Balayage vs. Highlights: Which Is Best for You?

If you’ve ever sat in your stylist’s chair wondering, “Should I get balayage or highlights?” you’re definitely not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from clients at Salon Roi in Chevy Chase, MD.

Both techniques can create beautiful, dimensional hair color, but the application, finished look, and maintenance can be quite different.

So, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s how we explain it from a stylist’s point of view.

 

 

What Are Traditional Highlights?

Traditional highlights are created by selecting sections of hair, applying lightener, and typically wrapping those sections in foils.

Because we can control exactly where the lightener is placed, highlights allow us to create everything from very fine, natural-looking brightness to a much lighter overall result.

Highlights may be right for you if you want:

• More brightness from the roots through the ends
• A noticeably lighter overall appearance
• More uniform blonde throughout the hair
• Defined dimension and contrast
• Gray blending around the root area
• The ability to achieve significant lightening

Highlights can be incredibly subtle or quite dramatic. It all depends on the size of the sections, placement, toner, your natural hair color, and the result you want to achieve.

What Is Balayage?

The word balayage comes from the French word meaning “to sweep.”

Instead of following a traditional foil pattern, the stylist uses a more customized painting technique to strategically place lighter pieces throughout the hair.

The goal is usually a softer transition between your natural color and the lighter pieces.

Think sun-kissed, dimensional and lived-in rather than perfectly uniform blonde from root to end.

Balayage may be right for you if you want:

• A softer, more natural-looking result
• Dimension without becoming blonde everywhere
• A more blended root
• Less noticeable regrowth
• A lower-maintenance hair color
• A customized, lived-in look

Balayage is especially beautiful for brunettes who want caramel, honey or beige dimension without completely changing their natural base color. It can also create gorgeous dimensional blonde results.

Balayage vs. Highlights: What Is the Biggest Difference?

The simplest answer is this:

Highlights generally create more structured brightness, often beginning closer to the root. Balayage creates a softer, more customized transition with a more natural-looking grow-out.

But this is where professional hair color gets interesting.

Today, the line between highlights and balayage isn’t always as clear as it may appear on Instagram.

As stylists, we may combine techniques to achieve a client’s inspiration photo. Your finished color might include traditional highlights, balayage, babylights, face-framing pieces, a root shadow or toner.

That is why we always recommend showing your stylist photos of the result you love instead of worrying too much about what the technique is called.

Our job is to determine which technique — or combination of techniques — will give you that result while protecting the condition of your hair.

Which Is More Popular Right Now: Balayage or Highlights?

Balayage continues to be one of the most requested hair-color looks because clients love its natural dimension and softer grow-out.

But highlights certainly haven’t disappeared.

In fact, current hair-color trends are increasingly about customized dimension rather than choosing strictly between “balayage” and “highlights.” Babylights, dimensional blondes, face-framing highlights, ribbon highlights and blended balayage techniques can all be used to create modern, personalized color.

The biggest trend we see is hair that looks expensive, dimensional and intentional — but not overly done.

And that can be achieved with either technique.

Which Is Lower Maintenance?

Generally, balayage is the lower-maintenance choice.

Because balayage is designed to blend into your natural root, the grow-out tends to be softer and less noticeable.

Traditional highlights placed close to the scalp usually show regrowth sooner, so clients who want to maintain a consistently bright blonde appearance may need more frequent appointments.

However, maintenance depends on much more than the technique.

Your natural color, desired level of blonde, gray coverage, toner, hair growth and how much contrast you like all affect how often you should return to the salon.

Can Brunettes Get Balayage?

Absolutely.

Balayage isn’t just for blondes.

For brunette hair, balayage can create beautiful shades of caramel, honey, mocha, beige, golden brown or dimensional brunette while preserving the richness of your natural base.

It can be a great option for someone who wants a noticeable change without committing to an all-over lighter color.

Can You Get Balayage If You Already Have Highlights?

Yes — and this is very common.

A stylist can often transition traditional highlights into a softer, more lived-in look using a combination of techniques such as lowlights, balayage, toning or a root shadow.

However, previously colored hair needs to be evaluated before deciding what can safely be achieved.

This is especially important if you have previous permanent color, very dark artificial color or box dye.

So, Should You Choose Balayage or Highlights?

Ask yourself what you want your hair to look like — and how much maintenance you are comfortable with.

Choose highlights if: you love brightness, want lighter color closer to the root, prefer a more consistently blonde result or want more defined contrast.

Wondering how often you should refresh your highlights? Read our How Often Should You Get Highlights for Best Results? for a complete breakdown of maintenance, toner, regrowth, and partial vs. full highlights.

Choose balayage if: you prefer softer dimension, a natural or sun-kissed appearance, a blended root and easier grow-out.

And if you’re still not sure, that’s completely fine.

You don’t need to know exactly what service to ask for before you walk into the salon.

Bring Us Your Inspiration

One of the best things you can bring to a hair-color appointment is 2–3 inspiration photos.

During your consultation, we look at your current color, natural base, hair condition, previous color history, skin tone, desired maintenance and your inspiration photos. From there, we can recommend the technique that makes the most sense for your hair.

Sometimes that’s balayage.

Sometimes it’s highlights.

And sometimes the best result comes from combining several techniques.

Book Balayage or Highlights in Chevy Chase, MD

If you’re considering balayage, highlights or dimensional hair color in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the colorists at Salon Roi can help you decide which approach will give you the look you’re trying to achieve.

Conveniently located near Friendship Heights, Salon Roi offers customized professional hair color designed around your hair, lifestyle and desired maintenance.

Ready for a change? Book your hair-color appointment or consultation with Salon Roi and bring your inspiration photos. We’ll help you determine the best technique for your perfect color.