What is airtouch
Airtouch is an open technique for a colour blend, in which the stylist's main tool is the hairdryer. The stream of air separates the thin, short hairs, so the colour only lands on the long strands.
The name means "a touch of air", and it is the air that makes the transition so subtle. The airtouch effect looks natural, as if your hair had gently faded on its own.
The technique is young: colourist Vladimir Sarbashev developed it around 2016 and presented it in Barcelona a year later. It has since become one of the most popular colouring techniques, valued for its softness and for a regrowth line that barely shows.
How the airtouch technique works
At the heart of airtouch is a simple idea: the shorter, newer hairs are blown out of the strand so only the longer ones are lightened. To do this the stylist takes a strand and blows it with a hairdryer near the roots.
The short hairs fly away in the stream of air, leaving even long strands in the hand. The colour is applied at a distance from the roots, so the base stays darker.
The colour is stretched towards the ends and the line becomes almost invisible. It is a complex colour that takes patience, as every strand is worked separately.
Simplified, the airtouch treatment runs through a few steps:
- The stylist divides the hair into thin strands.
- Each strand is blown with a hairdryer to remove the short hairs.
- Lightener is painted on the long strands, away from the roots.
- The hair is toned and the result finished with care products.
How long the treatment takes
Because of the handwork on each strand, airtouch takes longer than most colouring techniques. On long hair the treatment can take four to six hours.
Airtouch, balayage or shatush: the difference
Airtouch, balayage and shatush all give a natural transition, but they differ in how the colour is applied. The main difference of airtouch is that the short hairs are removed with the hairdryer.
With balayage the stylist paints freehand over the surface of the strands, without air. Shatush is close to airtouch in softness, but does not give such an even blend along the whole length.
If you want the smoothest, most natural result, airtouch wins on subtlety. You pay for that in time, as the technique is more labour-intensive.
Who airtouch suits
Airtouch suits almost any hair colour and length, since the amount of lightening is set individually. The technique shines especially on brunettes and on dark blonde hair.
On dark hair the stylist creates a soft transition to lighter ends without harsh contrast. Red and light hair airtouch fills with shine and extra volume.
Length matters: on long hair the play of light is more visible than on very short hair. Short hair can be lightened too, but there is less room for the blend.
Airtouch is a good fit if you want to:
- have a natural colour transition without a sharp line
- visually add volume and shine to your hair
- take a break from frequent colouring, as the roots grow out unnoticed
- refresh your colour while keeping natural depth at the roots
Pros and cons of airtouch
Like any technique, airtouch has its advantages and disadvantages. The main plus is the natural result and the very soft regrowth.
Among the advantages is also gentle lightening, as the colour does not touch the roots or the whole mass of hair. The colour looks expensive and such hair is easier to care for.
The downsides are the price and the duration, as it is a complex and labour-intensive treatment. A quality airtouch is almost impossible to do yourself, and calls for an experienced stylist.
Shade ideas: from natural to cool blonde
Airtouch leaves room for all kinds of ideas depending on the colour you want. Some choose a warm, natural transition, others a cool ash blonde.
For brunettes, caramel and hazelnut tones close to the natural colour work well. Light hair can be taken to a clean blonde without any yellow.
In fashion this season are cool blonde and soft beige tones. The shade is always matched to your skin and eye colour so the result looks harmonious.
How to choose a shade for airtouch
Choosing a shade for airtouch starts with your natural hair colour and the result you want. The stylist looks at your skin and eye colour and at how much contrast you want in the transition.
Warm types suit honey, caramel and hazelnut tones, while cool types are closer to ash and beige shades. The big advantage of the technique is that you can combine several tones in one strand, so the colour turns out lively and deep.
If you are not ready for a dramatic change, start with shades one or two tones lighter than your own. That cautious approach gives a natural effect and is easier to adjust later.
During the consultation the stylist usually considers:
- your natural colour and the condition of your hair
- your skin colour and the undertone of your face
- previous colouring and lightening
- how pronounced you want the colour transition
- how much time you are willing to spend on care
A photo of the result you want always helps you understand each other. Still, the final colour depends on the starting condition of your hair and its history, so sometimes several sessions are needed.
