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Make your summer hair goals a reality with 40% off all colour services 2nd - 15th August! Don't miss out, book your appointment today.
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Make your summer hair goals a reality with 40% off all colour services 2nd - 15th August! Don't miss out, book your appointment today.
If there is one question our stylists get asked more than any other, it is this one. And it is a brilliant question – because while highlights and balayage might look similar on the surface, they’re actually very different techniques that deliver very different results. Knowing the difference is the key to walking into your appointment and asking for exactly what you want.
Here is everything you need to know.
Balayage is a freehand colouring technique that originated in France – the word comes from “to sweep” in French, which perfectly describes how the colour is applied. Rather than using foils, your colourist paints colour directly onto the hair in sweeping strokes, focusing on the areas where the sun would naturally catch around the face, through the mid-lengths and at the ends.
Because the colour is applied freehand, each result is completely unique. No two balayage results are ever exactly the same, which is part of what makes it such a bespoke and personal service.
The result is typically softer at the root and brighter towards the ends – a gradual, blended finish that looks completely natural and effortlessly sun-kissed.
Balayage is perfect if you want:
A natural, lived-in result, low-maintenance colour that grows out gracefully, a sun-kissed, multi-tonal finish, longer gaps between appointments.
Highlights – or foil highlights – use a completely different method. Sections of hair are carefully woven or sliced, wrapped in foil and then colour or lightener is applied. The foil creates a controlled, enclosed environment that allows for maximum lift and very precise placement.
The result is brighter, more defined and higher contrast that balayage – a cleaner, more uniform lightness that really stands out. Because foils allow for greater control over exactly which sections are lightened, the possibilities for placement and pattern are almost endless.
Highlights are brilliant for anyone who wants their colour to really be seen – bold, bright and striking rather than soft and subtle.
Highlights are perfect if you want:
Maximum lift and brightness, high-definition, noticeable colour, bold contrast, a very precise and controlled result.
Finish: Balayage gives a soft, natural, blended result. Highlights give a brighter, more defined, high-contrast finish.
Application: Balayage is painted freehand. Highlights are applied using foils for precision and maximum lift.
Maintenance: Balayage grows out beautifully with no harsh regrowth line, meaning longer gaps between appointments. Highlights may need refreshing more regularly depending on your desired result.
Impact: Balayage is subtle and natural-looking. Highlights are more visible and striking.
Absolutely – and many of our most popular services combine the two. A balayage through the lengths with foil highlights placed around the face for brightness is a gorgeous combination that gives you the best of both worlds: natural dimension through the body of the hair with brighter, face-framing pieces that really pop. Your colourist will always advise on the best combination for your hair type, your base colour and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Our Colour Classics page is a great place to start if you’re looking for inspiration – from our Beautifully Blonde package to Completely Gorgeous and Summer Lites, there’s a combination for every desired result.
Not sure which one to pick? These questions will help:
Do you want people to notice your colour straight away? If yes, highlights. If you’d rather it look more natural and lived-in, then balayage.
How much time do you want to spend maintaining it? Balayage typically needs less frequent top-ups. Highlights may need refreshing more regularly.
Are you starting from a darker base and want to go significantly lighter? Foils will generally give you more lift. Talk to your colourist about what’s achievable in one session.
Do you love the idea of colour that grows out gracefully? Balayage is designed for exactly that.
You don’t need to have all the answers before you sit down in the chair – that’s exactly what your Headmasters stylist is there for. They’ll look at your hair, talk through your lifestyle and your goals, and give you their honest recommendation on which technique – or combination of techniques – will give you the result you’re after.
Read our guide to making the most of your consultation here – and when you’re ready, book your colour appointment at your nearest Headmasters salon.
For colour inspiration, follow us at @headmastersuk on Instagram – and for everything you need to know about balayage specifically, read our full balayage guide here.
