“Highlights” Means Different Things to Different People
“Highlights” is one of the most commonly used terms in hair—and one of the most loosely defined.
We hear things like:
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“I want highlights, but I don’t want it to look stripey”
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“I want to be really blonde, but still soft”
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“I don’t know if I need a partial or full”
What most people are really trying to say is:
👉 “I want to be lighter—but I don’t want it to look harsh or overdone.”
Highlights can absolutely create that—but how they’re done matters.
Quick Answer: What Are Highlights?
Highlights are a lightening technique where sections of hair are placed in foils and lifted from root to ends to create brightness and dimension.
They allow for more controlled, even lift and can create anything from soft dimension to bright, noticeable blonde.
What Highlights Actually Mean (In Real Terms)
Highlights are not one single look—they’re a method of creating lightness in the hair.
Using foils, we isolate sections and lighten them more evenly from root to ends. This gives us:
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more control over how light your hair gets
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the ability to brighten closer to the root
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a more consistent result throughout the hair
Compared to balayage, highlights typically:
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lift more evenly
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appear brighter overall
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create more noticeable change
When Highlights Work Really Well
Highlights are ideal when your goal is brightness and lift, especially if you want to see a clear difference.
Highlights are a good fit if you want:
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To be noticeably lighter or blonder
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Brightness closer to the root
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A more even, consistent blonde throughout
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Stronger lift on darker hair
👉 This is why highlights are often the best choice for bigger transformations.
When Highlights Might Not Be Right for You
Highlights are sometimes chosen when someone actually wants something softer or lower maintenance.
Highlights may NOT be the best option if you want:
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A very soft, natural, lived-in look
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Minimal maintenance
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No visible regrowth line
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Subtle dimension rather than noticeable brightness
👉 In those cases, balayage or a blended approach may be a better fit.
Choosing highlights when you actually want something softer can lead to more upkeep than you expected.
What You Might Actually Be Looking For
Sometimes when guests ask for highlights, they’re really describing something slightly different:
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“I want something soft and natural”
→ Balayage or Lived-In Color -
“I want brightness just around my face”
→ Partial Highlights -
“I want to be really blonde but still blended”
→ Custom Blonding (highlights + balayage combined)
👉 The wording can vary—but the goal is what matters most.
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:
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.
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.
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.