Denise Does Hair

Balayage

Balayage in San Anselmo, Marin County

Soft, hand-painted color designed to look sun-kissed on day one and grow out gracefully for months. Created for your hair by Denise at Fox + Stone Salon in San Anselmo.

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What Is Balayage?

Balayage is a freehand painting technique — the word itself means "to sweep." Instead of packing color into foils in a fixed pattern, lightener is swept onto the surface of the hair where light would naturally catch it. The result is a soft, diffused brightness with no harsh line of demarcation, so your color looks lived-in rather than obviously "done."

Balayage Designed for Your Hair

No two heads of hair take color the same way. Every balayage appointment starts with a conversation about your natural level, color history, texture, how you wear your hair day to day, and how much upkeep fits your life. Placement is then mapped to your haircut and face shape — brighter around the face if you want that glow, more restrained through the interior if you want subtlety. Tone is customized at the bowl or the chair with a gloss to finish.

Balayage is often combined with other services — see the full list of services and pricing.

Balayage vs. Traditional Highlights

Balayage

  • Hand-painted freehand onto the surface of the hair
  • Soft, blended root with a gentle grow-out
  • Placement follows how light naturally hits the hair
  • Lower maintenance between appointments

Traditional Highlights

  • Applied in foils in a structured, sectioned pattern
  • Brightness starts at or near the root
  • More uniform, consistent dimension throughout
  • Typically needs more frequent touch-ups

Many looks use both — foils for lift at the root and balayage for softness through the ends.

Balayage Pricing

Starting at $250

Listed pricing is a starting point and may vary based on the actual services provided, hair length, density, and the amount of work involved. Not sure what to book? Call or text 415.424.1604.

Meet Denise

Portrait of Denise Carvajal, Marin County balayage specialist at Fox + Stone Salon in San Anselmo

Denise Carvajal is a Marin County hair color specialist based at Fox + Stone Salon in San Anselmo. With over 12 years of experience, she focuses on balayage, dimensional color, and lived-in blonding — custom color built around your style, skin tone, and everyday rhythm.

Read more about Denise

Client Reviews

5 Star Reviews

"I recently had a fabulous color transformation with Denise! Turns out I was NOT ready to go grey so asked her to bring my naturally cool, ashy blonde shade back, complete with all of its depth and dimension. Using an arsenal of highlights with strategically placed lowlights, she was able to do just that. Denise listens to your vision and puts a lot of thought into how to achieve it. The subtle shift in tonality with added shimmer and shine make all the difference in the world! I feel like me again and I am thrilled with the results."

— Isabelle Laub

7 months ago

Services: Balayage

"I'm 62, and Denise is truly the best hair colorist I have ever had. She is the absolute queen of hair color in Marin County. I've been seeing Denise for 10 years for a partial highlight with balayage. I have baby-fine hair, so there is zero room for error when it comes to color—and with Denise, I never worry. I have a deep sense of trust in her skill, artistry, and judgment. She is also highly respected by her coworkers and has trained several of them, which speaks volumes about her expertise. I cannot recommend her highly enough."

— Laura Kelly

4 months ago

Services: Balayage

"I can't say enough about Denise and her attention to detail when it comes to your hair. I'm apprehensive about trying new things, yet I knew I wanted to brighten my naturally red hair with blonde highlights. She is so thorough in her willingness to understand what her client's want, and talk through the process in detail. The balayage was exactly what I wanted, and each appointment we'd discuss any modifications or new approaches. Denise is incredibly talented, and her thoughtful approach to each client and their hair, makes her truly one of the best!"

— Katie O.

Recent

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Balayage FAQ

Book Balayage in San Anselmo

Ready for soft, dimensional, hand-painted color? Book with Denise at Fox + Stone Salon in San Anselmo, or call or text to talk through your goals first.

Phone/Text: 415.424.1604

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