Hair styling and coloring are steeped in a rich mix of history and innovative fashion. Yet even in this seemingly fast-changing industry, balayage and highlights remain two of the most coveted techniques for adding depth, dimension, and a sun-kissed shine to your hair. Both of these methods have the potential to breathe beautiful transformation into your hair, but our clients are often unsure what, precisely, the differences are between them. So what is a balayage compared to highlights, and how can you choose the best one for you? From the top hair salon in Fort Collins, here is all you need to know about balayage and regular highlights.
What is a Balayage?
Balayage (deriving from the French word for ‘sweeping’) is a delicate freehand hair coloring technique. Originating in the 1970s and soaring into recent popularity, balayage leverages the artistic skill of the hairstylist who freehand paints the lightener on, resulting in a soft, natural-looking finish. The perfect salon balayage techniques are often kept under wraps, but they do not use foils between each section and they aim for a smooth, blended stroke of color. The current trend in balayage is to create a sun-kissed look brightening around the face and ends creating a warm blonde pop.
The duration of a balayage service can vary depending on the extent of the color desired by the client. A few small highlights could take as little as 45 minutes while a complete transformation balayage could take several hours. You can expect far less maintenance for a balayage compared to traditional coloring treatments – it grows out naturally with no strong regrowth lines that will adapt as your hair lengthens. Perhaps the greatest advantage of balayage, however, is that it is suitable for all hair colors and a wide range of hair lengths and textures.
What Are Regular Highlights?
Similarly to balayage, highlights are a great way to brighten your hair and create lightness and contrast. Regular highlights are the predecessor of balayage, and their origins can be traced back to the early 1900s when highlight caps were first used. Nowadays, foil is most often used, strategically separating strands of hair that are then lightened to a specific shade, and creating contrast boldly or softly depending on the preferences of the client. Regular highlights are usually more structured and orderly, a technique that allows for a very accurate selection of which hair is highlighted and provides, for example, the ability to create designs and certain shapes.
Highlights need to be touched up as hair begins to grow, and they provide a dramatic contrast with clear distinctions between the lightened strands and the rest of the hair. It helps to give hair the appearance of more volume, and its strategic placement is often used to frame the face or add dimension where needed. Highlight treatments will vary between an hour and a half to two and a half hours to complete.
Major Differences Between Balayage and Highlights
Balayage and regular highlights certainly have some similarities, particularly their use of lightener to lighten the hair and bring it to the clients desired color different from that of a client’s natural hair. But in summary to the above, several clear differences may affect which coloring technique to choose for yourself, including:
- Balayage tends to have lightened pieces running from the mid-lengths to the ends of the hair, whereas regular highlights are saturated with color from the hair’s roots to the ends of the hair.
- Balayage tends to be softer, balanced, and more blended, whereas highlights can have a more distinct change of color and an intensely lightened look.
- Balayage grows out more naturally and thus allows for more space in between appointments, whereas highlights need more maintenance to avoid noticeable regrowth lines.
- Balayage is less structured and varying, whereas highlights are usually more evenly placed and strategically structured.
When Should You Choose Balayage?
You should choose balayage if you’re looking to color your hair more subtly and naturally, perhaps to add a bit of shine with natural colors. Balayage is a suitable choice for all types of hair, regardless of color, length, or texture – it provides, for example, volume for fine, straight hair and depth to curly or frizzy hair. If you desire a subtle, low-maintenance look that offers a gentle transition between colors and less frequent salon visits, then balayage is for you!
When Should You Choose Highlights?
You should choose highlights for your hair if you’re seeking a more pronounced and visible contrast. As you decide on the intensity and tone of the highlights you can adjust how natural or extravagant the outcome is, including if you desire a more significant and noticeable change in hair color but do not want to completely color all of your hair. Highlights will provide a more defined and vibrant look, so if you desire more contrast and don’t mind regular salon visits to keep your color fresh, then highlights are the best choice for you!
Your Dream Hair Color Awaits
Both balayage and highlights are exceptional techniques to introduce color and life into your hair. Balayage offers a more subtle, lightened glow that evolves naturally over time with the help of a stylist’s creative hand, while highlights bring a proud, vibrant contrast that can strategically change your look depending on the structure or facial features you would like to frame.
Our hair is a reflection of ourselves, and the stylists at Buzz & Bliss are honored to be a part of your journey to enhance the real you. If you’re looking for a hair salon in Fort Collins, give us a call to see why our clients love working with us.