Airtouch at home or with a mobile stylist
Doing airtouch at home entirely by yourself is almost impossible, as the technique needs skill with the hairdryer and an even application. Most often it is the colour blend that gives amateur work away.
Ready-made colour kits do not give the effect airtouch creates in the salon. Fixing an uneven colour afterwards costs more than the original treatment.
There is a handier solution: airtouch at home, but in the hands of a professional. The stylist comes to your home with all the materials and colours your hair in your own familiar space.
That format suits busy people, parents with children and anyone who values their time. You get a salon result at home, without travel or waiting rooms.
How much airtouch costs
The price of airtouch depends on the length and thickness of your hair and the complexity of the work. At Hanna Valiullina airtouch starts from 220 euros, home visit included.
Since it is a labour-intensive technique with each strand worked by hand, it costs more than a simple colour. The exact amount the stylist names after assessing your hair, with no hidden extras.
You will find the full list of services and prices on the services page. The home visit is already included within Papendrecht and the Drechtsteden.
Hair care after colouring
After colouring your hair needs hydration and colour protection so the shade stays clean longer. Care here is almost as important as the technique itself.
Wash your hair less often in the first few days, and use a sulphate-free shampoo and products for coloured hair. Apply heat protection before the hairdryer to spare the ends.
Light strands sometimes turn yellow, so a purple-pigment toning product once a week helps. Once a month, do a deep nourishing mask for shine.
Avoid chlorinated water and long sun exposure without protection, as they wash the shade out quickly. Before the pool or beach, apply a leave-in with a UV filter.
Every few weeks a professional toning helps refresh the cool or warm undertone. That way airtouch keeps a clean colour longer between visits to the stylist.
The big advantage of airtouch is that the roots grow out softly. You can refresh the colour less often, and your hair stays looking cared for longer.
Airtouch by Hanna Valiullina
Hanna Valiullina does airtouch as a home visit, so you get a salon colour in your own bathroom. The stylist comes to you at a time that suits you.
Every colour starts with choosing a tone that fits your hair colour, skin type and lifestyle. We pick a technique that needs minimal upkeep and grows out nicely.
Before the work the stylist does a short consultation and, if needed, a compatibility test, especially if your hair was previously treated with chemicals. The mobile service covers Papendrecht and the surrounding towns of the Drechtsteden.
Want naturally lighter hair without a trip to the salon? Book at hannavaliullina.nl and the stylist will come to your home.
Frequently asked questions about airtouch
What is airtouch in short?
Airtouch is a colouring technique where the stylist blows away the short hairs with a hairdryer and lightens only the long strands. That creates a very natural, soft colour transition.
What is the difference between airtouch and balayage?
With balayage the colour is painted freehand, while with airtouch the short hairs are first blown away with a stream of air from a hairdryer. That gives airtouch an even smoother blend, but it takes more time.
Who is airtouch suitable for?
The technique suits brunettes, dark blonde, red and light hair of any length. On long hair the airtouch effect is most visible.
How long does airtouch last?
Thanks to the soft regrowth you only need to refresh airtouch after five to six months. That is clearly less often than a regular single-tone colour.
Does airtouch damage your hair?
Airtouch is gentler than an all-over colour because the lightener does not touch the roots or the whole mass of hair. The stylist always assesses your hair condition before the treatment.
Why is airtouch more expensive than other techniques?
It is a complex, labour-intensive colour where every strand is worked by hand. The work takes several hours, so the price is higher than a simple colour.
Can you do airtouch on short hair?
Yes, but on short hair there is less room for the blend than on long hair. The stylist will tell you what result is realistic for your length.
Key takeaways
- Airtouch is a colouring technique in which the short hairs are blown away with a hairdryer.
- Only the long strands are lightened, so the colour transition is very natural.
- The technique suits brunettes, dark blonde, red and light hair.
- It is a labour-intensive treatment best trusted to an experienced stylist.
- Airtouch at home is easiest with a stylist who comes to you.