We are breaking down the pros and cons of each, so you can achieve your hair color goals!

With highlights, hair is lightened from the root down to the ends, with some hair that isn’t colored in between. Sectioning techniques help make sure that the hair is evenly highlighted so it doesn’t look streaky. The highlighted sections are folded into foils to keep them away from the other hair. This creates a very uniform result. A proper highlighting process is powerful and provides a brighter color lift that makes a dramatic difference. 

Balayage is a technique, not a look. Balayage is often associated with a beachy color that is brighter around the frame of the face and ends with blended roots.  Balayage in French means “to sweep”, that’s how the color is applied. 

Balayage is a hand-painted technique that creates a natural-looking, sun-kissed hair color with only a paintbrush. A film may be incorporated to achieve a lighter result. The result of balayage is very soft, and it produces a darker to lighter blended out the root that has a lived-in look.

Highlights can dramatically lift, brighten, and add dimension throughout all of your hair. It is effective on every hair color and can be as warm or cool as you like. Highlights are not as natural-looking and require more frequent touch-ups due to the line of growth at the root. 

Balayage is more natural-looking, and low maintenance—thanks to the blended root with no obvious growth line. Balayage is not a very bold hair change, it may be a good choice for our virgin-haired girls, as it is softer and resembles our younger sunnier days when we spent days at the beach!

A low maintenance option for the softness of balayage and very brightened up ends, explore a balayage with a “tip out.” This is a combination of both techniques—hand-painted throughout, with a few sectioned and foiled strands for extra lift and brightening. 

Babylights are tiny highlights that are woven very fine so that they blend seamlessly into your base color. The end result is less about contrast and more about a glowing finish with a subtle, multi-tonal color blend. Babylights can be combined with a balayage to brighten up some areas in a seamless way—and to add a little extra shine.

The best way to find out what the right approach is for you is to discuss your hair goals with your Oasis Color Specialist. We highly recommend that you book a consultation so you can get all your questions answered, and reserve your time for customized coloring. We love helping your hair dreams come to life!

Click here to schedule an appointment online or call 727-785-7438 for a consultation. An Oasis Master Stylist will walk you through the process and provide you with the information you need to achieve the look you desire.