balayage

[ bah-ley-ahzh ]

noun

1. a hair highlighting technique in which dye is painted onto the hair to lighten it in a natural-looking way.

Word History and Origins

Origin of balayage¹

First recorded in 1975–80; from French: literally, “sweeping,” derivative of verb balayer, from Middle French, Old French balaier, derivative of French balai, from Old French balei, baleis “a broom, brush,” alteration (influenced by balier, baloier “to move about excitedly”) of Late Latin ballāre “to dance”; ball ²( def )