Not completely sure what these terms really mean? You're definitely not alone.
Most people search “balayage” or “highlights” without fully knowing the difference—and that’s completely normal.
We hear things like:
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“I think I want balayage… but I’m not sure”
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“Are highlights the same thing?”
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“I just want it to look natural, not stripey”
The truth is—the name doesn’t matter.
What matters is how you want your hair to look and feel.
Quick Answer: Balayage vs Highlights
Balayage is a hand-painted technique that creates soft, natural, low-maintenance brightness.
Highlights use foils to create a brighter, more structured, and more noticeable blonde result.
Balayage grows out softer.
Highlights give you more lift and brightness from root to ends.
Balayage vs Highlights: What’s the Difference?
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a hand-painted lightening technique designed to create a soft, blended, lived-in look.
What it looks like:
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Natural, sun-kissed brightness
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Soft transitions with no harsh lines
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Dimension through the mid-lengths and ends
Best for:
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Low-maintenance color
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A softer, more effortless look
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Clients who don’t want frequent touch-ups
Maintenance level:
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Lower — grows out naturally with less noticeable regrowth
What are Highlights?
Highlights use foils to lighten sections of hair from root to ends for a brighter, more even result.
What it looks like:
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Brighter, more noticeable blonde
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More uniform lift from root to ends
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Can be soft or bold depending on placement
Best for:
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Maximum brightness
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Lifting darker hair lighter
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A more polished or high-impact blonde
Maintenance level:
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Moderate to higher — requires more regular upkeep at the root
Balayage Example
Highlights Example
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Balayage if…
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You want a soft, natural, lived-in look
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You prefer lower maintenance
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You don’t want harsh lines or frequent root touch-ups
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You like a more blended, effortless finish
Choose Highlights if…
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You want to be noticeably lighter or blonder
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You like brightness closer to the root
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You want a more defined, polished result
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You’re okay with more regular maintenance
What This Looks Like at The Velvet Salon
Guests don’t actually need to choose between balayage or highlights—we customize the approach based on your hair and your goal.
Here’s how this typically translates:​
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Our Hair Color services are designed to enhance or evolve your current color by adding lightness, contrast, and dimension in a way that actually fits your hair.
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Instead of choosing a specific technique (balayage, highlights, vivids, etc.), we focus on:
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What your hair can handle
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What result you want to live with
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How it will grow out over time
This can include anything from subtle brightness and gray blending to more noticeable blonding or creative color—as long as it stays within your hair’s limits.
How Pricing Works
Hair color services typically range from $180–$300+, depending on the type of color, your hair length and density, and the level of work involved. We’ll always walk you through the process and pricing before we begin so there are no surprises.
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We’ll always confirm your exact price before we begin, so there are no surprises.
What Clients Say
5.0 from 36+ reviews
"I can’t recommend CeeJae and The Velvet Salon enough. From the moment you walk into her salon, she makes you feel so welcomed. Her energy is truly beautiful and calming, which makes every appointment such a great experience."
"Ceejay is absolutely amazing! She listens to what you want and delivers!!! She is so thoughtful and attentive. I can’t rave enough about her scalp massages! She gives 110 percent of herself and more. She definitely gives what you want. She loves her clients so much. I can’t say enough good things about her."
"My most favorite place to get my hair done. I don't trust anyone with my hair like I do with Cee Jae. She is one of a kind, genuine, and delivers every time with the vision I have in mind. I have never been one to feel happy with my hair appointments until meeting Cee Jae two years ago, and I've never looked back. If I could give 100 stars I would.