Full foils vs half foils vs partial foils: what you are paying for

Full foils cover your whole head and cost £70 to £85 with us, half foils cover the top and sides for £55 to £65, and partial foils are a lighter scatter around your parting and face for £40 to £60. The price follows how much hair gets lightened, which means more foils, more product and more chair time.

I get asked about full foils vs half foils at almost every colour consultation, usually by someone who has seen the three options on the price list and wants to know which one they actually need. Here is how I explain it in my chair.

The short version

Full foils: highlights through the whole head, £70 to £85.

Half foils: top, crown and sides only, £55 to £65.

Partial foils: parting and face frame, £40 to £60.

Single foils start from £5 each for a few bright pieces.

Most clients add a toner for £20 to finish the colour.

What actually happens in a foil appointment

Foils are thin sheets we use to separate out sections of hair. We weave or slice a fine section, paint lightener or colour onto it, then fold the foil around it so it develops without touching the hair underneath. That separation is what gives you defined, even highlights rather than patchy all-over colour.

Every foil is placed by hand. A full head on thick hair can take dozens of them, and each one has to be sectioned, painted and folded. That is the honest reason the price changes between the three options.

Full foils vs half foils: where the line sits

Full foils go everywhere: the top, the crown, the sides and right through the back and underneath. If you want to go noticeably lighter all over, or you wear your hair down and the underneath shows when it moves, full foils are the one.

Half foils cover the parts of your head that show most, which is the top section, the crown and the sides. The underneath stays your natural or base colour, so you get a softer result with a bit more depth at the nape. For most people who wear their hair down, half foils give them most of the look for less.

Where people get caught out is booking half foils and then living in a high ponytail. The darker underneath shows. If your hair is up most days, tell us, because it changes what I would recommend.

Partial foils: who they suit

Partial foils are the lightest option. We place them around your parting, along the hairline and around the face, which is where light naturally hits. They brighten you up without a big change, and the grow out is very gentle.

They suit first-timers who are nervous about colour, anyone topping up between bigger appointments, and clients who just want the front brighter for summer or an event. If you only want two or three bright pieces, single foils from £5 each can work out even cheaper.

What else changes the price

The ranges on our price list are there for a reason. Longer and thicker hair takes more foils and more product, so it sits at the top of the range. Short, fine hair sits at the bottom. Your stylist will tell you where you land at the consultation, before anything goes on your hair.

Toner is the other one to budget for. Lightener lifts your hair to a raw shade that can look yellow or orange, and toner turns that into the beige, honey or cool blonde you actually asked for. With foils it is £20 as an add-on, and I recommend it nearly every time. You can see every service and price on our pricing list.

Everyone gets a patch test at least 48 hours before a colour appointment, every time. The NHS has a clear guide on hair dye reactions if you want to know why we are so strict about it.

How to choose between them

If you are still unsure, think about how much lighter you want to be, how you wear your hair most days, and how often you want to come back. Full foils usually need a top up every 8 to 12 weeks as the roots come through. Half and partial foils grow out softer, so plenty of clients stretch them longer.

Or come in for a consultation and we will look at your hair together. Sabrina, Sheree and I all do foils, and Klarna is available if you would rather split the cost. Call us on 01582 730381 or book online. You will find us at Shop 660, Jansel House, Hitchin Rd, Stopsley, Luton LU2 7XH.