Guide ·
Balayage aftercare for Illawarra hair
You invested in lived-in colour — protect it. Coastal NSW is gorgeous on hair and hard on tone. Here’s a practical aftercare plan we share with Simply Devine balayage clients.
1. Wait before the first wash
Give colour a day or two to settle when your stylist advises. Use lukewarm water after that — hot water opens the cuticle and accelerates fade.
2. Switch to colour-protect cleanse
Sulphate-heavy shampoos strip tone. A colour-protect shampoo and conditioner are the cheapest insurance on a $250+ service. We can set these aside for collection when you book.
3. Purple or blue care (when you need it)
Blondes and bronde balayage often benefit from violet shampoo once a week — not every wash. Overuse can go ashy; underuse lets brass win in UV-heavy weeks.
4. Salt, chlorine and sun
Rinse after the beach or pool. A leave-in with UV awareness and a hat on long outdoor days keep dimension looking expensive.
5. Bond oil mid-lengths to ends
If we used bond builders in salon, maintain with a light oil or bond home care 2–3 times a week. Focus on mid-lengths and ends, not a greasy root.
6. Book glosses strategically
A toner/gloss between full balayage visits refreshes tone faster and cheaper than redoing freehand every six weeks.
7. Heat styling with a shield
Always apply heat protectant before dryers and irons. Lower heat and fewer passes beat max temperature every time.