Balayage and highlights are two of the most common ways to add dimension to your hair color. Both techniques can add brightness and depth, but the right choice for you depends on a few factors, including your personal preference, hair type, and the overall look you’re going for.
The main difference between balayage and highlights is that balayage is designed to look like your hair has been naturally kissed by the sun. Highlights, on the other hand, usually provide a more structured and defined look. Balayage is a freehand painting technique, while traditional highlights usually involve the use of foils.
This article will compare balayage and highlights, covering how each technique is applied, the results you can expect, maintenance requirements, cost considerations, and which hair types each technique works best for.
Ultimately, for the best results, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from a professional hair stylist. They can assess your hair and help you make the right decision.
What is balayage?
Balayage is a freehand hair-coloring technique in which a stylist paints color directly onto your hair to create a blended, natural look. The method allows the stylist to put the color exactly where they want it, mimicking the sun’s natural way of lightening your hair.
The balayage technique
Balayage is applied with a brush, using a sweeping motion. Typically, no foil or other tools are used to separate the hair.
What are the advantages of balayage?
- A natural, sun-kissed look
- Soft, subtle dimension
- Lower maintenance than traditional highlights – touch-ups are needed less often (every 12-16 weeks for curly hair)
- Seamless regrowth that avoids harsh lines
- Gentler on your hair, since it requires less bleach than traditional highlighting
Types of balayage
There are several variations of balayage, including:
- Full balayage
- Partial balayage
- Reverse balayage
- Babylights
- Flamboyage
What are highlights?
Highlights are a classic hair-coloring technique designed to lighten strands of hair, creating contrast and dimension. They’re a great way to brighten your overall look and add some visual interest.
The highlighting technique
In the traditional highlighting process, your stylist will separate your hair into sections and then apply color to individual strands. This is usually done using foil or a highlighting cap. The foil or cap helps to keep the highlighted strands separate from the rest of your hair, allowing for precise color placement and a uniform, consistent look.
Benefits of choosing highlights
Highlights can give you a more dramatic color change than some other techniques. If you’re looking for a brighter, more noticeable result, highlights might be the way to go. They’re also incredibly versatile, so you can customize the color and style to create a wide range of effects, from subtle sun-kissed strands to bold, high-contrast looks.
Highlights are often a good choice for people with darker hair who want a significant color lift.
Types of highlights
- Full highlights
- Partial highlights
- Chunky highlights
- Peekaboo highlights
- Traditional foil highlights
- Mini highlights
Key differences: Balayage vs. highlights
While both balayage and highlights lighten your hair, they achieve very different looks. Here’s a breakdown of the key distinctions:
Application method
Balayage is a freehand painting technique, which allows the stylist to create a soft, blended effect.
Highlights, on the other hand, are typically applied using foil or a cap, which allows for more precise color placement and a uniform look.
Resulting look
Balayage creates a natural, sun-kissed, and subtle effect. It mimics the way your hair naturally lightens in the sun, with softer transitions between shades.
Highlights create a more defined, structured, and brighter look. They create a noticeable contrast between your base color and the highlighted strands.
Maintenance
Balayage is generally lower maintenance, requiring less frequent touch-ups. Because the color is blended, the regrowth is less noticeable.
Highlights are higher maintenance, requiring more frequent touch-ups to avoid a defined line between the colored and uncolored hair.
Cost
Balayage can be more expensive initially, with costs ranging from $150 to $400 or more. However, it may be more cost-effective in the long run due to the less frequent need for touch-ups.
Highlights are often less expensive to start, ranging from $75 to $200 or more. But keep in mind that the frequent touch-ups can increase the overall cost.
Balayage and highlights for curly hair
If you’re thinking about coloring your curly hair, here are some things to keep in mind.
Curly hair: Unique considerations
Because of the unique shape of curly hair follicles (they tend to be oval or asymmetrical), curly hair is often more fragile and prone to dryness than straight hair.
When you’re choosing a color and a coloring technique, it’s important to think about your curl pattern and texture. For example, people with S-shaped curls may find that balayage works best, while those with tighter, A-shaped curls may prefer highlights.
