Hair Highlights & Balayage in Richmond Hill

Sun-kissed dimension and depth, hand-painted by specialists. Highlights and balayage are what Superstar Hair Studio is known for — natural-looking transitions, face-framing brightness, and colour that grows out beautifully.

Recent work by Gilaneh

Real clients, photographed in our salon on Bayview Ave — hair only, never faces. Every result starts with a free consultation.

What we offer

• Full and partial highlights
• Balayage & ombré — hand-painted, seamless colour transitions
• Babylights & face-framing brightness
• Toner and gloss finishing for shine and tone correction
• Bond-building treatments to protect your hair during lightening

Why clients choose us for colour

Master stylist Gilaneh brings 25 years of colour experience to every appointment at our Richmond Hill studio on Bayview Avenue. We work with your natural base, skin tone, and lifestyle — and we keep your formula on file so every visit builds on the last.

Pricing is personalized to your hair — length, thickness and the technique involved. Book a free consultation and get an exact quote with no obligation.

Choosing between highlights and balayage

Highlights and balayage both brighten your hair, but they are placed differently, grow out differently and need different upkeep. Here is what to know before your consultation in Richmond Hill.

Highlights, babylights and balayage in plain words

Highlights are fine sections of hair lightened from close to the root, usually wrapped in foils. The result is brighter and more even, from the parting to the ends. Partial highlights focus on the sections that show most, such as the top and around the face; full highlights go through the whole head. Babylights are very fine highlights for a soft, natural sparkle.

Balayage is painted by hand onto the surface of the hair, softer near the root and brighter towards the ends. Because there is no sharp line at the root, it usually grows out more gently. It suits a sun-kissed look and fewer visits.

Prices and time in the chair

Partial highlights are booked for about 75 minutes; full highlights and balayage for about two and a half hours. Every colour service includes a free consultation first, the blow-dry finish and your formula kept on file. Gilaneh confirms your exact price at the consultation, before anything starts.

Going lighter, gently

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that lightening hair more than three shades needs stronger peroxide, which causes more damage. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist adds that lighteners strip the hair’s protective outer coating, leaving strands thinner and weaker. That is why a big change is sometimes planned over more than one visit. A bond treatment (about 30 minutes) can be added to your appointment; these treatments are designed to support the hair’s inner structure while it is lightened. Evidence that they fully rebuild the bonds is still limited.

Lightened hair can turn warm or brassy over time, especially in the sun. A toner or gloss (about 35 minutes) refreshes the shade between lightening visits; Healthline notes that salon gloss results usually last about four weeks.

Caring for your colour at home

• Massage shampoo into the scalp only and let it rinse through the lengths; use conditioner after every wash.
• A gentle, colour-safe or sulfate-free shampoo is a sensible choice. Evidence that sulfates fade colour is mixed, but they can be harsh on dry or fine hair.
• Wrap your hair in a towel instead of rubbing it, and keep heat tools on a low setting with a heat protectant.
• Lightened hair is more sensitive to sun and chlorine. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, use a swim cap or leave-in conditioner before the pool, and rinse right after swimming. Dermatologists suggest not lightening right before a sunny holiday.

Before your appointment

Unsure? Start with the free 15-minute consultation, in Farsi or English, with no deposit and no commitment. Bring photos of colour you love, and of colour you don’t. Tell Gilaneh about any box dye, henna or past reaction to hair dye. Health authorities advise a skin allergy test before hair-dye services, at least 48 hours ahead, and a past black henna tattoo can raise the risk of a reaction, so mention it when you book. Booking a colour service takes a $20 deposit that comes off your bill, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Tone not what we agreed? Gilaneh corrects it free within 14 days.

Ready to plan your highlights or balayage? Book your free consultation online or call 905-884-2521.

Highlights and balayage: frequently asked questions

How much do highlights and balayage cost at Superstar Hair Studio?

The price depends on your hair’s length and thickness and on the technique. Gilaneh confirms it at your free consultation, before any work begins.

How long does a highlights or balayage appointment take?

Partial highlights are booked for about 75 minutes, and full highlights and balayage for about two and a half hours, including the blow-dry finish. Very long or thick hair, or a big change in shade, can take longer. Gilaneh tells you the expected time at your consultation.

How often will I need a touch-up?

Balayage is painted softer at the root, so it usually grows out more gently than foil highlights. For both, the next full lightening visit is usually every 4 to 5 months. If you like, a toner every 2 months or so refreshes your highlights or balayage in between.

Will highlights or balayage damage my hair?

Any lightening changes the hair, and going more than three shades lighter needs stronger peroxide, which causes more damage, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Planning the change carefully, adding a bond treatment and using conditioner after every wash all help. If your hair is already dry or damaged, Gilaneh can suggest a gentler plan at the consultation.

Should I choose highlights or balayage?

Choose highlights if you want brighter, more even colour from the root and don’t mind regular visits. Choose balayage if you want a softer, sun-kissed look that grows out gently. If you are unsure, the free 15-minute consultation with Gilaneh is the easiest way to decide.

What should I do before my appointment?

Tell us about any box dye, henna or past reaction to hair dye, and ask about a skin allergy test, which health authorities recommend at least 48 hours before colour. Bring photos of looks you like and don’t like. A colour booking needs a $20 deposit that comes off your bill, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

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⭐ 4.7 stars on Google · 14+ years in Richmond Hill · Farsi & English spoken · Free parking