Foils vs. Full Colour: What's the Difference?

When it comes to changing up your hair look, the options can seem endless and a tad overwhelming. Two popular techniques that reign supreme in hair salons across Australia are foils and full colour.

Each method offers a unique way to update your hair, catering to different desires, whether adding subtle beauty with light highlights or undergoing a complete colour transformation.

Understanding the differences between these two can help you make a better decision and communicate your wishes more effectively with your hairstylist.

Key Points

Foils are a great choice for adding dimension through highlights and lighter tones to hair in a natural and blended way, while full colour provides a more uniform and drastic change.
Foils are ideal for those looking for a subtle change or highlights, while full colour is best for covering grey hair, changing hair colour completely, or correcting previous colour treatments.
Both foils and full colour can offer versatility, with varying maintenance needs due to the required outcome and hair state.
To keep coloured hair vibrant and healthy, it's important to use products specifically designed for it. Applying a heat protectant before styling, opting for salon treatments or home hair masks, and shielding hair from UV rays are also essential steps.
Consult a professional hairstylist to determine the best technique for your hair goals and lifestyle.

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What Are Foils?

Foils, a favourite among those looking to add pops of blonde or lighter tones to their hair, excel in creating a blended, dimensional look.

This technique can be especially flattering around the face, introducing what many refer to as 'lights', which frame and illuminate your features. Using aluminium foil, your stylist will isolate small sections of hair, applying bleach or hair colour to lighten these strands.

The controlled application allows for precise placement, ensuring that the highlights complement your natural hair colour and style. It's a meticulous process that can add everything from sun-kissed golden highlights to cool-toned ash lowlights, depending on your preference.

Foils provide a way to lighten your hair without the commitment of colouring your entire head. It also allows for creative colouring techniques such as balayage, where the transition from your natural hair colour to the foiled strands is seamlessly blended.

Whether you're aiming for just a few face-framing highlights or a full head of foils, the goal is to lift the colour of selected pieces of hair, thus enhancing your overall look by creating a sense of dimension and blend.

What is Full Colour?

For those wanting to cover grey hair, go several shades darker, or change their hair colour entirely, full colour is the way to go. This technique involves applying hair colour or dye across the entire head, affecting every strand of hair from roots to ends.

It's an all-over approach that can drastically alter your appearance, giving you a uniform and consistent colour. The full-colour technique can also be a solution for correcting or changing previously coloured hair.

Whether you're transitioning from blonde to brunette, going for a bold red, or simply wanting to deepen your natural shade, full colour offers an immediate and profound change.

After the initial application, a toner may be used to adjust the hue to the desired shade, remove any brassiness, or add shine. Full-colour treatments can involve permanent or semi-permanent dyes, depending on the desired longevity and effect.

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Choosing Between Foils and Full Colour

Deciding between foils and full colour ultimately comes down to your hair goals, lifestyle and the type of hair you have.

If you want to add depth, enhance your natural hair colour with sun-kissed touches, or introduce lighter shades without a drastic change, your stylist will likely recommend foils.

Foils offer versatility, allowing for highlights or lowlights to create a breathtaking, dimensional look.

On the other hand, if you're after complete grey coverage, wish to darken your existing hair colour, or are ready for an all-new hair look, opting for a full-colour treatment will achieve those results. This approach gives you a uniform, rich colour that can completely transform your appearance.

Bear in mind that if you’ve chosen a shade far from your natural hair colour, you will need to visit the salon for root touch-ups for an optimal look.

Haircare Tips for Coloured Hair

Coloured hair looks vibrant, but it needs special care to stay that way. Don't let your beautiful new shade fade or your hair become damaged.

Here are some essential haircare tips to keep your coloured locks looking their best.

Wash Less Often: Limit shampooing to 2-3 times a week to prevent colour from fading quickly. Use products designed for coloured hair.
Avoid High Heat: Reduce the temperature of hair dryers and styling tools to protect your colour and prevent moisture loss. Also, use heat protection products if heat styling.
Condition Regularly: Always use a conditioner after shampooing. Apply a deep-conditioning treatment weekly to keep hair hydrated.
Protect From the Sun: Wear hats or use hair products with UV protection to shield your hair from sun damage and colour fading.
Visit the Salon for Hair Treatments: Ask your stylist for treatments specifically designed for colour-treated hair, such as gloss treatments, to help enhance the vibrancy and shine of your hair colour.

Final Thoughts

The choice between foils or full colour really depends on what type of look you're aiming for. Whether you're illuminating your natural locks with delicate highlights or embracing a bold new hue, remember that your hair is a canvas. With the right technique, the possibilities are truly endless.

If you're interested in knowing more about which technique suits you, you can visit us at Surry Hills, and our expert stylists can offer you personalised consultation.

Choose All About Hair Salon and take your hairstyle to a completely new level!

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Frequently Asked Questions

No, the application and processing are more time-consuming in the case of foils. When having foils or hair colouring done, additional services like toner or hair treatment can also extend the time of appointment.
Yes, you can transition from highlights to all-over blonde. To avoid severe damage to your hair, this process is often performed gradually over several visits to a salon. A hair colourist can assist you in this transition process.
How blonde you can go in one session depends on numerous factors, including your natural hair colour, its condition, and how it reacts to bleach. People with lighter hair may achieve blonde within one session, while others may require multiple treatment visits.