When it comes to blonding services, clients often find themselves asking, “Should I go with balayage or highlights?”
Both techniques create stunning results, but each one has its unique benefits that suit different hair goals and lifestyles. Let’s break down these two popular services to help you decide which one is your best fit!
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word that means “to sweep” or “to paint,” which perfectly describes this freehand technique.
During a balayage service, the colorist paints the highlights onto the surface of your hair in a sweeping motion, creating a natural, sun-kissed look that blends seamlessly.
Look and Feel: Balayage tends to have a more natural, lived-in appearance, with soft transitions between the darker and lighter areas. The result is a less structured, more organic finish.
Maintenance Level: One of the biggest perks of balayage is its low maintenance. Since the color is applied in a way that doesn’t create harsh lines, it grows out beautifully, meaning fewer trips to the salon.
Here are some celebrities with to-die-for balayages.
WHAT ARE HIGHLIGHTS?
Highlights involve sectioning the hair and applying color to specific strands from root to tip, often using foils to create a uniform and structured lightened effect.
This method creates a more dramatic contrast between the lightened strands and the natural hair color.
Look and Feel: Highlights offer a more defined and dimensional look, with evenly distributed lightened sections.
They can be customized to be bold or subtle, depending on your style preference.
Maintenance Level: Since highlights often have more precise placement, they tend to require more regular touch-ups to keep the regrowth from being too obvious.
Here are some great Highlight colors for inspiration!
How Do These Techniques Fit Your Lifestyle?
Balayage
If you have a busy schedule and want a look that grows out gracefully without constant salon visits, balayage is your go-to.
It’s also a great choice if you love a low-key, natural look that requires less frequent maintenance.
Highlights
For those who enjoy a more polished look and don’t mind a bit of upkeep, highlights can offer that perfect touch of brightness.
They’re great for creating contrast and dimension, making your hair color pop.
Choosing between the two
The best choice depends on your hair goals, how much time you want to spend on maintenance, and the overall style you’re going for. If you’re unsure, our stylists are always here to guide you toward the service that best fits your lifestyle and desired look.
Both balayage and highlights have their own magic, and either one can elevate your style to the next level.
No matter which you choose, we’re here to make sure you leave our salon feeling fabulous and confident in your color!
Read about how to care for lightened hair, and prevent further damage.