We’re all looking to switch things up with our hair, especially post lockdowns. The easiest way to do that is by colouring our hair. Two of the most popular hair colour styles that people opt for are balayage and highlights, but if you’re wondering how they differ, help is on hand. Here’s what you can opt for.

What Is Balayage?

Balayage is derived from the French word ‘to sweep’. Pronounced as “bala-yaage”, it is characterized by a freehand technique the colorist uses to create a more natural, sun-kissed look to your mane.

Application technique

The technique allows your hair to have a multi-tonal look, with the technique giving more depth to your mane.  The technique also doesn’t employ foils for the colour to develop, instead cling film is used to develop the colour.  The colorist also ensures that the colour is not too piece-y and is placed based on your face structure and face type.

Types of balayage

There are also variations to the balayage technique – there’s the 3D Balayage technique where one lighter and one darker colour are applied to give your hair a new 3D effect, think of it as a hair contour.

Another popular balayage technique is the ribbon balayage where there are just a few strands coloured super light that look like you have got it naturally bleached by the sun. The effect is extremely natural and subtle and perfect if you’re looking for an extra oomph to your existing hair colour.

With balayage, since it is a more natural technique and the maintenance for it is much less compared to highlights as there won’t be visible roots and touch-ups aren’t as frequent as highlights.

Highlights

Highlights are traditionally applied to certain sectioned parts of your hair that have coloured applied onto them and woven through your strands for a more lifted look. Highlights can be of various colours too, think reds and burgundies or blondes and ashy blondes in your mane.

Application technique

For traditional highlights, hair is first sectioned and bleach is applied on the hair for the colour to catch on especially for those who have brunette hair. The colour is then applied on the lightened hair and that forms the highlight.

Types of highlights

There are also different variations of highlights, there’s lowlights and babylights. Lowlights can be defined as darker colour applied on your mane where your original highlighted pieces have faded to create a more natural effect.

Babylights are a more subtle highlight and are usually done near the crown. The stylist takes fewer strands and also leaves a wider gap between the strands to create a very subtle illusion of colour that gently lifts your hair and adds a bit of pizzazz. Babylights can also be incorporated into a balayage technique too.

Highlights are a longer process at the salon as opposed to balayage owing to the sectioning and colour development.

How do I choose between balayage or highlights?

The best way to choose which hair colour treatment is for you is with a consultation with your hairstylist at JCB. He or she will guide you based on your face structure, hair type and maintenance routine.

How damaging are highlights vs balayage?

Any hair treatment amounts to some sort of damage to your hair. Both techniques involve bleaching which tends to make the hair weaker. However, deep conditioning, using specially formulated hair products, your JCB stylist will help guide you on how to restore your mane.

Whichever hair colour you opt for, we will ensure that you look your best!