Categories:

Highlights vs Balayage: What’s the Difference?

There are a lot of hair trends that come and go, but balayage has been around for a while. As more and more people are turning to the latest hair trends, it’s important for stylists to keep up with the latest techniques. One of these is balayage or highlights that create a beautiful sun-kissed look. If you’re thinking about going blonde or adding some dimension to your look, then you might want to consider this technique! 

This technique can be used on any type of hair color. Highlights involve adding blonde or lighter color strands to your natural dark hair. Balayage is a more subtle technique that involves painting highlights onto the surface of your natural light brown or black hair with a hairdresser’s brush. Both are beautiful and can be done in either blonde or brown hair, but there are some differences between them that may affect your decision. 

Highlights are a traditional way of adding color to your hair, while balayage is a newer trend. Balayage and highlights are hair coloring techniques that you can use to make your hair look more natural and dimensional. However, there is some confusion about what these terms mean, so we’re going to clear it up for you!

Get thicker, longer hair in seconds! Sitting Pretty Halo Hair – the highest-rated halo extensions in the world. Ready immediately and customisable to suit all hair types. Free global shipping & easy Exchanges.

What’s the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights?

Highlights are placed directly on top of your natural hair color, while balayage techniques create a more blended effect. Both styles will lighten your hair and add dimension, but balayage can be customized to look like an ombré effect. The best way to determine which technique you want is by looking at pictures!

@nicolasrodrigues

Does Balayage Last Longer Than Highlights?

Balayage and highlights may seem very similar the first time you hear about them. But if you take a closer look, they are actually two different things!

Highlights require more upkeep than balayage because they fade quicker and need touch-ups every 4-6 weeks whereas balayage lasts longer and only needs touch-ups about once a year. Balayage also tends to look better when it fades out as it’s less noticeable.

@nicolasrodrigues

Highlights

Highlights are a more traditional option, where some color is applied to strands of hair using foils. Traditional foils are more often used on short, layered haircuts because they offer more control over the placement of color in each section. It’s important for stylists to consider these distinctions when deciding which type of highlight service to use!

These two different techniques produce very different results too. Highlights create a dramatic effect that can be achieved by using all-over highlights or applying them to certain sections of your hair only. Highlights are more common than balayage because they’re less expensive and easier to maintain.

@nicolasrodrigues

Balayage

Balayage is a French word meaning to sweep, and it’s used to describe the process of applying color. Balayage is a hair coloring technique that utilizes freehand painting, or “painting with light,” to create natural-looking balayage highlights. This style of highlighting is typically done on long hair and creates softer, less dramatic highlights than traditional foil highlighting.

With balayage, the focus is less about creating an obvious change and more about emphasizing what you already have! Highlights are a great way to add dimension and interest to your hair color, but they will eventually fade away. In contrast, with balayage, you can maintain the natural look of your hair for months.

@nicolasrodrigues

Subscribe to my Free Newsletter below. I will keep you updated with the latest fashion & beauty trends every season.