Highlights vs Balayage:
How to Choose

One of the most common questions I hear in my chair is whether to get highlights or balayage. They both add dimension and brightness, but they create a different look and a different grow-out. Here is how I help my clients decide, based on their hair, their lifestyle, and the result they're after.

The Short Version

Highlights are placed with foils and give you a brighter, more uniform, all-over dimension, often with a more defined root. Balayage is hand-painted and gives you a softer, sun-kissed look that grows out seamlessly, so it needs fewer touch-ups. Neither is better, they're just different tools for different goals.

Choose Highlights If You Want Brightness and Contrast

If you love a bright, dimensional look with noticeable contrast, and you don't mind coming in for regular touch-ups, full or partial highlights are a great fit. Foils let me place light precisely where you want it, around the face and through the crown, and they're excellent for a clean, polished result. Highlights are also a great choice if you're lifting several levels lighter.

Choose Balayage If You Want Low Maintenance

Balayage is my signature, and it's the choice for anyone who wants dimension without the upkeep. Because the color is hand-painted away from the root, it grows out soft and diffused, so there's no harsh line. Most of my balayage clients come in every 10 to 14 weeks and look great the whole time. If you want sun-kissed and effortless, this is your look.

It's Not Always One or the Other

A lot of my clients get the best of both worlds. I often combine balayage with a few face-framing foils, or use a soft root-melt with hand-painted lengths. The right plan depends on your base color, your texture, and how much brightness you want. That's exactly why we talk it through before I pick up a brush.

Ask Yourself These Three Questions

To narrow it down, ask yourself: how often do I want to be in the salon? How much contrast and brightness do I want? And how much time do I want to spend styling my hair each day? Your answers point to the right technique, and I'll help you fine-tune from there.

The best color is the one that fits your hair and your life. If you're torn between highlights and balayage, text me a photo of your hair and tell me what you're thinking. I'll give you an honest recommendation, no pressure.