Highlights vs. Balayage

Comparison of the two most requested services in salons in Toronto - highlights or balayage.

Balayage, highlights, babylights, lowlights—there are endless blonde hair colour service option and it’s a lot to process. If you're like most blondes, you know EXACTLY what you're looking for but are lost when it comes to translating this to your hairstylist.

Balayage -Bailyaege. Boleyage. Booleyage. If you can pronounce the popular hair salon technique balayage, then you're one of few. More difficult than navigating the language of hair colour is knowing the difference between the many hair colour techniques used to create blonde hair.

Let's break down the main features that distinguish these two services so you know just what to ask for at tour next hair appointment.

Balayage creates a more natural, lived in look.

-Customizable + versatile placements. From classical balayage to balayage ombre, there is a variation of balayage for everyone. Stylists are left with complete creative freedom to adjust placements based on individual preference and hair type.

- Balayage provides much more time between salon visits than traditional highlights. Balayage looks leave more dimension near the roots, creating a seamless grow out and leaving more time before a touch up is needed. Maintenance for balayage is required every 12+ weeks.

Maintenance is a personal preference. Some clients will come in every 3 months to touch up their regrowth, some will come in once a year. It is a choice unique to each individual, and because balayage does not leave you with a harsh line on grow out you have the freedom to go a little longer between visits.

Highlights, create a more full coverage blonde.

- Traditional highlights leave little dimension at the root. This means that there will be a harsher line upon grow in.

- Maintenance is required every 6+ weeks, half of the time as modern balayage techniques.

-Modern techniques such as a root shadow can be used with highlight service to extend the time between maintenance sessions. However where there is less depth, there will always be more frequent maintenance required.