Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda (2024)

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  4. BALAYAGE VS HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Balayage vs. highlights, which one is the right hair lightener for you? We explain the differences, so you’re prepared for your next trip to the salon.

Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda (1)

Balayage vs. highlights. There’s a subtle distinction between these two hair-lightening effects, and it’s all in the technique. If you’ve never heard of balayage, fear not. We’ll delve into the differences between balayage and highlights so that you can decide which color technique you want to try to get the look you crave.

What is Balayage?

Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda (2)

Balayage is a French word that means “to sweep.” In this hair color technique, highlights are hand-painted or “swept” on the surface of random sections of hair. Dye or lightener is usually painted on, starting midshaft and becoming denser as it moves down the section of hair to the ends. Because the color is swept onto the surface of the hair, the effect is a natural sun-kissed glow that is not as strictly patterned as normal highlights.

Contrary to a common misconception, balayage is not a look itself. It’s a technique, where the process of adding highlights is done without foil like traditional highlights. It is often compared to the natural effect of the ombre style.

Balayage can be applied as a full balayage throughout all of your hair to give you the lighter look all-around without needing to maintain inevitable root grow-out as you would for other lightening methods. It can also be done as a partial, or mini, balayage, such as only around the face or upper area of your hair.

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Balayage highlights are usually just a few shades lighter than your base color, giving your locks natural depth and dimension. It blends so seamlessly into your natural color that balayage is easy to maintain with the right products and techniques.

In this hair color technique, highlights are hand-painted or “swept” on the surface of random sections of hair. Dye or lightener is usually painted on, starting midshaft and becominges denser as it moves down the section of hair to the ends.

What's the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights?

Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda (5)

Traditional highlighting is the more conventional way to lighten and add depth to your ‘do. While balayage is created by sweeping color onto the surface of hair, highlights are added using aluminum foil to help saturate precise strands of hair. In this technique, strands of hair are sectioned out by weaving a pick through small subsections and wrapping the separated strands in foil.

And though balayage begins midshaft, highlights are usually done from root to tip for a more pronounced contrast between the lightened strands and your base color. Highlights follow a more structured pattern than balayage and will need to be touched up more often to combat that obvious root grow-out look.

...highlights are added using aluminum foil to help saturate precise strands of hair.

There are also different types of highlights, from babylights that are more subtle than full highlights to lowlights that can add more dimension and complexity to your hair.

The main difference between balayage and highlights is that highlights use foil while balayage does not, resulting in different hair coloring effects. This chart helps you break down the differences between balayage and highlights so that you can choose which is the best fit for your hair.

BalayageHighlights
Technique
  • Painted on without foil around the hair strands
  • Lightening gets gradually denser as you move down so that the tips of the hair are the lightest
  • Aluminum foil wrapped around hair and dye is painted on more precisely
  • Hair is evenly saturated from root to tip
Results
  • Blends seamlessly into your natural hair color
  • Creates the effect of a sun-kissed glow
  • New color is usually just a few shades lighter than your natural hair
  • Pronounced contrast between lighter highlights and darker natural hair
  • More structured pattern of lightened hair
Maintenance
  • Lasts longer than regular highlights because of the seamless transition
  • Can go many months without needing a touch-up
  • Generally lasts only a couple of months before root color starts to show
  • Greater contrast in color means a little bit ore maintenance.


Should I Try Balayage or Highlights?

When it comes to balayage vs. highlights, it really comes down to what look you’re going for.

Balayage creates a natural, sunlit dimension that gives your mane that “I just came back from the beach” vibe girls everywhere swoon over. If you want a more structured, tonal do, it’s best to go the traditional foil highlights route.

Both options, however, will help you add a beautiful dimension to your hair. This chart helps you break down the differences between balayage and highlights so that you can choose which is the best fit for your hair.

How to Keep Your Balayage or Highlights Healthy

Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda (6)

Whether you choose a subtle, shimmery balayage or traditional foil highlights, both can be damaging to those lovely locks if they aren't properly cared for. Keep that new ‘do looking healthy and lustrous with products that are specially formulated to strengthen and protect colored hair.

Use a hair mask for blonde hair to protect lightened locks from further damage. Seeing red, orange, or brassy tones in your new highlights? Try a purple shampoo to help neutralize warm tones in blonde hair.

More products for hair with highlights includes shampoos for highlights and conditioners for lighter and darker blonde highlights.

Need more help choosing between balayage, highlights, and other hair colors? See even more beautiful John Frieda blonde hair ideas here.

