What’s the Difference Between Balayage, Highlights & Babylights? Our Stylists Explain
The variety of colouring techniques available might be intimidating, particularly when choosing between babylights, highlights, and balayage. All three provide brightness and dimension, but the outcomes (and maintenance) can vary greatly.
Our knowledgeable Edinburgh hairdressers at Sobo Hair Boutique are ready to help you understand it so you can confidently schedule your next colour session.
Balayage – Soft, Lived-In Colour
Balayage (a French word meaning “to sweep”) is a freehand hair colouring technique where lightener is painted onto the hair to create a soft, natural gradient. The colour is concentrated towards the mid-lengths and ends, with a gentle blend into your natural root colour.
Perfect for:
- Low-maintenance colour lovers
- A sun-kissed, “just back from holiday” look
- Adding dimension without harsh regrowth lines
Sobo tip: Balayage grows out beautifully, so most clients only need a refresh every 8–12 weeks, with a toner or gloss in between to keep the colour fresh.
Highlights – Classic, All-Over Brightness
Highlights are applied using foils, which allow for precise, even lightening from roots to ends. This technique creates more uniform brightness and can lift your overall base colour significantly.
Perfect for:
- Clients who want to go several shades lighter
- Even, consistent lightness from roots to tips
- Covering more of your natural base for a bold transformation
Sobo tip: Highlights typically require more frequent maintenance than balayage — usually every 6–8 weeks to keep roots in check.
Babylights – Subtle & Seamless
Babylights are ultra-fine highlights designed to mimic the natural, sun-lightened strands you might have had as a child. They’re incredibly delicate, creating a soft shimmer of colour rather than bold contrast.
Perfect for:
- A natural, barely-there brightness
- Blending greys without a solid colour
- Adding dimension to finer hair without heavy streaks
Sobo tip: Babylights work beautifully on their own or as a finishing touch to balayage or highlights for extra dimension.
Which One Is Right for You?
The right choice depends on your hair goals, maintenance preferences, and personal style. At our Edinburgh hair salon, we always start with a personalised consultation to:
- Understand your colour history
- Assess your hair condition
- Recommend the perfect technique for your look and lifestyle
Enhancing Your Colour at Sobo
Whichever technique you choose, we’ll protect and nourish your hair throughout the process with professional treatments from Kérastase or Aveda. You can also book a glossing treatment or toner alongside your colour for maximum shine and vibrancy.
And of course, why not finish with a fresh style at our blow dry bar in Edinburgh for that picture-perfect, post-colour glow?
Ready for a colour refresh? Book your appointment online or call our friendly team at Sobo Hair Boutique. Whether it’s balayage, highlights, or babylights, our stylists will make sure you leave with a look that’s flattering, modern, and uniquely yours.