Balayage vs. Highlights: What’s the Difference & Which Is Right for You?

If you’re thinking about brightening up your hair, you’ve probably come across the words balayage, highlights, and maybe even foilayage — but what do they all mean? At Gem House Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, we specialize in all three techniques and help clients choose the best option based on their style goals, hair history, and maintenance preferences.

Here’s your guide to understanding the difference between balayage and highlights — and how to decide which service is right for your look and lifestyle.

🎨 What Is Balayage?

Balayage (pronounced bah-lay-ahge) is a French technique that means “to sweep.” It involves painting lightener onto the hair in soft, sweeping motions for a more natural, sun-kissed effect.

Balayage is designed to create a blended, lived-in look, with lighter ends and a soft transition from roots to tips. Since the color doesn’t start right at the root, it grows out beautifully and requires less frequent touch-ups.

Perfect for:

• Those who love a low-maintenance look

• Clients who want soft dimension or that effortless “beachy” vibe

• Brunettes looking to add caramel or honey tones without a harsh contrast

✨ What Are Highlights?

Highlights are created using foils to lighten specific sections of the hair, often starting close to the root. This results in a more structured, uniform brightness and is great for clients who want consistent lightness throughout the head.

That said, many clients who want a brighter look but less maintenance opt to add a root shadow — a subtle color applied at the roots after lightening — to soften the grow-out and create a more lived-in, seamless blend. A root shadow can make traditional highlights or foilayage look more natural while extending time between salon visits.

Not sure if you should add a root shadow? Our stylists will consult with you during your appointment to customize your look and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your goals.

Perfect for:

• Clients who want a brighter, lighter overall color

• Those who don’t mind regular salon visits for upkeep (or want to stretch them with a shadow root!)

• People going lighter for the first time and want more control

🖌️ What About Foilayage?

Foilayage is the best of both worlds — it’s a balayage technique wrapped in foils for extra lift and brightness. It gives you that soft, diffused look but with more lightness than a traditional hand-painted balayage.

Foilayage is also a great candidate for a root shadow, especially for those who want maximum lightness but still prefer a soft grow-out. It’s perfect for brunettes and darker blondes looking for that beachy brightness with dimension and softness.

🔄 Maintenance + Glossing: What to Expect

• Balayage:
  Low-maintenance with touch-ups every 12–16 weeks.
  A gloss or toner refresh every 6–8 weeks helps maintain tone and shine.

• Highlights:
  Higher-maintenance with root touch-ups every 6–8 weeks — or longer with a root shadow.
  Glossing between visits keeps your tone fresh and brass-free.

• Foilayage:
  Medium-maintenance depending on how bright you go. Add a root shadow to stretch your touch-up window to 10–12 weeks.
  Gloss or toner recommended every 6–8 weeks for best results.

Regardless of the technique, a professional glossing service keeps your color vibrant, silky, and perfectly toned between lightening sessions.

📍Book Your Dream Color in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Whether you’re leaning toward balayage, traditional highlights, or a custom foilayage blend, the team at Gem House Salon will tailor the perfect color plan to your hair type, goals, and lifestyle — including whether a root shadow or gloss is recommended to maintain your ideal tone and grow-out.

Ready to love your hair color year-round?
📅 Book your consultation or color appointment today.