Babylights vs. Highlights - What’s the Difference?

If you've ever heard the terms babylights vs. highlights and wondered what sets them apart, you're not alone. Both are used to lighten hair, but babylights is a technique within highlighting that creates a different effect and caters to different styles. To help you understand the difference between babylights vs. highlights, we’ll break down these popular hair coloring methods and explore which one might be right for you.

What Are Babylights vs. Highlights?

The question of whether to use babylights vs. highlights often causes confusion because both involve lightening sections of your hair. Let's break it down. Highlighting is the overall method of adding lighter strands or sections to the hair. You will see your colorist use a tail comb to "weave" out sections of hair and place it in foil, then apply lightener to those sections. Traditional highlights consist of thin to large sections of hair to create lightness and contrast with your natural color. 

Now let's talk about babylights. Babylights are a technique within highlighting that create a different effect. The sections of hair that are lightened are very fine, delicate strands of hair that mimic the natural lightening you’d get from the sun over time. The effect is subtle, giving your hair a soft, natural glow. Unlike traditional highlights, babylights result in a much softer, more blended look that’s ideal for those who want to add dimension without drastic contrast.

Highlights vs. Babylights Blonde

When considering a blonde look, you might find yourself wondering about traditional highlights vs. babylights. With highlighting in general, you can go as subtle or bold as you want. Traditional style highlights are perfect for those who want to brighten their hair significantly and see more lightness throughout.

On the other hand, babylights offer a more natural, refined effect. The delicate, fine strands of blonde blend seamlessly with your natural color, creating a soft, multi-dimensional look. This can also aid in a less noticeable regrowth line. For those who prefer a subtler approach to blonde, babylights are the way to go.

Your colorist may actually recommend a blend of the two. Usually, finer babylights are great around the hairline and parting for a soft, blended look as well as medium-larger sections of highlights placed underneath where you might need more coverage and overall lightness added in.

Babylights vs. Highlights vs. Balayage

When faced with the choice of babylights vs. highlights vs. balayage, it really depends on your personal preference and how dedicated you are to the upkeep of your color.

Balayage is a French technique where color is hand painted onto the hair, creating a soft, sun-kissed look without the use of foils. Unlike highlights, which are applied in sections closer to the root for a more structured contrast, balayage is less defined and gives a more natural, blended effect through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. 

When talking about babylights vs. highlights vs. balayage, the final choice also depends on your desired maintenance level.

Highlights generally require more upkeep, as the contrast between your natural hair and the lightened sections becomes more noticeable as your hair grows.

Babylights, thanks to their finer application, tend to blend better with natural hair and grow out more naturally, requiring less frequent touch-ups.

Balayage is the lowest-maintenance of the three, as it grows out gracefully without any stark lines or regrowth.

Which One to Choose

In a nutshell, choosing between babylights vs. highlights comes down to personal style and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to:

• Traditional highlights are a great choice if you’re looking for more coverage of blonde and medium-to-bold contrast. If you're looking for a hairstyle that makes a statement, highlights will give you that bright, sun-kissed look. However, they can require more upkeep, so be prepared for more frequent salon visits to maintain that amount of lightness and vibrancy.

• Babylights, on the other hand, are perfect for those who want a more natural, subtle effect that is less contrasting with your natural color at the root. It is a technique that colorists love when they want to create a soft blend, especially around the hairline, so the result looks more natural. Another benefit is that the regrowth may look less noticeable since there is less of a stark contrast when your natural roots start to grow in. 

• If you prefer a sun-kissed, effortless, "lived-in" vibe but don’t want the stark lines of highlights, balayage might be your go-to. It requires less maintenance and is the most versatile of the three options. For those who like the idea of a light, natural look that’s easy to maintain, balayage could be the best fit, offering a more organic and customizable finish.

The Takeaway

Ultimately, the difference between traditional highlights and babylights boils down to the technique and how much contrast you want to see with your look. 

Choosing between these two techniques depends on the level of maintenance you're willing to commit to, and the final look you want to achieve. If you’re after a more full-coverage blonde transformation and don't mind regular touch-ups, traditional highlights might be the perfect option. However, if you’re looking for something more natural and blended with lower maintenance that requires fewer salon visits, babylights are the way to go.

Whether you go for babylights, highlights, or balayage, each technique can elevate your hair game in its own unique way, giving you the flexibility to change your look according to your preferences.

Not sure if babylights or highlights are the best option for your hair? Check our article on low-maintenance winter hair colors for inspiration!