Former Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria is spreading the word about balayage, and we’re listening. The 41-year-old actress, soon to appear on FOX’s Empire, is a spokesmodel for L’Oreal and has been making the rounds, talking beauty and springtime hair. She was recently spotted leaving Ken Paves’ West Hollywood salon with fresh tresses, thanks to his balayage skills. If you don’t know, balayage is a trendy new highlighting technique, where dye is painted on the hair without the use of foils to create a graduated, natural-looking effect. Eva, definitely not the only celebrity who is a fan of the technique, talked to Stylish about her current follicular state and touted the benefit of the bun as the remedy for a bad hair day. Here are some highlights:
Eva’s current hair situation: I like my blonde ends. I love my balayage, it’s less ombré, more balayage. You just kiss your hair with a little lightness, and it feels like you open up your face for spring.
Eva probably has a “frequent shopper” card at the salon: I have a full head of gray hair, since I was, like, 18. So for me, going to the salon is every two weeks. And then I have some that peek through.
Eva’s springtime hair beauty tip: I like to air-dry my hair a lot, so I spray in a leave-in conditioner. And my hairdresser taught me just to twist this front end back and bobby pin it for an hour while it’s air-drying. When you let it go, it just frames your hair nicely, as opposed to having that air-dry sloppy look. It just looks as if it dried naturally in this beautiful shape. It’s perfect for curly hair. Do your part, brush it, twist the hair while it’s wet. Don’t twist up, twist down. Pin it and let it go when it’s still a little damp.
Eva showed off her new hue and sleek, long locks on Wednesday’s episode of The View, promoting L’Oreal’s new root touch up product. During the show’s “Hot Topics” segment, the conversation kicked off by bringing up the Immigration Ban. Eva, who is a self-described “student” of immigration reform, didn’t directly attack the POTUS, agreeing that we are “a country of laws” but warns of the de-funding of sanctuary cities. She said, “When you vilify an entire community — I’m Latino, so people assume Latinos is equal with illegal, and it’s not. I’m a ninth generation [Mexican-American.]” She went on to say that the de-funding could affect homeless veterans and the country’s ports, as the same funds are used to protect them against terrorism, stating, “You can’t just take away funds because you’re trying to prove a point of an election.”
Later, Eva talked about moving from in front of to behind the camera, directing episodes of Black-ish, Jane the Virgin and Devious Maids. She said that being a woman makes her a good director. Why? Well, according to Eva, “Being a director means you have to problem solve and answer a lot of questions and juggle things at the same time, so really only women can do that. You have people pulling at you and asking you questions. It’s just problem solving all day long.” You can see the interview below:
I do love Eva’s hair color and the whole balayage/ombré look as well. I have roots down to the middle of my head right now, do you think I could pass that off as ombré? Who knew I was so trendy? I am, after 12 weeks, going to the hairdresser next week for my first ombré ever. I’m trading in my (sort of) blonde locks for a lovely rose gold. Hopefully the results will rival Eva’s!
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com, Fame Flynet
This whole story reads like an ad for that salon, and balayage isn’t really new. I feel like it was more of a 2015 or 2016 trend. Hers looks good, but much like ombre, balayage so often looks SO bad.
Balayage has been around for years. I remember asking my stylist about it over 10 years ago.
Totally. I have been having it done for years, and I live in a small upper Midwest city of about 250k.
Lol when I read that balayage is a “new” technique I thought I stepped in a time machine. It was new several years ago, but maybe it’s making a resurgence in popularity because I have seen several articles on it this year. That being said, this article is weird right? Or maybe it’s just because I haven’t had my coffee yet.
I thought the same thing. I had a salon trying to upswell me on balyage over 10 years ago, and I’m in the fashion capitol of Seattle.
And good lord for Eva staying loyal to Ken Paves after all these years because that man has the absolute worst taste.
Seattle is a fashion capital? Trend setting in hair?
Born and raised in Seattle.
Seattle has always been a trend follower in hair fashion and styles, importing hair fashion trends from, LA, Chicago, NY, Paris and London.
??
I think Bridget was being ironic… as in, even Seattle had balayage.
2007. I’ve been more or less balayaging my hair since 2007 and I was a few years behind the onset. How is this a “recent” trend?
Thanks teacakes for the translation 🙂
I agree it sounds like an advertisement. The whole tone of this post reads like a paid ad. That being said I like that she talks about her gray hair! I’ve had a lot of gray since I was 20. I wish I could afford to go every two weeks, I have to settle for every 6 weeks.
