Balayage and highlights are both techniques for adding lighter color to your hair, but they produce different results and require different maintenance. Here is how they compare.
Highlights: Uniform, Foil-Based Color
Traditional highlights use foils to separate sections of hair and apply lightener evenly from root to tip. The result is consistent, bright strands throughout your hair. Highlights create clear contrast between your natural color and the lighter pieces.
Best for: People who want noticeable, even lightening. Works well for blending gray hair and creating a polished, put-together look.
Maintenance: Root regrowth is more visible, so touch-ups are typically needed every 6–10 weeks. At Sofia Loren Salon, partial highlights start at $145+ and full highlights at $220+.
Balayage: Blended, Hand-Painted Color
Balayage is a freehand technique where your colorist paints lightener onto the surface of hair sections. The color concentrates toward the ends with softer, less defined roots. The result looks natural and sun-kissed, as if your hair lightened gradually over a summer spent outdoors.
Best for: People who want a low-maintenance, natural-looking result. Especially popular in Boca Raton because it mimics the sun-lightened effect of our outdoor lifestyle.
Maintenance: Because the roots are soft and blended, regrowth is less obvious. Most clients come in every 12–16 weeks. At Sofia Loren Salon, balayage starts at $115+ depending on coverage.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want even, consistent lightening
- You are covering gray
- You prefer a polished, defined look
- You want a natural, blended look
- You prefer low-maintenance color
- You want longer time between appointments
Not sure which is right for you? Your colorist can assess your hair and recommend the best technique during a consultation. Many clients combine both methods for a customized result.
Book a color consultation at Sofia Loren Salon in Boca Raton.
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(561) 405-1884