Understanding Hair Colour Techniques Highlights Vs Balayage
Hair dyeing has evolved over the years, with more and more techniques being introduced in the beauty industry. Two popular techniques that often need clarification are highlights and balayage. While both involve adding colour to the hair, they differ greatly in application and result.
Highlighting is a technique where small sections of hair are dyed to create contrast and dimension. This is achieved by using foils or a cap to isolate the hair strands being coloured. On the other hand, balayage involves painting colour onto the hair freehand, resulting in a more natural and subtle look.
Understanding the differences between these two techniques can help you decide which is best for you. In this guide, we will discuss highlights vs balayage and their key differences to help you make an informed decision for your next hair colouring appointment. Let's dive in!
What are Highlights?
Highlights have been around for decades and are a popular hair colouring technique. As mentioned earlier, highlights involve isolating small sections of hair and applying colour using foils or a cap. This allows for precise placement of colour and can create contrast and dimension in the hair.
There are various types of highlighting techniques, such as traditional foil highlights, babylights, and chunky highlights. Each technique varies in thickness, placement, and overall effect on the hair.
Highlights are great for those looking to add depth to their hair or create a dramatic colour change. They can be customized to suit different hair types and desired looks.
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word that translates to "sweeping" in English. This technique involves hand-painting colour onto the hair, giving it a more natural and sun-kissed look. Unlike highlights, balayage does not use foils or caps and relies on the stylist's artistic skills to achieve a blended effect.
The result of balayage is a gradual and seamless blend of colour, making it perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance hair colouring option. Balayage can also be tailored to suit different hair lengths and textures, making it a versatile choice.
Similar to highlights, there are various balayage techniques such as classic balayage, ombre balayage, and sombre balayage. Each technique offers its unique blend and effect, and it's important to consult your stylist to determine which is best for you.
Understanding Hair Colour Techniques
Before diving into the differences between highlights and balayage, it's important to have a basic understanding of hair colouring techniques. Hair dyeing involves changing the natural colour of your hair by applying pigments. These pigments are permanent or semi-permanent and interact with your hair's natural melanin to produce a new shade.
Highlights and balayage are two techniques used to apply colour to the hair. Other popular techniques include all-over colour, root touch-ups, and glossing.
All-over colour involves dyeing the entire head of hair a new shade, while root touch-ups focus on covering up new hair growth at the roots. Glossing is a technique that adds shine and enhances the existing colour without significantly changing.
Each technique has its purpose and desired effect, so it's important to consult with a professional stylist before deciding on hair colour. They can assess your hair type, natural colour, and desired look to recommend the best technique.
Now that we have a basic understanding of hair colouring techniques, let's delve into the key differences between highlights and balayage.
Balayage Vs Highlights: Key Differences
There are several key differences between highlights and balayage, including:
Application technique
As mentioned earlier, highlighting involves using foils or a cap to isolate small sections of hair and apply colour. This allows for more precise placement of colour and can create contrast and dimension in the hair.
On the other hand, balayage is applied freehand by painting the colour onto the hair, giving it a more natural and blended look. No foils or caps are used in this technique, and the stylist relies on their artistic skills to achieve the desired effect.
Plus, highlights are usually applied from the roots to the ends of the hair, while balayage focuses on applying colour to the mid-lengths and ends.
Result
While highlights and balayage may seem similar, their results differ. Highlights tend to create more contrast and definition in the hair, making them an ideal choice for those looking for a bold change. Balayage, on the other hand, offers a softer and more natural look with subtle colour variations.
Another key difference is maintenance. Highlights typically require touch-ups every 6-8 weeks, while balayage can last up to 3-4 months before needing a touch-up. This is because the colour is painted onto the hair to allow for more natural regrowth.
When choosing between highlights and balayage, you must consider your desired result, maintenance preferences, and budget. Balayage tends to be more expensive due to its hand-painting technique, while highlights can vary in price depending on the colour used.
No matter which technique you choose, it's important to consult a professional stylist who can assess your hair type and recommend the best option. Both techniques offer beautiful results and can enhance your natural hair colour differently. So, make sure to do your research and choose the one that best suits your individual needs. Happy colouring!
Personalization
One of the key differences between highlights and balayage is the level of personalization each technique offers. Highlights are typically applied using a uniform pattern, while balayage allows for a more customized placement of colour.
This means that with highlights, you can expect a more consistent and evenly distributed look throughout your hair. On the other hand, balayage allows for a more tailored approach, where the stylist can focus on specific areas or sections of your hair for a unique result.
Balayage is also great for creating depth and dimension in the hair, as the colour is applied in a way that mimics the natural way hair is lightened by the sun. This makes it ideal for those looking to achieve a more natural and effortless look.
In addition, balayage highlights can be tailored to suit different hair lengths and textures, making it a versatile technique for individuals with varying hair types. On the other hand, highlights may be limited in their ability to achieve the same effect on shorter or curlier hair.