OR you could do what I did, and I let my roots grow out, low lighted it to blend it until it was long enough to cut, then cut my hair, quit dying it and have never looked back. I was 38 and salt and pepper then; totally white now. It’s long, and unusual. You don’t see a ton of people with it. And you’ll save a fortune.
I feel so much better with my grey all out. I’m about to turn 50, but my graying started up about 29 and then intensified. I think I started dying it regularly about 34 or so. I HATED dumping a box of chemicals on my head every 3 weeks. F that shit for good.
I quit coloring when I was 50 and never looked back. I work with the public and get complements daily on my beautiful silver hair. I’d never go back to color.
You and me both. I love my gray hair. And now that silver hair is so in, strangers have asked me what salon I got the color from.
I would love to stop coloring my hair and go gray, but I don’t think I have the skin tone for gray. I need warm tones in my hair or my skin looks washed out and harsh. My gray seems to be too ashy and it really ages me.
Same exact situation here!
It’s been some weeks that my niece, while combing my hair found 3-4 short blond to white hair inside my hair. The thing is that I have long light brown hair which, under the heat or plain sun tends to turn blond (not completely). And during winter I try not to dry my hair too much as they get burned. But I dry my roots as I tend to get head aches if left dump. Now I know that my hair burn easily and I like to think that those are not really white hair but…. My father’s side of the family goes white late (55-60) but on my mothers there are some gone white earlier (40).
My point is that I’m terrified to have white hair. I’m 36 and I look younger (on some good days I can pass for 26-27) but with white hair it will be the end of an era… And I hate starting the colouring process. As with many little things I tend to go for perfection and I know I will be a slave of the saloon. I don’t even keep my nail polish if it’s not perfect. I repair it or take it off.
lol.
Her hair is lovely but I wonder how she’d look if she went full silver fox? Probably a huge no-no in Hollywood, I guess. Just yesterday I was admiring a woman’s hair in my spin class, full on gray in a cute choppy bob. Her body and face were youthful (although we chatted afterwards and she said she’s 48!) and the gray was just so striking.
She would look great with grey hair. I thought that as I looked at her photos.
i started to get greys since i was 20 (my mum started at 15, so i guess i should consider myself lucky lol). i’m 27 now and a natural brunette, i just went through various shades of blonde to blondish, and you can’t notice them (maybe the odd one which i pluck) and i can get away with dying every 6 weeks or so. so my suggestion is to go lighter if you can.
i’m a bit annoyed at the comments of just staying grey; can’t we just agree that everyone does what they feel comfortable with? i don’t think greys look all that good, neither in men nor in women, when you’re still young. if you’re past 50 then it can look lovely, but even then, it’s the difference between having a full white head which can look nice if styled/toned well, and salt and pepper which imo always looks untidy. if you’re not fully grey, you look better if you dye.
the preaching over dying your hair is nearly as bad as people who disagree with waxing. they’re personal choices, both valid.
I didn’t mean to preach about keeping gray hair, I just mentioned how striking I found it.
But as for people who are gray at a young age not looking good, I have two words for you: Anderson Cooper. Just my opinion, of course.
Also, silver hair color (on all ages) has been a trend the last year or so.
Yep, I also don’t want to be gray, personally. I started going gray by 24/25!!! So annoying. My husband is 35- NO GRAY! And he could care less! But here I am with gray alllll over, annoyingly dying it every 3 weeks, and it grows crazy fast so by then it’s fully grey roots. I hate it.
I go to a naturopath, and he suggested selenium and L-Tyrosine to slow greying. I started taking them about 5 years ago. I (and others) noticed a significant decrease in my greys. I don’t have many, and they haven’t increased much. I have no idea if it’s related to the supplements, but I kind of think they helped.
I didn’t think I was preaching ; sorry if you felt that way. It’s refreshing to see people here saying they quit dying their hair. In fact, I’ve been told several times that I’d look younger if I dyed my hair, and I did try it a few years ago and went blonde. I did the same thing . . . let it grow out and went back to grey. I actually thought blonde made me look older, but you certainly can’t lie about your age when you’ve got a head of white hair. But I’ve also got really backhanded compliments too . . . like “oh, that looks great on you! I wish I could!” Followed by my asking why they don’t if they think it looks so good, and getting, “but I don’t want to look old”.
So it does cut both ways.
The bane of having grey hair since 18.
I started touching up the roots once I started working, initially it was coloring grey hairs every 4 weeks though I grew comfortable in my late twenties. I am in my early 30s ans I go for touch ups every 3/4 months.
