Balayage and highlights are two of the most popular hair coloring techniques. But what’s the difference? And which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll compare balayage vs highlights, so you can make the best decision for your hair. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get the perfect balayage or highlights.
So, if you’re still undecided about which hair coloring technique to choose, keep reading. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what balayage and highlights are, and which one is right for you.
What Is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word that means “to sweep.” It’s a hair-coloring technique that was developed in the 1970s.
Balayage is a freehand hair coloring technique. This means that the colorist doesn’t use any foil or other tools. Instead, they hand-paint the color onto the hair.
Balayage can be used to create natural-looking hair color. It’s a great way to add highlights to your hair without using foils.
Balayage is also low-maintenance hair color. Because the color is applied freehand, it doesn’t have to be perfect. This means that you don’t have to worry about root touch-ups as often.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Balayage?
Balayage has many benefits. It’s a low-maintenance hair color, and it can be used to create natural-looking highlights.
However, balayage also has some drawbacks. Because the color is applied freehand, it can be difficult to get uniform results. And, because balayage is a freehand technique, it’s more expensive than other hair coloring methods.
How Much Does Balayage Cost?
The cost of balayage varies depending on the salon and the colorist. However, you can expect to pay between $70 and $300 for a balayage service.
How Much Does Balayage Cost?
Balayage can last anywhere from three to six months. However, it’s important to note that the longevity of balayage depends on how often you wash your hair. If you wash your hair daily, the color will fade more quickly.
See Also: What is Balayage Hair?
What Are Highlights?
Highlights are a hair coloring technique that has been around for centuries. It’s a classic hair color technique that is still popular today.
Highlights are usually created with foils. The colorist will place a piece of foil underneath the section of hair that they want to highlight. They will then paint the hair color onto the foil.
After the hair color has been applied, the foil is removed. The result is streaky, chunky highlights.
Highlights can be used to create natural-looking hair colors. They can also be used to create a more dramatic look.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Highlights?
Highlights have many benefits. They can be used to create natural-looking hair colors, and they’re low-maintenance. Highlights can also add dimension to your hair.
The downside of highlights is that they can be damaging to your hair. The foils can cause your hair to become dry and brittle. Highlights can also require more frequent touch-ups than other hair color techniques.
How Much Do Highlights Cost?
The cost of highlights varies depending on the salon and the stylist. Highlights can range in price from $50 to $200.
How Long Do Highlights Last?
Highlights typically last for about 6 to 8 weeks. After that, you will need to get a touch-up. However, the frequency of touch-ups will depend on how quickly your hair grows.
What is the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights?
There are several key differences between balayage and highlights:
- Balayage is a much more natural-looking hair color technique. The goal of balayage is to create the illusion of sun-kissed hair, while highlights can sometimes look artificial or “streaky.”
- Balayage is a much less time-consuming hair color technique. Highlights require the use of foils, which can be time-consuming to apply. Balayage, on the other hand, can be done in a single session.
- Balayage is a much more low-maintenance hair color technique. Highlights require regular touch-ups to maintain their color, while balayage can last for months at a time.
- Balayage is a much safer hair color technique. Highlights involve the use of harsh chemicals, which can damage your hair. Balayage, on the other hand, uses gentle, natural products that are less likely to cause damage.
- Balayage is a much more versatile hair color technique. Highlights are typically only suitable for light hair colors, while balayage can be used on any hair color.
- Balayage is more expensive than highlights. The price of balayage varies depending on the salon, but it is typically more expensive than highlights.
Is Balayage More Damaging Than Highlights?
No, balayage is not more damaging than highlights. In fact, it is often considered to be a safer hair color technique because it uses gentle, natural products. Highlights, on the other hand, use harsh chemicals that can damage your hair.
Related: Does Balayage Damage Hair?
Things to Consider Before Getting Balayage or Highlights
You may be wondering which balayage or highlights technique is best for you after reading the differences between them. Here are some factors to consider while making your selection:
1. Do You Want a Natural-looking Hair Color or a More Dramatic Look?
If you want a natural-looking hair color, balayage is the best choice. If you want a more dramatic look, highlights are the way to go.
2. Are You Willing to Touch Up Your Hair Color More Often?
If you’re willing to touch up your hair color more often, highlights are a good option. If you want low-maintenance hair color, balayage is the better choice.
3. Do You Want to Damage Your Hair Less?
If you’re concerned about damaging your hair, balayage is a good option. Balayage is less damaging to the hair than highlights.
4. Are You Willing to Pay More for Your Hair Color?
If you’re willing to pay more for your hair color, balayage is the better choice. Balayage is more expensive than highlights.
How to Get the Perfect Balayage or Highlights
If you’ve decided that balayage or highlights are right for you, the next step is to find a colorist who can give you the perfect hair color.
Here are some tips for finding a colorist who can give you the perfect balayage or highlights:
- Ask your friends for recommendations: If you know someone who has great balayage or highlights, ask them who their colorist is.
- Look for reviews online: You can find reviews of colorists on websites like Yelp and Google.
- Schedule a consultation: Once you’ve found a colorist that you’re interested in, schedule a consultation. This will give you a chance to meet the colorist and see if they’re a good fit for you.
- Ask questions: During your consultation, be sure to ask the colorist questions about their experience, pricing, and process.
So, Which is Right for You?
If you’re looking for natural-looking, low-maintenance hair color, then balayage is the way to go. If you’re looking for a more time-consuming, high-maintenance hair color, then highlights may be right for you.
Ultimately, the choice between balayage and highlights is up to you. Consider your lifestyle and budget when making your decision. Whichever you choose, be sure to find a qualified colorist who can give you the perfect hair color. Happy coloring!
