One of our most desired coloring techniques is balayage, which is a consistent winner for adding sunshine to your style.

It looks different on everyone and is available as a whole or partial technique. Still, when comparing a full balayage vs partial balayage, you can find some consideration as both look gorgeous.

Here, we discuss everything about this unique coloring technique and why you should get one. It depends on how long the hairstyle lasts and what offers the best maintenance.

Full Balayage vs Partial Balayage – What Are They?

With our traditional balayage, we employ a hand-painted coloring technique to naturally highlight your hair.

Our stylists will paint separate sections of hair using a bleaching solution, tailoring your look to suit your face shape.

Hence, the contrast between your natural color and the balayage highlights gives the impression that you have thicker and voluminous hair.

Furthermore, the color will not leave noticeable lines when your hair grows, allowing you to leave it longer before your next appointment. Learn more about what a balayage is here.

What Is a Full Balayage?

If you decide to have a full balayage, our stylist will use a bleach solution and hand-paint the entire length of your hair across the whole head, leaving your roots untouched. This technique gives you a sun-kissed look without leaving you with harsh regrowth lines.

You can experience a dramatic change as we apply the lightener across your entire head, not just the top layers. Your base color will show through, resulting in multi-dimensional tones.

What is a Partial Balayage?

With a partial balayage, we create face-framing highlights that will lighten the ends of your strands and the upper layer around the crown. The technique is great if you’re nervous about highlighting your hair for the first time, as it produces a subtle change. The best part of a partial balayage is the easy upkeep.

Full Balayage vs Partial Balayage: What is The Difference?

If you find it difficult to choose between a full or partial balayage, there are a few key differences between the techniques:

ASPECT	FULL BALAYAGE	PARTIAL BALAYAGE
Coverage	Lightens all hair except the roots	Highlights specific areas like the top layer and ends
Application Time	It takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the hair length and thickness	It takes one hour, depending on the hair length and thickness
Cost	Costs between $100 and $200	Costs between $100 to $200
Maintenance	Need frequent touch-ups	Lower maintenance with fewer touch-ups

Balayage Application Process

Balayage is gentler on your hair than full or partial highlights. The process involves painting a bleach solution onto specific hair sections, rather than saturating the entire strand. Thus, our stylists can customize your look to suit your hair color, texture, and face shape.

Once the application is applied, you will sit under a heated dryer to help with the color process. Then, your hair is rinsed, and we apply a conditioning treatment with toners to enhance the color, leaving your hair shiny.

Your visit to the salon will depend on your hair length and the levels of lightening, but you can expect to spend up to an hour for a partial and up to four hours for a full balayage.

Full vs. Partial Balayage Pros and Cons

Both techniques give you a beautiful yet natural look and cause less damage to the hair. But how do you choose between the two?

Full Balayage

The coloring technique is a popular way to highlight your hair:

Pros	Cons
It gives a noticeable change of color for a subtle, natural look	It lightens more hair than a partial balayage
Your look is customizable	More expensive
It is ideal to take your hair color a few shades lighter.	While you have several months in between touch-ups, the costs can still add up
Less harsh on your hair
Less noticeable regrowth with touch-ups every 12-14 weeks

Partial Balayage

Partial balayage offers a subtle change, and it is ideal if you want a new look without highlighting all your hair.

Pros	Cons
Lightens hair less with less risk of chemical damage	Cannot achieve a dramatic color change
Take less time	Regular salon visits are needed
Less expensive
You will still have your natural color with subtle highlights.
There is less noticeable regrowth with touch-ups every 12

How to Choose Between Partial and Full Balayage?

Both coloring techniques leave your hair with beautiful results, and choosing the best one depends on these factors:

When to Choose a Full Balayage

The full balayage gives you an instant color change without highlighting the roots. So opt for this coloring technique if:

• You can afford the cost of having the color treatment.
• You would like to have hair that has a vibrant, sun-kissed look.
• You’re okay with frequent salon visits.

When to Choose a Partial Balayage

With the partial balayage, you can brighten your locks without making a dramatic color change. Choose it if you want:

• To make a subtler change, consider using virgin hair.
• Have less time to visit a salon.
• Less damage to your locks.

5 Tips To Keep Your Balayage Looking Great

1. Minimize Heat

Using heat styling tools, such as a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, can cause the color to fade faster and leave your hair dry. We recommend air drying your hair, but if you must blow dry your hair or style, use heat protectant products first and a diffuser attached.

2. Minimize Washing Your Hair

Excessive washing can strip away color and dry out your hair. To keep the color fresh, go for a bit longer between your washes. Also, rinse your hair with cool water and use a microfiber towel.

3. Use Quality Hair Care Products

Select a sulfate-free and color-friendly shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair looking vibrant. We recommend using a blue or purple shampoo to help reduce brassy undertones.

4. Deep Condition and Hydrate With a Hair Mask

The chemicals we use may dry out your hair, leaving it prone to breakage, which can be prevented with regular deep conditioning treatments and hair masks. This will help restore the moisture in your locks.

5. Be Careful Of The Sun

Another problem is the sun; too much exposure fades the color and dries your hair.

Balayage vs. Highlights

When we do highlights, your hair is saturated with bleach and then wrapped with foil. The size of the placements and the number of sections will determine how bold your color will be. 

Furthermore, when done on curly hair, it leaves harsh lines where the unbleached roots start. The opposite occurs with a balayage, as you get a more natural look with the hand-painted techniques.

Your look is customized to suit your lifestyle and needs and is gentler on your hair.

Do you know whether you have highlights done, full color, or a balayage? You can get low maintenance by visiting the salon for touch-ups using the root smudging method.

Wrap-Up: Full Balayage vs Partial Balayage

Both coloring techniques offer low-maintenance upkeep and a natural appearance with reduced hair damage. 

While there are differences in costs and salon visits, both are the same. The main decision when deciding between a full or partial balayage is if you want to make a dramatic or subtle change.

Whichever one you choose, we recommend visiting a professional colorist to help tailor the technique to suit your face shape, hair, and desired look.

Book your balayage with one of our stylists to ensure you get a consultation with excellent results.

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