cancel each other out. Yellow is neutralised by violet, orange by blue. That's why cool toners contain violet and ash (blue-green) pigments.\n\nIt's important to understand: a toner doesn't lighten. It only corrects an already-lightened base. That's exactly why the quality of ash blonde is set at the bleaching stage — the toner only brings the result to perfection.\n\n## Platinum blonde\n\nPlatinum blonde is the coolest and lightest variant, almost white with a slight silvery or ashy undertone. It requires a clean level 10 and near-perfect hair condition. Not every base can reach it in one visit, and dark, coarse hair gets to platinum over several sessions. An honest consultation matters most here: sometimes it's wiser to stop at a light cool blonde than to destroy the hair for the sake of platinum.\n\n![before\u002Fafter comparison — a dark base on the left and ash blonde on the right, the same person, a colourist’s work](blog\u002Fash-blonde-1784893938310.webp)\n\n## Caring for ash blonde\n\nBleached hair loses moisture and is prone to brassiness, so care is a must:\n\n- purple shampoo or mask every 5–7 days against a yellow undertone;\n- nourishing and restorative masks on the length;\n- heat protection before any hot styling;\n- regular trims — bleached ends split first.\n\nBetween visits the tone gradually washes out and warms up — that's normal. A toning refresh is usually needed every 4–8 weeks, and root bleaching as the hair grows.\n\nIf you dream of a cool or platinum blonde, start with a consultation: the stylist will look at your base, judge how many sessions it will realistically take, and build a plan that keeps your hair healthy.","How to Get Ash Blonde: Bleaching & Toner","How to get ash blonde: lift levels, underlying pigment, developer and toner explained simply, plus what platinum blonde takes. Colourist guide.",[152],"902448fd-d2a6-4081-b0ef-59b6369845a8",[37,96,57],[155,156,157],{"name":99,"slug":100},{"name":61,"slug":62},{"name":9,"slug":44},7,1791342152774]