Your Aveda Hair Color Guide | What's the Difference Between Balayage, Highlights, and Lived-in Color?
Ever found yourself scrolling through endless hair inspiration photos, loving a look, but having no idea what to ask for at the salon? You're not alone! The world of hair color techniques can be a bit like learning a new language. At Tangerine Salon, we believe an informed client is a happy client, and our goal is always to help you achieve your dream hair.
Today, we're breaking down three popular Aveda hair color techniques: Balayage, Highlights, and Lived-in Color. We'll explain the differences in simple terms, show you what kind of results you can expect, and help you confidently choose the perfect service for your next appointment.
Highlights: Classic Brightness and Dimension
What are highlights?
Highlights are perhaps the most well-known coloring technique. They involve sectioning off small strands of hair and applying lightener or color from the root to the tip, typically using foil to keep the sections isolated and ensure maximum lift. This creates a contrasting effect with your base color.
What kind of look can you achieve?
Highlights are perfect for adding overall brightness, dimension, and a "sun-kissed" effect throughout your hair. They can be subtle or dramatic, fine or chunky, depending on the desired outcome. They create a more uniform lightness compared to balayage.
Best for:
Achieving significant overall lightness.
Creating a traditional, uniform highlighted look.
Those who like a noticeable contrast between their natural hair and lighter pieces.
Balayage: Hand-Painted, Natural-Looking Lightness
What is balayage?
Balayage (pronounced bah-lay-ahge) is a French word meaning "to sweep" or "to paint." Unlike traditional highlights that use foils, balayage involves hand-painting the color or lightener onto the hair's surface. The application is freehand, starting further down the hair strand and becoming more concentrated towards the ends.
What kind of look can you achieve?
Balayage creates a soft, natural-looking highlight that blends seamlessly with your base color. It's known for its beautiful, sun-kissed effect with a softer regrowth line, making it very low-maintenance. The result is often more blended and less uniform than traditional highlights.
Best for:
Achieving a soft, natural, sun-kissed look.
Low-maintenance color with a soft grow-out.
Those who prefer a less structured, more blended highlight.
Lived-in Color: The Ultimate Low-Maintenance Look
What is “lived-in color”?
"Lived-in color" isn't a single technique but rather an approach to color that often combines elements of balayage, babylights, and root melting/smudging. The core idea is to create a color that looks incredibly natural, intentional, and beautiful as it grows out, minimizing harsh lines and extending the time between salon visits. It often features a softer, darker root that seamlessly transitions into lighter ends.
What kind of look can you achieve?
This is the holy grail for those who want beautiful, dimensional color without frequent touch-ups. It gives the illusion that your hair color simply is, rather than being freshly done. It's often characterized by a soft root, blended mid-lengths, and brighter ends, creating a soft, sophisticated gradient.
Best for:
Extremely low-maintenance color.
Achieving a very natural, "undone" yet polished look.
Those who want to extend time between appointments significantly.
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