How to Choose the Right Balayage or Highlight Shade for Your Skin Tone
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the difference between balayage vs highlights helps in selecting the best technique for your hair.
- Identifying your skin undertone is crucial for choosing the most flattering hair colour.
- Cool skin tones suit icy blonde and ash brown, while warm tones complement golden blonde and caramel shades.
- Neutral skin tones can experiment with a mix of warm and cool shades for versatility.
- Consulting a professional hair salon in Singapore ensures the best results and minimal damage.
Why is it Important to Choose the Right Balayage or Highlight Shade?

Balayage and highlights are among the most popular hair colouring techniques, offering dimension, brightness, and a fresh new look. However, choosing the wrong shade can make hair appear unnatural or clash with your complexion. To achieve a seamless and flattering colour transformation, it’s essential to consider your skin tone and natural hair colour. This guide will help you understand balayage vs highlights and how to choose the perfect shade for your unique features.
What is the Difference Between Balayage and Highlights?
Balayage:
Highlights:
A traditional method that uses foils to lighten sections of hair from root to tip, creating a more defined contrast. This technique is great for adding brightness and dimension to the hair.
Both techniques enhance your overall appearance, but the right choice depends on your desired look and maintenance preference.
How to Determine Your Skin Tone for the Perfect Hair Colour?
When considering balayage vs highlights, you should consider your skin tone. Your skin’s undertone plays a key role in choosing the most flattering balayage or highlight shade. Here’s how to identify your undertone:

- Cool Undertones: If your veins appear blue, silver jewellery suits you better, and your skin has a pinkish or bluish tint, you have cool undertones.
- Warm Undertones: If your veins appear green, gold jewellery looks better on you, and your skin has a golden or peachy hue, you have warm undertones.
- Neutral Undertones: If you have a mix of blue and green veins and both silver and gold jewellery complement your skin, you have a neutral undertone.
Now that you know your undertone, let’s explore the best balayage in Singapore and highlight shades for your complexion.
What are the Best Balayage and Highlight Shades for Cool Skin Tones?
If you have a cool undertone, you’ll want to opt for hair colours that enhance your natural tones without making your complexion appear washed out.
Recommended shades:
- Platinum or Icy Blonde: Perfect for those looking for a striking blonde look that complements cool skin.
- Ash Brown: A soft and elegant shade that neutralises warmth and looks sophisticated.
- Cool Caramel: Adds warmth while keeping a cool, balanced contrast.
A professional hair salon in Singapore can customise these shades to match your specific hair type and condition.
What are the Best Balayage and Highlight Shades for Warm Skin Tones?
Warm undertones shine with rich, golden hues that complement their skin’s natural glow. Choosing warm shades enhances vibrancy and creates a flattering contrast.
Recommended shades:
- Golden Blonde: A warm, sunlit hue that enhances golden or olive skin tones.
- Caramel Balayage: A rich and dimensional colour that blends beautifully with warm skin tones.
- Honey Highlights: Adds depth and brightness to warm brown or dark blonde hair.
Opting for hair highlights in Singapore in these shades ensures a natural, radiant finish that enhances your overall appearance.
What are the Best Hair Colour Shades for Neutral Skin Tones?
If you have a neutral undertone, you have the flexibility to experiment with both cool and warm shades.
Recommended shades:
- Soft Honey Blonde: A balanced blend of warm and cool tones that suits almost everyone.
- Light Ash Brown: A subtle but stylish shade that adds elegance.
- Beige Blonde: A muted yet sophisticated colour that enhances a natural look.
Neutral undertones provide the opportunity to mix and match shades, creating a custom colour that enhances facial features beautifully.
What Other Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Hair Colour?
While skin tone is a major factor, other considerations will help you make the best choice for your lifestyle and maintenance preferences:
- Natural Hair Colour: Lighter hair adapts more easily to highlights, while darker hair may require more sessions to achieve the desired shade.
- Maintenance: Balayage requires less upkeep compared to traditional highlights, making it a great choice for those with busy lifestyles.
- Hair Health: Bleaching and colouring can affect hair health, so using professional treatments at a reputable hair salon in Singapore is essential for maintaining hair integrity.
- Professional Consultation: A skilled colourist can help determine the perfect shade based on your hair type, personal style, and upkeep preference.
Selecting the right balayage vs highlight shade for your skin tone ensures a stunning, natural-looking transformation. For the best results, consult a professional at Picasso Hair Studio, a leading hair salon in Singapore. Our expert colourists specialise in balayage and hair highlights ensuring you get a personalised look that suits you perfectly.
Contact us today to book an appointment and let us bring your dream hair colour to life!