Balayage and highlights are both excellent ways to give your hair some more color and texture, but what makes them different from one another and which one is best for you? In this post, we’ll examine both types of hair coloring and how they differ from one another. Let’s begin straight away!
Main Points
Highlights are foiled, and balayage is hand-painted.
The term “balayage” describes a method of painting the hair in which the color is applied by hand in broad strokes. With balayage, the dyeing session is primarily focussed on the ends rather than the roots. Always paint on the color, bleach, or lightener in a gradual gradation.
Depending on the outcome you want, this technique can be utilized to create both subtle and dramatic appearances. However, subtle, sun-kissed looks work best with it. Balayage is a fantastic alternative for people who want to give their hair some dimension and intrigue without having to do a lot of maintenance.
Some people might try experimenting with this hair-highlighting procedure at home, but typically a professional colorist will perform it in a salon.
There is no sharp distinction between your new growth and colored hair with balayage, which is why millions of people enjoy it.
Your hair can benefit from highlights to give dimension and intrigue. They typically include coloring or lightening areas of hair, followed by using foil to hasten and intensify the reaction. Instead of a smooth, blended outcome, this produces an impactful one.
Highlights can be applied at home or in a salon, but we advise getting them done by a professional because DIY highlight kits can be challenging to apply.
Looking for a solution to make your hair more vibrant? Browse our selection of Highlight Wigs from Newigstyle.
Babylights
A more recent hair coloring technique known as babylights uses far finer, smaller portions of hair to color than highlights do. This gives you a more natural appearance, as though you’ve been in the sun for some time.
Lowlights
The reverse of highlights, lowlights include blending darker hair color into your natural hue. This can conceal grays, give the appearance that thinning hair is fuller, or just give your hair color more depth.
Lowlights are typically put in foils at the salon like highlights are.
Highlights vs. Balancing: The Similarities
There are various similarities between balayage and highlights that cause confusion. Here, we’ll discuss some of the key commonalities between these two methods of hair coloring.
Both methods can give hair more depth and color.
Both tasks are best performed by salon pros.
Both require touch-ups after a while because the results aren’t long-lasting.
Highlights vs. Balancing: The Distinctions
Highlights and balayage are more unlike than similar. They differ in many ways, including the method of application, risk of injury, outcomes, and many more. For detailed information on these differentiators, continue reading.
The Approach
As we previously stated, highlights use foils while balayage is a hair painting technique. This variation in application yields various outcomes. While highlights will have a more consistent appearance since the hair is divided into foil sections, each head of balayage will appear slightly different because the color is hand-painted on in a sweeping manner.
The Risk of Damage
Balayage is the most devastating in terms of harm. Dark hair frequently requires several applications of bleach or lightener with a high-volume developer to get that flawless sun-kissed effect. Due to this, balayage is a hair coloring process that causes quite severe hair damage.
However, this does not imply that highlights are unharmed. Your hair may also suffer harm from highlights, especially since bleach and foils are frequently used to achieve them. The good news is that by selecting low-lighting alternatives or choosing highlights that are on the dark side, you can control the degree of damage.
The Outcome
The main distinction between balayage and highlights is the outcome. Balayage is designed to appear natural, as if you’ve been out in the sun for some time. Typically, the outcome is much more subdued than highlights.
Contrarily, highlights are designed to give your hair a more prominent, and occasionally dramatic, look. Usually, the outcome has a bigger impact than balayage.
Its Maintenance
Balayage requires less care because the color can fade without becoming too obvious. Since the distinction between colored hair and roots can be seen so clearly, highlights frequently call for more touch-ups. This is why many people choose balayage over highlights.
The Cost
Since balayage is a more sophisticated kind of hair coloring than highlights, it is well recognized to be significantly more expensive. Depending on the length of your hair and the amount of competence of your stylist, the cost of balayage could range from $100 to $400 or more. While the cost of highlights normally ranges from $50 to $150, they are generally far less expensive.
Which is more durable?
Balayage highlights typically last up to four months before needing to be touched up. And compared to conventional highlights, which only last for a few weeks at a period, it is a considerable amount of time. Because you won’t require touch-ups as frequently if you choose balayage, you may be able to save money in the long run.
How to Choose Between Balayage and Highlights: Which One Is Right for You?
select between hair highlights and balayage
It’s time to choose the hairstyle that is best for you now that you are aware of the key distinctions between highlights and balayage.
Here are some things to think about:
Do you prefer a dramatic or natural-looking appearance? – Choose balayage for a more natural appearance. Choose highlights for edgy looks.
Are you prepared to spend more for hair color that lasts longer? – If so, balayage is the best option. Highlights might be a better choice if money is tight.
Do you have damaged hair? If so, you should completely avoid using bleach and high-volume developers. However, if you decide to go ahead with it nonetheless, highlights will be your best bet; just make sure you don’t go too light.
Your responses to these queries ought to help you determine which hair coloring method is best for you. We advise scheduling a consultation with a qualified hair stylist to receive their advice if you’re still unsure. They will evaluate the state of your hair and provide you advice.