Balayage vs. Highlights: What’s the Real Difference

Thinking about lightening your hair but not sure what will suit your style (and schedule)? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Balayage and traditional highlights both allow for lightness to be added to the hair, but they look different, grow out differently, and they have some different maintenance approaches.

Each technique can also be tailored to your face shape and lifestyle, so refreshing your daily routine is an important consideration. So, here’s a simple, low-stress guide that you can read below, and choose it with confidence.

How Is Balayage Applied?

Balayage is a hand-painted technique. Your colorist will usually paint the lightener onto the surface of sections of hair, while adding brightness to the areas where the sun would normally hit the hair. Since balayage is painted in open air (and often without foils), the blend is soft and seamless, which creates a dimensional color that looks effortless. Read more on this page.

  • Lightener is painted higher or lower based on your face shape, and the goal desired.
  • Ends typically have the most lightness, for a sun-kissed appearance.
  • Results in a gradient, rather than a pattern—think ‘lived-in,’ not streaky.
  • Also, very flattering when you want movement to show off a custom haircut.

What Does Maintenance Look Like?

With balayage you see a soft grow-out, so you may stretch your appointments to every 10–16 weeks and do a toner or gloss in-between appointments to keep the warmth in check. Foil highlights create a consistent lift from root to tip, so visible regrowth line can show up sooner; thus, many clients refresh their highlights every 6–10 weeks. At the best Houston hair salon, your stylist will be able to create an appropriate plan that suits your budget and schedule, including a form of home care. The best way to extend the time between your services while retaining your tone is to use sulfate-free shampoo and cooler water.

When applying color with a goal of grey coverage or brightness right at the scalp, traditional highlights or a highlight/plus root color will probably serve you better. If you are looking for minimal maintenance and beachy brightness, then balayage will be your best friend.

Do Highlights Damage Hair More?

Any form of lightening will change the structure of your hair. Foil highlights will lift darker and faster, which could equal more dryness to balance out the care you are taking to maintain your tone of color. By design, balayage processes your hair in a gentler manner but you still need to take steps toward protection and moisture to keep your ends glossy.

  • Remember to ask for bond-building support during your service to hold strength.
  • Follow up with hydrating masks and proteins as determined by your stylist.
  • You should schedule trims to eliminate rough fragile ends as well as maintain your custom cut with each service.
  • If you have lightened your hair in the past or need a color correction you may expect a slower (safer) plan to get what you desire.

Which Works Best with Curls?

Both can look beautiful on curls. With balayage, your stylist is painting to your curl pattern and placing brightness on the outer “ridges” of your curl pattern, so the ringlet actually pops out from the curl as well. Traditional highlights can give high-impact brightness from root-to-end with a lot of curl clients love. They may love a very defined “money piece” near the face that is bright.

If your curls are thirsty and there is a potential for dryness, then the colorist will probably lighten lower (3–4 inches) on the strand to keep your curls springy. If your curls are fine and in need of fullness, then thinking of pairing a color service with NBR hair extensions will give you the added volume while keeping your lightening conservative in a luxury Houston hair salon.

Cost and Time Differences

The cost and time are going to depend on your starting point, the density of your hair, and your total goal. Balayage appointments usually take longer upfront due to the level of detail in painting and blending but you will come in less frequently. Highlights usually take more time placement, but you will have to come in regularly to maintain a crisp consistent tone.

  • Balayage: usually higher initial cost; longer appointment; fewer visits.
  • Highlights: moderate per visit cost; shorter appointments; more regular maintenance.
  • Add-on services like glossing, bond builders, and treatments will also be a factor in time and cost.
  • Your stylist will be able to estimate your total beauty-year cost so you can make educated decisions.

If you are still on the fence, bring inspiration photos to share and be frank about how often you plan to come in and how often you will be styling your hair at home. With the correct plan (be it balayage, highlights, or some hybrid of both) your hair will be bright, healthy, true to your lifestyle, and you will feel amazing! If you’re ready to glow, book your consultation with one of Houston’s luxury hair salons to design the perfect, dimensional color that is right for you!