What is the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights?

While balayage is created by applying color to the surface of the hair, highlights are added with aluminum foil to help saturate the precise locks of the hair. There are a lot of shades of blond hair and, therefore, a lot of techniques for creating such blond hair. The difference between mechas and balayage is that wicks almost always use sheets, while balayage is more of a hand-painted visual technique. Balayage will always give a more subtle result than traditional highlights.

If you're looking to dye your hair but don't know what balayage and highlights do, you've come to the right place. We will answer all your questions related to balayage. In balayage, a color is “swept” on the hair to make it look warm. On the other hand, aluminum sheets are used to secure the hair section in the highlights.

It gives an intense look compared to balayage. Read on to learn more about them. Hair highlighting is a hair coloring process to lighten some sections of the hair. You can use any color to highlight as long as it's lighter than your natural hair color. The highlighted sections above the base color of the hair add visual appeal to the overall look. Balayage is also a technique for highlighting hair.

However, there is a subtle difference between balayage and traditional laminated wicks. The word balayage is derived from the French word “balayer”, which means “sweep”. Balayage is a freehand painting technique in which color is “swept” on random sections of hair for a super mixed, dull and warm result, bathed in the sun. Hair dye is applied differently to highlights traditional. The application is very thin on the upper part of the hair section (to blur it) and gradually thickens as it passes through the middle of the hair shaft to the ends.

This provides soft, natural-looking reflections. Traditional foil highlights use aluminum foil to secure and saturate the hair section for an intense result. All thin subsections are colored and wrapped with aluminum foil separately. Unlike balayage, traditional laminated highlights follow a structured pattern. Even the effects are more pronounced than those of a balayage.

However, aluminum sheets need frequent retouching. When it comes to hair transformations, both highlights and balayage offer their own set of advantages. Balayage follows a freehand painting technique, while traditional highlights are made with aluminum foil to apply bleach to specific sections of the hair. Balayage is a good option if you want a hair color that requires little maintenance and that fades subtly without regrowing an obvious line. In addition, highlights are the best option for creating surprising contrast and adding brightness.

Balayage requires less long-term maintenance, as it can be grown more naturally. Traditional laminated highlights need regular touch-ups to maintain their appearance as the hair grows. Stylists can customize the balayage technique to accentuate your features or frame your face. On the other hand, traditional laminated wicks have no room for customization.

Whether you choose balayage or traditional highlights, coloring your hair can damage it. In addition, copper color can be a problem for colored hair. Switch to shampoos and conditioners that don't damage color. They do not contain sulfates and help maintain hair color.

Hair dyes contain chemicals that can dry out locks. Use deep conditioners to keep your hair moisturized and seal the cuticles. While balayage requires little maintenance compared to mechas, it doesn't mean you can skip your hair maintenance routine. For both treatments, be sure to visit the hair salon for weekly treatments to tone, restore and nourish your hair.

Frequent shampooing can dull color and dry out hair, leaving it dry and brittle. If possible, wash your hair only once or twice a week. Also, occasionally use a purple shampoo to minimize copper color and keep color fresh. At first it can be difficult to distinguish between a balayage and highlights but with time you will become familiar with key differences between these two processes making it easier for you.

Check out infographic for most obvious differences between balayage and highlights plus some important aftercare procedures so that wearing fun and beautiful locks is no longer just dream. In heated debate between pros and cons of balayage if you want striking hair color change traditional laminated highlights are best option however balayage is ideal option if you want maintain modest natural look both highlight styles provide different look. It's best to discuss your options with experienced professional and evaluate type quality texture of your hair before finalizing your hair color. No tufts are usually cheaper compared to balayage this because balayage technique requires more time concentration than highlighting process no balayage in fact less harmful because in balayage coloring done from middle roots ends unlike highlights which...