Which path will you take when faced with choosing a balayage vs. highlights?

These color services are widely known for producing beautiful ribbons of lightened locks. Not only that, they’re also a fan fave for low maintenance gals, like you and I.

You’ve probably been looking through some hair inspo pics to show your stylist. But it’s hard to choose what’s for you if you don’t have an in depth understanding of either, right? Additionally, each can support or disrupt your lifestyle and hair habits.

balayage vs. highlights: your path to lightened locks

In this post, you’ll get a glimpse down each path, so you can choose which service is best for your end goal.

Balayage vs. Highlights: Defining Each Path

You’re ready to go lighter with your hair, but you’ve reached a fork in the road. You of course are concerned about the wellness of your hair, but also the maintenance. Scroll down to learn about path number one.

Path #1: The Highlights

When you ask your hairstylist for highlights, this involves lifting the hair color (with lightener/ hair bleach or a permanent hair color) for a brighter, lighter look.

Highlights give a more precise and uniform look covering from roots to ends, while offering drastic change or a bold contrast.

Subsections of hair are woven and placed in foils with lightener. After processing (about 30-50 minutes) your stylist may apply a gloss/ toner to cancel out any unwanted tones and add shine.

Alternative Highlighting Techniques

Highlights have really evolved within the last two decades. And thankfully so, because cap highlights are just not it these days.

The nice thing about highlights these days is that they can really be customized to your specific lifestyle. Here’s some alternative techniques your stylist can use to create the vibe you’re looking for:

  • Foil highlights
  • Cap highlights
  • Babylights
  • Teasylights

Let’s move on to the next section so you can learn of the benefits along this route.

Perks of Highlights

You might like the look of highlights if you’re looking to switch up your color from roots to ends- but without the full commitment.

They require less maintenance than an all over color (which usually means a root touch up every 3-6 weeks).

Highlights are especially great for those with darker hair that are looking to go lighter. But that doesn’t mean they’re not for you if you already have lighter hair.

Check out some other benefits of highlights below:

  • Great way to cover or blend grays before making a full transition
  • Offers a more noticeable change
  • Preserves integrity of wavy or curly hair
  • Prolong time in between touch ups (avg 8-12 weeks)
  • Timeless, precise, uniform
  • Allows for a mixture of techniques to customize to your style
  • High contrast
  • Average service time varies between 2-4 hours depending on length, density, and texture of your hair.
  • Creates the illusion of thicker, fuller hair

Avoid Highlights If…

Here’s some scenarios where you may want to say no to highlights:

  • if you aren’t willing to keep up with the maintenance in the salon or have a schedule that doesn’t allow for it.
  • if you’re hair isn’t in the best shape, very dry, brittle or fragile.
  • if you’ve been doing other chemical services on your hair for a while (box color or henna)- but your stylist should be doing a test strand before moving forward as to not compromise your entire head of hair.
  • if you are seeking something more natural looking.
  • not willing to seek out a professional, trusted stylist

Path #2: The Balayage

Say it with me, bah-lay-ahge. It’s actually a French term that means “to sweep”.

And that’s exactly the technique. Lightener is swept- freehanded I should add- onto smaller subsections of hair to create a sun kissed, blended look.

Benefits of A Balayage

balayage vs. highlights: which do you choose?

Because the hair processes in the open air, using the heat from your head, you will notice a more subtle shift in color.

While this service may be more costly up front, you won’t need to return to the salon for a refresh for another 3-6 months (minus the occasional glossing about 8-10 weeks out).

Here’s some more benefits you could experience:

  • Sun kissed look
  • Subtle change in color
  • Soft, gradual blend that looks more natural
  • Customizable look
  • Less frequent touch ups means less trips to the salon

Avoid A Balayage If…

Here’s some scenarios where you may opt out of a balayage:

  • seeking a bold change
  • want a bright blonde, but have darker hair
  • don’t like warmer hair tones
  • if you want the lighter tones to go up to the root throughout your whole head of hair
  • if you don’t necessarily want to keep a lot of the depth of your natural hair color.
  • are not looking to pay more upfront.
  • are not willing to sit for a longer service (depending on your hair, the complexity of the placement, a balayage can take anywhere from 2-6 hours)
  • won’t invest in quality hair products.

Balayage vs. Highlights: Which Path Will You Choose?

Making a change to your hair can be nerve wrecking if you aren’t sure what to expect. But now you have a better idea of what will suit you, along with knowing that these options are great for all hair types and colors.

No matter which path you decide, just be prepared to up your hair maintenance. Either way, be sure to speak with your stylist about what you’re looking for during the consultation.

So, when it comes to a balayage vs. highlights, which path to lightened locks will you choose? Let me know in the comments below!