Ugh I get so jealous and angry when I read that people can air dry their hair. My hair is soooo thick and frizzy, that it honestly looks like Monica from Friends when they went to the Bahamas. Nothing helps. I can’t even imagine how it must feel to just have natural smooth hair.
Look up some of the curly hair websites. like naturallycurlydotcom or curlsunderstooddotcom.
Most of the time the frizz is due to moisture issues, and there are great product reviews with ingredient breakdown and forums from which you can get a LOT of helpful info, like using a leave-in that will moisturize and encourage curls in cold weather, to avoiding humectant products in warm & humid weather. Curl Junkie is a great line of products with a huge range for anywhere from kinky/coily to just waves.
I have fine, smooth, straight as a it gets hair. During summer I let them air dry , no problem. During winter I dry my roots but not my ends as they tend to turn blonde and burn. I have tried all the stuff under the sun to give them some shape but to no avail. There is not a single product that can give them shape and make them hold it. I have tried pins but they just slide away if I move my head. They are sort of thick though but are so fine that look like baby hair. Only with touching you can really understand. I would love some curls here and there. I would
I got 1st white at 16, but didn’t become an issue till late 20s. I used to go every 6-8 weeks, but now it’s too noticeable. I go every 4 weeks now, and I use the refresh spray for the part the last 2+ weeks – my hair grows very fast but I don’t have patience for every 2 weeks until it gets even worse.
I learned how to do my own, using the same brand my salon uses (thankful for online salons that sell the supplies). I keep my hair near my natural original tone, though I am rapidly turning white (from brunette).
Usually I reserve an hour on a Saturday morning to paint those roots. Yet, as my hair is now about 3/4 gray (white), I am preparing to let it be white at some point.
Thankfully at 38, I have no grey hair. Haven’t dyed my hair in 10 years. I used to every few months because it’s not good for your hair. Isn’t every 2 weeks ago little damaging?
Usually every two weeks means it’s just the roots that get touched up, the rest is left alone so it’s not damaged. Or at least not on someone with nice thick hair like Eva. I have fine hair so I have to hold off for 4-5 weeks. And having a professional do it probably makes a difference too. I do it myself.
I’ve got to hand it to her: for someone that was a costar on a hot show in 2005 (and nothing of note since, really), she has managed to remain in the spotlight and while not A list, someone most people seem to know.
Unlike, say, Courtney Thorne Smith or the redhead from that show.
She should be offering career tips to D listers.
I think shes really very smart, and has successfully moved behind the camera producing and directing.
She was one of 4 leads on DH and it ended in 2012, the longest running show with 4 female leads and it was #1 in the world at some point as well, it wasn’t just an obscure show, hence her staying power. She also directs and produces which gives a career longevity.
She’s actually very bright and astute… she produces, participates in improv, and has many coals in the fire… not a dlister! Plus she donates and works tirelessly for the developmentally challenged. Lovely lady.
“Being a director means you have to problem solve and answer a lot of questions and juggle things at the same time, so really only women can do that. You have people pulling at you and asking you questions. It’s just problem solving all day long.”
I fail to see how only women can do this.
because apparently only women can multitask. it’s one of those things that people say as to feel women empowered, whereas it just divides the genders even more.
She’s lovely 😊
Only women can problem solve all day? Uh, no. Many women, moms especially, are probably great at it but come on.
The hair thing, I feel her. I have very dark hair and the gray is getting worse. It’s really not cute. My dream is to one day, a long time from now, walk around in a lovely cloud of perfectly coiffed white hair. But I’m 32 and right now it just looks old.
It’s such a drag to find someone who is good at color. I don’t know why but they all tell you “Oh yes, it’s my specialty” and then you walk out with boring old highlights that don’t hold the color and look yellow a week later. And cost a damn fortune. Right now I’m back to my €4 hair color from the drugstore.
My 22 year old daughter has had a few grey strands since her teens and yesterday i noticed a few clumping in front of her otherwise dark brown hair. She inherited this from her dad. They both have incredibly thick hair (hers is gorgeous) and stylists always comment on it. But he was half grey by 30 and started coloring it late thirties. I do feel badly for her. I’m mid 50s and hardly have any grey. Occasionally she catches me looking at it and says, “You’re staring at my grey hair aren’t you?” I deny it but of course that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Gray may be dominant. My Dad (and his father, siblings) were early gray while my Mom and her entire family were the opposite with very late, never fully going gray. I started graying early (finding first strands at 18), but it stayed manageable until my 40s.
