What balayage actually is
Balayage means “to sweep” in French, and that’s literally the technique. Color is painted on by hand instead of saturated in foils, with placement that gets denser toward the ends and softer near the root. The result is a lived-in look with a soft grow-out line, so when you’re three or four months past your appointment, you don’t have a hard demarcation announcing it.
It’s a slow, hand-placed service. A full balayage often runs longer than a standard highlight because every section is painted intentionally.
Starting price: balayage from $194.
The variations we do
Balayage is one technique in a family of painting and placement methods. At our Capitol Hill location we do the full set:
Foilyage (from $167). Balayage placement, then wrapped in foil during processing for more lift. Good if you want balayage’s softness but need brighter blonde than open-air painting can give you.
Baby lights (from $167). Fine, delicate highlights woven close to the scalp for a soft, natural brightness. Often used around the face and part for a low-key glow without a heavy highlighted look.
Teasy lights (from $167). Backcombed sections create a softer base under the highlight, so the result looks blended and lived-in instead of striped. A nice option if you’ve been highlighted before and felt the contrast was too sharp.
Root shadow (from $167). A deeper tone melted in at the root to soften the line between your natural color and your lightened ends. Great for stretching the time between appointments.
Money piece. Brighter face-framing pieces around the front. Often added to a balayage; sometimes done alone as a low-commitment change.
Lighten and tone, modern blonding. Our umbrella for clients who want to go blonder but aren’t sure exactly which technique gets them there. We’ll talk through it at the consult.
Tone, glaze, gloss. Finishing services that shift warmth, kill brass, or add shine. Priced by consultation. Often added to balayage to refresh between full appointments.
Balayage vs. highlights
People ask this a lot and the answer isn’t “balayage is better.” They’re different.
Highlights in foil give you brighter, more uniform lift. They’re better if you want a defined, bright blonde, want to go significantly lighter than your natural base, or want to come in regularly for upkeep.
Balayage gives you softer placement, a more lived-in grow-out, and usually lower maintenance over the year. It’s not always the cheapest option per visit (it’s labor-intensive), but you often need fewer visits.
If you’re stretching between appointments and don’t want a sharp regrowth line, balayage usually wins. If you want maximum brightness or a precise look, traditional or partial highlights are often the better tool. For our full traditional highlight menu, see our color page.
Will balayage work on your hair?
Usually yes, but how much we can lift in one session and what tone we can hold depends on your natural base, what’s previously been on your hair, your texture, and how your hair handles processing. This is exactly what we sort out at the consult. We’d rather tell you in person that your goal is a two-session project than promise one session and disappoint you.
If you’ve previously used box dye, had professional color that left a tone you don’t love, or have any unevenness from old highlights, please mention it when you book. It changes how we plan the appointment.
The colorists
Every colorist at The Parlour finishes our Advanced Education Program after beauty school: 6 to 12 months of in-house training plus two annual events with guest artists who lead the industry. Stylists then start at Level 1 and grow into higher levels with their clientele. Pricing reflects experience level, which is why you’ll see “starting from” numbers. The standard we hold every stylist to is the same.
We color with Wella, and we send you home with Kérastase or R+Co care so the tone you paid for actually holds.
Who books here
Everyone. All gender identities, all hair types, all backgrounds. Capitol Hill has one of Denver’s strongest LGBTQ+ communities and a creative, professional resident base, and our salon operates that way.
Booking your balayage in Capitol Hill
We’re at 670 Grant St in Capitol Hill, Denver. Book online or call (303) 953-2667.
If you’re combining services in one visit, see haircuts for a cut or hair extensions if length or density is also on the list.
FAQ
Balayage starts at $194. Foilyage, baby lights, teasy lights, and root shadow each start at $167. Tone, glaze, and gloss are quoted at consultation. The final price depends on your hair length, density, and what we’re working with.
Highlights in foil give you brighter, more uniform lift. Balayage is hand-painted for a softer, lived-in grow-out and usually lower maintenance over the year. Foilyage is balayage placement processed in foil for more lift. We’ll match the technique to your goals at the consult.
Most balayage clients return less often than traditional highlight clients because the grow-out is softer, but the right frequency depends on how blonde you want to stay, your natural base, and how fast your hair grows. We’ll plan upkeep at your first appointment.
Balayage is hand-painted and processed individually, so it usually runs longer than a standard color service. When you book, we’ll quote the time window based on your hair length, density, and goal.
Often yes, but how much we can lift in one session and what tone we can hold depends on your natural base, previous color, texture, and how your hair handles processing. We’ll give you an honest read at the consultation, including whether a single session or a staged plan makes sense.
Online at or call (303) 953-2667. If you’re moving from a previous colorist or fixing a result you didn’t love, mention it in the booking note so we plan the right amount of time.
