If you’re looking to spruce up your hair color but aren’t ready for a significant change, you might consider highlights. Highlights will allow you to brighten your look with subtle streaks of hair color without changing your entire head of hair.

But the big question is: What kind of highlights do you want? The word “highlights” is an umbrella term that can encompass a variety of techniques. Balayage and babylights are two popular options.

Babylights hair vs. balayage— which one is right for you? Read on to find out.

Balayage

Balayage is a freehand highlighting technique done with hand painting that dates back to 1970s France. The word “Balayage” comes from the French language and refers to the freehand, sweeping strokes a colorist uses to paint balayage hair.

Balayage brings the lightest color at the ends of your strands instead of at the root. As you go down the strands, a lighter shade is gradually worked in, becoming stronger and stronger. The ends of the strands are mainly highlighted, and your natural hair color is no longer visible.

Babylights

Babylights are little highlights. They get their name because they resemble the type of natural highlights found in children’s hair, with more lightness at the crown and the ends.

Babylights aren’t hand-painted freely like balayage. Instead, they are applied using the same technique as regular highlights, with foils. However, babylights use tiny sections of hair spaced closely together. With this technique, the natural hair color and babylights blend easily.

Babylights vs. Balayage: Choosing the Right Option for You

Are you trying to decide between babylights hair vs. balayage? There are five key factors to consider:

• Desired appearance
• Your hair color
• Your hair type
• Maintenance commitment
• Styling preferences

We go into more detail on each point below. Read on to see what you should consider when making your final choice.