Want to color your hair but don’t know what to ask for in the salon? I know all these terms are confusing so today I am going to explain to you balayage vs. highlights; what are the similarities, differences, and who should get them. If you prefer watching a video please check out my youtube or tiktok video that’s linked down below.
What do Highlights and Balayage do?
Balayage and highlights are both forms of lightening hair with color or bleach, that can be as light in color or as natural as you would like. Both also typically require glossing or toning after the bleaching service, in order to get the custom color desired by the client.
The Differences
1. Application
Highlights is when the bleach or color is applied to a weave of hair all the way to the scalp and wrapped in foil. Balayage is a French word that means to paint. Therefore, balayage of a method of application when it comes to hair lightening services where traditionally bleach or color is painted on the hair with feather like stokes to give the appearance of a blended and soft grow out. The bleach or color can be applied to the root but it is not all the time. The bleach or color can also be applied in a variety of shapes; V, W, or slants /. Some things that hairstylists may do differently when you get a balayage are teasing and/ or overdirecting your hair for a better blend. They may separate your hair with foil, plastic wrap, cotton or none of the above. .
2. Appointment Duration
Average highlight appointments take a total of around 3 hours. Average balayage appointments take around 4 hours. It can go up from there depending on how much hair you have, how long your hair is, if you want a root melt, and your end goal. Because balayage application does take longer, it is usually more expensive. However, highlights are usually more expensive over time.
3. Appearance
Here’s a sample of what traditional highlights looks like on the bottom left and top right in the video linked above. Both highlights and balayage can be as natural or as vibrant as you would like. A visual for balayage is linked above on the bottom right of the video. Highlights are great for you if you don’t want to see much of your natural hair to the root. Balayage is perfect for you if you are wanting more dimensions and a soft grow out.
4. Maintenance
Due to the feathery application and variation of application at the uppermost part of the color on the head, balayage clients can go 3-6 months in between maintenance appointments (not including the toner and refreshes of course). You would come in for toner refreshes every 1-2 months depending on your home care. Highlight clients typically come in every 4-8 weeks and you can get your toner refreshed or changed during this time. You can also get your roots covered at the same time if that’s a service you get done. These 4 photos down below, are examples of different types of balayage, the 1st and last photo are a mix of highlights with balayage.
Now that balayage has been around for a while, there are new techniques emerging! Stylists now use both methods together, or do a mash up of the 2 techniques called teasy lights. Teasy lights is when they take a weave of hair, tease it, and apply lightener to it.
Here’s some samples of different hightlights down below. The one on the left, the 1st one, is some highlights with lowlights. The second photo has teasylights. The third photo is babylights and a more platinum toner. The last photo is a more golden honey blonde.
Hopefully this answers your questions when it comes to highlights Vs. balayage. so you can make the best decision for your hair goals when you’re in the salon. Please feel free to write comment and let me know if this was helpful or if you have any other questions. If you’d like to book an appointment, please check out my booking site on Gloss Genius.
