“Ombre is typically done with lightener being placed horizontally with full saturation of the section and then blended upward to diffuse the line and Balayage will take smaller sectioning, where color will be painted onto the surface of the hair,” says Twylla Jane. Ombre is more of a horizontal placement and Balayage is more vertical.
In short, Ombre is a bit more of a style; Balayage is a technique.
Both result in a pretty low maintenance routine, since the haircolor placement is not strict but done in gradual (for Ombre) or sweeping (for Balayage) placement. Regular foil highlights, for example, require more regular visits to the salon. However, getting the actual service done and achieving the result you’re looking for can be expensive.
“Balayage and Ombre are both specialized, often times requiring a higher beauty budget and time in the salon,” Jaclyn says. “It is a low maintenance result, but important to continue haircare treatments and consistent visits to the salon to maintain optimal color results."