Partial Balayage vs. Full Balayage: What’s the Difference?

Published August 26, 2024

Partial vs. full balayage? Both hair highlights are easy to love. Balayage is an effortlessly stylish hair trend achieved by hand-painted highlights. Clients appreciate the technique since it creates an authentic sun-kissed look and is much easier to maintain than traditional foils. First, you should better understand balayage before getting into the full vs. partial debate.

Balayage Overview

The French word “Balayer,” which translates as “to sweep,” is where balayage got its name. The term refers to the method of coloring your hair, not to the color itself. Balayage is a procedure in which hairstylists paint highlights onto the hair by hand to achieve a more advanced, natural-looking highlight.

Balayage is a hair coloring procedure created by a French hairstylist to achieve a natural highlight. The process involves hand-painting a thick combination of lightener onto a portion of hair with brushes in one of three different paint designs: “Singles,” “Slants,” and “V’s.” Then, the designers apply lightener in a “sweeping” motion, starting thin at the roots and building up to the ends.

The procedure ensures complete control over the application of color and results in reduced overgrowth and increased contrast in the hair. As a result, you’ll have the finest natural-looking highlights you’ve ever seen. Due to the absence of heat and foils, the hair is left in excellent condition and free of stripes due to the elimination of foil lines.

Partial Balayage vs. Full Balayage

Full balayage involves adding highlights throughout your hair. It is an excellent and popular treatment for anyone who wants lighter hair without the constant care associated with root growth.

Like full balayage, partial balayage uses a freehand hair coloring method in which highlights are placed on a particular area of hair rather than all over. Typically, it is applied around the face or to the upper layer of hair, emphasizing the ends.

Hair Styling and Coverage

If you’re looking for subtle style improvements, partial balayage is the way to go, while full balayage is for more radical alterations to your hair. Partial balayage involves fading or lightening your hair in sections, but the full balayage method thoroughly bleaches your hair, leaving only 5 to 7 cm of the root.

Time and Cost

As mentioned, full balayage means highlighting the entire hair, which takes slightly longer than a partial balayage process. A full balayage will take three, sometimes four, hours in the salon, whereas partial balayage only takes 45 minutes to finish.

In 2024, the cost of full balayage typically ranges from $150 to $500, while partial balayage costs between $70 and $222. The prices can vary based on location and the stylist’s experience, but generally, full balayage is more expensive than partial balayage.

Skin Tones and Hair Colors

Balayage is a versatile hair coloring technique that can be customized to suit various skin tones and hair colors. Here’s a general guide:

Full Balayage

Skin Tones:

• Fair Skin: Ashy or cool tones like platinum or icy blonde can complement fair skin.
• Medium Skin: Warm tones like caramel or honey blonde work well.
• Dark Skin: Rich, warm colors like chocolate or chestnut enhance darker skin tones.

Hair Colors:

• Blonde Hair: Lighter shades or even pastel tones can add dimension.
• Brunette Hair: Caramel or toffee highlights can create a sun-kissed look.
• Red Hair: Copper or golden highlights can enhance the natural red tones.