AirTouch, balayage, babylights and highlights: the differences

Classic highlights

The colourist picks out sections with a comb and lightens them root to tip in foil. The blonde is even and bright, but regrowth shows sooner, and if the whole strand is lightened again at every touch-up, the hair gets overloaded.

Babylights

Very fine, closely spaced strands that mimic the natural blonde children have. The effect is subtle: more light with no obvious contrast.

Balayage

Lightener is painted freehand on the surface of the hair, stronger through the lengths and ends. The root stays darker and the colour shifts gradually.

AirTouch

Before lightening, each section is blown with air from a dryer: the shorter, finer hairs fly off and only the strongest strands stay to be lightened. The blonde is diffused and grows out neatly. At the touch-up no product goes back onto hair that’s already lightened.

Side by side

• Contrast: classic highlights give the strongest; babylights the subtlest.
• Regrowth: AirTouch and balayage grow out without a hard line; highlights show one sooner.
• Upkeep: with AirTouch and balayage you can space out visits more.
• Time in the chair: AirTouch and very light blondes are the longest sessions; at KULTURA, up to six hours.

Which to choose

• You want a clear, even change: highlights or total blonde.
• You want light without it looking “done”: babylights.
• You want a natural fade with a darker root: balayage.
• You want the softest blend and neat regrowth: AirTouch.

At KULTURA all four are done by Roman, the studio’s head colourist. AirTouch, balayage or highlights cost ARS 180,000 to ARS 455,000 depending on length and density (November 2026). He chooses the technique at the consultation, based on your hair and the result you want.