Questions about balayage and dip dye - also Olaplex

[namechanger110]

Looking for some hairdressing advice please. My 15-year-old daughter has mousey brown hair and wanted to have balayage to make the ends lighter. I spoke to 2 hairdressers both quoting what I thought was an astronomical amount of money (£150+)and then olaplex on top of that but I am probably very out of touch with how much this costs (we are on Hertfordshire/Essex borders) as it is basically 4 times the cost of my regular colour. Before it was booked she started talking about having her hair dip dyed instead so I have a few questions:

1. Is there a big difference between balayage and dip dye (I assume balayage can be as high as you like but dip dye no more then say 2-3 inches at bottom of hair?)

2.The hairdresser said they would strongly advise having olaplex at same time as balayage which I think was another £35. Would she need this with dip dye too?

I don't totally understand the difference but I don't really want her starting on a hair regime that is going to end up costing hundreds of pounds every 2-3 months. Thanks very much.

Olaplex is a product that’s mixed into the bleach to help maintain the hair bonds and help reduce the damage done to hair by bleaching.
It doesn’t really matter on the technique used whether it’s dip dye or balayage but if you have concerns around damaged / fragile hair.

Personally I have a very light brown / dark blonde balayage and I like it as it doesn’t need the same regular maintenance as foil highlights do, as there’s no obvious regrowth. My hair just looks like I’ve been at the beach / on holiday.
But that would depend on how dramatic the colour difference is as to how long you’d get between treatments

Balayage is a bit more of an art form than dip dye. It's very strategic freehand painting and needs to be done correctly. I had a really bad experience once where the colourist used a board when she painted and it left a horrendous stepped/line effect. As such, it's pricey as it's time consuming BUT it very low maintenance as it can grow out nicely. Dip dye is obviously not as high up and will take a lot less time.

Definitely take the olaplex as well. It's pricey but it makes sure the hair doesn't get fried and can take a lot more lifting. I've just had balayage done over my older balayage and colours put in with an olaplex treatment worth £200 but it's brilliant, in good condition and would only need doing on occasion. When it comes to colour I really advice not skimping on price and experience as you can really muck hair up.

Side note my balayage was about a year and a half's worth of growth and still looked good because it had been done well.