The sun came out the other day. I wasn’t sure what it wanted, so I squinted at it until it left. Turns out it was just summer arriving. Happens every year. Consistent, like a shampoo bottle that says “lather, rinse, repeat,” but you only do it once because you live on the edge.
Anyway, it’s that time again—time for summer hair, Bellevue. And if you’re going to sweat through your t-shirt, you might as well do it with hair that makes people think you planned it that way.
Let’s talk about balayage and highlights. Because your hair deserves more than “eh, I guess I’ll tie it up and hope for the best.”
Balayage is a French word. It means “to sweep,” but in hair terms, it translates to sun-kissed perfection without commitment anxiety.
It’s a technique where the stylist paints the lightener onto your hair in soft, sweeping motions. Think “controlled chaos” but make it fashionable.
Balayage is great if:
You want your hair to look good without trying too hard
You like low-maintenance color because appointments are expensive and so is parking
You enjoy hearing people say, “Wait, did you do something different? It’s amazing,” and then pretending you forgot
At Bella Off Main, our stylists have been trained in the fine art of sweeping bleach in a way that looks accidental, but took two hours and a very focused playlist.
If balayage is soft and subtle, highlights are the bold older sister who lives in a downtown loft and owns throw pillows with inspirational quotes.
Highlights add:
Brightness
Dimension
That little shimmer that says, “I drink water and mind my business”
We offer:
🌞 Full highlights
🌤 Partial highlights
⛅ Money pieces (not actual money, just face-framing brilliance)
And if you’ve ever said, “I want my hair to look like it was gently sunburned by the Italian Riviera,” we can do that too—even if the farthest you’ve traveled is the Bellevue Target.
You can also get both. Life is short. Your hair will grow back. Mixing balayage and highlights creates that magical blend of "I know what I’m doing, but I’m not loud about it."
This combination gives:
Depth
Shine
That “expensive hair” look without taking out a loan
At Bella Off Main, our stylists are like hair scientists—but with cooler outfits. We’ll sit with you, talk about what you want, then give you something better than what you described. It’s kind of our thing.
Here’s the process in case you’re wondering and/or overthink everything:
Consultation – We ask you what you want. You say things like “soft caramel” or “buttery blonde.” We nod, take notes, and translate that into something real.
Product Application – This is the part where things look a little chaotic. Foils, gloves, possibly a towel that makes you look like a burrito.
Processing Time – You sit under warm air, scroll through your phone, contemplate your life choices, and drink some water. Maybe we give you snacks.
Rinse + Tone – We remove the color and then tone it. Toning is what makes you blonde and not orange. Toner is your best friend. Trust it.
Blowout & Style – We dry your hair and style it like you’re about to go on stage, even if you’re just going home to reheat leftovers.
Because the sun is out. People are outside. You might be invited to a barbecue. Or a boat. Or a barbecue on a boat.
Your hair should:
☀ Reflect the light
☀ Move in the wind like it’s in slow-motion
☀ Look phenomenal under sunglasses
And let’s be honest—Bellevue summers are a short window. Blink, and we’re back in sweater weather. Get the summer hair while you can still wear sandals unironically.
We’ll give you tips. But here’s the quick version:
Use sulfate-free shampoo – Sulfates are like that friend who means well but ruins everything.
Deep condition – Once a week. Your hair’s thirsty. Give it hydration.
Wear a hat – Protect your investment. Also looks mysterious.
Come back for toners – Your hair will thank you, and so will strangers.
And yes, we carry the products you need. If you walk out with great hair and go back to using 3-in-1 shampoo... well, that’s on you.
We’re a professional hair salon in Bellevue, Washington. We specialize in:
Hair coloring
Balayage
Highlights
Haircuts
Treatments
Wedding and event styling
Salon vibes that make you feel like you’re somewhere important
Our stylists aren’t just skilled. They care. About your hair. About your experience. About making you laugh at least once during the appointment.
We’re open:
Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
(And we actually run on time, which is more than we can say for most airlines.)
You can:
📞 Call us at (425) 635-4247
📲 Text us at (425) 830-1841
📍 Visit us at 2 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Appointments fill up faster than your iced coffee melts. Don’t wait.
You might say, “Hair isn’t everything.”
But you’ve never seen someone get a perfect balayage and NOT smile. It’s impossible.
This summer, treat yourself to a little sunshine on your strands. Or a full head of brilliance. Or a couple of pops of brightness that say, “Yes, I’ve read a book outdoors recently.”
Whatever your vibe is—subtle, bold, blonde, brunette, or somewhere in between—we’ve got the skills, the products, and the good lighting to make it happen.
Bella Off Main: For Bellevue babes who want to look like they woke up flawless—no matter what the weather’s doing.
Let’s get your glow-up started. ☀️
