Have you ever wondered the exact difference between balayage and full highlights? Well, there really is a difference between the two. After reading this blog, you will be up to date on telling your hairstylist exactly what you want.
Full Highlights
A common mistake when it comes to describing full highlights is that they are streaks of blonde hair that run through a brown base color. That’s not exactly the case here! Highlights are small sections of your hair that are lighter than your base color.
So, someone with a dark brown base color could get light brown highlights while golden blonde highlights would complement deep honey blonde hair.
When it comes to applying full highlights, they are done with the help of aluminum foils. The dye is applied from the roots to the tips and covered with foils to trap in the heat and lighten your hair more drastically.
The size, placement, and tone of the highlights can be planned according to the hairstyle that you are going for. Just make sure to tell your hairstylist your plan!
Now, What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word that means “to sweep”.
When applying, the dye is swept on or painted onto sections of your hair in a freehand manner. Normally, the dye starts from the middle of your hair to the ends. First, the dye is applied to the bottom section of your head, which is the neck on down. Then, it is worked up to the midsection of your head. Finally, the top of your head will be colored at the end.
Balayage ends up looking like thick highlights that are just a few shades lighter than your base color. Balayage highlights add a ton of depth and dimension to your hair. The color adds a perfect sunkissed look to your hair!
Down to the Nitty Gritty, What is the Real Difference?
Highlights follow a more structured pattern and are more carefully placed than balayage. Balayage is more hand-painted on into larger sections of your hair. So, balayage blends more seaminglessly into your hair than highlights.
If your want more intensely lightened highlights, then you should go for the full highlight look as they use aluminum foils to saturate the color. Balayage is just a few shades lighter than your base color and adds a softer, more blended look to your hair.