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Balayage vs Foilyage: Whats the difference?

When looking at the results of a foilyage and balayage side by side, you’ll only notice a few differences.
That being, a foilyage will look a lot brighter and more like a blended version of a full head of highlights. Where as balayage will create that beautifully blended, naturally sunkissed look we all know and love.

This all comes down to differences in the technique.

What is Balayage?

Pronounced BAH-LEE-AHGE, balayage is actually a French word meaning ‘sweeping,’ as in to sweep on hair lightener to create highlights. 

Balayage is the technique of free-hand painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft and natural graduation of lightness towards the ends.
The result is the look of summers spent at the beach, or the fresh, unintentionally perfect highlights on young untreated hair.
This natural-looking highlighting technique is not just for blondes, but is actually used on all shades of hair to add soft, sunkissed dimension.
There are variations in application preferences: some colourists don’t separate the hair, while others separate the hair with cotton pieces, and others prefer using foil as a divider.
There are different application nuances that produce slightly varied results, but the main reason balayage has become so popular is due to the customized, natural-looking placement.
​Balayage also allows for a softer grow out that will last longer between appointments.

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What is Foilyage?

​The name foilyage is a clever combination of two words: foil and balayage. Pretty self-explanatory, right? But what exactly does that mean?
 
Well, foilyage starts as your usual balayage – the colorist sections your hair and hand-paints the selected strands with lightener. However, the magic happens when the highlighted sections are placed in foil.
These sections are often thinner than what you’d find in traditional open-air balayage and lift lighter due to the heat of the closed foil.

 With this technique, you get highlights that may be lighter than a balayage and slightly closer to the root, without the high contrast of traditional foil highlights.

The beauty of this technique is that you get the natural-looking, lived-in effect of balayage but with the more noticeable and precise outcome of foil highlighting.

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Which one is right for you?

After finding out what each technique entails, you might be wondering whether a foilyage or balayage will be right for you. 
Since the different techniques involve lifting the hair with bleach, your stylist will be able to advise you on the most suitable method by simply assessing your hair with a consultation. 

​If you have very dark or previously coloured hair, then expect your stylist to suggest a foilyage. As mentioned, this just ensures your hair can be lifted effectively.But generally, if you’d like really light ends or like the more ‘highlighted’ look, then a foilyage is perfect for you.

Balayage tends to look more natural as your roots and ends won’t be drastically different. The subtle lightness is the perfect way to elevate your look, especially if you’re already blonde, brunette or copper.