The first question back is always about coverage. Not what colour, not what tone, not what the blonde someone posted on Instagram was called. Coverage. Because the answer to that decides most of what happens next – how long you’ll sit in the chair, what it costs, how often you’ll come back, and whether the result is subtle or dramatic.
Half head foils and whole head foils are the two most common ways foils are done at our Moorabool Street salon in Geelong. The technique is the same. The products are the same. What changes is how much of your head is lifted, and that changes everything else.
The quick answer
Half head foils cover roughly the top layer of your hair, the crown, and the sections around your face. Think of it as the layer you see when you look in the mirror, plus the pieces that frame your cheekbones and hairline.
Whole head foils (also called full head foils) cover everything. Root to tip, side to side, all the way around, including the underneath sections at the back that nobody sees until you tie your hair up.
Both services use the same process. The difference is how much hair gets foiled.
Half head, whole head, and balayage at a glance
Here’s how the three main foil-based colour services compare. Balayage is in the table because many people arrive at the salon still deciding among these three, rather than just the two foil options.
| Service | Coverage area | Typical time in the chair | How regrowth looks | Maintenance interval | Approx cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half head foils | Top layer, crown, and face-framing sections | 2 to 3 hours | More visible at the crown and part | Every 8 to 12 weeks | $250 to $400 | Brightness around the face, partial grey coverage, maintaining existing blonde |
| Full head foils | All sections, root to tip | 3 to 4.5 hours | Even lift means a less obvious grow-out line | Every 10 to 14 weeks | $299 to $445 | All-over lift, full grey coverage, going noticeably lighter |
| Balayage | Freehand-painted surface, denser through mid-lengths and ends | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | Soft grow-out, no hard line | Every 12 to 16 weeks | $350 to $445 | Sun-kissed finish, low-maintenance grow-out, lived-in look |
Prices are guides only. The final figure depends on hair length, density, and the toner or gloss used to finish. We confirm pricing at the consultation before any colour goes on.
When Half head is the right call
When Full head is the right call
How to talk to your Rixon stylist about what you want
The good news is you don’t need to know the exact terminology. Most people don’t. A Rixon colourist’s job is to translate what you want into what’s achievable, and the conversation at the start of the appointment is where that happens.
What helps:
- Bring reference photos. Two or three images are more useful than one – it gives your colourist a range to work within rather than a single target.
- Mention your colour history. When your last foils were, whether you’ve had box colour at home, and whether any toner has been done recently.
- Use descriptive terms, not named shades. ‘Brightness around my face’, ‘all-over lift’, ‘softer ends’ all translate cleanly. ‘Platinum’ or ‘caramel’ mean different things to different people.
What you don’t need:
- Technical accuracy. If you don’t know whether you want Half a head or a Full head, that’s what the consultation is for. Describe what you’re hoping to see, and your colourist will sort the rest.
Looking after foils between appointments
Getting foils done and then ignoring the aftercare is how colour fades and hair dries out. A few habits will get you twice the mileage from either service.
- Use a sulphate-free shampoo for the first three or four weeks, then a purple shampoo roughly once a week to manage brassiness.
- Wash with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water opens the cuticle and releases toner faster.
- Protect your hair from heat. A heat protectant before straightening or curling is doing more work than most people realise.
- Book a gloss between foil appointments. A gloss refresh at the halfway point keeps the tone looking intentional for longer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, and for a lot of clients it’s the best result we can offer. Balayage through the mid-lengths and ends gives you the soft lived-in finish, and half head foils through the top add brightness where the light hits your face. The combination tends to suit hair sitting above the shoulders or longer, and it holds up well between appointments.
For most people starting from medium brown or darker, three to six months with two to four sessions in between. The exact number depends on how dark you’re starting, the condition of your hair, and how pale you want to land. We’d rather go slower and keep your hair healthy than push too hard in one sitting. A consultation before the first foil gives you a realistic plan.
Done well, no. Done carelessly, yes. Foils use lightener, which does alter the hair shaft – that’s how the colour change happens. Good technique, correctly mixed product, proper processing time, and a bond-building treatment at the basin all protect the hair during the service. If your hair is coming home rough after foils, either it was already compromised or the service wasn’t done with enough care.
Between three and four and a half hours, occasionally longer for very long or very dark hair. That includes the foil placement, the processing time, the wash, the toner, and the blow dry. We’d rather block out the time properly than rush the service.
You can, and we’d rather you did than bring nothing at all. A photo tells the colourist what you’re drawn to, even if the hair in the picture is the wrong colour, length, or texture for yours. Part of the consultation is working out what parts of the image can translate to your hair and what parts can’t. Nobody at Rixon is going to make you feel silly for showing up with a picture of someone with a completely different head of hair.
Ready to book?
If you’re unsure whether a Half head or Full head is right for you, a brief consultation can help you decide. These appointments run around fifteen minutes, and they’re separate from the colour service itself. This allows you to ask any questions, view colour swatches in person, and develop a realistic plan before making a commitment. If you haven’t been to us before, our $25 New Client offer includes your first consultation and a design cut and colour if desired.
