Balayage is a popular highlighting technique that involves painting the hair surface freehand. The word Balayage originates from the French term "balayer" which means sweeping or painting. There are a variety of synonyms used for this hair coloring method in order to distinguish the different ways it is applied. Some alternatives to balayage include hand-painted highlights, freehand hair painting, and hair contouring. These names all allude to the personalized nature of the technique, where the colorist can create unique and customized placement of color for each individual. Other names used for this technique include "ombre hair" and "sombre" which similarly feature a more subtle transition between colors.