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 some top hair salons that are tried and approved by the Expat Living team and our readers.
Chez Vous
“When it comes to getting my highlights done, I’m rather particular about who I entrust my thick blonde mane with. I’d been to Chez Vous for their hair Botox and filler treatment, and loved the results, so I knew I was in good hands.
In addition to the rather obvious dark roots that had begun to show, my hair had some brassy streaks that needed correction. My stylist (Associate Director Joyce Wan) suggested a three-step approach: half-head highlights in two blonde shades, subsequent toning to even out the colour ($365) and a deep-conditioning Red Carpet hair treatment ($245). I really appreciated that two technicians placed the foils and applied the colour concurrently so as to reduce my time on the chair. After a thorough rinse, the toner was applied to blend the colours and cancel out the brassiness. The final step was the Red Carpet hair treatment, which helps to remove frizz associated with chemical colour treatments.
The entire process took a few hours, and I was well looked after by the meticulous staff. I enjoyed great coffee, some healthy snacks and even had a booster to rest my laptop on, which meant I could do some work emails while being pampered. I like the vibrancy of my new colour, and the highlights are even and picture-perfect. Now my hair feels healthy and has a great shine. The people at Chez Vous have once again proven to me that they are true masters of their trade and understand how to look after the tresses of us blondies!” – Karin Galley, Integrated Communications Manager
Chez Vous (main outlet)
#05-05 Ngee Ann City Podium
391 Orchard Road
6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com
Visage
“I had a salon take my hair very blonde and I loved it, but I realised very quickly the difference between my regular highlights and a block colour process. Eight weeks in, and the regrowth was horribly obvious in my part. The blonde had gone brassy gold, and lifting up my hair at the back showed a line of colour as if I had dipped black hair in bleach!
Off to Visage I went, where Dominic and the lovely Cleo circled me a few times, lifting up sections of my hair, and then pronounced it was fixable – whew! With over 50 years of experience between the two of them, they certainly knew what they were doing. My hair was treated with two different tones of lowlights to give some depth to the blonde, and a highlight to balance out the orange.
Sitting in the salon and gazing out of the big picture window at the trees along Tanglin Road was lovely. I was never made to feel embarrassed about my condition; we just chatted about travel and food, and in two relaxing hours I had been fixed!
Dominic advised a visit in six weeks to treat the regrowth again – and I will stick with the highlights from now on. A full head of highlights (long hair) is $300 including wash and blow dry. Add $70 for a cut.” – Danielle Rossetti, Integrated Communications Manager
Visage
#02-11/14, Delfi Orchard 402 Orchard Road
6733 0933 | visage.com.sg
Kelture
If you want some pre- or post-shopping pampering, Kelture Aveda Lifestyle Spa Salon is located on Paragon and hits the perfect balance of minimalist style and comfort. Here you’ll find an array of non-damaging Aveda products and services on offer. Looking for a one-of-a-kind hair colour customised to your liking? The experienced team of creative stylists are known for treating all types of hair – including blonde highlights and frizzy hair. Up to 93 percent plant-derived hair colour products from Aveda are used, which help to improve hair condition and shine and reduce damage. The natural organic colour service is priced from $180, while healthy highlights are priced from $230.
“I’ve been visiting Kelture Aveda salon for nine years, since I arrived here. William is my first and only hairstylist in Singapore; my friend had recommended him when I was looking for someone to deal with my natural blonde locks. I keep returning to him as he is professional, fun-loving and kind-hearted. He always pays attention to details and is never in a rush to get things done. I visit the salon once every six to eight weeks for touch-ups, specifically for highlights and a root retouch.” – Leonette Van Elslander, reader
Don’t miss
For the month of April, purchase any Aveda products and enjoy a 20 percent rebate, which you can use to offset the price of following Aveda services or products on the same day!
Kelture
290 Orchard Road #05-07 Paragon
6735 6468 | kelture.com.sg
Toni & Guy
“Toni & Guy’s flagship salon at The Mandarin Gallery is spacious and the staff all go about their work in a discreet yet dignified manner. This gives the overall space a quiet and uncrowded vibe. Vitally, the seating is incredibly comfortable and I went through the full four-hour appointment without any signs of discomfort.
