It’s time to lighten up! Whether you’re going for all-out platinum or a sun-kissed honey hue, expertly placed blonde highlights can work wonders to brighten your look. Brunettes might want to try balayage hair, lowlights or ombre hair colouring, for example. As we know, the right tone is the really important part – we don’t want to look washed out. We check out some of the best hairdressers in Singapore that specialise in blonde highlights and other colour treatments.
Hairdressers in Singapore for blonde highlights, lowlights, balayage and other colour treatments!
Blonde highlights at Expat Hair Studio
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Expat Hair Studio nd my experience left me thoroughly impressed as usual. The staff’s friendly demeanour instantly put me at ease, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. I’ve been going to Expat Hair Studio for about three years now. Dior normally does my highlights every three to four months. It had been a few extra months, so my hair was a bit more grown out than usual. Even so, I came away with the perfect blonde colour treatment that I have come to expect every time.
As I settled in, the generous touch of complimentary coffee and tea added an extra layer of comfort. Dior greeted me before diving into a thoughtful consultation about the process and what kind of colour I would like to achieve. He then moved swiftly through my long and thick hair, carefully sectioning and foiling so that the colour blended in expertly. I was then treated to the most relaxing shampoo and scalp massage. Finally, my hair was blown out and styled.
The salon’s attention to detail extends beyond hair services. For example, there are magazines and free Wi-Fi, which ensured my time there was not only enjoyable but productive. I appreciate the effort to create a relaxing environment where clients can truly unwind. The music is cheerfully upbeat but never too loud, helping even the longest of appointments pass by smoothly.
Overall, Expat Hair Studio strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and hospitality. I look forward to my next visit and highly recommend it.
– Emilie Caulfield
422 Joo Chiat Road | 6444 7929 | WhatsApp 8028 6588
expathairstudio.com
High-end pampering in a pod for one at Chez Vous: Private Space
As a long-term expat in Singapore, I’ve been to more than my fair share of hairdressers in Singapore for blonde highlights over the years. The experience at Chez Vous: Private Space is the best I’ve had, both in terms of service and result. It was like treating myself to refreshed hair, a luxury spa afternoon and a mini-high tea rolled into one.
Seated in a private, beautifully styled room I chose the lavender-scented essential oil for the diffuser, chill music and a lychee chia bubble fizz as a refreshment. Hair director Shawn has over 18 years’ experience and specialises in blonde Caucasian highlights. He was reassuringly knowledgeable about the nuances of my hair – asking if I wanted just highlights or some lowlights, and whether I was after a cooler or warmer blonde. We landed on just highlights in a natural tone (I’m not a fan of the purple look but equally don’t want it brassy). He also advised that for my hair, three percent peroxide was enough to achieve the desired colour. Who knew it ranges from 1.5 percent for fine to 12 percent for coarse hair?
These hairdressers in Singapore uses K18 Hair Defence Technology and Epres bond hair treatment mixed in with the dye. Epres is a new venture by Olaplex’s founder, which, according to Shawn, is a must to reduce damage to fine, coloured hair.
Fine weave foils in place, I was delivered a latte and a two-tiered tray of petite sandwiches and tarts, and offered an iPad to watch Netflix. The staff even did complimentary printing of my concert tickets for the night (there’s a call button under the table if you need any help!). Once the colour treatment was done, my chair was swung around for the wash and hair spa. A cold peppermint eye mask was applied, followed by warm eye moxibustion therapy and massage to the head and neck. By the time Shawn did the blow-out with gentle curves, I left the salon feeling rejuvenated and looking my best.
– Georgina Hockley
#08-01 Takashimaya Tower B, Ngee Ann City, 391B Orchard Road
6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com
Highlights, lowlights and an amazing cut at Trimmings Salon & Spa
Out of the many hairdressers in Singapore, Trimmings must have one of the prettiest outlooks in all of Singapore. Perched among the lush green tropical foliage in Dempsey Hill, the big picture windows let in lovely natural light, and instil a sense of calm.
Desmond my hair artist is also a vision of calm. We have a brief chat about my hair condition (poor – lots of bleaching has left my ends very split and damaged), colour (brassy – my lowlights have gone reddish and my highlights flattened out), and cut (my previous cut has grown out and it is looking tent-shaped and frizzy). He recommends we bring the lowlights from warm to a neutral colour and only wants to apply highlights from the roots to around halfway along the length of my hair so we’re not stressing the ends any more.
I settle in with a cup of their homemade lemon and ginger tea. Then, Desmond and his technician Akira get to work with the foils, working efficiently and with focus. An amazing neck and shoulder massage while they were setting follows, and I nearly doze off in the chair! Then it’s off to the washbasin and another fabulous scalp and head massage while gazing at the rain pouring through the giant banyan tree on the hill.
Desmond cut an inch of length off my hair and layered it through the back to reduce the triangular shape. Leaving it a little longer at the front and tapering it at the back, I can still pull it up in a hair tie if I need to, but it’s much cooler off my neck as well. It feels soft and thick but not frizzy. In just three hours, I’ve had my hair done and feel like I have enjoyed a full tropical spa experience as well!
– Danielle Rossetti
• 75B Loewen Road | 8511 5085
• 123 Tanglin Road 9710 6415
trimmings.com.sg
Healthy highlights, lowlights and ultra-nourished hair at Chez Vous Hair Salon (Flagship Store)
I’ve been a regular customer of Chez Vous for several years now, and I must commend them for their exceptional understanding of my hair needs, consistently maintaining its condition. Having experienced my fair share of colour mishaps as a blonde over the past three decades with many hairdressers in Singapore, I can attest to numerous disappointments at other salons.
