Guide · Hair colour
Balayage vs. Highlights: Which Is Right for Your Hair in Dublin?
A straight answer from the colour team at 73 Capel Street on which technique suits your hair, your budget and how often you can get back to the salon.
73 Capel Street, Rotunda, Dublin 1 · Mon 12:00–19:00, Tue–Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun Closed
Balayage is hand-painted freehand lightening that softens into your natural base, so regrowth stays blurred for months. Foil highlights are woven section by section from the root for stronger, more uniform lift, which means sharper brightness but more frequent root work.
How the two techniques actually differ
Balayage is painted on freehand. Your colourist sweeps lightener down the mid-lengths and ends, leaving the root darker so the transition is gradual. Because nothing is packed at the root, there is no hard line when your hair grows.
Highlights are woven into fine sections and wrapped in foil, which holds heat and lifts more evenly from root to tip. That gives you a brighter, more even blonde — and a visible regrowth line once the root starts to show.
Upkeep: how often you'll be back on Capel Street
Balayage clients typically come back every three to four months, and many stretch it further with a gloss or toner refresh in between. Foil highlights usually need attention every six to ten weeks depending on how light you go and how fast your hair grows.
If your diary is tight or you travel, balayage is the lower-maintenance choice. If you want maximum brightness and are happy with regular appointments, foils win.
Which one suits your base colour
Dark and Brazilian hair types often look best with balayage or morena iluminada — hand-painting keeps the depth at the root that makes lighter ends look intentional rather than grown out.
Naturally light or previously highlighted hair can take foils comfortably, and a mix of both is common: foils through the top section for brightness around the face, balayage through the rest for movement.
- Dark base, low maintenance: balayage
- Want an all-over brighter blonde: foil highlights
- Face-framing brightness with soft ends: a combination of both
What it costs at Blend
Balayage at Blend Beauty Artisans starts from €149, depending on hair length and how much lightening is needed. Because every head of hair arrives with a different colour history, we confirm your exact price at consultation before any product goes on.
“I got my hair highlights done, and I absolutely love them. The staff member was so kind, talented, and professional.”
“It was a lovely experience at Blend Beauty Artisans. Nayara exactly knows what I want and she coloured my hair just the way I wanted to. All the staff were super friendly.”
Questions
Book a colour consultation on Capel Street
Message us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm your artist and time. Walk-ins welcome.