What technique is used to blend hair color at the roots?

Balayage is a hair coloring technique that involves hand-painting color onto the hair to create a natural, sun-kissed look. This method allows for a seamless blend of color, especially at the roots, where the color transitions softly into the rest of the hair. The essence of balayage is its ability to provide a soft, gradient effect, which is particularly effective for blending root colors while maintaining a more natural overall look. This technique not only gives depth and dimension but also reduces the harsh lines that can occur with traditional coloring methods.

In contrast, the other techniques listed focus on different aspects of highlighting and coloring. Ombre features a more defined transition from dark to light, usually with a noticeable contrast at the mid-lengths to ends. Highlights involve lightening certain strands of hair, while low-lighting adds darker shades to provide depth. While these techniques contribute to overall hair color, they do not specifically emphasize the blending of color directly at the roots like balayage does. Thus, balayage is the ideal choice for achieving the desired root blending effect.