Balayage vs. Highlights, which one is better?
Do you want to color your weave hair but are unsure how to go about it? Simple, you can choose between balayage vs highlight techniques.
We know it is easier said than done, but we are here to answer all your questions about these two coloring techniques. Both the coloring techniques have their advantage and disadvantage depending on the look you’re going for.
Hopefully, with this blog, you will be able to experiment with colors on your own, but to start, check out the Hair Factory’s collection of hair weaves to avoid the commitment of coloring your natural hair!
Now let’s get into the specifics of balayage vs. highlights.
Balayage vs. highlights
While highlights are applied in smaller portions and are lighter than your original color, streaks are heavy blonde chunks applied to darker hair.
People often assume highlights must be blonde when comparing balayage vs. highlights.
This is not true. Simply put, highlights are a lighter version of the color(s) you currently have, like a lighter version of brown, red, or copper.
Your hair is wrapped around your head in foil and colored from roots to ends to create highlights.
To help the highlights progress to the proper color, the foils trap the heat and provide the desired color. In conclusion, highlighting is a technique rather than a color.
Use highlights for a contrasting effect
Balayage means “to sweep” in French, with sections of hair being painted or brushed with color in a freehand manner. The roots are left out, and just the midlength and ends are colored.
Balayage color typically begins at the nape, leaving a little portion of the bottom, then moves up and across the waist, concluding on top.
Although it is only a few shades lighter than your base color, compared to balayage vs. highlights, the appearance is thicker than the highlights.
It gives your hair a sun-kissed appearance by giving it depth and definition.
Balayage vs. highlights which one would you prefer?
If you like a significant color shift, your colorist may advise highlighting. For lightening dark hair by four or more shades, foil highlight typically works best.
The same works if you like an even color distribution or want hair with a lot of contrast between highlights and lowlights.
While the balayage technique involves randomly applying the color to the hair away from the scalp, highlights are often done closer to the scalp.
Balayage is preferable if you want to add non-uniform chunks or sweeps of color.
With this technique, your stylist has more hair to use color in a way that complements and matches your cut, face shape, and, of course, your style.
So, if your attitude is more laid-back, you can use balayage to exercise your creative muscles.
Additionally, balayage gives a fantastic face-framing effect. While balayage is commonly used to highlight from the middle to the ends, leaving a more natural root, highlights usually target the entire hair shaft, including the roots.
Key Differences between balayage vs. highlights
- In Balayage, the color is often painted on from the mid-lengths to the ends.
- With highlights, the entire length of the hair is covered in color.
- Balayage is for you if you love a balanced and softer appearance.
- You should use highlights if you want a brighter popping look.
- Your hairstyle gains depth and dimension with balayage.
- Highlights focus on framing your face because they are distributed more equally across the head.
Balayage vs. highlights, color maintaining tips
Change to shampoos and conditioners that are color-safe. They help protect hair color and include no sulfates.
Chemicals used in hair dyes have the potential to dry out your strands. To keep your hair nourished and seal the cuticles, use deep conditioners.
Even though balayage requires less upkeep than highlights, you shouldn’t take both balayage vs. highlights for granted.
Make it a point to go to the salon for weekly treatments to nourish, tone, and recover your hair for both techniques.
Shampooing on a regular basis can cause your hair to dry out and lose color, leaving it dry and brittle. Try not to wash your hair more than once or twice every week. This goes for both balayage vs. highlights.
Use a purple shampoo occasionally to prevent dryness and keep the color vibrant.
Avoid chlorinated or salt water for both balayage vs. highlights, and shield your hair from direct sunlight. To avoid color fading and brassy hair, use heat and UV protectants to your hair while styling.
You’ve probably noticed that natural hair colors vary from strand to strand and aren’t just one shade.
When getting balayage vs. highlights, you can achieve a similar variety by requesting your stylist to use more than one color for highlights that look even more natural, or you can try the same yourself.
Additionally, you can consider getting lowlights, which are about two shades darker than your highlights.
Lowlights provide some gorgeous-looking locks, volume, and depth on weaves.
Balayage vs. highlights, choose the one that best suits your style
There are certain things to think about while comparing balayage vs. highlights, even though the way that color is used will mostly depend on the color a person is trying to achieve.
Consider the appearance you want to achieve, the texture of your hair, and the length of your hair, among other factors.
Longer weave hair may be more inclined to balayage since the length makes applying the color simpler.
Those with shorter hair might choose a highlight instead because the procedure enables the color to be placed closer to the scalp.
Overall, both technique produces a distinctive appearance. Balayage highlights are the best choice for a fresh, sun-kissed appearance.
Highlights are your best option if you like uniformly highlighted strands running the length of your hair from root to tip.
You do have the choice to purchase both at once.
Balayage is excellent for adding gorgeous, rich, and warmer tones to the hair while providing a low-maintenance highlight.
Women who prefer minimal regrowth and light, airy hair should go for highlights.
It is up to you to choose whether highlights or balayage are more suitable for you.
But before you sit in the chair, thinking about your lifestyle, hair color, length, and texture might make your choice a little bit simpler.
Your personal preference is all that matters in the contentious argument about the advantages and disadvantages of balayage vs. highlights.
Highlights are the best option if you want a noticeable change in hair color.
However, balayage is for those who want to maintain a modest and natural appearance.
Both highlighting techniques offer a unique appearance.
Before deciding on your hair color, it is best to discuss your alternatives with an experienced hairstylist and evaluate your hair’s type, quality, and texture.
You can also read about the 7 Celebrity-Approved Twist Braids Hairstyles For 2022 to get more hair styling inspirations.