Maintenance
Maintenance is another important factor to consider when choosing between highlights and balayage. As mentioned earlier, highlights typically require touch-ups every 6-8 weeks, while balayage can last up to 3-4 months before needing a touch-up.
This is because the placement of colour in balayage allows for more natural regrowth, making it a low-maintenance option for those who don't want to visit the salon frequently. However, this also means that the initial cost of balayage may be higher than highlights.
Additionally, maintenance for both techniques may vary depending on your desired look and chosen hair colour. If you opt for a drastic colour change or have naturally dark hair, you may need more frequent touch-ups to maintain the desired shade.
It's important to discuss maintenance expectations with your stylist before deciding on a hair colouring technique. They can advise on how often you may need touch-ups based on your hair type and colour preferences.
So these are the key differences between highlights and balayage. Ultimately, choosing a technique that aligns with your desired look, maintenance preferences, and budget is important.
Does One Technique Trump the Other?
The answer to this question is simple - no. Both highlights and balayage offer unique benefits and can achieve beautiful results correctly.
It all comes down to personal preference and what you want to achieve with your hair colour. Balayage may be the right choice if you're looking for a more natural, sun-kissed look. On the other hand, highlights may be the way to go if you want a bolder and more defined look.
It's also worth noting that both techniques can be combined or customized to create a personalized look. For example, your stylist may incorporate some balayage pieces into your traditional highlight application for added dimension and a softer look.
Also, keep in mind that your chosen technique may also depend on the current state of your hair. If you have damaged or heavily processed hair, balayage may be a better option as it allows for more natural regrowth and can be less damaging.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which technique is right for you is by consulting with a professional stylist who can assess your hair and offer an expert recommendation. Be bold, ask questions, and communicate your desired results - it's your hair!
Why Choose Highlights or Balayage?
Now that we've discussed the key differences between highlights and balayage, you may wonder which is right for you. As mentioned before, it all comes down to personal preference and what you want to achieve with your hair colour.
If you're looking for a more dramatic change with defined contrast, highlights may be the way to go. They can also be a great option for those on a budget, as they typically cost less than balayage.
On the other hand, if you want a more natural and low-maintenance look, balayage may be the better choice. It's also great for creating dimension and depth in the hair without drastic changes.
Ultimately, choosing a technique that aligns with your style and hair goals is important. Be bold and consult a professional stylist who can offer expert opinions and help you achieve the perfect look.
FAQs
What is the main difference between the balayage technique and traditional highlights?
The balayage technique is a hair coloring technique that creates a soft, natural look by hand-painting color onto the hair, resulting in a gradual, sun-kissed effect that blends seamlessly with your natural hair color. Traditional highlights, on the other hand, involve using foils to isolate sections of hair for coloring, achieving a more uniform and structured look with shades lighter than your base color, often ideal for those looking to cover gray hair or add dimension to darker hair.
Can balayage and highlights be used on any hair color, including darker hair and color-treated hair?
Yes, both balayage and highlights can be adapted to suit a wide range of hair colors, from blonde hair to deeper natural hair colors, as well as color-treated hair. Balayage can add warmth and depth to darker hair, while highlights can create contrast and brightness, making them versatile hair coloring techniques for enhancing your natural or previously colored hair.
How does the choice between balayage and highlights affect the maintenance of colored hair?
Balayage generally requires less maintenance than traditional highlights because the technique creates a more natural grow-out phase without harsh lines of demarcation. This means you can go longer between salon visits, making it a convenient option for those seeking a low-maintenance hair color technique. Highlights, especially on darker hair or gray hair, may require more frequent touch-ups to maintain the desired contrast and cover new growth.
Are balayage or highlights better for achieving a dramatic change in hair color, such as going significantly lighter?
For those looking to make a more dramatic change and go several shades lighter, traditional highlights might be the preferred hair color technique. Highlights can provide a more noticeable lift and lighten the hair more uniformly, making it ideal for someone transitioning to blonde hair or seeking a significant contrast with their natural hair color. Balayage offers a subtler, more natural transition, which might not achieve the level of lightness desired by those looking for a bold change
Conclusion
In conclusion, highlights and balayage offer unique benefits and can achieve beautiful results depending on your preferences. Highlights are great for defined contrast and budget-friendly options, while balayage offers a more natural and low-maintenance look.
When deciding between the two techniques, it's important to consider personalization, maintenance, and budget factors. Consulting with a professional stylist can help determine which technique suits your hair type and desired results.
Regardless of your chosen technique, it's important to properly care for your coloured hair to maintain its vibrancy and health. Using colour-safe products and scheduling regular touch-ups can help keep your locks looking fresh and beautiful.
Salon Haze is an award-winning hair salon in Vancouver, Kitsilano area. We are specialists in colour and style. If you are considering a new colour or style for your hair, contact us, and we’ll talk you through all the options to ensure your choice of colour reflects your personality and complexion.
Call today for a free consultation with one of our stylists. We have the best hairdressers and the best hair colourists in Vancouver. Call now at 604-620-9986 or email us at service@salonhaze.com.