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Boise Hair Salon

A Boise Hair Salon Guide to Balayage vs. Highlights

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At unDONE Salon, we often get asked about the difference between balayage and highlights and which technique might be the best for our clients. Both methods offer a beautiful way to lighten and add dimension to your hair, but they achieve this in slightly different ways. That’s why we’d like to provide you with the following guide to help you understand these differences so you can decide which option will work best for you.

What is Balayage?

Balayage is a French word meaning “to sweep” or “to paint.” It’s a freehand technique in which the color is applied by hand rather than using the traditional foiling or cap highlighting techniques. Balayage provides a more natural, sun-kissed look with softer, less noticeable regrowth lines. The principal idea behind balayage is to create depth and dimension in the hair.

Pros of Balayage

Natural-Looking Results: Balayage offers a more subtle transition between your natural hair color at the root and the lighter ends.

Low Maintenance: Because the technique offers a more natural grow-out, you won’t have to visit your Boise hair salon as frequently for touch-ups.

Customizable: Balayage can be tailored to suit any hair color or length.

Cons of Balayage

Potentially Higher Cost: Due to the skill and time required, balayage can be more expensive than traditional highlights.

Subtler Lightening: If you’re looking for a dramatic change, balayage might be too subtle for your taste.

What are Highlights?

Highlights involve selecting small or thin strands of hair and lightening them to stand out against the rest of your hair. Typically, foils are used to separate the strands being lightened from the rest of the hair. Highlights can vary in size and intensity but are generally uniform in color from root to tip. This technique can significantly lighten your overall hair color and add vibrancy and dimension.

Pros of Highlights

Dramatic Results: Highlights can significantly change your hair color, making them ideal for those looking for a more noticeable transformation.

Versatility: You can choose from partial highlights (focusing on specific areas, like framing the face) or full highlights (for all-over lightening).

Uniform Color: Highlights provide a consistent color from root to tip.

Cons of Highlights

Maintenance: As your hair grows, the demarcation line becomes more noticeable, requiring more frequent salon visits.

Potential Damage: The process can be more damaging to your hair, especially if you’re going significantly lighter than your natural color.

Which Technique is Right for You?

Choosing between balayage and highlights comes down to your personal style, maintenance preference, and the current condition of your hair. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

Desired Outcome: If you prefer a dramatic and uniform color change, highlights might be your go-to. For a more natural, sun-kissed look, balayage is the way to go.

Maintenance Level: Consider how often you’re willing to visit your Boise hair salon for touch-ups. Balayage generally requires less maintenance than highlights.

Hair Health: If your hair is already damaged, you might want to opt for balayage, as it’s generally considered less damaging than the foil method used for highlights.

Consultation is Key

The best way to decide is to consult with a Boise hair salon stylist. At unDONE, our hair color experts can assess your hair’s condition, discuss your desired outcome, and recommend the best option for you. We’ll take the time to understand your vision to ensure you walk out of our Boise hair salon feeling fabulous and satisfied with your choice.

unDONE – A Trusted Boise Hair Salon

Balayage and highlights are both excellent ways to add depth, dimension, and interest to your hair. The right choice depends on the look you’re aiming for, how often you can commit to salon visits for maintenance, and the health of your hair. Whether you choose the natural, sun-kissed effect of balayage or the dramatic transformation offered by highlights, both techniques can give your hair a beautiful boost. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call at (208) 287-2010 today.

Boise hair salon

Balayage Vs Highlights: What’s the Difference?

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If you’re looking to change up your hair color, you may be wondering what the difference is between balayage and highlights. Both techniques are used to lighten hair, but they achieve different results. That’s why the Boise hair salon stylists at unDONE would like to discuss the differences between balayage and highlights, as well as the pros and cons of each technique. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right color and technique for your hair type.

What is Balayage?

Balayage is a French word that means “to sweep.” This technique was developed in the 1970s and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Balayage is a freehand hair coloring technique in which the colorist paints highlights on the hair without using foil or meche.

This technique can be used to create both natural-looking and dramatic results, depending on the placement of the highlights and the type of color used. Balayage is a great option for those who want low-maintenance hair color because it grows out seamlessly and doesn’t require frequent touch-ups.

What are Highlights?

Highlights are a hair coloring technique in which sections of the hair are lightened with foil or meche. This technique has been around for many years and is still a popular choice for those looking to change their hair color. Highlights can be used to create both natural-looking and dramatic results, depending on the placement of the highlights and the type of color used.

Highlights require more maintenance than balayage because they need to be touched up every four to six weeks.

How to Choose the Right Technique for Your Hair Type

When choosing between balayage and highlights, it’s important to consider your hair type and texture. If you have fine or thin hair, highlights may be a better option because they add dimension without weighing down the hair.

If you have thick or coarse hair, balayage may be a better option because it can add both lightness and texture. When choosing between these two techniques, it’s also important to consider your lifestyle and how much time you’re willing to spend on hair maintenance.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, balayage is the way to go. If you don’t mind touch-ups every few weeks, highlights may be right for you.

