When comparing partial and full balayage for hair coloring, it’s essential to consider the differences. A stylist hand-paints lightener for a subtle, sunkissed look. Partial balayage is applied to certain sections like the top layer or front-facing pieces, while a full balayage covers the entire head. Both techniques add dimension to your hair. The right treatment depends on your natural hair type, color, and the look you want to achieve.
What is a Full Balayage
Full balayage is a traditional hair coloring technique where a colorist uses a freehand application to hand-paint highlights in a sweeping motion across your entire head. This allows your darker natural base to show through, adding dimension and a natural-looking lightening effect.
What is a Partial Balayage
Partial balayage follows the same process and color technique as a full balayage. However, instead of applying highlights to most of your hair, the colorist applies them only to the top layer of hair and face-framing sections. This treatment is also known as a mini balayage. Unlike partial highlights, which use foils, partial balayage is more natural-looking and doesn’t create a line of demarcation.
What is the Difference Between Full Balayage and Partial Balayage?
Hair Styling –
Full balayage offers radical style changes, covering the entire hairs, while partial balayage highlights only a portion, focusing on the top layer and end for a subtle effect.
Coverage Area –
Full balayage involves hair coloring from tip to bottom, while partial balayage is applied to specific sections, leaving some areas untouched.
Cost Comparison –
Full balayage is more expensive, costing $300 to $500, while partial balayage costs around $100 to $200.
Time-Consuming –
Full balayage takes about three to four hours in the salon, while partial takes approximately 1 hour.
Which Is Right for Me?
Choosing between full balayage and partial balayage depends on the look you want and how much effort you’re willing to put into maintenance. Consider the benefits of each to decide what’s right for you. Remember, rebonded hair maintenance is also key for keeping your style fresh.
Choose a full balayage if:
- You don’t mind frequent salon visits — every 12 to 14 weeks.
- You are willing to spend more money in one session.
- You want lightened color throughout your hair.
Choose a partial balayage if:
- You want quicker salon visits.
- You are concerned about damaging your hair.
- You prefer minimal highlights throughout your hair.
What are the Benefits of Partial Balayage?
Less Expensive:
Partial balayage is less expensive compared to a full balayage. It typically costs around $100 to $200, making it easier on your pocket.
Less Damage:
With partial balayage, only a few parts of your hair are highlighted, so the chances of damage are less, helping to save your gorgeous tresses from being ruined.
It looks more natural:
Because partial balayage allows your natural hair color to show through, it creates a soft and understated look that is more natural.
Low Maintenance:
Partial balayage requires low maintenance since new growth is less visible. This is a great reason to consider this treatment if you want a sun-kissed effect without frequent upkeep.
How Long Does Partial Balayage Take?
The time it takes for balayage depends on the shape of the highlights and the length of your hair. You’ll need to spend at least 1 hour in the salon to get the colors just right, especially for dark hair. Knowing how to dry curly hair properly can also enhance your balayage look.
What are Highlights?
Traditional highlights use a foiling technique to lighten hair strands from root to tip. This process follows a predetermined sectioning pattern, leaving natural hair between each foil.
For best results, consider drying hair with cold air to maintain the look.
Should I get highlights or balayage?
The answer depends on a few things: how much you’re willing to spend, the upkeep you’re comfortable with, and the overall look you desire; bring inspiration photos to your stylist and describe what you want in great detail—they’re well-versed in interpreting your vision and helping it come to life; deep conditioning focuses on intense moisture and repair, while conditioning is for daily maintenance—your choice depends on how much care your hair needs, the overall look you desire, and how comfortable you are with the routine.
Is Balayage and Ombre Same?
The technique of performing ombre is similar to balayage but uses different hair sectioning before the highlights are applied.
The balayage process works on any color of hair—brunette, blonde, or red—and can be painted on wet or dry hair. The only limits are your imagination.
Why Is Balayage So Popular Today?
