Balayage vs Highlights: Which Is Easier to Maintain?

What is the difference between balayage and highlights?

Balayage is a way of placing lighter colour through the hair, traditionally painted by hand. It often leaves more of your natural colour at the roots, with lighter pieces through the lengths and ends.

Foil highlights lighten selected strands, often starting nearer the roots. They can be very fine and subtle or create a brighter overall result, depending on how much hair is lightened and where.

The techniques can overlap. A stylist may use foils to create a balayage result, so the presence of foils alone does not tell you which appointment you need.

Compare our balayage and highlights galleries. Look at where the lighter colour begins and how much natural colour remains.

Is balayage lower maintenance than highlights?

It can be, particularly if you like keeping your natural root colour and want lighter pieces further down.

A softer change between the roots and lighter lengths can make new growth less noticeable. That may let you leave longer between lightening appointments.

However, a bright blonde result with pale pieces around the face may need more attention than a small amount of warmer colour through brunette lengths. The result you choose affects the upkeep.

Highlights can also grow out softly when the placement and contrast are planned for that. Ask your stylist how the colour is likely to look between visits, rather than choosing on the service name alone.

Does balayage last longer?

Lightening makes a lasting change to the hair that has been treated. What changes between appointments is the new growth at the roots and the tone of the lighter sections.

Balayage may make that new growth less obvious. It does not stop your roots growing or prevent the tone from changing.

This is why it helps to ask about two separate appointments: when you might need more lightening, and whether a toner refresh is likely before then.

What does a toner do?

A toner adjusts the shade of lightened hair. It can soften unwanted warmth or help create the warmer, cooler or more neutral result you have discussed.

It does not replace lightening or remove new root growth.

Toner can fade between visits, with washing, hair condition and home care affecting how the shade changes. That applies to both balayage and highlights.

If you prefer a particular cool blonde, ask what keeping that shade will involve. A colour that looks similar in two photographs may have a different maintenance plan.

When might highlights be the better choice?

Highlights are worth discussing if you want:

• Lighter colour closer to your roots.
• More brightness through the top and sides.
• A refresh around your parting and hairline.
• Lighter strands placed among your natural colour.

You may not need a full head every time. A half head or T-section can sometimes refresh the areas that show most. Your stylist should explain whether that will suit your existing colour and how you wear your hair.

If you often tie your hair up, mention it. The colour underneath may be more visible than it is when your hair is down.

What if covering grey is my main concern?

Tell your stylist whether you want the grey fully coloured or are happy to keep some visible.

Adding lighter strands can help soften the contrast, but highlights alone do not provide complete root coverage. You may need a root colour alongside them, depending on your starting point and the result you want.

That choice also affects how noticeable the regrowth will be and when you may want to return.

How much do balayage and highlights cost?

At Esther Alexander, the current colour-service prices are:

These prices include a rough dry: drying your hair without a styled blow-dry.

Toner is charged separately where needed: £25 for short hair and £30 for long hair. A blow-dry or cut and blow-dry is an optional upgrade at additional cost.

Your stylist will confirm the complete appointment price before you proceed. You can also check our current price list.

When comparing options, consider the first appointment, likely toner visits and future lightening appointments. The lower initial price will not necessarily be the lower ongoing cost.

Can I change from highlights to balayage?

Often, yes, but your existing colour affects the plan.

If your hair is already very light through the roots and lengths, creating more contrast may involve adding deeper colour as well as deciding where to keep the blonde. It may take more than one visit to reach the result you want.

Bring a photograph of your current hair and the colour you would like. Your stylist can explain what is realistic, any testing needed and the likely steps.

What should I ask before booking?

Three questions will help you compare the options:

• How will this look as my roots grow? Ask about your starting colour and the amount of contrast you are choosing.
• What might I need between larger colour appointments? This could include toner, root colour or a smaller highlight refresh.
• What will the complete appointment and upkeep cost? Include any recommended toner, finishing service and future visits.

Bring a photograph you like and, if possible, one showing a result you would not want. Tell us how often you can realistically visit and the budget you would like to work within.

At Esther Alexander in Ewell, near Epsom, we will look at your current colour, discuss the options and explain the price and upkeep before you decide.