Babylights vs. Highlights: What’s the Difference?
By Bella Garcia · · 5 min read
If you’ve been thinking about going lighter, you’ve probably run into two terms that sound almost the same. Babylights vs. highlights is one of the most common questions we hear when someone wants brightness without a full color change. Both add lighter pieces to your hair, but how much of your head gets lightened, how many foils go in, and how the color grows out are different. Here’s a clear breakdown so you can walk into your appointment knowing what to ask for.
What are highlights?
Highlights are sections of hair lightened to a brighter shade than your base color. The sections are usually medium to thick, which gives a noticeable, dimensional contrast. Depending on placement, the result can range from soft and sun-kissed to bold and high-contrast.
At Beya Studios, a full-head highlight places foils throughout the entire head, not just around the face or on top. It typically uses 20 or more foils, and a toner and blowdry are included, so you leave with the tone corrected and the hair styled. Expect the appointment to run about 2 hrs 20 mins.
Highlights tend to be a good fit if you want:
- A clearly brighter overall look, including underneath and at the nape
- Defined, visible ribbons of lighter color
- A bigger step toward blonde or caramel tones
- Brightness that still shows when you wear your hair up
What are babylights?
Babylights use finer pieces and focus on the top half of the head, where light naturally hits. Our babylight service typically uses 10 to 14 foils, and like the full highlight, toner and blowdry are included. Plan for about 1 hr 45 mins in the chair.
The name comes from the soft brightness young kids often get after a summer outside. Because the pieces are fine and stay on the top section, the finish looks like your own color, just brighter, and the underneath stays your natural shade.
Babylights are often a good fit if you want:
- A subtle, lived-in brightness around the part and crown
- Softer dimension without obvious contrast
- A first step into lightening before committing to a full head
- Fewer foils and a shorter appointment
Babylights vs. highlights: the key differences
Here’s how the two compare side by side:
- Coverage: babylights cover the top half of the head; a full highlight covers the whole head
- Foil count: typically 10 to 14 for babylights, 20 or more for a full highlight
- Look: babylights read as a soft glow on top; highlights read as more defined, all-over brightness
- Grow-out: babylights usually blend more gradually; highlights can show a clearer line as roots grow in
- What’s included: both come with toner and a blowdry
Neither option is better. Think about how much change you want to see in the mirror, whether you wear your hair up a lot (babylights won’t show underneath), and how often you want to come back in.
How each one grows out
Grow-out is often the deciding factor. Because babylights are fine and sit on top, the line where new growth meets lightened hair tends to be softer. Many people can stretch time between appointments a little longer, especially if they wear a center or deep side part that hides the transition.
Full highlights, especially high-contrast ones on a dark base, show regrowth more clearly. That doesn’t mean they’re high maintenance for everyone, but plan for regular refreshes if you love that crisp brightness. Some clients alternate: a full highlight one visit, babylights on top the next, to keep the brightness up without lightening every strand again.
Upkeep: toner, gloss, and at-home care
Lightened hair can turn warm or brassy over time, and sun, heat, and frequent washing speed that up. In the San Gabriel Valley, strong sun is a factor for a good part of the year, so a hat or a UV spray on long outdoor days really does help.
A few habits help your brightness last:
- Use a heat protectant before blowdrying or hot tools
- Wash with cooler water and try to stretch washes to every two or three days
- Use a purple or blue shampoo once a week if yellow or orange starts creeping in
- Book a toner between lightening appointments if you want to adjust or refresh the tone
- Book a gloss if the tone is fine but the hair looks dull; it’s a clear treatment that adds shine without adding color
If you’re not sure which of those two you need, here’s what separates a gloss from a toner.
For more on daily habits, read about protecting lightened color between visits.
Pricing at Beya Studios
A babylight service is $180 and a full-head highlight is $250, with toner and blowdry included in both. A standalone toner is $100 and a gloss is $100 if you’d like a refresh between visits. Everything else is listed on our color and highlight menu.
Which one should you choose?
Here’s a simple way to decide:
- Want a soft glow on top that grows out gently? Lean toward babylights.
- Want brightness all over, including when your hair is up? Lean toward a full highlight.
- Still torn? Bring two or three photos, plus one photo of a look you don’t want, and talk it through during your consultation.
Your current color, any box dye or past lightening, and how bright you want to go all play a role. Previously colored hair can lift unevenly, so tell your colorist about anything done in the last couple of years. If you have questions before booking, send us a question and we’ll help you choose.
FAQ
Are babylights less damaging than highlights?
Usually less hair is lightened, since babylights cover only the top half with fewer foils. Both still involve lightener, so both need good aftercare like heat protectant and gentle washing.
Can I get babylights on dark hair?
Usually, yes. Babylights can add soft brightness to dark hair, and the included toner helps control warmth. How light you can go in one visit depends on your starting color and hair history.
Should I book a toner or a gloss between highlight visits?
Book a toner if your blonde has turned brassy and you want the tone adjusted. Book a gloss if you only want shine, since it’s a clear treatment that doesn’t change your color.
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