If you're in the city, these are the experts to seek out for balayage colour.
Balayage is a subtle and low maintenance method used to colour hair lighter and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Spotted as much on the runway as up and down the sidewalk, lighter tones blended through the mid-lengths to ends looks effortlessly chic. But, where do you go if you want a balayage colour job that looks as slick as the celebrities' dos? Look no further fellow hair colour obsessives, the Grazia beauty team is here to provide. The perfect ombre fade-out is at your fingertips with our guide to the very best London salons for that laidback, easy colour. Whether you're completely new to the trend, have previously dabbled in DIY balayage at home or want to experiment with a more dramatic colour-way (warm, bronde, grey, blush or pink - the choice is yours), we have the hairdresser to suit you (with a range of different budget options, too). Once you've consulted our edit, gather some inspiration for reference (check out the gallery below as a starting point) then go forth and book an appointment. Trust us, you won't regret it...
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Younes Khassal at Taylor Taylor
Younes Khassal is one of the Taylor Taylor's colour directors and frankly, his work is magic. I felt like a new person when he did my colour, listening intently to what I envisioned, offering much-needed expertise on what would suit me best and the final result was a dream - my hair has truly never looked this good.
All three Taylor Taylor salons use pioneering Olaplex and Davines products to ensure that the hair is left in the best condition possible after dying. Just one look at their Instagram shows you how successful they are in this area: and their clients are loyal, staying with them for years on end.
Renowned for its blend of cutting-edge creativity and luxury service, Taylor Taylor London was awarded Best Hair Salon at the 2024 London Lifestyle Awards (it's fifth win) and as home to some of the world’s top creative stylists, the salon offers unrivalled cut and colour services as well as specialist treatments.
Founded in 2003, Taylor Taylor London offers a personalised, boutique-style service with extended appointment times and a complimentary cocktail bar set against a backdrop of luxury, vintage furnishings. Acclaimed stylists like Anthony Turner, Mark Hampton, James Rowe, and Martin Cullen have honed their craft behind the doors of Taylor Taylor London, while A list clientele includes Rachel Weisz, Sir Ian McKellan and Gisele.
Colour services start from £115 and cuts from £78
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CREDIT: Daniel Galvin
Daniel Galvin London
The passion project of world-class colourist and celebrity hairstylist, Daniel Galvin, this salon franchise is based around London and hosts a ton of celebs. As stylist to Princess Diana and Madonna, anyone who represents Daniel in his award-winning salons is sure to be top of the range. Balayage prices start at £182.
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CREDIT: Hershesons
Hershesons
Conduit Street and Harvey Nichols / 020 7201 8797 If you want the subtle ombre fade of balayage and a super-glossy blow-out then you can rely on the hairdressers at Hersheson's London flagship salons. Prices start at £160. Keep your hair looking tip-top in between colour treatments at their brilliant blow-dry bars.
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CREDIT: Jo Hansford
Jo Hansford
48 S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 2QB / 020 7495 7774 'When I first became a hairdresser, Balayage was used as a freehand technique for when you were in a hurry with a client; when foils were either too technical or time consuming,' Jo tells us. 'It was by no means the trend that we see now and this is largely due to how much the product has been developed. Back in the day, the ammonia in the bleach would lift the hair next to it because of the bleach fume which used to create dubious results.''Now, we see high tech formulations with no bleach fume and really expert results. It is always best used for that sun-kissed look on blonde and light brown hair.'Choose Jo Hansford if you want some serious expertise and a picture-perfect finish.
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CREDIT: Radio
Radio
93-97 Redchurch Street, E2 / 020 8617 0024 Supermodels, pop stars and socialites all frequent Radio for their modern colouring techniques. This East London salon has looked after the locks of Florence Welch, Daisy Lowe and Natalia Vodianova, so you're in pretty safe hands, and the space also doubles up as an exhibition space for up-and-coming artists, just to up the cool factor.
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CREDIT: Myla and Davis
Myla and Davis
425 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW9 8LH / 020 3818 0068 If you're friends with a well coiffed South Londoner, the chances are that they're a regular at one of Myla and Davis' three picture-perfect branches in Brixton, Herne Hill or East Dulwich.Check out their flawlessly curated Instagram feed for colour inspiration before booking in, with balayage appointments starting from £60 with a junior stylist.
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CREDIT: Richard Ward
Richard Ward
82 Duke of York Square, SW3 / 020 7730 1222If Kate Middleton trusts this Chelsea salon with her famous locks; that's good enough for us. Subtle balayage fade-outs and the bounciest of blow-dries, for tresses good enough to impress the West-End crowd.