She sounds exactly like me! Dark brown, crazy CRAZY thick and yes, gray too early. My dad had black hair, my mom and her family blonde that never fully grayed but much thinner (we used to joke my mom had 3 strands of hair- one on each side and one cut for bangs). Maybe there’s a thick/dark hair, gray connection?
Ditto. Father who greyed early and had dark hair, and I have wild and coarse curly hair.
+1 mine is coarse and curly, too.
Your daughter sounds like me, I also have dark (black) hair, a prematurely grey dad and white hairs since my teens – only I’m 32, not 22.
I don’t think it’s anything to worry about – dark hair looks pretty good with a streak of white through it, and if that doesn’t work, there’s always dye. I’m sure your daughter will work something out.
To each his own. My exhusband had amazing thick salt and pepper hair he dyed black every week. I always wished he would let it go natural because was just so sexy.
And my best friend had gray hair she dyed brown and it always looked dyed. Then she got cancer and it all fell out and when it came in and she actually got to see her beautiful, enviable, silver white hair, she liked it. She gets so many compliments on her hair and I think it actually makes her look younger. (She’s 46)
But my mom on the other hand has blondish brown hair and when she gets her grays it’s not pretty because it blends funny with her non gray hair, so she has to highlight it to tone her non gray hair in with the grays.
So I think while gray looks good on some, on others it might not. Ultimately it’s what you feel most confident in, or what is easiest to deal with.
When I go gray I’ll probably have to do like my mom because of my blonde hair.
The first white hair I noticed was sticking up at a 70 degree angle off my scalp and kind of zig-zaggy. I though one of my Sheltie’s long, kinky beard hairs was in my hair, but, SURPRISE! When I gave it a tug, I felt it pop out of my scalp. It was mine!
I’m actually considering not dying my hair when it gets grey hairs, wish more celebs talked about this, glad she did
I don’t dye my hair, and don’t ever intend to, and I’m 50 next month. I dyed my hair when I was younger, for fun, but I got sick of it. My hair is very dark brown and my hair is turning white, more than grey, my father has black hair that is now white. I expect to follow his pattern, getting more salt and pepper as I age. If it starts looking ghastly I might change my opinion, but right now it looks okay to me.
Amen to “you do you” re hair color/going grey/natural. I wish I could afford to have my hair professionally cared for every two weeks. I have done the color myself, but just don’t have the skill set to make it come alive, if that makes sense. I have always liked Eva- she seems like a real hard-working, good person. Hope her new husband treats her right!
She looks so much like Sandra Bullock in the header pic.
I found my first gray at 18, and now at 46, I’m about 90% gray, but I’ve been getting it professionally colored since I was 30. But every two weeks sounds like a lot, even for just touching up the roots. I go every 4-6. Maybe my hair grows slowly.
The darker the color (contrast either way), the harder to hide. I used to be disguising the darker roots (with some gray), though my dye was just a level lighter. Now, I’m coloring every couple weeks to keep the mostly white from contrasting with the brown.
If my colored hair were lighter now (honey toned or so), it would be easier. I understand why some ladies go much lighter in their middle age.
My cousin started grayibg in junior year of hs. She’s a typeA personality.
Been doing that dry tech for years except i dont like spray conditioning just a leave in bc i have natural curls and this way i never have to use gels, creams, etc to relieve frizz since those leave build up, residue, dryness.
I just got my highlights touched up yesterday, and I can’t imagine doing that every 2 weeks. I’ve been lucky so far in that at 40 I only have a few white hairs now and then though.
I’ve never found Eva to be an interesting actress and figured she wouldn’t be very in demand after DH, but I absolutely admire her push into producing and directing. I think that was a very smart move for her.
Going in tomorrow for my first balayage/ombré…wish me luck!
Started going grey in my 20’s. Being a non fussy type, I never coloried my hair, not even once. I lucked out at first. It stayed around my temples and got very white. In Costa Rica I was asked where I colored my hair. I said God did it.
Now my hair is mostly grey. I use the purple shampoo which takes out the yellow, which is from the potassium in the water. YOu have to use it a few days in a row and then stop.
I get comments ALL THE TIME. People love my hair,. I am blessed with straight thick hair that dries perfectly. It can however get very frizzy in humid weather.
Go Grey Eva!!
In my town a few women are now letting the roots grow out. My hairdresser said I was one of 300, now I bet there are at least 20. :-}
some people just genetically go gray at a young age my maternal grandfather went gray when he was 17 and he’ll be 80 on April 18th. she’s nothing special only a b rate actress