Are you longing to change your hair look and considering highlighting
your hair? Many women and young girls get confused between balayage and highlights. If you’re perplexed about what you’re craving between
balayage and highlights, you’re on board!
Actually, both techniques lighten your hair color. The major difference
between balayage and highlights is how the technique lightens your hair
color. We have covered the difference between balayage and highlights.
Let’s have a look at it.
What is Balayage?
Balayage refers to sweeping the hair because in the French language
balayage denotes “to sweep”. The balayage process lightens the hair
from mid to the bottom with increasing density towards the end. The hair
at the top is not highlighted and there’s no usage of foil in the process.
It is a hand-painted technique that highlights hair in random sections.
The highlights of hair take place in the natural light giving hair a subtle,
soft, and natural sun-kissed look.
There’s a misconception that balayage is a hair look rather it’s a
technique to highlight the hair. It blends so well with your natural hair
that’s why it’s easy to maintain. The balayage needs a maintenance
session after 4 to 6 months.
What are the Highlights?
The highlights refer to the lightning effect on hair color rather than its
original color. It is suitable for any hair type making the hair color lighter
than the original one.
The aluminum foils are used to highlight the hair, foils absorb the heat
from the surroundings to work more efficiently. Foils are kept close to the
scalp to saturate the hair strands so lightening occurs from the base of
the hairs till the tips with the same pattern.
It is more of a controlled process because of the usage of foils. Foils
keep the hair strands separate according to the choice. The hairs
between the strands are not highlighted, giving a more structured
pattern.
Difference between Balayage and Highlights
Highlights
Procedure: Aluminium foils separate strands of hair from scalp to bottom giving a more defined look. The highlights give a new look to your hair.
Results: Results in contrast between the lightened streaks and the original hair
Maintenance: Requires touch-up after root color shows up every 3–4 weeks
Balayage
Procedure: It is a hand-painted process on hairs from the mid to the tips with increasing density towards the ends. Balayage doesn’t snatch your original hair color rather it blends with your hair to give a more versatile look.
Results: Blends well with your hair to give a more natural and sun-kissed look
Maintenance: Go many months without maintenance for about 4–6 months
Pros of Balayage
1. Safe for Pregnant Women
Balayage is safe for pregnant women as this technique doesn’t
involve the scalp and the hair near to it.
2. More Economical
Balayage is economical as it doesn’t involve long procedures. You
can go to a professional for getting balayage done. It is not as
expensive as it seems.
3. Doesn’t cause Allergies
People with any kind of health issue and allergies can safely get
their balayage done as there are no chemicals in it.
4. Gives Volume
Balayage gives a bumpy look to your hair, your hair looks thicker
and volume is added the way balayage is done. Your hair looks
abundant and gives your hair a new life.
5. Natural Look
Balayage gives a natural and subtle look to your hair. It blends with
your hair and looks so natural and real.
Cons of Balayage
1. Not for Brassy Hair
Balayage makes your hair look thicker so the people who already
have brassy hair can’t pull balayage off.
2. Not for Those who’re not Contented with their Base Color
Balayage blends with your hair color to look a natural and
authentic look so the people who’re not content with their base
color shouldn’t opt for it.
Pros of Highlights
1. Enhance Skin Tone
Highlights not only enhance your skin tone but make your features
prominent.
2. Modernize Style
Highlights give you a modern and chic look.
3. Give Dimension
It gives dimension to your hair. The process is done with foiling so
some hair is not highlighted giving a full dimension.
Cons of Highlights
1. High Maintenance
Maintenance required for highlight is after every 3–4 weeks. The
discoloration may occur so your hair needs maintenance sessions
more often.
2. Time-Consuming Process
The highlight is done with foiling so that other hairs aren’t
highlighted, this all takes a long time.
Which One Suits You Best?
Balayage and highlights have their unique features, pros, and cons. If
you want a soft and subtle look, you should go for balayage but if you
want to change your base color highlight would be the best option.
Which Technique is More Damaging?
Though both these techniques damage your hair in the long run.
Highlight damages your hair more because a higher developer can do its
job which damages your hair.
Bottom Line
Balayage and highlights give an individual a new and confident look. We
have discussed the difference between balayage and highlights.
Whether you opt for balayage or highlights, you need to protect your
locks with a proper hair care routine.