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CREDIT: Hari's
Hari's Salon
233 King's Road, Chelsea SW3 5EJ / 020 7349 8722 This King's Road fixture is a favourite with the Chelsea set and beauty journalists alike for good reason. Each balayage colour service is bespoke to enhance your skin tone, promising a flawlessly blended, three dimensional result.
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CREDIT: Jack Howard
Jack Howard
Paul Edmonds at 217 Brompton Rd, London SW3 2EJ / 020 7589 5958Something of a colour genius, Jack Howard is on speed dial for many an A-lister. Trusted for imparting the most golden of glows, Jack counts Poppy Delevigne and Suki Waterhouse as some of his clients. Luckily for us, he's also adept at seamlessly blending the manes of the masses, and as a L'Oreal Professionnel UK Colour Spokesperson he's very well placed to do so.
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CREDIT: Trevor Sorbie
Trevor Sorbie
27 Floral Street, Covent Garden WC2E 9DP / 0207 379 6901Trevor Sorbie's Covent Garden salon has been a go-to for those in the know for the past 25 years. Whether you're after a subtle wash of balayage colour or something more directional, you'll be in safe hands at this flagship branch - balayage specialists often get booked up fast for appointments, so be prepared to join a wait list (we promise it'll be worth it...)It's also worth investing in a treatment after your dye job. Trevor Sorbie creative director Vincent Allenby told us, 'Toners are very important post your initial balayage colour technique to achieve the right tone and finish to compliment you, your skin tone and eye colour and make your balayage a summer success. An additional "must" is frequent weekly use of a violet conditioner such as Fabulouso violet conditioner to keep your balayage fresh and clean during the summer months. Invest in a deep conditioner at least weekly and get a touch-up around every eight weeks depending on your hair growth.' Got that?
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CREDIT: Hare & Bone
Hare & Bone
69 Great Titchfield St, London W1W 7PU / 020 7401 2413'Balayage creates a beautifully multi tonal colour which looks more natural than other techniques because it's 100% tailored to you. We do it freehand which allows for a more bespoke colour that can suit all hair types and lengths, creating a flattering graduation,' says Sam Burnett, Owner & Creative Director of Hare & Bone.'The trend has lasted the test of time because it immediately softens and adds depth to hair, plus it is easy to maintain and can be adapted to work on all hair tones. Clients love the sun-kissed, relaxed look it creates. To add a new, quick addition to this technique we offer an express ombre. To achieve this look a colour toner is applied at the basin and smudged into various sections of the hair, creating a beautiful soft shadowed appearance through the mid lengths to the ends. To maintain and lock in your colour I recommend KMS Color Vitality shampoo and conditioner.'
Gather some hairspiration for your next salon visit with our edit of the best celebrity balayage hairstyles...
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CREDIT: Getty Images
lily james balayage hair colour
It's certainly a departure from her Cinderella blonde, but we can't get enough of Lily James' glossy bronde balayage 'do
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CREDIT: Getty Images
jourdan dunn balayage
Balayage highlights give Jourdan Dunn's long bob a lift
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CREDIT: Getty Images
jessica biel balayage hair colour
Jessica Biel opts to brighten up her natural brunette tones with a gradual wash of lighter hues towards the ends.
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CREDIT: Getty Images
rose byrne balayage
Long bob plus balayage highlights is a failsafe hair formula for Bridesmaids star Rose Byrne
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CREDIT: Getty Images
chrissy teigen balayage
Can we trade hair styles with you please, Chrissy Teigen? Thanks!
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CREDIT: Getty Images
rosie huntington whiteley balayage
Balayage is also a subtle way of adding brightness to your naturally fair hair, without the prospect of stripy root re-growth - just like Rosie Huntington Whiteley
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CREDIT: Getty Images
jamie chung hair balayage
Actress Jamie Chung adds a smattering of blonde highlights towards the end of her hair for a naturally sun-kissed effect
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CREDIT: Getty Images
olivia wilde hair balayage
Olivia Wilde proves that balayage highlights can certainly work on auburn tones, too
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CREDIT: Getty Images
alexa chung hair balayage
The Queen of low-maintenance, high impact hair - all hail Alexa Chung...
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CREDIT: Getty Images
natalie portman hair balayage
Natalie Portman adds a very subtle wash of honey blonde towards the ends of her long bob
READ MORE: Salons Are Back! From Kylie Jenner to Kaia Gerber, We Chart The Best Post-Lockdown Celebrity Hair Transformations
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