Reviewed by Anna, owner and educator at Elevate Salon + Spa, who trains every stylist through Elevation Training. Updated September 2026.
More blonde, with a blend at the root
Highlights keep plenty of your natural shade showing. Modern blonding flips that ratio. Your stylist combines balayage painted by hand with finer babylights, teasylights and foilayage, layering the techniques to build brightness through your whole head while keeping a soft blend near the scalp. That blend lets the color grow out gracefully and stretches the time between visits.
Big changes take patience. Dark or previously colored hair can only lift so far safely in one appointment, so modern blonding often happens over more than one session, with your stylist protecting your hair along the way. Current photos of your hair and inspiration photos are required before booking, so the team can reserve the right amount of time. If your hair has dye you want removed, book color correction instead, and if you want one even blonde with no dimension, look at solid blonde.
Modern blonding is offered by Natalie, Andrea and Angie, who all list balayage among their specialties, Jessica for blended balayage and Demie for blonding, along with others on the team.
See the work
Frequently asked questions
Is balayage the same as modern blonding?
Balayage is one technique, where lightener is painted onto the hair by hand. Modern blonding is the service that combines balayage with babylights, teasylights and foilayage to take you significantly lighter. For softer brightness with more natural color, partial or full highlights may suit you better.
Why does modern blonding sometimes take more than one session?
Hair can only lift so much in one visit before its condition suffers. If you are starting dark or have older color in your hair, your stylist may spread the lightening over more than one appointment. You will know the plan before anything starts.
What photos do I need to send?
Send current photos of your hair in natural light from the front, sides and back, plus inspiration photos of the blonde you want. The team uses them to confirm modern blonding is right for you and to reserve enough time.
Can I go blonde if my hair is already dyed?
It depends on the color. Modern blonding works on natural hair and on hair that has been lightened before. If you have dye you want removed or lightened, the salon asks you to schedule a color correction instead, which begins with a consultation.
How do I keep my blonde from turning brassy?
Use a bond builder and a nourishing mask at home, keep heat styling lower with a protectant, and consider a shower filter. Booking a gloss between blonding visits refreshes your tone, and your stylist can recommend products from the retail wall.