Less outgrowth and greater contrast in hair are achieved through a process that offers complete control over color application. The final product gives realistic highlights, leaving the hair in excellent condition with no stripes since the process doesn’t use foils.
Several factors impact the cost of a balayage, partial or full, including:
- Length of hair affects costs—long hair costs more to treat than short hair.
- Natural hair’s characteristics like color, health, texture, and thickness also play a role.
- The hairstylist’s skill level and salon location are key factors.
Balayage Is A Low Maintenance Look
Balayage typically requires much less hair upkeep than traditional color. The hair grows beautifully without obvious regrowth lines, allowing you to go longer between appointments. It’s the ideal method for the contemporary woman who’s always busy.
Tips for Prolonging Your Balayage
- Balayage doesn’t last forever, but there are ways to make results last longer.
- Hair care tips include washing less often to help preserve your look.
- Dry your tresses carefully, avoiding rubbing with a rough towel; instead, squeeze excess moisture gently to prevent fading.
- Use quality products like purple shampoo to keep your hair healthy and reduce yellowing or brassiness.
- Deep condition and apply hydrating masks to restore moisture and repair color-treated hair.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure and reduce heat applications to prevent damage and fading.
- StyleSeat’s beauty Pros can help you achieve the look you want; book an appointment with a professional in your area today.
Ready for a Change?
- Ready for a new look? Book an appointment to change your style today!
Chemicals and Toner Applications
- Use chemicals and toner carefully to avoid damaging your hair.
Restore Color Faster
- Restore your hair’s color faster with deep conditioning and quality products.
Sun Protection Must
- Sun protection is a must to keep your balayage vibrant.
How to Care for Partial Balayage
Partial balayage is relatively low-maintenance, but caring for it at home is essential to ensure it looks its best between salon appointments. First, make sure you’re using a shampoo and conditioner formulated to protect color like Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed Volumizing Shampoo and Shine-Enhancing Conditioner. This duo gently cleanses, conditions, and volumizes your hair to help protect against fading and extend your color vibrancy.
If your colorist lightened your brunette strands to create your partial balayage, Stenson suggests picking up a blue toning system like Matrix’s Total Results Brass Off Shampoo + Conditioner Duo and All-In-One Toning Leave-In Spray to neutralize brassy undertones that creep into naturally dark hair.
For blonde or gray partial balayage streaks, reach for Matrix’s Total Results So Silver Shampoo + Conditioner and All-In-One Toning Leave-In Spray. Purple pigments counteract warmth and correct yellow tones on blonde and gray hair. When no additional toning is necessary, Stenson swears by Matrix’s Total Results InstaCure Anti-Breakage Porosity Spray to provide colored hair with repair and rehydration.
Now that you know all about partial balayage vs full balayage and how to care for the look, you’ll need some inspirational photos to show to your stylist. Keep scrolling for 15 of our favorite ideas to try now.
Conclusion
Conclusion: Choosing between partial balayage and full balayage depends on your desired look, maintenance level, and budget. Partial balayage offers a natural, low-maintenance style, while full balayage provides comprehensive color coverage for a more dramatic effect. Both techniques enhance your hair’s dimension beautifully.
FAQ’s
What is a full color balayage?
Full balayage means all your hair is lightened using this technique. Partial balayage is applied only to the top and outer layers of hair, leaving the layers underneath in their natural colour.
Do I need full or partial highlights?
Partial highlights are subtler and can offer a safe way to dip your toe into color. If you seek a dramatic change, choose full highlights. A final word of advice from Hantal: If you’re not sure, show your stylist a picture of what you want.
What is the difference between accent and partial balayage?
Partial highlights and babylights are more subtle, while accent highlights offer bolder results. Balayage gives a natural yet noticeable change that falls between these options, offering a balanced look.
How long should a partial balayage take?
Partial balayage usually takes 45-90 minutes on average to complete. A full balayage can take 1.5-3 hours to finish. The technique is applied by hand, so time can vary greatly based on hair thickness and length.