Balayage for curly hair
Balayage often gives curly hair a more natural, sun-kissed look that accentuates the curls without changing their structure. Balayage can also be gentler on curly hair because it requires less bleach.
Highlights for curly hair
Highlights offer more precise color placement and work well with a variety of curl patterns. They can also create a more defined and structured look.
Maintaining colored curly hair
Once you’ve colored your curly hair, you’ll want to take extra care to keep it healthy and looking its best. Here are some tips:
- Use color-safe products, such as sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.
- Add a deep conditioning treatment to your hair care routine once a week.
- Use a leave-in conditioner or hair serum to fight dryness and frizz.
- Always spray on a heat protectant before you use styling tools.
- When you’re out in the sun, protect your hair with a hat or scarf.
- Visit your salon regularly for touch-ups, trims, and check-ups to assess the overall condition of your hair.
Choosing the right technique: factors to consider
So, balayage or highlights: which is right for you? Here are some things to consider as you make your decision:
Desired look
If you’re after a low-maintenance, natural look that suggests you’ve spent the summer basking in the sun, balayage is likely the better choice. If you want a brighter, more structured look with clearly defined sections of color, highlights are probably the way to go.
Hair type and color
Your hair’s texture, thickness, and current color all play a role. If you have dark hair and you’re looking for a noticeable color change, highlights may be needed. If your hair is already light, balayage can add subtle dimension.
Lifestyle and maintenance preferences
Balayage is great for busy people who don’t have the time or inclination to visit the salon every few weeks. Highlights require more upkeep and more frequent touch-ups.
Budget
Think about the initial cost of the service and the long-term expense of keeping it up. Balayage may cost a little more to begin with, but because it requires less maintenance, it might be less expensive overall.
Finding a good stylist
No matter which technique you choose, the stylist’s skill will make a big difference in the final result.
Ideally, you want someone who specializes in balayage or highlights. Take a look at their portfolio, and read some reviews to get a sense of their expertise.
Most importantly, schedule a consultation to talk about what you want and what your hair goals are. A good stylist will consider your hair type and color, and then they can recommend the best technique to get you the look you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of balayage?
While balayage offers a natural, low-maintenance look, it can be more expensive upfront than traditional highlights. It may also require more skill from your stylist to achieve the desired effect. Plus, on very dark hair, you might need multiple sessions to reach a lighter shade, which can be time-consuming.
Is a balayage better for your hair than highlights?
Generally, balayage is considered gentler on your hair. Because the color is hand-painted and doesn’t always start right at the roots, there’s less potential for damage and less noticeable regrowth. However, any chemical process can cause some degree of damage, so proper aftercare is key.
What is better for grey hair, balayage or highlights?
It depends on the effect you’re going for! Balayage can be a good option for blending grey hairs naturally, creating a soft, diffused look. Highlights can also work, but they might require more frequent touch-ups to cover new growth. Your stylist can advise on the best approach based on your hair color and desired coverage.
How expensive is a balayage?
Balayage costs vary depending on location, salon, and stylist experience. Generally, you can expect to pay more for balayage than traditional highlights, often ranging from $150 to $300 or more. The price reflects the technique’s artistry and the stylist’s time and expertise. Always get a consultation and price quote before committing.
Wrapping Up
So, what’s the real difference between balayage and highlights? Balayage is a freehand technique that creates a natural, sun-kissed look and requires less upkeep. Highlights, on the other hand, are achieved with foils, offering more defined and uniform color that demands more frequent salon visits.
Ultimately, the “best” technique depends entirely on you. Consider your personal style, your hair type and texture, your daily routine, and how much you’re willing to spend on maintenance. What works wonders for your best friend might not be the perfect fit for you.
That’s why consulting a professional stylist is so important. A skilled colorist can assess your hair, understand your vision, and recommend the technique that will not only give you the look you crave but also keep your hair healthy and vibrant. They can tailor the application to perfectly complement your features and lifestyle.
The final takeaway? Both balayage and highlights are fantastic ways to enhance your hair color. The key is to choose the one that best suits your individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle. With the right choice and a talented stylist, you’re sure to achieve a stunning, head-turning result.