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Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda (2024)

FAQs

Balayage vs. Highlights — Hair Care Tips I John Frieda? ›

What's the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights? Traditional highlighting is the more conventional way to lighten and add depth to your 'do. While balayage is created by sweeping color onto the surface of hair, highlights are added using aluminum foil to help saturate precise strands of hair.

What is easier to maintain, balayage or highlights? ›

Balayage is super easy to maintain – much easier than a full head of colour or even just highlights!

What is the downside of balayage? ›

Balayage cons.

But it's not a very bold hair change, it doesn't create uniform root-to-tip color, and it may not be powerful enough to dramatically lighten darker hair (or hair that's been colored many times). It can also skew a little bit on the red side if your hair is dark.

Is balayage still in style in 2024? ›

As we step into 2024, the world of hair fashion continues to evolve, and balayage remains at the forefront of hair color trends.

Is ombré or balayage less maintenance? ›

Because of the single process color, ombré grows out more quickly than a balayage. Balayage is perfect if you're looking to go longer in between touch-ups, as it grows out much less stark than ombré.

What is less damaging, highlights or balayage? ›

Is balayage healthier than highlights? Either coloring technique can be achieved with minimal damage when done by a seasoned pro, but balayage and ombre are generally more at risk of damage than highlights.

How do I keep my hair healthy after balayage? ›

To keep your balayage hair looking its best, it's important to get regular trims and treatments. Schedule a trim and deep conditioning treatment every six to eight weeks to keep the hair healthy and hydrated.

What should I avoid after balayage? ›

Ideally, avoid washing your hair for at least three days after the balayage. You shouldn't wash your hair immediately after a balayage because it diminishes the effects. It takes time for the toner pigments to settle, and you don't want to interfere with that process.

What should you not do after balayage? ›

Wait at least two days before washing

Waiting 2-3 days to wash gives the cuticle time to close, so that your shampoo can't pull the color out, causing your highlights to fade.

Is balayage bad for fine hair? ›

No, balayage is a very low-damage coloring technique. Balayage is a freehand hair-coloring technique in which the color is painted on in such a way as to create a natural-looking result. The main advantage of balayage over other hair-coloring techniques is that it causes much less damage to the hair.

What is the summer hair color for 2024? ›

You're going to see butterscotch blonde everywhere this season, Madison Reed master colorist Shvonne Perkins says. “Deep blonde will be trending this season, with butterscotch blonde taking the cake,” she says. “This rich, balanced color allows for a beautiful golden depth, instead of an icy pop.”

What hair color makes you look younger? ›

When it comes to youthful hair colors, honey blonde is always sitting near the top of our recommendations list. Firstly, lighter hair colors are synonymous with a more youthful look. Secondly, this particular shade incorporates warm, golden honey tones which will soften the blonde and add warmth to your complexion.

What is the new type of balayage? ›

Smoky Ash Balayage:

This style incorporates ashy gray tones with subtle hints of blue or purple, creating a mesmerizing and mysterious effect. The smoky ash balayage is particularly striking on darker hair, adding a modern twist to your look.

What is reverse balayage? ›

Reverse balayage is when your colorist uses dark colors to add lowlights near the roots and throughout your strands to bring depth to your hue. If your blonde balayage has become too bright or brassy, reverse balayage can tone it down while maintaining the depth and dimension you've grown to love.

Is balayage or highlight better for grey hair? ›

Balayage: For more lived-in color that naturally blends with your grays and base color, balayageis the way to go. This hand-painted highlighting technique yields a natural-looking gradient effect and can help subtly “connect” your gray roots to the rest of your hue.

What is the easiest color to maintain for balayage? ›

Soft caramel balayage on dark brown hair is a stunning option for those with darker skin tones. This low-maintenance coloring technique creates a natural-looking gradient effect, adding dimension and depth to the hair.

Is a balayage less maintenance than highlights? ›

While balayage hair color tends to last longer, the amount of maintenance that highlights require maintains more upkeep. On the other hand, balayage hair color tends to give off a much more subtle appearance, while highlights can provide you with a more dramatic look.

Which is better for hair highlights or balayage? ›

Regarding maintenance, with the balayage technique, you get a more natural look after your hair grows. On the other hand, traditional highlights bring more visible natural hair with hair growth, especially on the roots. If you want long-lasting hair color results, balayage is the better solution.

Should I go for balayage or highlights? ›

If you want a balanced, blended and softer look then balayage is for you. For a more intensely lightened look, then you should go for highlights. Placing colour on the roots means that highlights are more of a commitment; they need touching up every few weeks as they grow out.

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