Should You Get Balayage or Highlights?
With summer on the way, we often see an increase in clients asking for highlights but are confused as to whether to get foil highlights or balayage. So how do you know which option is best for your hair?
Let's take a look at the two styles and how to choose a technique that will suit your style, your taste AND your lifestyle all throughout the warmer months and well into next year.
What is Balayage?
Pronounced "bah-lee-ahge", our clients LOVE this technique because it gives the hair a natural 'sun-kissed' (or 'just back from Bali') glow and looks and feels as close to NATURAL hair colour as possible. It's a great low-maintenance way to go lighter as it preserves your base colour and blends your natural roots for softer grow out; the perfect technique for a modern, busy woman like yourself.
As balayage results in a more subtle, natural effect, it’s great for people who are new to colouring their hair and its easier to go longer between touch-ups, making it a great technique for those who don’t like a lot of upkeep.
What Are Highlights/Foiling?
Foiling is similar to balayage in that it’s a hair-lightening technique, but it’s different in a number of ways.
While balayage is typically applied in a freehand manner to achieve a more natural look, foiling involves meticulously sectioning the hair in thinner or thicker sections before applying the product, depending on the exact look you’re trying to achieve.
After the product is applied, the hair is wrapped in foil for processing. So why foil you ask? Foil conducts heat better than open air or plastic film allowing the colour to infiltrate deeper into the hair.
As foiling tends to result in a more dramatic colour change and brightness, the regrowth will appear more pronounced than balayage application techniques.
Therefore, clients with foiled hair will need to come in more frequently for touch-ups to preserve their #wokeuplikethis look.
Which is Better For Your Hair?
Whilst the technique you select will depend greatly on the desired results, there are a few key things to consider before you make your decision:
Those with longer hair may prefer balayage as a more natural way to apply colour to the ends whilst shorter hair may opt for foils so they can be applied closer to the roots.
Balayage is often considered a 'healthier' way to colour greys because your stylist can paint just the grey strands rather than your entire head between highlight appointments. The less colour you can apply to your hair, the healthier it will be.
You should check with your stylist about the thickness and texture of your hair as these will both impact the technique chosen.
The Main Difference
Foiling often results in a bigger colour shift but may be more damaging to the hair, whilst balayage is a healthier and more subtle way to add highlights to the already natural hair colour.
All in all, each highlighting method creates a different look. For a natural, sun-swept look, balayage highlights are the perfect option.
If you prefer uniform highlighted strands from root to ends throughout your hair, foils are your best bet so long as you don't mind more regular upkeep.
That being said, you do have the option to get both at the same time. Say what!?
That's right! Talk to your stylist about your preferred look and they may offer a hybrid solution of foils AND hand-painted highlights - commonly referred to as FOILAGE #itsawinwin!