Balayage vs. Foilyage: What’s the Real Difference?

Ever wondered what the difference is between balayage and foilyage? The truth is—they’re more alike than different when it comes to the final look. Both techniques are designed to give you that sun-kissed, seamless blend that grows out beautifully and requires minimal upkeep.

The key difference? It’s all in the method your colorist uses. Balayage is hand-painted directly onto the hair for a softer, more natural lift. Foilyage uses the same painting technique but wraps the sections in foil for a bit more brightness and lift.

At the end of the day, both are low-maintenance highlighting techniques that deliver a lived-in, effortless result. Your colorist will choose the method that best suits your hair type and your desired outcome—it’s more about the approach than the end result.

So whether it’s balayage or foilyage, you’ll still walk out with those natural, glowing highlights you love.