If you are looking for a way to refresh your hair color and add some dimension and shine, you might be wondering whether to choose balayage or highlights. Both are popular techniques that can lighten and brighten your locks, but they have some key differences that you should know before booking your appointment at Euphoria Hair Studios. Here is a brief guide to help you understand what is balayage and how is it different than highlights.
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word that means “to sweep”. It is a hair coloring technique that involves painting the color onto the hair in a sweeping motion, creating a natural, graduated effect. The color is applied from the mid-shafts to the ends of the hair, leaving the roots darker for a seamless blend. Balayage can create a soft, sun-kissed look that mimics the effect of natural highlights.
Balayage is not a specific look, but rather a technique that can be customized to suit your preferences and hair type. You can choose how light or dark you want your balayage to be, how much contrast you want with your base color, and where you want the color to start and end. You can also opt for a full balayage, which covers all of your hair, or a partial balayage, which focuses on certain areas such as the face-framing pieces or the top layer of your hair.
What is Highlights?
Highlights are another hair coloring technique that involves lightening certain strands of hair to create contrast and depth. Highlights are done by sectioning the hair and applying color using foils or a cap. The color is usually applied from the roots to the ends of the hair, creating a more uniform and noticeable effect. Highlights can be done in various thicknesses and colors, depending on the desired result.
Highlights are more structured and precise than balayage, and they follow a specific pattern on the hair. Highlights can create a more dramatic and defined look that can accentuate your features and add movement to your hair. Highlights can also be combined with other techniques such as lowlights, which add darker strands of color to create more complexity and dimension.
Balayage vs Highlights: What are their differences?
While both balayage and highlights can lighten and enhance your hair color, they have some important differences that you should consider before choosing one or the other. Here are some of the main differences between balayage and highlights:
- Technique: Balayage is done by hand-painting the color on the surface of the hair, while highlights are done by wrapping the hair in foil or using a cap.
- Result: Balayage creates a more natural and sun-kissed look that blends seamlessly with your base color, while highlights create a more contrasted and structured look that can be more noticeable.
- Maintenance: Balayage requires less maintenance than highlights, as it does not need frequent touch-ups for the roots. Highlights need to be redone every 6 to 8 weeks to avoid visible regrowth.
- Price: Balayage can be more expensive than highlights, depending on the salon and the stylist. Balayage also takes longer to do than highlights, which can affect the cost.
- Time frame: Balayage can take up to 3 hours to complete, depending on the complexity and length of your hair. Highlights can take from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the thickness and amount of your hair.
Which one should you choose?
The choice between balayage and highlights depends on your personal preference, budget, lifestyle, and hair goals. Both techniques can give you beautiful results that can transform your look and boost your confidence. However, here are some general guidelines that might help you decide:
- Choose balayage if you want a more natural and low-maintenance look that grows out gracefully and does not require frequent salon visits.
- Choose highlights if you want a more dramatic and defined look that pops out and adds more contrast and texture to your hair.
Of course, you can also combine both techniques for a more customized and versatile look that suits your personality and style. For example, you can get some subtle balayage on your lower layers and some brighter highlights on your top layer for a multi-dimensional effect.
How to get the best balayage or highlights at Euphoria Hair Studios?
If you are ready to try balayage or highlights for your hair, you need to find an expert colorist who can deliver the results you want. At Euphoria Hair Studios, we have a team of talented and experienced colorists who can create the perfect balayage or highlights for you. Whether you want a subtle or dramatic change, we can help you achieve your hair dreams.
To get the best balayage or highlights at Euphoria Hair Studios, here are some steps you can follow:
- Book a consultation with one of our colorists. During the consultation, we will assess your hair type, condition, and history, and discuss your expectations and preferences. We will also show you some examples of balayage and highlights that we have done for our previous clients, and help you choose the best color and technique for you.
- Prepare your hair for the coloring session. To ensure that your hair is healthy and ready for the coloring process, we recommend that you avoid washing your hair for a day or two before your appointment. This will help preserve the natural oils in your scalp and protect your hair from damage. We also suggest that you avoid any chemical treatments such as perms or relaxers for at least two weeks before your appointment, as they can interfere with the color results.
- Enjoy the coloring session at our salon. On the day of your appointment, you will be welcomed by our friendly staff and offered a complimentary beverage and snack. You will then be seated in a comfortable chair and given a protective cape to wear. Our colorist will then start applying the color to your hair using either the balayage or highlight technique that you have chosen. Depending on the length and thickness of your hair, this can take from 45 minutes to 3 hours. During this time, you can relax and enjoy our salon amenities such as free Wi-Fi, magazines, and music.
- Finish the coloring session with shampoo, conditioner, and blow-dry. After the color has been applied and processed, our colorist will rinse your hair with lukewarm water and shampoo it gently with a sulfate-free shampoo. They will then apply a nourishing conditioner to hydrate and seal your hair cuticles. Finally, they will blow-dry and style your hair according to your preference. You will then be able to see the final result of your balayage or highlights in our salon mirror.
- Get some aftercare tips from our colorist. Before you leave our salon, our colorist will give you some tips on how to maintain your balayage or highlights at home. They will recommend some products that are suitable for your hair type and color, such as shampoos, conditioners, masks, toners, and heat protectants. They will also advise you on how often you should wash your hair, how to protect it from sun exposure and chlorine, and when to schedule your next appointment.
We hope that this guide has helped you understand what is balayage and how is it different than highlights. If you are interested in trying either of these techniques for your hair, please contact us today to book a consultation with one of our colorists. We look forward to seeing you soon at Euphoria Hair Studios!
