Balayage, Highlights or Full Colour?

All three make “lighter hair” — and yet the result, the upkeep and the price are completely different. Here's the guide that lets you walk into your next hairdresser appointment knowing exactly what you want.

Full colour: the classic

One shade from roots to ends — rich, even, opaque (from €40). Ideal for grey coverage or when you want a completely new shade. The trade-off: the regrowth will be visibly noticeable and wants tending every 4–6 weeks (root colour from €25).

Foil highlights: dimension with system

Evenly placed lightening with foil (from €60) — the tried-and-tested route to overall lighter hair with structure. Highlights look more defined than balayage and can be repeated very evenly. Here too: the regrowth shows visibly, with a refresh roughly every 6–8 weeks.

Balayage: the handwork

With balayage (from €90) the colour is painted on freehand — with soft transitions that look sun-kissed. The huge advantage: no hard regrowth line. Balayage grows out inconspicuously over months — 4 to 6 months of calm is realistic. That's why, despite the higher entry price, it's often the most relaxed (and most economical) choice in the long run.

The decision helper

• You want to cover grey reliably or want a new base shade: full colour
• You want overall clearly lighter, even and defined: foil highlights
• You want natural brightness with minimal upkeep: balayage
• You want maximum softness on fine hair: balayage with the airtouch technique

And what about hair health?

Every lightening puts the hair under strain — what matters is the protection alongside it. We work with Wella Professionals and Olaplex (colour upgrade from €20), which protects the hair structure during colouring. On already stressed hair we'll tell you honestly what's possible right now — and what's better done in two stages.

The upkeep maths over a year

The entry price only tells half the story — what matters is what a year of colour costs. A full colour needs the root service every 4–6 weeks, foil highlights want refreshing roughly every 6–8 weeks. A well-done balayage, by contrast, often gets by with two or three appointments a year — plus the occasional glossing for freshness.

So anyone who does the maths over a year discovers: the “most expensive” technique is frequently the cheapest — and in any case the most time-saving.

Can I switch between the techniques?

Anytime — and that's the loveliest part. A full colour can be developed step by step into a balayage (the lengths are lightened in a targeted way, the roots stay natural), and highlights become a soft gradient with one or two appointments. The other way round, you can simply let a grown-out balayage fade away — with no hard cut at all.

Just bring your desired look to the appointment. In the colour consultation we'll set out how many steps your hair needs for it — and what each step costs. Honest, transparent and without surprises.

Conclusion: there is no “best” technique — only the best one for you

Full colour for coverage and clear shades, highlights for even brightness, balayage for natural gradients with minimal upkeep: every technique has its place. What matters is your hair, your budget rhythm and how often you realistically want to sit in the salon.

Those are exactly the three questions we clear up in the colour consultation — with honest answers and a plan that fits your life. Appointments are available online via Treatwell or by phone on +43 664 75200395.