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76 indie stylist Volume 2 Issue 3 What could be dreamier than sun-kissed hair? There are few things more luxurious than seamless highlights, and only the finest techniques will allow you to create the look. Are you ready to take balayage into the light? Introducing illuminage, a sophisticated, soft, and luminous look created by Wella Professionals Global Ambassador Romeu Felipe. Felipe, Wella's Global Color Ambassador, has become one of the world's leading lightening experts. His unique technical approach for each client creates balayage results—from seamless natural transitions to accentuating contrast. Now, we are bringing balayage into the light with illuminage—natural and luminous balayage with a luxe feel. With seamless transitions and sheer reflective results, you won't just color hair, you'll illuminate it. Illuminage details and accentuates areas within the hair, framing the face and enhancing the perimeter. It creates seamless transitions with multi-tonal reflections and a natural sheer result. FROM BALAYAGE TO ILLUMINAGE To understand illuminage, first you need to know what balayage is. Let us shed some light: the clue is in the name, as balayage is French for "sweeping." That's exactly the gesture you should use when you're applying balayage; stroking hair with a freehand pre-lightener, like Blondor, through sections of hair that need a little extra lightness. There are two key differences between illuminage (above right) and balayage (above left), and the first is in the placement of those lighter, brighter ribbons. While a traditional balayage technique starts closer to the root and creates an overall lighter look, illuminage is designed to lend a more luminous, lit-from-within, sun-kissed effect. How, exactly? By using Blondor Freelights to contour and accentuate the face-framing layers, as well as to gradually lighten the lengths and ends for a softer halo of brightness. The second key difference lies in the products you use. We recommend Blondor Freelights, which is a freehand lightener that stays exactly where you want it, giving you or your colorist full control. However, while balayage can be completed with a classic toning or glossing service, the final step of illuminage should always be light-reflective, permanent Illumina Color. It's a beautifying formula that helps enhance the natural highs and lows in the hair, taking those face-contouring lights to even more dazzling heights. illuminage A New Technique for Sun-Kissed Hair