By Julia-Valesca Bliedung, fourth-generation master hairdresser · About the author
Most colour techniques answer ‘Which hairs are coloured?’ with a brush, foil or a pattern. AirTouch answers with air: a hairdryer blows the shorter hairs out of each section, and only the remaining hair is coloured. This article explains the seamless blends this creates, its limitations and the cost of an appointment at Valesca Hair in Zurich Seefeld.
What exactly is AirTouch?
AirTouch is a blonde and colour technique in which every section is blown through with a hairdryer before lightener is applied. Airflow separates out the shorter, regrowing hairs, which stay uncoloured. Only the remaining longer hairs are lightened.
This separation is the key: because the short hairs at the roots never receive colour, there is no clear line where lightening starts. The transition from natural colour to blonde is created by the sectioning itself, not just skilful blending. This helps AirTouch look even and grow out subtly.
How does an AirTouch appointment work?
An AirTouch appointment has five stages: colour analysis, consultation with timing and a fixed price, blow-separating the sections, lightening the remaining lengths and glossing. Here is how it works in the salon:
1.Colour analysis
Starting colour, hair texture and previous colour treatments determine how light your hair can go, and whether AirTouch is right — or whether balayage or highlights could achieve your goal more gently.
2.Target look, time and fixed price
AirTouch takes considerably longer than other colour techniques, so the time needed is discussed by phone beforehand. Your binding fixed price is then agreed after the salon consultation, before treatment.
3.Sectioning and blow-separating
The core of the technique: each fine section is held up and blown through with a hairdryer. Shorter, regrowing hairs fall out of the section, leaving the longer hairs.
4.Lightening the remaining lengths
Only the remaining hairs are lightened. Leaving the short root hairs untreated avoids a clear edge where colour begins — the sectioning itself creates the blend.
5.Gloss and finish
A final gloss establishes the tone and adds shine. A cut and blow-dry follow according to your booked service; AirTouch & cut combines them.
Who is AirTouch for?
AirTouch suits you if you want very soft, refined blonde or bronde and are willing to allow the necessary time. It is especially suitable for:
- Anyone seeking a particularly even, flowing colour blend.
- Hair around shoulder length or longer — the blend needs length to show.
- Anyone wanting longer gaps between recolouring: the roots grow out almost invisibly.
- Darker starting colours aiming for bronde or caramel.
AirTouch is less suitable for short hair, where there is little length for a soft transition, and for anyone wanting a quick lunchtime result. Separating every section by hand takes substantially more time than other techniques.
AirTouch, balayage or highlights — which suits you?
All three lighten hair, but with different effects: AirTouch separates with air for a very even blend; balayage paints freehand, sun-kissed accents; foil highlights create defined strands. This table compares them:
| Feature | AirTouch | Balayage | Foil highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Sections separated with airflow; only the remaining longer hairs are coloured | Lightener painted freehand onto the hair | Individually sectioned strands wrapped in aluminium foil |
| Blend | Especially seamless and even | Flowing, with more movement and variation | Even and clearly defined |
| Effect | Very soft, refined blonde with a seamless finish | Sun-kissed lengths and ends | Defined, clearly visible highlights |
| Regrowth | Almost invisible — short hairs were never coloured | Subtle, because colour is placed away from the roots | A visible root line |
| Time needed | The most time-intensive — every section is individually blown out | 2¼–2¾ hours (with gloss and blow-dry) | Approx. 2 hours (half head, with gloss and blow-dry) |
In short: AirTouch for a precise, premium blend; Balayage for natural movement; highlights for visible contrast. Colour analysis, not a trend, determines the technique.
How much does AirTouch cost in Zurich?
At Valesca Hair, AirTouch costs CHF 290–420 depending on hair length, or CHF 355–490 with a cut. The higher price reflects the time involved: every section is blow-separated by hand before colour is applied. In return, the result lasts well because there is no sharp root line to retouch.
For your budget, the important point is a binding fixed price after consultation — before treatment, not at the till. Julia discusses the time needed by phone beforehand. Find full details on the AirTouch services page, and the complete price list under Services & prices.
How do you care for AirTouch blonde afterwards?
Lightened hair needs moisture, and a soft blend looks best when its tone stays stable. Three things help:
- Use care designed for lightened or coloured hair to maintain tone and softness.
- Apply heat protection before using a hairdryer or straighteners.
- Visit the salon for a gloss if the tone becomes warmer than you want after a few weeks.
Find the salon’s products and their purposes on the Products page.
Frequently asked questions about AirTouch
Where did the AirTouch technique originate?
AirTouch was developed by Russian colourist Vladimir Sarbashev and spread into international salons. The name describes its principle: a touch of air determines which hairs are coloured and which are not.
Is AirTouch gentler than classic highlights?
In one specific respect, yes: shorter, regrowing hairs are blown out of each section before colouring and remain untreated. Only part of the hair is lightened. Lightening is still a chemical process, however — the colour analysis before your appointment assesses how well your hair can tolerate it.
How long does an AirTouch result last?
There is no fixed recolouring schedule. Because the short root hairs were never coloured, the blend grows out almost invisibly. A gloss is often enough to refresh tone and shine over the following months. Agree the right interval with Julia at your appointment.
Does AirTouch work on dark hair?
Yes — darker starting colours can create a particularly striking transition from depth to light. Warm goals such as bronde or caramel are realistic in one session; very light, cool blonde on a dark base often takes two stages. We discuss what is possible honestly before the first strand.
Who offers AirTouch in Zurich?
Valesca Hair at Hammerstrasse 12 in Zurich Seefeld. Owner Julia-Valesca Bliedung is a fourth-generation master hairdresser. Before each AirTouch appointment, she discusses by phone whether the technique suits you and how much time to allow. A binding fixed price is agreed after consultation, before treatment. Evening appointments are available Tuesdays and Thursdays until 21:00.