When comparing balayage vs highlights, bring the salon a photo of the colour you want and a recent photo of your own hair. The service name helps narrow the menu, but your starting colour and the amount of lightness you want determine the appointment to discuss.
How balayage and foil highlights differ
Balayage is a way of painting highlights by hand, often concentrating lightness through the lengths and ends while leaving depth near the roots. Traditional foil highlights separate selected strands in foil and can place lightness close to the scalp. Madison Reed’s explanation describes the difference in placement and application.
Ask where you want the lightness to begin. A photo with a darker root and brighter ends gives a different brief from one with fine highlights starting close to the scalp. Your stylist can explain which technique, or combination of techniques, fits that brief.
Compare the complete appointment price
Studio Couture publishes partial highlights from $160, full foils from $190 and balayage or ombre from $205. Each of those menu entries explicitly includes toner. Root colour starts at $75 and full colour at $112, showing why an all-over colour appointment should be compared separately from a highlighting appointment.
Those are starting prices from Studio Couture’s hairstyling menu, checked on 15 October 2026 in Canadian dollars. The salon states that prices can change. Request a quote for your own hair and check whether a cut, blow-dry, extra product and taxes are included.
Prepare for a colour consultation
- Share your recent colour history, including home colour and previous lightening. If you do not remember a product or date, say so.
- Choose reference photos with lighting that makes the colour easy to see. Point out what you like about the roots, face-framing pieces or ends.
- Give the stylist your budget for this visit and the amount you can spend on later appointments.
- Ask how much time to reserve and whether the plan needs more than one visit. Agree on the first appointment’s scope before booking.
What should I ask about maintenance?
Ask the stylist to distinguish the next lightening appointment from any toner or root-colour appointments in between. Request the expected cost of each. A plan that fits your first-visit budget may involve later bookings you also need to account for.
Should I book partial or full highlights?
Use the consultation to confirm the placement. Ask the salon which parts of your hair its partial service covers, particularly if you wear your hair up. Menu labels alone do not tell you whether the areas visible in your usual style are included.
Is toner included with balayage?
Studio Couture lists it as included in the example above. Check each salon’s own menu and quote. Also ask whether the quoted finishing service is a blow-dry, a cut and style, or something you need to add.
Compare London hair salons for location and booking details. If you are also booking brows, our brow appointment guide explains the separate shaping and tinting choices.
Researched by The LdnOnt Lookbook. Menu and booking information checked on 15 October 2026. Confirm current details directly with the provider.