Babylights, Balayage, Foilyage: lived in blonde techniques
Understanding Modern lived in Blonde Techniques
Navigating the world of hair colouring can be overwhelming, with so many techniques promising the perfect blend of brightness and dimension. At Hair Gal Jaz in Edinburgh, we take the confusion out of the process by focusing on results over rigid techniques—because the best approach is the one that delivers your ideal hair goals. Let’s break down the differences between these popular lived in blonde methods and how they can be customised to suit your needs.
first, What even Is Lived-In Blonde?
Lived-in blonde is a low-maintenance, natural-looking blonde that grows out seamlessly over time. Unlike traditional highlights that create a stark contrast between the roots and the rest of the hair, lived-in blonde is designed to blend softly, meaning fewer trips to the salon and a more effortless grow-out.
This technique involves strategic foiling, balayage, and root melting to create depth and dimension, mimicking the natural way hair lightens in the sun. The result? A soft, blended blonde that looks fresh for months without harsh regrowth lines.
Classic Highlights
Best for: Clients who want bright, defined blonde from roots to ends.
Traditional highlights involve fine sections of hair woven and wrapped in foils to lift and brighten. The level of contrast depends on how much hair is left unlightened between sections. Historically, highlights didn’t involve toners, meaning the final shade was based purely on the raw lift. Today, toners allow for tailored tones—from icy blondes to golden hues. Classic highlights aren’t very popular these days as they can feel quite stripy, in comparison to modern techniques.
Maintenance: Every 6-8 weeks.
Balayage: Natural, Sun-Kissed Dimension
Best for: Soft, low-maintenance brightness with a seamless grow-out.
Balayage means “to sweep” in French—a hand-painted technique creating a blended, lived-in effect. Unlike highlights, the lightener is painted onto the surface of the hair, avoiding defined lines. While this technique is ideal for subtle, sun-kissed brightness, it doesn’t lift as much as foiled methods, meaning results are typically warmer.
Maintenance: Every 4-6 months for refreshes, with glossing (a.k.a toning) in between.
Foilyage: Maximum Lift & Impact
Best for: Brighter, cooler results.
A hybrid of balayage and highlights, foilyage combines the softness of freehand painting with the lifting power of foils. This technique is perfect for those wanting a higher-contrast look or cooler blondes while maintaining the natural blend of balayage.
Maintenance: Every 3-5 months, with toners in between to keep the tone fresh.
Additional Techniques for Customised Blonding
Babylights: Ultra-fine foiled sections for a seamless, all-over blonde. Ideal for clients wanting natural, dimensional lightness.
Baby Slices: Slightly bolder than babylights, offering soft contrast and brightness.
Tip-Outs: Small sections, back combed with lightener placed on the mid lengths & ends. The more tip-outs, the brighter the ends become.
Backwash Balayage: A quick refresh that lifts ends by ½ to 1 level—perfect for brightening dull ends.
Root Melt/Shadow Root: Blends lightened hair with natural roots for a softer grow-out and longer-lasting results.
Reverse Balayage: Adds depth back into over-lightened hair, restoring depth and dimension.
Why We Focus on Results-Based Pricing
Many salons price services based on technique alone, which can leave clients confused about what’s actually needed to achieve their desired look. At Hair Gal Jaz, we take a results-driven approach, offering a tiered transformation menu.
How it works: The price of your service depends on:
How light you want to be
How light you already are
This ensures you receive the exact service required for your goal—without unexpected add-ons at checkout. Clarity, transparency, and no surprises.
Bringing the Right Inspiration Photos
To make the most of any appointment, we recommend bringing 3-5 inspiration photos that reflect your ideal tone, brightness, and placement. This helps us fine-tune our approach and create a look that aligns with your personal style - and saves any confusion! Read more about our lived in blonde services here.
