Balayage is one of the hardest salon services to price over the phone. Two people can ask for the same photo and need very different amounts of time, lightener and toner to get there. That is why most salons quote a starting price, and why the final number can feel like a surprise.
Here is our price, what other stylists around Orange County charge, and what actually moves the number.
The short answer
At Kija Hair Salon in Irvine, ombré and balayage start at $200. That is a starting price, not a flat rate. Your stylist confirms the exact figure at an in-person consultation, before any color goes on.
| Color service at Kija | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Ombré / balayage | $200+ |
| Full highlights | $200+ |
| Partial highlights | $90+ |
| Full hair color | $85+ |
| Root touch-up | $60+ |
| Corrective color | $150+ |
The full list lives on our services and pricing page.
What other stylists charge
Rather than tell you our price is fair, here is the outside data.
| Source | What it shows |
|---|---|
| StyleSeat booking data, California | Full balayage averages about $208; partial balayage about $197 |
| StyleSeat booking data, national | Full balayage averages about $193, with a range of $76 to $452 |
| Booksy listings near Irvine (checked October 2026) | 15 balayage listings from stylists within about 18 miles ran from $180 to $580; the middle price was $280 |
Sources: StyleSeat balayage cost guide and Booksy balayage listings for Irvine. Most of the Booksy prices were starting prices too, so the final bill at those salons can also be higher.
Our $200 starting price sits close to the California average and toward the lower end of what nearby stylists list. We are not the cheapest option in Orange County, and we do not try to be. The aim is a fair price for an experienced colorist, with no padding.
What moves the price
Length and density
More hair takes more lightener and more time to paint. Hair past the shoulder blades, or very thick hair, usually lands above the starting price.
Where your color is now
Going lighter from dark, box-dyed or previously colored hair takes more work than lightening natural hair. Old color may need to be lifted first, and that can move a balayage into corrective color.
How light you want to go
A soft, lived-in result close to your natural shade is quicker than a bright, high-contrast blonde. The bigger the change, the longer the appointment.
What is included
Before you book anywhere, ask what the quote covers: toning, a haircut and a blow-dry are sometimes included and sometimes priced separately. Comparing two quotes only works when they cover the same things.
Balayage, ombré or highlights?
| Service | How it is done | How it grows out |
|---|---|---|
| Balayage | Lightener is hand-painted onto sections of hair for a soft, blended look | Softly, with no hard line at the root |
| Ombré | Hair fades from darker roots to lighter ends | Softly, because the root stays dark by design |
| Highlights | Lightener is applied to thin sections, usually in foils, from close to the root | A visible line as the roots grow in |
If you are not sure which one suits you, bring a few photos to your consultation. Your stylist can tell you what your hair can realistically do in one visit. For shade ideas, our guide to warm hair colors like caramel, honey and copper is a good place to start.
How long balayage lasts
StyleSeat says balayage typically lasts three to four months before a touch-up. Because the color is painted rather than placed at the root, regrowth tends to blend more softly than with foil highlights.
What you wash with at home matters too. These are the products we stock for color-treated hair:
| Product | Why it fits color-treated hair | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amatora QUO Hair Bath | A silicone-free, paraben-free shampoo made for color-treated hair; we recommend it after a color service | $58 |
| Amatora QUO ColamasQ | A collagen treatment formulated to prevent color fading and help balance pH after color | $55 |
| Amatora QUO KitomasQ | A keratin-rich conditioner designed to help maintain color and restore shine | $50 |
| MUCOTA CS+DD Oil Treatment | A Japanese leave-in seaweed oil for dry, damaged ends on color-treated hair | $44 |
Not sure which QUO step you need? Our guide to which Amatora QUO to buy explains how they work together. Orders of $40 or more ship free in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does balayage cost in Irvine?
At Kija Hair Salon, ombré and balayage start at $200. Stylists listed on Booksy near Irvine ranged from $180 to $580 when we checked in October 2026.
Why is balayage more expensive than highlights?
Balayage is hand-painted section by section, which takes time and skill. At our salon, full highlights and balayage both start at $200, and partial highlights start at $90.
How often do you need a balayage touch-up?
StyleSeat puts it at about every three to four months. Many people go longer, because painted color grows out more softly than foils.
Can I get a balayage quote by text or photo?
Not an accurate one. Your stylist needs to see your hair's length, density and color history in person. The consultation is free, and you get the exact price before any color goes on.
Booking a consultation
Every professional at Kija is independent and keeps their own book, so you contact your stylist directly. Salda offers dimensional balayage and custom color, and Sima, our master stylist with more than 45 years of experience, offers custom color. Their numbers are on Meet Our Team. If you would rather write first, send us a message and we will reply in writing.
For our other prices compared with the rest of California, see Hair Salon Prices in Irvine.
We are at 13925 Yale Ave, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92620, open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.