Balayage and traditional highlights are two of the most requested colour services in any salon, and both add brightness and dimension — but they achieve it in very different ways. If you’re deciding between the two, here’s what actually sets them apart.
What Are Traditional Highlights?
Traditional highlights use foils to isolate sections of hair, which are lightened uniformly from root to tip (or from a chosen starting point). The result is a more consistent, structured pattern of lighter pieces throughout the hair, which can be placed to suit a full head or a half head, depending on how much brightness you want.
What Is Balayage?
Balayage is a hand-painted, freehand technique where colour is swept onto the hair’s surface, concentrated through the mid-lengths and ends to mimic natural, sun-lightened hair. There’s no foil isolation involved, which gives balayage its soft, graduated, lived-in appearance.
Key Differences
- Application: Highlights use foils for uniform, structured lightening; balayage is hand-painted freehand
- Look: Highlights give a more defined, consistent pattern; balayage gives a softer, more natural gradient
- Regrowth: Balayage typically grows out more softly than foil highlights, meaning less frequent root touch-ups
- Best for: Highlights suit clients wanting brightness throughout; balayage suits clients wanting a lower-maintenance, sun-kissed effect
Which One Should You Choose?
If you want maximum, consistent brightness throughout your hair and don’t mind more frequent maintenance, our Full Head Highlights or Half Head Highlights services are a great fit. If you’d prefer a softer, more natural gradient with longer stretches between salon visits, our Airtouch service — our precision take on the balayage-style, low-maintenance look — is worth exploring. See our related post on Airtouch vs balayage for more detail on that specific comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is lower maintenance, balayage or highlights?
Balayage-style techniques generally grow out more softly than traditional foil highlights, so they typically need less frequent root touch-ups.
Can I combine highlights and balayage?
Yes, many colourists blend techniques — for example, foils near the root with hand-painted ends — to get the best of both. Discuss this with your colourist during your consultation.
Book Your Colour Consultation
Browse our full range of colour services or get in touch with our Kensington colour team to find the right technique for your hair.