No matter which technique you choose, be sure to consult with a professional colorist to find the best option for your hair type and desired look. The professional you choose should be able to provide you with a portfolio of their work so you can see examples of their previous work.

Balayage: Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of balayage and highlights, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each technique.

Balayage Pros:
  • Natural-looking results
  • Grows out seamlessly
  • Low-maintenance
Balayage Cons:
  • Requires more time for the initial treatment
  • Can be expensive

Highlights: Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of balayage and highlights, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each technique.

Highlights Pros:
  • Can be done in a shorter amount of time than balayage
  • Touch-ups are less frequent than with balayage
Highlights Cons:
  • More noticeable regrowth
  • Can damage the hair if not done correctly

Hire a Boise Hair Stylist No Matter Which Style You Choose

No matter which hair coloring technique you choose, be sure to hire a Boise hair stylist you can trust. At unDONE Salon., our team of skilled and experienced colorists can help you achieve the look you desire.

We offer a variety of hair coloring services, including balayage, highlights, lowlights, and more. We will work with you to find the best option for your hair type and desired look. Contact us at (208) 287-2010 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you.

 

 

Haircolor Techniques: Highlights & Lowlights

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You’re probably familiar with the term highlights. If this is the case, you may be familiar with the term lowlights. However, unless you are a Boise hair salon professional, you may not know the real difference between the two or why you should pick one over the other.

Closely related, highlights and lowlights are very similar but not the same. Together, and done right, however, they can bring your haircolor to new heights. Alone, they can provide your hair with added volume and movement to your style. That’s why the Boise hair salon stylists at unDONE would like to provide you with a little more information about these haircolor techniques and how they can maximize the overall beauty of your hair.

Highlights

Highlights and lowlights are used to treat specific areas of your hair, unlike all-over haircolor. To start, highlights are usually 1-2 shades lighter than your base haircolor. Used to compliment your color they don’t necessarily have to be blonde. In fact, some people with very dark hair may choose red, copper or ever blue highlights!

Depending on the look you’re aiming to achieve, thin highlights will look more natural while thicker highlights will stand out providing you with a more creative look. Another thing to consider is where your highlights are placed. Ideally, your Boise hair salon stylist will recommend placing them where the sunlight naturally hits your hair. This will not only make your haircolor look more natural but sparkle in the process.

Lowlights

As the less popular twin of highlights, lowlights blend into your hair adding a subtle change. However, they can be extremely useful when it comes to extending the life of your haircolor.

Lowlights are usually used to darkened particular strips of your hair by a couple of shades. This helps provide your hair with beautiful, subtle dimension. Coupled with highlights, lowlights can give you a more natural looking haircolor that will look better longer than a one or two haircolor style.

unDONE Salon

Whether used alone or together, both of these haircolor techniques can be used to help maximize your style. The outcome just depends on how talented your Boise hair salon stylist is. That’s why you should visit the talented team at unDONE Salon to get the best highlights and lowlights in the Treasure Valley. We’ll provide you with a bright, vibrant, multidimensional haircolor that looks amazing.

Visit us near the Boise Towne Square Mall or contact us at (208) 287-2010 to schedule your haircolor appointment today!

 

Haircolor confusion ….. What does it all mean? Written by Kim Denton Owner/Salon Coach

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As a Boise hair salon stylist, the terms Ombre, Balayage, Sun Lights Ombre, Foils, and Highlights can often be confusing not only to professionals like myself but to many of our clients as well. Guy Tang said it best when he said “Call it for what it its.” As stylists, we are happy to #HashTag anything just to get our name out there but in doing so, we have caused quite a bit of confusion in the world of haircolor. Haircolor these days has been moving so fast over the past couple of years that sometimes it can be hard just to keep up and share as much information with our clients as possible. In respect to Guy Tang, we need to call it for what it is so that there is less confusion on both parts.

So let’s face it. Are we really taking the time to communicate with our clients or are we simply using #HashTags  just to get our name out there?

When it comes to looking at a picture for inspiration, it’s important to really study it. We all know that a darker level of hair cannot go platinum with a balayage! Balayage is a haircolor painting technique for a soft, subtle, natural look that resembles a young girl’s hair. It is used with a clay based lightener that will not swell, puff or bleed. However, it is NOT powerful enough to lift hair more than a couple of levels. Over time and with persistence it will lighten hair gradually but it always gives it a sun kissed look like you were hanging out in the sun at the beach.

Ombre is a term used for a lighter look on the ends. Usually the roots are shadowed meaning a darker shade than the natural level. This can be a dramatic look or a subtle look. The hair is usually back combed and the hair left out is foiled for a brighter result.

Sun Lights on the other hand, are a beautiful look for clients in between. This term consists of baby highlights on the top of the head followed with a ombre to brighten up the ends. Also, shading the root area can be done for a more dramatic look. Keep in mind that clients and stylists often both mistake this technique for Bayalage. *Remember this technique includes foils so you will get lighter results than the Balayage technique.

But more than anything, let’s face it… Sometimes a beautiful highlight is all a client needs to get the job done! So no matter what color technique you’re interested in trying, its best to consult with your Boise hair salon stylist. Happy coloring!