Partial Balayage vs Full Balayage
With many hair colors and style options, choosing what to do with your hair can easily become an overwhelming experience. However, full and partial balayage have recently become the two most popular choices.
Of course, if you choose to go down that road, there are factors to consider. Below, we will explain the differences between full and partial balayage and suggest which one might be better for you. Let’s take a look!
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word meaning “to sweep” or “to paint.” Traditional balayage involves highlighting the hair with a hand paint method. The color is swept or brushed onto the hair, giving it a natural, sunkissed effect.
The key to making balayage look natural is ensuring that the transition from dark to light is gradual and seamless.
Balayage is gaining popularity recently because it looks more natural than usual highlights. It can be done on any area of the natural hair, but it’s particularly well-suited to the hair around the face.
Many go for this look because it creates a graduated effect, with the darkest color at the roots and the lightest at the tips.
With the balayage highlighting process, stylists can create a wide range of looks – from subtle partial highlights to bold and vibrant colors. It’s also suitable for people who want low-maintenance hair color as it does not require touch-ups as often as traditional highlights.
Difference Between Partial and Full Balayage
Both techniques involve painting color onto the hair, but the placement of the color is what differs. With full balayage, the color is applied from roots to ends, whereas with partial balayage, the color is only applied to the mid-lengths and ends.
Partial balayage hair is a good option if you’re looking for a subtle style or new to the highlights craze. As its name suggests, partial balayage means lightening only a portion of the hair strands.
This partial balayage leaves hand-painted highlights only the upper layer, the front section, or even a few face-framing layers.
On the other hand, full balayage colors the entire mane. This balayage technique will give you a more noticeable lift and is a good choice if you want a significant change. It is also a good option if your hair is long or thick, as it will help to add dimension and depth.
In detail, it is vital to look at several differentiating factors between a full or partial balayage. Let’s take a look at essential decision-making points below:
Cost
Partial balayage cost is cheaper than full balayage.
Time Required
It will take less time to achieve the partial balayage look.
Maintenance
Partial highlights will require more visits to your stylist for retouch, as new growth will be more noticeable. While having a complete application will be easier to maintain, as the new development will be less noticeable.
Ideal for
Partial balayage is a good choice for those who want to add highlights to their hair without making a big commitment. It is also a good option for those who have fine or straight hair, as it can add volume and texture.
Full balayage hair is best suited for those who want a more dramatic look or those with thicker hair.
Effect on Hair
Both styles of balayage can cause hair damage as they bleach the hair. However, full balayage will likely cause more damage as it involves bleaching a larger area of the hair. It’s important to apply conditioner frequently to keep healthy hair.
Application Areas
You can apply the full balayage technique to any area of the hair, but people usually apply it on the back section of the hair. You can apply partial balayage to any area of the hair.
However, most people use it on the front section of the hair, around the face.
Life Span
The results of partial balayage will last for 3-4 months, while the effects of full balayage will last for 4-6 months. Partial Balayage will require re-touch s every 3-4 months, while full balayage will need re-touch every 4-6 months.
Visual Results
Partial balayage is best for those who want subtle highlights, as it only involves coloring the top layer of hair. On the other hand, full balayage will result in a more dramatic change, coloring all of the hair from root to tip.
As you can see, there are a few critical differences between partial and full balayage hair involving budget, time commitment, and maintenance needs. If you’re unsure which one is right, consult a professional hair colorist.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Between Partial Balayage and Full Balayage
People tend to make a few common mistakes when choosing between the two. First, they often assume that partial balayage is a less damaging procedure than full balayage when in fact, partial balayage can be more harmful because it involves bleaching smaller sections of hair.
Second, people often assume that partial balayage is less time-consuming than full balayage. However, this is also not necessarily true. Partial balayage takes less time overall but typically requires more re-touch than full balayage.
Finally, people often assume that partial balayage is less expensive. However, this is not always the case. Partial balayage can be just as expensive as full balayage, depending on the salon you go to and the length of your hair.
Best Technique for Long Hair vs. Short Hair
There is no definitive answer as to which technique is best for long or short hair. It ultimately depends on the look you are trying to achieve and your personal preferences.
Partial balayage may be a better option for those with shorter hair, as it can add volume and texture. Full balayage may be a better option for those with longer hair, as it can provide a more dramatic look.
Pros and Cons of Full and Partial Balayage
Now that we’ve looked at the critical differences between the two methods, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each method:
Partial Balayage
Pros
- More Affordable. It costs anywhere between 50-100$ while a full version is 150$-200$.
- Faster Results. A partial balayage can go up to an hour, and a full balayage takes about 3 to 4 hours.
- Lower Maintenance. Partial balayage is easier to maintain, as new growth will be less noticeable.
Cons
- Can damage the hair. Partial balayage can damage the hair as it involves bleaching the hair – it leaves the ends of the hair unprotected.
- Hair must be touched-up every 3-4 months
Full Balayage
Pros
- Applicable to any area of the hair. It can be applied to any area of the hair but is usually used in the back section.
- More dramatic results. Full balayage will give you more dramatic results when compared to partial balayage because when the color is applied all over, it creates a more unified look.
- Longer lasting results. The results will last 4-6 months; touch-ups are required every 4-6 months.
Cons
- Pricier. Full balayage is more expensive than partial balayage.
- It takes longer to achieve desired results. Full balayage will take longer to achieve the desired finished look when compared to partial balayage. It is a more tedious process as the hair stylist must carefully apply the dye to each strand of hair.
- More damaging to the hair. Full balayage is more damaging to the hair as it involves bleaching a larger area of the hair.
So, Which one is for me?
Now that you know the difference between the two balayage techniques, the answer is definitely up to you.
Still, partial balayage is probably the way to go if you want an easy-to-maintain look. On the other hand, full balayage is your best bet if you’re looking for a more dramatic transformation. Whichever style you go for, we’re sure you’ll rock it!
Aida
