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Balayage vs Foils
Posted by rebecca@vivo.co.nz BigCommerce on 27th Jun 2022
Balayage vs Foils
For many people, it's difficult to decide between balayage and traditional foil highlights. The services are not just for blondes and are our favourite way of elevating any hair colour.
Adding red or golden highlights to brunettes, rich browns to bring dimension to black hair, or creating that classic beachy blonde with your favourite sandy hues. If you have a few gray hairs coming in, your Vivo colourist can even target those and give them a little camouflage.
There are advantages to each service and our stylists can help you choose depending on the look you're after.
What is Balayage?
Balayage means "to paint" or "to sweep" in French and the process is also called "hair painting." It is a freehand method of adding highlights to hair that will add dimension, showcase a haircut, and look very natural. It's almost as if you spent time in the sun, without the damaging UV rays.
Balayage is a technique that gives your Vivo colourist the ability to highlight your haircut and your best features with the most freedom.
Stylists may suggest adding subtle face-framing highlights, or painting single curls and leave others natural.
Balayage can also give thinner hair a little extra dimension and the illusion of volume.
Maintenance: Touching up balayage highlights can range from 3 to 6 months.
What are foils?
Foiling is similar to balayage in that it is a hair lightening technique, but the application and outcome is certainly different. If you are looking to take your all-over color up a notch, then consider foiling and highlights.
Foiling typically involves sectioning the hair off before applying the product, then wrapping in foil for processing. It is an impactful tecnique, giving more of a defined and uniformed look.
The key difference is that foils are generally placed closer to the scalp.
Placement of foils can be more controlled, can lighten more dramatically, and lighten from root to tip for an all-over highlighted look.
Maintenance: Foil highlights are maintained about every 6-8 weeks.
The Final Takeaway
So there you have it: the difference between foils and balayage. Which one should you do? The answer is not black and white (or even brown and blonde). The answer is more about what look you want to achieve and how much maintenance you are willing to do!
Still not sure which is right for you?
Book in your free consult or give us a call on 0800 400 300
- we'd be happy to chat!
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