Both add dimension — but they grow out, cost, and photograph differently. Here's how our colorists decide which technique fits your hair and routine.
Balayage and highlights are the two most-requested color services in our chairs — and the two most often confused. Both brighten and add dimension, but they behave very differently as they grow out.
Highlights: precision and brightness
Traditional foil highlights lift hair from close to the root, giving maximum brightness and a more uniform pattern. They're the right call when you want an overall lighter look or crisp, even dimension — but the trade-off is a more visible regrowth line, which usually means touch-ups every 8–10 weeks.
Balayage: painted, lived-in dimension
Balayage is hand-painted onto the surface of the hair, concentrating lightness toward the ends the way the sun would. Because there's no hard line at the root, it grows out softly and can stretch 3–6 months between visits. It photographs beautifully and suits guests who want low-maintenance color.
Which should you choose?
- Want maximum brightness? Foil highlights.
- Want softer grow-out and fewer visits? Balayage.
- Want both? Many of our guests combine a partial highlight with balayage painting for brightness at the face and softness through the ends.
The honest answer is that the best technique depends on your hair's history, texture, and how often you want to be in the salon. Book a consultation and we'll map it out together.
