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We’re sure you’re familiar with the hair coloring trends currently taking rounds in the world of fashion. From brilliant global hair colors, money pieces to highlights, balayages and ombre hair colors, the trends are ever changing and fun.
Sometimes people get confused between hair coloring styles. Some even end up assuming that Balayage and Highlights are the same thing! This blog is going to point out the differences between the two. Even though both refer to hair coloring techniques, they are different from each other in many ways.
But before we tell you how they are different, let's first know what exactly the hair color styles mean.
What is Balayage?
"Balayage is a hair color technique where we freehand paint the highlights onto the hair. It has a more subtle, blended appearance than a classic highlight. I tend to use a combination of the two techniques on most of my clients. This allows me to achieve a natural look with a little extra lift and brightness." ~Kelsey Moore, Hairstylist.
Balayage (pronounced "baa - lee - ahge") is a French word, literally meaning, "to sweep" or "to paint." It is said to have originated in Paris in the 1970s. As the name suggests, it is a hair coloring technique used to create a more "natural-looking" highlight effect. It gives the hair a perfectly blended look, all the while keeping it subtle and under control. While it does give a softer look to the hair, it also maintains the root color.
What are Highlights?
"Highlights are simply pieces of hair that are lighter than your natural color. Highlights are fresh and youthful." ~George Garcia, Hairstylist.
The first Highlighting Technique seems to have originated in Ancient Greece around 4 BC! The modern highlighting techniques, however, were developed in the early 20th century. Traditional highlights refer to changing your hair color to make it look more brightened. In other words, it is simply streaking your hair with a lighter color to give it a more dazzling look. Highlights make the hair appear more vivid and intense as compared to Balayage.
Now that we know the meaning of these hair coloring techniques, let's come back to our question- How are they different? Many people mistake Balayage and highlights to be the same thing. However, as mentioned before, it is not. They can be differentiated based on several heads. Also, here were focusing on permanent hair colors mostly. Your experience with permanent hair colors, temporary hair colors, semi permanent hair colors and others would be very different.
Also Read : Temporary VS Permanent Hair Colors: What’s A Better Choice?
1. How it is done
Balayage is a visual hand-painted technique. Highlights, on the other hand, cite traditional hair coloring techniques using foils.
2. How it looks on the hair
While Balayage gives a warm look to the hair, highlights provide a more fierce look, in contrast with Balayage.
3. The End Results
While both are hair coloring techniques, Balayage gives a more delicate result and makes the hair appear more blended. Whereas highlights simply lift the brightness of the hair, making the highlights stand out.
4. Undertones
Balayage done on darker natural hair colors leaves red undertones. Highlights, however, eliminate the red undertones more efficiently, giving more control over the hair tone.
Also Read : Your Search For A Hair Color That Will Best Suit Your Skin Tone Ends Here!
5. Maintenance and Touch-up
Highlights need to be constantly maintained and taken care of, for they may start to appear dull within a few weeks. Many hairstylists suggest going for a touch-up for highlights every 6-8 weeks.
Balayage, meanwhile, requires little to no maintenance. As for the touch-up, it is recommended to opt for a balayage every 3-4 months.
Also Read : Low Maintenance Temporary Hair Colors For Women
6. Best Recommended Tones for each
The most recommended tones for balayage are blonde hair color, brunette, black, dark blue hair color, caramel, ash blonde hair color, brown blonde, copper, red hair color, rose gold, pink, purple hair color, burgundy hair color, light brown hair color, and chocolate brown hair color.
The best tones for traditional highlights, on the other hand, are bronde (brown + blonde), lit caramel, blended bronde, peacock green, carrot-orange, icy grey, yellow and blue.
7. Types
Highlights can be of different types, namely Full Highlights, Partial Highlights, Dimensional Highlights, Babylights, lowlights, Peekaboo Highlights, Curly Hair Highlights, and Base color with Highlights.
8. Cost and Time
Balayage takes from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the length of the hair to be colored. The average cost for balayage starts from Rs 8,000 for full hair coverage (pretty expensive, right?!)
Highlights take approximately 2-3 hours at max. Its cost, in comparison, starts from Rs. 3,000.
Since the mystery between highlights and balayage has been solved, we hope you're not confused anymore. But then there's another question... which one to choose for the best hair color of your choice?! Don't worry, for we got your back! Read on to know more about which one is best suited for you.
Which one to choose- Balayage or Highlights?
Even though Balayage is expensive, it is a one-time expense. Plus, you have to go for a touch-up only like twice or thrice a year! So, If you wish to give your hair a more subtle, simple yet perfectly blended look, go for Balayage.
Highlights need a lot of time and money, as you have to go for a touch-up every 6 to 8 weeks. Hence, if your schedule allows it and if you want to deliver a stronger and brighter look to your hair, go for traditional highlights!
If you’re one of those people who are not fond of long term commitments with these hair color styles, give temporary hair colors a shot. You can apply them whenever you feel like and wash off in one shampoo. Temporary hair colors are for instant outings. The convenience that comes with temporary hair coloring is impressive. So, make your hair color choices brilliantly!
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