Balayage vs Foils: Which Colour Technique Suits Your Natural Daylesford Glow?

Balayage from the French word “to sweep” is a freehand painting technique where colour is lightly brushed onto the surface of the hair. The result is soft, blended highlights that mimic the way the sun naturally lightens hair.

Why clients love balayage:

Low maintenance . The regrowth is less noticeable, so you can generally stretch out appointments apart from toning/refreshing for a glossed look. Balayage creates a natural finish as the painted strokes create a seamless, diffused look.

It's customisable and works beautifully on brunettes, blondes, and even red natural types of hair. Colour is placed to blend with regrowth.

Balayage techniques are perfect for brides after a romantic countryside glow, locals wanting an “I-just-came-back-from-the-spa” vibe, or anyone seeking a low-key transformation.

What Are Foils?

Foils involve sectioning hair and wrapping strands in foil with lightener or colour. This creates a more structured and even lift, perfect for those who love brightness and definition. Colour is closest to the root as possible.

Why foils remain a favourite:

Precision allows your colourist to achieve lighter results close to the root.

Control is ideal for covering greys or creating a more dramatic blonde.

Variety you can go subtle with partial foils or bold with a full head, you can even mix and match varying colours to create tonal effects.

This is perfect for anyone who loves clean, high-impact colour or wants reliable grey coverage.

Balayage	Foiling
Free hand painting and sometimes weaved	Hair weaved to desired thickness and hair coloured in the foil
Hairdressers use multiple techniques to achieve blended looks in blocks	Can use multiple colours in patterns, sections and direct choice of area
Can be multi toned	Lightener foils are usually toned where required if lifting lighter
More labour intensive	Labour intensive but faster to create
regrowth, generally seamless	regrowth, usually noticeable unless tones are close to the natural colour
Takes a long time to create depending on length, lift and colour desired.	Generally up to an hour or less depending on thickness, length and amount of colour

Worth a mention: The good old fashion Tip cap has popularity at times. Highlights created with as rubber cap and crochet hook. Generally only one colour is achieved, highlights are pulled out of the cap through the pre punctured holes. A cost effective way to highlight hair but is also painful for some people. Long hair is usually not recommended for this service due to the hair tangling. Great for short hair, top only colours.

Which Should You Choose?

If you’re chasing that relaxed, spa-town chic style Victoria is known for, balayage is your go-to. It delivers that “weekend away” look that blends seamlessly into everyday life.

However, if you prefer a brighter, more defined blonde or need stronger coverage, foils may be the better choice. Many stylists even combine the two – balayage for softness with a few face-framing foils for brightness.

At Hair & Beauty Retreat Daylesford, we tailor every colour service to your hair type, lifestyle, and personal style. Our stylists often blend both balayage and foils for a look that feels natural yet polished.

✨ Tip: Bring photos of your dream look to your consultation. We’ll guide you on whether balayage, foils, or a combination will give you the perfect glow.

👉 Ready to glow? Book your balayage or foil colour session in Daylesford