Hi all! I've been getting a lot of inquiries about what is the actual difference between balayage and foilayage?
My brain instantly goes to all equations and numbers hairstylists use to communicate, the "hair language", which doesn't help you as the client understand at all. Allow me to break it down for you and please feel free to ask ANY and all questions - I will answer the best I can!
Balayage, what even is balayage and how do you pronounce it? Balayage - (BAH-LEE-AHGE), is actually a French word meaning 'sweeping,' as in to sweep on a hair lightener to create highlights. It's one of many techniques to apply colour to the hair, also known as hand painting. It's a lightening technique that appears more natural looking and lived in. Balayage used with the right developer, can give you levels of lift (how light your hair can get from its natural state) of about 2-4 levels, which is amazing on those who already have more of a lighter natural shade. Balayage does result in more of a natural look with less ongoing maintenance required.
What if you have natural dark brown hair, almost black? If you were wanting to "balayage" your hair you would likely end up with an unpleasant, warm undertone... orange. Nobody has time for that. That's where "foilayage" comes into play. Foilayage is like if foiling highlights and balayage had a baby. Foilayage is when the lightener is applied/painted onto pieces of hair in a foil as if it were a balayage, except the sections are in foils like highlights. The reasoning we use a foil is because it helps the lightener works faster and will have more levels of lift using heat within the foil. Foilayage could also be used on someone with natural lighter hair who wants that dramatic ombre look.
In the end, it's really figuring out which technique is best for you or your client. What do they want to achieve? What look are they wanting to go for? Do they want a lot of maintenance, or do they want to go months without colouring their hair and it still looks as if it was just coloured? Some clients come in and request "balayage" because Pinterest told them that's what they need to get done, but it may not be the best way to achieve the look they want if they want a dramatic ombre look. This is where the years of stylist education and knowledge comes in and allows me to recommend the best method to achieve your overall hair goals.
Clients please put your trust in your stylists hands. We love when you come in with pictures and describe to us what your goal for your hair is to be! We want nothing more to make your hair dreams come true, whether in a foilayage or balayage. Cheers!
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