By the team at LaBara Salon, Buckhead, Atlanta
You’ve saved the inspiration photos. You know you want brighter, softer, more dimensional color. Then you sit down to book and hit the question every colorist hears daily: should I get balayage or highlights?
The two techniques are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. They create different looks, grow out differently, and suit different lifestyles. Here’s how to tell them apart and choose the one that fits you.
What Is Balayage?
Balayage comes from the French word for “to sweep.” Instead of using foils, your colorist hand-paints lightener onto the hair in soft, sweeping strokes. The placement is customized to your cut, your part and the way your hair naturally falls.
The result is a sun-kissed, lived-in look with no harsh lines. Because the color starts softer near the root and brightens toward the ends, it grows out gracefully. That means fewer touch-ups between visits.
Balayage is a great fit if you:
- Want a natural, blended, “I just got back from vacation” glow
- Prefer low-maintenance color you don’t have to redo every few weeks
- Like the idea of a soft grow-out rather than a visible regrowth line
- Want dimension and movement more than a bold contrast
Curious about what to expect? Read more about our balayage services in Buckhead.
What Are Traditional Highlights?
Classic highlights use foils (or similar tools) to isolate sections of hair and lighten them from the root. Placement is precise and uniform, which makes highlights ideal for creating a brighter, more defined result.
Highlights can be full or partial. A partial set focuses on the top layers and around the face, while a full set spreads brightness throughout the head. They’re often paired with a gloss or toner to perfect the shade.
Highlights are a great fit if you:
- Want noticeably brighter hair from root to tip
- Love a polished, defined look
- Are working toward a true blonde
- Don’t mind regular maintenance appointments to keep roots fresh
You can explore our classic color and highlight services for the full menu.
The Key Differences at a Glance
| Balayage | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | Hand-painted, freehand | Foil-based, precise sections |
| Look | Soft, blended, natural | Brighter, more defined |
| Root | Shadowed or softly blended | Lightened from the root |
| Grow-out | Gentle, forgiving | More visible regrowth line |
| Maintenance | Lower | Higher |
So, Which One Should You Choose?
The honest answer is that it depends on three things:
1. How much maintenance you want. If you’d rather book color a couple of times a year than every few weeks, balayage is usually the more practical choice. If you enjoy regular salon visits and want your roots always fresh, highlights are a good match.
2. The look you’re after. Dreaming of soft, natural dimension? Go balayage. Want bright, high-impact lightness? Highlights may get you there faster.
3. Your starting point. Your current color, your hair’s history and its condition all affect what’s possible in one appointment. Previously colored hair, box dye or heavy darkness may need a planned, multi-step approach. If your color has banded or turned brassy, a color correction may be the first step.
Can’t decide? Many guests blend both. A balayage base with a few fine foiled highlights around the face is a popular way to get softness and brightness.
Why the Consultation Matters
No blog post can replace a conversation with someone who has actually looked at your hair. At LaBara, every service begins with a real consultation rather than an assumption. We talk about your lifestyle, how much time you spend styling, your budget and what you love (and don’t) about your current color.
Our colorists specialize in lived-in balayage, and every stylist on our team trains through our in-house apprenticeship program. That means you get a plan built for your hair, not a one-size-fits-all formula.
Keeping Your Color Beautiful
Whichever technique you choose, a few habits help your color last:
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a color-safe conditioner
- Add a bond-repair or deep conditioning treatment to your routine (see our hair treatments)
- Use a purple or blue toning product only as your stylist recommends
- Protect your hair from heat and sun with the right products
- Schedule gloss or toner refreshes as advised to keep tone fresh
Ready to Book?
Whether you’re team balayage, team highlights or still undecided, we’d love to help you find hair that looks like it belongs to you.
Visit us at 56 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 in East Andrews Square, with complimentary parking on site. Book online or call us at (404) 549-2502.