Natural Mocha Brown Balayage on Dark Asian Hair

When our client walked into our West End hair salon,  she was ready for a change, but wanted something that still looked soft, natural and low-maintenance. It had been years since her last colour, and she had her heart set on a warm mocha brown balayage that would grow out seamlessly without harsh regrowth or constant upkeep.

She also had naturally dark asian hair, so I took extra care to preserve her hair’s integrity while lifting to the ideal level. Asian hair requires a tailored approach when it comes to lightening and toning to ensure best colour results for our clients. 

To bring her vision to life, we created a full head foil balayage to achieve a lighter colour with dimension and polished it off with a toner to ensure her warm mocha dreams came to life.

We carefully sectioned the hair into foils to lighten her hair to the target shade. The goal was to create dimension, without over-lightening the hair, to create a perfect foundation for that warm, mocha brown balayage.

After rinsing, we applied a post-colour treatment to stop the colour processing and seal the hair cuticles. This is especially important for thicker asian hair, which can be more resistant and prone to dryness after colouring. 

Then came the toner: the final, artistic touch. We blended a warm mocha colour tailored to her natural hair to bring her vision to life. The toner makes the colour last longer and corrects any unwanted tones, whilst also adding a brilliant shine to make her hair feel healthier and softer.

It was when we blow-dried and styled her hair that we could see the transformation come to life. The client absolutely loved how natural it looked, and couldn’t believe how much softer and fresher her hair felt. She said it was exactly what she had hoped for: a warm, mocha brown balayage without the fear of regrowth or damage. The process took between 3 to 4 hours to achieve this look.

Before she left, we talked through her post colour aftercare plan, tailoring it to her specific needs. For balayage, especially on previously uncoloured Asian hair, we recommended a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, and a leave-in hair treatment through the mid-lengths and ends to help preserve the integrity of her hair. To maintain the vibrancy of her colour, we rebooked a Gloss + Cut service in 12 weeks time to ensure her toner is always looking fresh and expensive.  

Thinking about colouring your hair for the first time—or the first time in a while?
At Lemonade, we specialise in low-maintenance, lived-in colour that enhances your natural beauty and works with your unique hair type and texture. Whether you’re craving a soft, subtle refresh or a bold balayage moment, we’ll create something effortless, beautiful, and completely you.

Because these transformations take time (usually 3–4 hours), our balayage spots fill up quickly—especially for first-timers, since we love taking that extra time to understand your vision and bring it to life.

If this sounds like your vibe, don’t wait— Book your consultation and secure your spot 💛