Balayage has become one of the most sought-after hair coloring techniques, and for good reason—it’s versatile, low-maintenance, and effortlessly chic. When applied to black hair, balayage takes on a whole new level of artistry, creating stunning contrasts and multidimensional effects that celebrate the richness of dark locks. From subtle caramel ribbons to bold metallic streaks, this technique allows you to experiment with color while maintaining the depth and elegance of your natural base.
Whether you’re looking to add soft warmth with amber highlights, embrace icy tones for a striking contrast, or incorporate autumnal hues like copper and cinnamon, these 27 balayage hairstyles are designed to inspire your next transformation. Each style is crafted to enhance your features, complement your complexion, and bring out the best in your black hair. Dive into this curated collection and discover how balayage can elevate your look with its seamless, sun-kissed allure.
1. Lilac And Ash Blonde Balayage
Any hue of purple is a good match for black hair. It’s a match made in heaven. This pastel lilac shade with hints of ash blonde at the ends gives a vibrant flair to the dark hair.
2. Caramel Glow
A perfect autumnal balayage look doesn’t exist or does it? Warm, deep caramel honey tones on black hair add depth to your locks. The dark chocolate shade gradually melts into a light caramel hue at the ends, creating a noticeable contrast.
3. Sterling Gray Balayage
The gray hair color trend began a couple of years ago and it has only gotten better. This is one of the smoothest gray balayages that we’ve come across. The transition of colors incorporates shades of black and charcoal that fade out to a beautiful sterling. Ideal for people with cool toned skin, this is definitely one of the coolest (pun intended) styles we’ve come across. However, if you are trying this on your own it can be a little tough to achieve flawless on your first go. Here’s a bit of hair health advice from Dawna Jarvis, a licensed cosmetologist, to get it right. She says, “This will be the hardest color to achieve for black hair. You have to get all the yellow out of the hair, which can be very damaging. I would recommend adding a bonder to your lightner.”
4. Storm Gray Balayage
This style’s youthful take on granny hair has us head over heels in love! Not completely bereft of warm tones, the dark black is highlighted with customized gray streaks. The transitionary brown tones have been toned and painted with gray. The blend of colors in the style adds dimension and volume, making it ideal for women with thin and fine hair.
5. Black Ash Balayage
We don’t think gray can get classier than this. The cool-toned black that incorporates minimal charcoal highlights paints a pretty bold picture. The style is subtle yet strong with cool undertones that are highlighted at the mid and lower sections. This undoubtedly is the best style for women who are firm believers of “less is more.”
6. Ash Blonde Balayage For Black Hair
Speaking of sweeping colors, this style has definitely nailed the concept. The ash blonde balayage on black hair sweeps down so smoothly, leaving us in awe of this masterpiece. The subtle dirty blonde tones add a ton of character to the gray highlights, both of which have been expertly woven together by the hands of a genius. It is one of the most striking blonde balayage looks from which you can get inspired.
7. Dirty Blonde Balayage For Black Hair
We can’t wrap our minds around how dirty blonde could end up looking so chic. The color which doesn’t usually call out to you has our undivided attention in this balayage style. The strategically placed highlights seem to be grabbing all the light while the darker undertones add dimension to this look.
8. Hazelnut Mocha Balayage For Black Hair
Freshly brewed mocha. That’s what this style reminds us of. The chocolate lowlights are expertly blended with hazelnut highlights. This is the perfect style for women with lustrous black hair. We’re afraid it’ll melt if we stare at it for too long!
9. Dark Roast Balayage
Who doesn’t like roasted coffee beans? The hues in this style are so caffeinated, it’s starting up a whole new kind of coffee addiction. The natural black blends out smoothly to a brown roast. This style is perfect for fine haired women with medium hair length.
10. Chocolate Balayage For Black Hair
There are few things that go better with black hair than this smooth melting chocolate. The chocolate streaks are meticulously and sparingly placed from the mid-lengths of the hair and work down to create a multi-hued dark chocolate fantasy. The warm tones in this style make it an amazing balayage hair fashion for Indian black hair.
11. Cool-Toned Brown Balayage
It’s so rare to see a perfect cool-toned brown, but this style has more than nailed it! The streaks start high up on the curls, creating a root-melt effect. The framing strands have been expertly lightened and toned. This is definitely the perfect color to spruce up a messy curly look.
12. Subtle Brown Balayage
Subtlety is an art and this hairstyle is a masterpiece. If you have straight black hair and want to add a little dimension, this style is just what you were looking for. The subtle brown highlights create a natural sun-kissed look for women who like to keep things simple.
13. Rose Gold Melt
Although we’re always ooh-ing and aah-ing over cool tones, rose gold never fails to disappoint us with its perfect amount of brassiness. The pink and peach undertones add so much character to this style. The transition from dark natural color to the unnatural highlights is flawless, which is hard to achieve when working with colors that are so far apart on the spectrum.
14. Mahogany Highlights
This warm-toned balayage is reeling us in like fishes on a line. “Warm tones are your best bet when coloring black hair. They are the most natural of tones and easiest to achieve,” says Dawna Jarvis. The style is generously streaked from very close to the roots. The dark natural hair blended out to a mahogany brown creates a low-light effect that adds dimension to the look. This is another great style for long wavy bobs.
