Balayage is so last year. It's all about Hair frosting now

Hair frosting is about to be salons' biggest request

Hailey Bieber attends ELLE's 27th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration, presented by Ralph Lauren and Lexus, at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California
(Image credit: Getty Images / Emma McIntyre / Staff)

Balayage, who? Hair frosting is swooping in as one of the go-to 2022 hair trends, and you'll be anxious to accentuate your color with this new method. 

As seen on the likes of Hailey Beiber and Suki Waterhouse, the frosting technique is a gentler approach to balayage and is applied from the root to the tip of your strands. It's meant to contrast your hair's hues and provide a natural differentiation between locks. 

Considering Gregory Patterson, celebrity stylist and DIY expert for Sally Beauty, believes that warm colors are all the rage right now, it's no surprise that frosting is beginning to gain traction. If you're toying with the idea of trying something new, here's what you need to know.



What is hair frosting?

Don't let the term fool you—frosting is a sweet and subtle look. 

"Frosting is another technique used to lighten areas of the hair, but unlike balayage—which incidentally means to 'sweep', and where color is painted on the hair in a sweeping motion, frosting involves a more delicate application," says hairstylist Neil Moodie. "Wafer-thin sections of hair are lightened and this results in a cooler blonde, as opposed to a warmer blonde."

It's a great consideration for those who are new to dyeing their hair, according to some experts. 

“Add a little pop of color to your already natural color,” Kristina Dimoplon, stylist at Live By the Sword Salon in Brooklyn, New York, says of the trend. “It’s more of a face framing technique, so it’s still highlights, but a more muted effect.”

Hair frosting on celebs

Raise your hand if you're swooning over these strands! We're totally guilty. While they're subtle, they're just loud enough to make a statement—a seemingly perfect balance.

Hair frosting is not to be confused with one of the latest TikTok beauty hacks—adding actual frosting and food coloring to your 'do. Let's add that to the list of wonky viral trends right behind applying lube as base makeup. Save the real frosting for the cupcakes, folks. 

@mackenziemarieofficial

♬ TOES - DaBaby
Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.

Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 

When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.