Color and chemical treatments here are priced by hair length (S/M/L/SL), but the bigger decision is which technique actually gets you the look you want. Here's how our four most-requested color services compare.
Quick comparison
| | Balayage | Highlights (foils) | C-Shading | INOA |
| Technique | Hand-painted, freehand | Foil-sectioned | Toning / color correction | Ammonia-free full color |
| Look | Soft, sun-kissed graduation | Crisper, more uniform dimension | Neutralizes brassiness, refines tone | Even, natural single tone |
| Regrowth line | Soft, no harsh line | More visible as it grows out | N/A — a finishing step | Visible at roots as hair grows |
| Starting price (S) | ₱4,000 | ₱2,700 | ₱3,700 | ₱2,200 |
| Best for | Low-maintenance dimension | Bold, structured contrast | Fixing brassy/orange tones after lightening | Full grey coverage, sensitive scalps |
What's the actual difference between balayage and highlights?
Both lighten sections of hair, but the technique is different. Highlights use foils to isolate and process sections uniformly, giving crisper, more structured dimension. Balayage is hand-painted freehand directly onto the hair with no foil, which creates a softer, more graduated result with no harsh line as it grows out — that's why balayage is often described as lower-maintenance, since the regrowth blends rather than showing a visible demarcation.
When do I need C-Shading instead of a color service?
C-Shading is a toning and correction step, not a primary color technique — it's what neutralizes unwanted brassy, orange, or yellow undertones after lightening (from highlights, balayage, or a bleach service). If your highlights or balayage are turning warm faster than you'd like between appointments, C-Shading is the fix, not a new round of lightening.
Is INOA a good option if I mainly want grey coverage, not a dramatic color change?
Yes — INOA is specifically the better fit when the goal is even, natural-looking grey coverage rather than dimension or a fashion color, and it's gentler on sensitive scalps than standard ammonia dye. See our [INOA vs regular hair color guide](/tips/inoa-vs-hair-color-which-one) for the detailed comparison.
What are Hair Color and Pre-Lightening for?
Hair Color is our standard single-tone ammonia dye service — full color changes and vivid tones, faster than INOA. Pre-Lightening is a standalone bleach-lift step, used either before a lightening-dependent color like a fashion shade or heavy balayage, or on its own when the goal is simply to go lighter first.
How do I choose?
Think about maintenance tolerance first. Want the lowest-upkeep option with a soft regrowth? Balayage. Want bold, structured contrast and don't mind more frequent touch-ups? Highlights. Getting either done and worried about brassiness? Plan for C-Shading as a follow-up. Mainly need grey coverage with a gentle formula? INOA. Bring reference photos to your consultation — technique names mean different things at different salons, and a photo removes the ambiguity.
Technique aside, the shade itself matters just as much as the method — see our guide to [choosing hair color shades for Filipina skin tones](/tips/hair-color-for-filipina-skin-tones) before your consultation.
If you're also picking hair color for your wedding day specifically, see our [bridal hair planning guide](/tips/bridal-hair-cebu-planning-guide).