When it comes to lightening and brightening your hair, the two most popular techniques are balayage and traditional highlights. While both can transform your look, they offer very different results and levels of maintenance. At Venelle Salon & Spa in Park Slope, Brooklyn, our expert colorists help clients decide which technique best suits their lifestyle, hair type, and personal style.

If you’ve been debating between balayage and highlights, here’s everything you need to know.

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What is Balayage?

Balayage is a French word meaning “to sweep” or “to paint.” Instead of using foils, the stylist hand-paints lightener onto the hair in soft, sweeping motions. This creates a natural, sun-kissed effect with a soft grow-out.

Benefits of Balayage:

• Natural, lived-in look

• Low maintenance with soft regrowth lines

• Works beautifully with long layers and textured cuts

• Can be customized to add brightness around the face

• Looks great styled with a curling iron, flat iron, or professional blow dry

Balayage is ideal for clients who want a subtle, effortless color that grows out gracefully and doesn’t require constant touch-ups.

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What are Traditional Highlights?

Traditional highlights are created using foils to separate strands of hair that are then lightened from root to tip. This method gives a more uniform, precise, and structured look compared to balayage.

Benefits of Highlights:

• Brighter, more noticeable color

• Great for clients who want consistent lightness throughout

• Can add significant contrast and dimension

• Works well for covering gray or blending it in

• Allows more control over how light the hair becomes

Highlights are ideal for clients who want a polished, all-over lighter look with more defined brightness.

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Key Differences: Balayage vs. Highlights

Feature	Balayage	Traditional Highlights
Technique	Freehand painting	Foil placement
Result	Natural, sun-kissed, soft	Bold, defined, uniform
Maintenance	Low—touch-ups every 3–4 months	Higher—touch-ups every 6–8 weeks
Best For	Lived-in, effortless color	Bright, structured, consistent lightness
Grow-Out	Blends softly	Visible root line

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Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between balayage and highlights comes down to your personal style and maintenance preferences:

• Pick balayage if you love a natural, low-maintenance look that grows out seamlessly.

• Pick highlights if you prefer a brighter, more uniform color and don’t mind more frequent salon visits.

• Many clients choose a blend of both—baby lights at the crown with balayage through the lengths—for the perfect balance.

At Venelle, our colorists will help you decide the best option for your hair type, skin tone, and goals.

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Why Venelle Salon & Spa?

Our team specializes in both balayage and highlights, combining advanced training with an artistic eye for detail. Whether you want a sun-kissed balayage, bold foils, or a hybrid technique, we ensure your hair looks polished, healthy, and customized just for you.

We also offer keratin smoothing, gloss treatments, deep conditioning, and the best blow dry in Park Slope to complete your color service with shine and style.

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Book Your Balayage or Highlight Appointment

Ready to lighten up your look? Whether you’re leaning toward balayage, traditional highlights, or a mix of both, the experts at Venelle Salon & Spa in Park Slope are here to guide you.

📞 Call us today at 718.989.9855 to schedule your color consultation.

At Venelle, we don’t just color hair—we create customized looks that bring out your natural beauty.