15. Auburn Balayage For Black Hair
These warm tones are killing us (in the best way possible, of course.) The balayage has concentrated highlights near the face-framing strands and the lower sections of the hair, becoming sparse as you go around the back. The effect is truly mesmerizing, making this an ideal style for fine wavy hair.
16. Burgundy Red Balayage For Black Hair
The balayage artists are nailing these styles with this superior artistry. The framing strands on this style are extremely concentrated, creating the same kind of dimension in the front as it does at the back. The natural black color effortlessly blends out to a wine red, creating a beautifully bold look.
17. Crimson Red Balayage For Black Hair
Ooh, this deep red. We would kill for hair like this. The crimson highlights are woven into the black hair with fiery orange undertones, making this the style for lovers of bold warm hair colors. The highlights are generously placed very close to the roots on layered locks to create a flaming masterpiece.
18. Triton’s Fury Blue Balayage For Black Hair
Blue is an absolute favorite when we’re talking unnatural colors. The shades of turquoise in this style are beautifully woven to create a hairstyle that looks like a portrait of the ocean. This style is sure to suit all textures and the colors are expertly swept down from extremely close to the roots. The blend of colors is sure to look just as beautiful fading out as it does in this freshly painted picture. But, don’t try this balayage by coloring your own hair. Licensed cosmetologist Dawna Jarvis says,”I would suggest going to a salon for this as these colors are very tricky to accomplish, especially on black hair.”
19. Midnight Shadows Blue Balayage For Black Hair
This asymmetrical pixie is what dreams are made of. The style incorporates a smooth root-melt that has been blended out to the darkest blue with subtle teal highlights that add dimension. This is the perfect style for fine straight hair to add the appearance of volume. And the fact that it looks totally badass does not hurt one bit.
20. Poseidon’s Whispers Blue Root-Melt Balayage For Black Hair
We just can’t get enough of these blue balayage styles. This navy blue with teal undertones couldn’t be any more perfect. This is the perfect style for women who want a bold blue without straying too far from their natural hair color. The black effortlessly blends into the dark blue that further transitions to a lighter shade – putting its wonderful undertones on display.
21. Hints Of Blue Balayage For Black Hair
This style is so subtle, yet so bold. If you love your black hair but are dying to let out your inner mermaid in the subtlest way possible, this is the style for you. The blue highlights are judiciously placed around the mid-lengths and tips to create this beautiful style. If you love unnatural colors but can’t go all the way because of work or college, this style is meant for you.
22. Smooth Teal Balayage For Black Hair
This style is tealing our hearts away. The straight black hair is so gorgeously blended out to a stunning teal. We seriously cannot get over how great this style is. If you have long straight hair and itchy fingers, this is everything your hair needs and more.
23. Emerald Hued Balayage For Black Hair
We do not have enough green balayage styles out there. But can any amount really be enough? Pass the tissues because we’re literally crying over how great this emerald balayage bob looks. Green is a totally underrated color and this goth-inspired hair painting is doing the color complete and utter justice.
24. Pink Balayage For Black Hair
This pastel pink has been meticulously streaked through the black hair to create a beautiful ombre balayage. The pastel pink has rose gold and sterling undertones, which create dimension and give a metal finish. This hairstyle is sure to suit all hair types hair textures.
25. Lavender Balayage For Black Hair
Lavender is probably one of the biggest trends in pastel hair colors. This look incorporates brassy undertones which add a little bit of warmth to the look, giving it a lavender gold finish. The color transitions from black to a brassy lavender to a light sterling lavender. This style is sure to look stunning on all hair types and textures.
26. Eggplant Purple Balayage For Black Hair
This eggplant purple looks amazing on black hair. The dark roots effortlessly blend out to a deep purple that is so strong at the tips. The textureless blending gives the look a smooth finish, making this style perfect for voluminous and textured hair.
27. Subtle Purple Balayage For Black Hair
For an unnatural color, the purple in this style sits so naturally with the black. This style incorporates customized highlights that subtly blend into the black hair. The purple hair frames the face and is sparingly placed around the long bob. The look is ideal for women with thick black hair.
How Long Does It Take To Do A Balayage For Black Hair?
Depending on the color you’ve chosen for your hair, it can take from one 30 minute session to multiple 45-minute sessions to achieve the balayage look. A dark brown balayage on black hair can be achieved within 20-30 minutes whereas a major transition from black platinum or baby blonde can take multiple 30-45 minute sessions.
How To Maintain A Balayage For Black Hair
A natural balayage that is fading from black to a brown or blonde does not take a lot of upkeep. For a really light blonde, you could use a purple or blue shampoo to keep the color fresh and toned. Apart from this, you can simply let your hair grow and get regular trims until you are left with subtle sun-kissed tips for hair maintenance.
For an unnatural balayage with bold or pastel colors such as blue or purple, using a blue or purple shampoo every now and then becomes crucial to keep out brassy tones. You will also have to use a color protecting shampoo and conditioner to keep the color from fading out too quickly. It’s best to choose hair care products that do not contain silicones or sulfates. Also, using a nourishing hair mask, specifically designed for colored hair, will keep your hair soft and healthy! Use it once a week consistently over a few months and see the difference for yourself. Ensure that all the hair products you use are fit for colored hair. This prevents the color from fading every time you use them.
Ensure that you use heat protection while hair styling and regularly pamper your hair with hair masks and bond building treatments such as Olaplex or K-18.
