Balayage vs. Highlights: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

Balayage and highlights both add brightness and dimension, so it's easy to mix them up. The real difference is how the color goes on, and that affects how it looks, how it grows out and how often you'll need to come back. Here's a simple way to compare them.

What is balayage?

Balayage comes from a French word meaning "to sweep." A colorist paints lightener by hand onto sections of hair, usually concentrating it through the mid-lengths and ends. The result is soft and sun-kissed, with no sharp line at the root.

What are highlights?

Traditional highlights are usually done with foils. Fine sections of hair are woven out and lightened from at or near the root, which gives a brighter, more uniform result. Foils also trap heat, so they can often lift hair lighter than open-air painting can.

The main differences

• Placement: Balayage is hand-painted and targeted. Foil highlights are placed in a more even pattern from the root.

• Look: Balayage reads soft and blended. Highlights read brighter and more defined.

• Grow-out: Balayage tends to grow out gently, while highlights usually show a clearer regrowth line.

• Upkeep: Balayage clients can often go several months between lightening appointments. Highlights usually need touch-ups more often, commonly every 6 to 12 weeks.

• Appointment time: Both can take a few hours, depending on your hair's length, thickness and starting color.

Which one should you choose?

Choose balayage if you want a low-maintenance, lived-in look, you have longer or layered hair, or you'd rather not commit to regular root appointments.

Choose highlights if you want to go noticeably blonder, you like brightness right from the root, or you want more even coverage all over.

You don't always have to choose. Many colorists combine the two, using a few foils near the face or part for brightness and hand-painting the rest for softness.

Keeping your color fresh

• Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner.

• Book a gloss or toner between lightening appointments to keep brassiness away.

• Use heat protectant before hot tools, since lightened hair is more prone to damage.

Book a color consultation

The best choice depends on your starting color, hair history and how much upkeep you want. Book online at our Andover or Lexington salon, or call our Winchester salon at (781) 729-6372.