Grey Blending & Lived-In Balayage: The Hair Colour Trends Everyone’s Talking About

Whether you’ve been thinking about embracing your natural greys or dreaming of that effortlessly sun-kissed look, there are two hair trends you should definitely know about right now: grey blending and lived-in balayage.

At our salon, we love these techniques because they’re all about enhancing your natural beauty, making hair colour feel fresh and modern—without needing constant touch-ups. If you’ve been looking for something low-maintenance but high-impact, this could be just what you need.

So let’s break down what grey blending and lived-in balayage are, why they’re so popular, and how they could be the perfect next step for your hair journey.

What Is Grey Blending?

Gone are the days when greys were something to hide. Today, more and more people are choosing to embrace their natural silver strands—and grey blending is the perfect way to do that with style.

Rather than covering greys completely, grey blending is a technique that softens the contrast between your grey hairs and the rest of your colour. It gives a much more natural, flattering look—like soft highlights that grow out beautifully and keep your hair looking vibrant and fresh.

You might have seen this look on celebrities, influencers, or even friends who’ve transitioned to grey without that awkward “growing out” phase. Grey blending makes the transition look deliberate, soft, and even a little glamorous.

Why People Love Grey Blending

It’s low-maintenance
You can go longer between salon visits because there’s no harsh regrowth line—your natural colour and your greys blend seamlessly.
It looks more natural
Rather than a solid block of colour, you get depth, dimension and shine. Your greys become part of your overall look—not something to hide.
It’s great for transitioning to natural grey
If you’re ready to stop colouring your roots every few weeks, grey blending is a fantastic way to grow out your colour gradually and gracefully.
It’s personalised to you
No two heads of hair are the same. We tailor the placement, tone and finish to suit your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.

Grey Blending - before

Grey Blending - after

How Grey Blending Works

We use a mix of subtle techniques to create the look that suits you best. Depending on your current colour, we might use:

Highlights or lowlights to create a soft contrast with your grey hair
Balayage or freehand painting to add dimension
Toners or glosses to enhance shine and neutralise any brassy tones

The result? A natural, multi-tonal colour that celebrates your grey without making you feel washed out or overly coloured.

What Is Lived-In Balayage?

Now let’s talk about lived-in balayage—the go-to style if you love that “just back from holiday” glow all year round.
Balayage is a technique where colour is hand-painted onto the hair in a way that creates a soft, sun-kissed effect. The “lived-in” version takes it a step further by making sure the colour looks natural from the start, and grows out in a way that stays beautiful for months.

You won’t see harsh lines or high-contrast roots with lived-in balayage. Instead, you’ll get soft, blended colour that looks like it belongs there—whether it’s warm caramels, golden blondes, rich chocolates, or icy cool tones.

Why People Are Obsessed with Lived-In Balayage

It grows out beautifully
No need to worry about regrowth every few weeks. This style is designed to look even better as it grows.
It’s ultra-natural looking
The soft placement of colour gives that subtle, radiant glow without looking overdone.
It works on every hair colour and length
Whether you’re blonde, brunette, or somewhere in between, balayage can be customised just for you.
It gives your hair a healthier, shinier appearance
The multi-dimensional tones add light and softness, making dull hair look instantly revived.

The Best of Both Worlds

One of the most exciting things about these two techniques is that they work beautifully together.
If you’re starting to go grey but still love that sun-kissed look, we can blend your greys into a soft balayage that brings out the best in your natural colour.

Or if you’re already rocking a balayage but noticing more grey coming through, we can adjust your tone and placement to include your greys as part of the style.
It’s not about hiding or fixing—it’s about embracing your hair and working with it to create something gorgeous.

What to Expect in the Salon

During your consultation, we’ll chat about:

Your current hair colour and condition
Your lifestyle and how often you want to visit the salon
The kind of look you love (bring inspo pics if you like!)
Your skin tone and personal style

From there, we’ll design a colour that suits you. Every grey blending or lived-in balayage we do is custom—it’s one of the reasons these techniques are so popular!

Caring for Your Colour at Home

To keep your colour looking salon-fresh for longer, we recommend:

✨ A colour-safe shampoo and conditioner to protect your tone and prevent fade
✨ Purple shampoo (used once a week) to stop brassiness in blondes and greys
✨ A deep conditioning treatment to keep your hair shiny and hydrated
✨ Gloss or toner refresh every few months if you want to revive the tone without a full colour

We can recommend the best products for your hair type while you’re in the salon—or check out our range at the front desk.

Who Are These Looks Perfect For?

Grey blending is ideal if you:

Are noticing more grey coming through and want a soft, flattering way to blend it in
Want to stop dyeing your roots every few weeks
Are looking for a colour that celebrates your natural beauty
Want a more subtle and elegant alternative to traditional hair dye

Lived-in balayage is perfect if you:

Love a natural, beachy, sun-kissed look
Don’t want to be tied to regular salon visits
Want to add dimension and shine without dramatic colour
Are ready for a refresh that still feels effortless

And if both apply to you? Even better. The two together create some of the most stunning, low-maintenance hair around.

Let’s Make It Happen

If you’re ready to update your look with something timeless, flattering, and totally you, we’d love to welcome you to the salon.
Our experienced colourists are passionate about creating colours that bring out your natural glow and fit your lifestyle—whether that means blending your greys into a soft, shimmering tone or creating the perfect low-maintenance balayage that lasts for months.
Book your consultation today, and let’s create something beautiful together.

Want to Learn More?

Follow us on Instagram @ELLISPERRYhair to see some of our latest grey blending and balayage transformations. Or give us a call—we’re always happy to chat and help you decide if this is the right look for you.