Highlights, balayage, AirTouch, all-over colour — the names sound alike, but the result, the time in the chair and what you spend over a year are very different. Here’s how the techniques differ, who each one suits, and why prices for what looks like the same “lightening” vary so much across Lisbon.
Highlights vs balayage: each technique in a nutshell
Highlights
Fine sections are lightened along their full length, from the root, usually in foils. The result is a clear, even contrast: the lighter strands stand out on any base colour. The downside is that regrowth shows too, so you’ll need a touch-up roughly every 6–8 weeks.
Balayage
The lightener is painted on by hand in sweeping strokes, starting a little below the root rather than at it. The strands look naturally sun-kissed and blend softly into your own colour. Regrowth is barely visible, so balayage needs refreshing less often — usually every 3–4 months. It looks best on medium-length and long hair.
AirTouch
Before lightening, the colourist uses a hairdryer to blow the shorter hairs out of each section and lightens only the longer ones. This gives the smoothest root blend of any technique. It’s also the longest appointment, but it needs redoing less often, and between visits toning (a gloss) is often enough — more on that below. AirTouch is also good at blending early grey.
All-over colour
Colour is applied to all of the hair or just to the regrowth. It’s the most predictable way to change your shade or cover grey, but the roots will need doing more often than with any other option — roughly every 4–8 weeks.
Toning (gloss)
Toning, also called a gloss, doesn’t lighten the hair; it adds tone and shine, neutralising brassiness after lightening and reviving faded colour. It gradually washes out over a few weeks. It’s often done together with highlights or balayage, and on its own between colour appointments.
At a glance: time and upkeep
| Technique | Effect | In the chair | Refresh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights | Defined light strands from the root | 2–5 h | every 6–8 weeks |
| Balayage | Soft, sun-kissed strands | 3–5 h | every 3–4 months |
| AirTouch | The smoothest blend | 4–6 h | every 4–6 months |
| All-over colour | Even colour, full grey coverage | about 2–3 h | roots every 4–8 weeks |
| Toning (gloss) | Tone and shine without lightening | about 1–2.5 h | as needed |
These timings are a guide: a lot depends on the length, thickness and starting colour of your hair.
Which technique to choose
- You want a bright, “clean” blonde and don’t mind frequent salon visits — highlights.
- You want a natural look and fewer appointments — balayage or AirTouch.
- You’re starting to go grey — fine highlights or AirTouch blend it into your natural colour. There’s more in our article “Grey hair: cover, blend or embrace?”.
- You want an even new shade or full grey coverage — all-over colour.
- Your colour has faded or turned brassy — sometimes toning (a gloss) is all it takes.
If your hair is dark or already coloured, going blonde in a single visit usually isn’t possible: old colour is lifted in several stages to avoid damaging the hair.
Any lightening dries the hair a little. Balayage and AirTouch are gentler simply because fewer strands are lightened.
How much do highlights and balayage cost? What goes into the price
Lightening prices in Lisbon can vary several-fold, and it isn’t only down to the salon. The cost depends on:
- length and thickness — long, thick hair takes more product and more time;
- starting colour — a dark base and old colour take longer and are harder to lift;
- working time — AirTouch on long hair can take up most of the day;
- what’s included — toning, a treatment to protect the hair during lightening, the wash and the blow-dry.
When you compare prices, ask what’s included and whether there’s a surcharge for length. It’s a good sign if the salon tells you the final price before they start.
Hair colour prices at Persona
- Highlights / AirTouch: 250–350 € (about 5 h)
- Full blonde (lightening all the hair): 180–250 € (about 4 h)
- Face-framing highlights (lighter strands around the face): 150–200 € (about 3 h 30 min)
- All-over colour: 90–180 € (about 2 h 30 min)
- Toning: 90–160 € (about 2 h 30 min)
- Root colour: 90–120 € (about 2 h 30 min)
The range depends on the length and condition of your hair; your colourist will give you the exact price at the consultation, before any work begins. You’ll find all our services on our prices page.
The consultation is free. In 30 minutes at our salon in Parque das Nações, we’ll look at your hair, talk through the result you’re after, choose the technique and give you an exact price. You can book online.
How to prepare for your appointment
- Bring 2–3 photos of colour you love, and one of a colour you don’t.
- Tell us what you’ve used on your hair over the past year or two, including henna and tinted products.
- Think about how often you’re happy to come into the salon: it affects which technique makes sense.
- To make your colour last longer, see the tips in “How to care for coloured hair so the colour lasts longer”.
