Balayage vs. Highlights: Which is Right for You?
Balayage vs highlights is a common question for those who are looking for a change in color, but not sure which route to go. If you’re considering a new look, understanding the difference between these two services is the first step toward achieving your dream hair.
At Mich and Mane Hair Co, Master stylist Michelle Gastelum, who brings over 16 years of experience, emphasizes that the right technique is essential. As Mich says, great color starts with great communication.
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French term meaning "to sweep" or "to paint." This technique is performed freehand, without the use of foils.
The Look
How Balayage Works
The colorist hand-paints the lightener onto the hair’s surface, focusing heavily on the mid-shaft and ends. This sweeping motion allows the stylist to strategically place lighter pieces where the sun would naturally hit, resulting in a completely customized and natural look.
Balayage creates a soft, graduated, and natural-looking effect. Because the color application begins further away from the root, the grow-out is soft and seamless, giving it a much lower-maintenance profile than traditional highlights. Balayage is perfect for achieving that sought-after "lived-in" or sun-kissed look.
What are Hair Highlights?
Traditional hair highlights are a technique that uses aluminum foil to penetrate strands of hair from root to tip with lightener or color.
The Look
How Highlights Work
Hair is sectioned, and the color is applied right up to the base of the root, ensuring a uniform lift across the entire length of the strand. The foil acts as a thermal incubator, accelerating the lightening process and achieving the brightest lift possible.
Highlights result in a much more uniformed, structured pattern of color, with a noticeable difference between the highlighted strands and the base color. They are ideal for those who desire maximum brightness near the root and a dramatic, all-over blonde or dimensional effect. They do require regular maintenance, typically every 6 to 8 weeks.
Which Technique Is Right For You?
The core difference between balayage and highlights lies in the application method and the resulting maintenance.
Application
Highlights use foils to ensure precise, full-saturation, root-to-tip color. Balayage is a freehand technique painted onto the surface for a blended lived-in finish.
Result
Highlights provide maximum, uniform brightness from the root down. Balayage provides a soft, dimensional blend that grows out naturally.
Maintenance
Highlights require frequent touch-ups. Balayage allows for longer periods between appointments, often 3 to 6 months for a refresh.
Ready to Book Your Appointment?
Ready to experience the personalized care you deserve? We can’t wait to meet you! Book your first appointment with us below and don’t forget to fill out our New Client Forms. We look forward to getting to know you!