My hair has been left mostly natural for the past decade so I felt it was in pretty good condition – albeit a little dry on the edges. My main concern with blonde highlights was my hair’s propensity to “throw gold”, leaving me with a thin margin to play with between washed-out ash, and daffodil yellow. Senior Technician Shermaine was very careful to listen to my concerns and suggested a couple of warm-ash tints to ensure I got the look I was after. My colour was produced using Wella products, however non-ammonia products (L’Oreal Inoa) are available for those who prefer to skip the chemicals.
After the colour (half-head blonde highlights, $246) and conditioning treatment (Kérastase luxury treatment, $150), I was left in the care of the gentle and precise senior stylist, Adrian, who trimmed ($97) my unruly bob into a more stylish look. Toni & Guy insist their staff specialise in either colour or cuts, so the expertise of their staff is top-notch. Every staff member was introduced to me and each treatment was carefully explained before they got to work. I love the results – a stylish and easy-to-manage bob, with natural looking highlights and exquisitely soft hair. The only downside – a four-hour parking fee at Mandarin Gallery. Be prepared for a big hit on your cashcard, or leave the car at home.” – Kim Forrester, reader
Toni & Guy
#03-17 Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road
6835 4556 | toniandguy.sg
Hera
“After visiting Hera Beauty Salon, I finally said goodbye to yellow hair! Fellow blondes will know this pain all too well. We crave shimmery, silvery, light blonde hair but are usually left with a yellow brittle mess that not even a whole tube of purple shampoo and conditioner can fix.
I had a pleasant three-hour session at Hera with the charming Adam, fresh from Canada, who made me feel very relaxed in the salon. Adam took the time during my consultation to explain the exact colour (blonde balayage, from $190) and toner he was going to use to banish the yellow tones. He made me feel like I was living the Kardashian life as the Olaplex #2 treatment ($70) was the same toner Kim K had used when she went from black to platinum blonde!
As for my haircut (from $70), Adam explained that with my fine hair we should keep the style fairly blunt to add volume but he also cleverly snipped some raw layers in to add bounce and frame my face better. The last salon I went to had left me feeling like my hair was flat and lifeless as it was such a blunt cut without any layers. Add in some (super quick!) beachy waves and that was it! I have always been seeking the “right blonde” and especially in Singapore, I was unsure about where to go to achieve a successful result. Hera Beauty Salon ticks all the boxes. The salon is also in a quiet location so you can relax with tea (or champagne), and get a mani and pedi as well.” – Linda Taylor, reader
Hera Hair Beauty
#03-08A Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road
6732 1206 | herabeauty.sg
Trimmings
“Having had a disastrous bleaching experience at a mall salon nearly a year ago, my hair is very dry and damaged. But my experience with Trimmings at Loewen Road was totally different. Having visited the week before for my initial consultation with Ivan, we had already chatted through what I was looking for and he had explained how they could help. Hooray, I get to be blond again! Unlike shophouse salons or those in shopping centres, Trimmings is in a totally detached building, nestled in the trees at Dempsey. The natural light pours in and all you see from every large window is greenery. I settled in with a coffee and Ivan got to work; I love watching stylists neatly arranging the foils for the highlights. Once the Aveda products had done their thing, I was given a wash with a glorious head massage, then an Olaplex treatment, flowed by a toner. I headed back to the chair and the team started the Brazilian Blowout treatment. This is a semi-permanent treatment to ease frizz (and who doesn’t need that in this humidity!) and add shine.
Needless to say, after a year and a half of trying different places, I am relieved to have finally found myself a permanent hair salon that can turn tired old blondes into joyous, hair-tossing, slow-motion TV adverts. The colour is rich and clean, and my hair glossy and easy to manage.” – Kel Flanders, Home & Property Editor
Trimmings
75B Loewen Road
6471 1922 | trimmings.com.sg
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