Getting a new hairdo can make you feel like a brand new person! Whether you want to do natural-looking highlights or go all out to achieve a platinum blonde look, there are plenty of hair salons that specialise in popular trends including balayage and ombre hair colouring. As we all know, the right tone is the really important part – we don’t want to look washed out. If you’re hoping to switch your look, here are our top six salons that are tried and approved by the Expat Living team.
#1 Kelture
The look:
Signature colour customisation (from $180) and cut (from $80)
The experience:
“Even after seven years in Singapore, that’s always something I find reassuring when I visit a hairdresser for the first time! My appointment with Salon Director Augustine began with a consultation about my desired look. I hadn’t coloured or cut my hair for a long time, so I needed a total refresh, and had decided on blonde highlights to give my barnet a more sun-kissed look. To identify the best shade and style, Augustine took the time to consider my hair type and daily routine, too. Although I’d originally wanted to go blonder, he talked me out of bleach and instead we opted for a warm honey-blonde shade using Aveda organic hair colour, which would be more gentle on my dry, curly tresses. With my wedding coming up mid-year, it was probably best not to do anything too drastic!
“After applying the colour, which was put on using foils, next up was a delightful wash, scalp and head massage using Aveda’s Blue Malva Shampoo. It’s great for coloured hair and blondes as it helps to neutralise brassiness. A bonus was that it smelt like candy floss! Afterwards, I settled back into the chair for a trim and a bouncy blow-dry. Throughout my time at the salon (three and a half hours in total), Augustine was a delight to chat to, and very entertaining. His career has taken him all over the world, and he evidently knew how to treat lots of different hair types. I knew I was in good hands, and was so happy with the results!”
– Susannah Jaffer
#05-07 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road
6735 6468 | kelture.com.sg
#2 Trimmings
The look:
Ladies cut (from $70), specialty highlights (from $280), Olaplex treatment ($90)
The experience:
“Trimmings at Loewen Gardens has become one of my favourite spas, so I was pretty stoked about visiting the newly opened hair salon branch along Tudor Court. The location is fab – right next to Tanglin Mall – while the cosy chic décor is right up my alley. Think wood furnishings with black and white accents; it’s a classic look I don’t think I’ll ever tire of!
“I’ve always wanted to try a natural balayage style, but was also curious to see if I would suit blonde streaks in my dark brown hair. After a consultation with my hair artists Jeion, who has had six years’ experience in specialty highlights, we decided on blonde balayage highlights, an Olaplex treatment for hydration, as well as a trim to get rid of my dead ends. I was given a cup of hot green tea and Jeion started to prepare the mix for my highlights: a neutral ash blonde that will go well with my naturally dark base. Balayage is a highlighting technique where hair dye is swept onto foil, creating a natural-looking, gradual transition down into the lighter colour. This meant that my ends would be lighter, so it would not look unnatural once my roots start to show.
“Five hours later, I walk out of the salon sporting a brand new hairdo and feeling almost like a Korean celebrity! Jeion gave me loose curls to accentuate the highlights, and the Olaplex treatment did notable smoothening to my hair.”
– Anthia Chng
Tudor Court
123 Tanglin Road
6737 8512 | trimmings.com.sg
#3 Toni & Guy
The look:
Full head highlights with Smart Blonde treatment (from $279)
The experience:
“The major issues I have with blonde treatments are brassiness and dryness. Throw in multiple Keratin straightening treatments and the hair becomes brittle and broken at different lengths, resulting in tired-looking, dry and frizzy locks.
“As I was trying to give my hair a breather, I had eased off on the colour, but that had resulted in uneven dark sections underneath, with brassy blonde strands on top. Ray at Toni & Guy Mandarin Gallery recommended that we even out the colour by using mid-lights and highlights throughout, toning down the brass and bringing the dark sections ‘to the light’. Smartbond by L’Oreal is an intensive conditioning and protecting treatment (similar to Olaplex) applied for 20 minutes after colouring. It coats the hair follicle, making it smoother and holding the true colour longer. After three hours at the salon, the result is lighter than I’ve had for a while, but it looks soft, silky and natural with multiple colours and a deep shine.
“All the salon’s stylists and colourists spend three to four years in Toni & Guy Training. They use L’Oréal, Redken and Kerastase products, and, with four outlets in Singapore, it’s easy to find someone who can get you the blonde highlights you want without damaging your hair.”
– Danielle Rossetti
#03-17 Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road
6835 4556 | toniandguy.sg
#4 Expat Hair Studio
Expat Hair Studio needs little introduction; it’s become well-known for its colouring expertise, from simple, all-over shades to ombre highlights and everything in-between. One of its specialities is balayage, a free-hand technique that sweeps colour across the hair. The result? A sun-kissed, natural effect, with softer and less noticeable regrowth – great for those who want a low-maintenance look. Balayage colouring starts from $185 and takes between two and three hours, depending on the desired effect.
422 Joo Chiat Road
6444 7929 | expathairstudio.com
#5 Chez Vous
Chez Vous in Ngee Ann City boasts a team of stylists with a minimum of 10 years of experience, including a specialist team for Caucasian hair concerns! There’s a wife range of services available here, from hair highlights to indulgent hair treatments tailored to every individual. For expats who love to sport natural fine highlights that blend effortlessly, look for Associate Salon Director, Khim Toh. If you’re looking for colour correction and balayage services, Associate Salon Director Veyond Chong is the best person to go to.
#05-05 Ngee Ann City Podium
391 Orchard Road
6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com
#6 Salon Kream
Located in Holland Village, this bright and spacious salon is a one-stop location for every hair need. Salon Kream offers modern haircuts and customised services that cater mainly to Caucasian hair types. Full head technical highlights start from $280. Suffering from frizzy hair? Try their keratin treatment, a three-hour process that smoothens and tackles humidity-induced frizz.
Holland Village Lorong Mambong 24B
6463 3373 | facebook.com/salonkream
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