What sets Chez Vous apart is their meticulous treatment protocol. It includes both pre- and post-colouring procedures to minimise the potential damage from chemicals. I find this meticulous approach invaluable, and it has truly transformed the health of my hair. On my most recent visit, I communicated a desire for slightly darker roots to extend the time between touchups, and the colourist skilfully placed highlights further from the roots for a more natural transition. Additionally, she incorporated subtle lowlights to enhance texture and balance the overall colour through toning.
Expect to invest a few hours, especially if you have a lengthy mane like mine. I chose to include the Hair Defense treatment in my colour treatment. It promises to reduce damage and the risk of breakage by up to 50 percent, and the result is remarkable. My hair now feels really soft and well nourished. Plus, I am delighted with the beautifully executed lowlights and highlights. These hairdressers in Singapore never miss the mark when it comes to giving me the exact colour treatment I’m after, making it my go-to salon. The only task left for me is to remember to book my next appointment before waiting too long and allowing those dreaded roots to make an appearance.
– Karin Galley
#05-05 Ngee Ann City Podium, 391 Orchard Road
6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com
Airtouch blonde balayage highlights and lowlights at Be Salon
The second branch of Be Salon, Wheelock Place opened its doors just a week before my colour treatment appointment, so I was keen to check out these hairdressers in Singapore. I was impressed walking into the welcoming peachy toned space with arched halo lighting, sleek grey floors and velvet curtains.
Chester, a director with over 16 years’ hairdressing experience settled me into my seat. Over a cup of ginger tea, he asked if I had any images of the colour treatment style I’d like to replicate. Having always erred on the side of bright, ashy blonde highlights, it was my first experience with the classic darker-on-top, gradient-blonde-at-the-tips balayage look. Chester explained the Airtouch balayage method, the biggest hair colour treatment trend right now. The technique involves taking a section of hair with tension on the longest part and using a hairdryer to allow the shorter hairs to fall away. This achieves a seamless, natural blend of blonde and natural colour.
As I already had quite highlighted hair, only lowlights needed to be applied to my hair to start. After a relaxing wash and head massage, Chester closely surveyed the result. We agreed that the darker tone felt a little too heavy for my colourings, so he applied a smattering of lighter strands to my ends. That is the beauty of Airtouch balayage – it is one hundred percent customisable to your taste!
Post-wash, Chester treated me to the new Waterfall Treatment, designed to nourish dry, frizzy hair. A blow dry and styling session later, I was amazed by the result. Natural, wavy blonde balayage beauty. And the best part? Being darker at the roots, I can now stretch longer between salon visits!
– Georgina Hockley
Be Salon
#03-20, Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road
#02-19, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard
6899 3667 | besalon.style
Dark blonde balayage for a brunette at Talia Hair and Beauty
This was my first experience getting balayage highlights done by hairdressers in Singapore, and I’m thrilled to say that Talia offers plenty of competition to the other salons! The staff is an absolute delight – they’re so welcoming and provided me with everything to make my experience nothing but the best. The whole team is also very professional in their work style and were very gentle to my dry, thin hair.
The environment of the salon is very clean and new, with a stunning Monet-like painting on the accent wall. It’s also got some cute vines and bird lamps hanging from the ceiling. And the chic backlit mirrors provide the perfect cosy and calming lighting. All these factors contribute to a relaxing hair colouring experience; you could even catch up on some work if you wanted to.
After a thorough consultation with my hair stylist, we chose a colour that fell somewhere between a dark blonde and a light ash brown. I also went for the balayage. My hair stylist painted the highlights directly onto my hair for a softer and more natural look. He then proceeded to cut, bleach and meticulously colour my brunette hair.
The result is absolutely incredible – I’ve never received so many compliments from so many people! The best part is that my hair didn’t need to be fried unnecessarily to achieve the balayage look. The process did take longer than I expected, but it was worth it. Overall, I had a great colour treatment experience at Talia and would love to go again.
– Scarlett Lay
2 Fowlie Road, #01-10
8795 5773 | organic.taliasalon.sg
Lush, natural blonde hair extensions at Hairdreams Couture Salon
I have thin, fine hair that has become virtually non-existent at the sides. So, in recent years, I’ve become a big fan of hair extensions to help thicken my tresses. Having tried most on the market, I was excited to head to the popular Hairdreams for a consultation. These hairdressers in Singapore offer an amazing array of options to cater to any hair type, so it wasn’t difficult to find exactly what I needed. My hair type was carefully considered, as well as the weight of the extensions, to ensure that my hair would not break during the process.
Since I wanted volume from the top, the team decided that the Secrets tapes were the best option. These tapes, made of 100 percent human hair, create a 3D effect, making them virtually invisible when placed higher up, giving the illusion of being my real hair. This made them a perfect choice for thin hair on top. We picked a colour that matched perfectly to my hair and highlights, and the transformation began.
They are experts in the application process, which takes around an hour. A small sticky tape is placed underneath a strip of hair, and then the tape is placed on top. I don’t even feel them; they are so light. Just a few Secrets tapes around the top can make thin, lifeless hair thick and voluminous. Not to mention, their experts can advise during the consultation exactly what’s needed. Reapplication of the tapes is necessary every six to eight weeks, depending on how fast the hair grows. I’m converted!
– Jacqui Young
51 Cuppage Road, #01-09
6653 5500 | hairdreams.com.sg
“Old money” blonde balayage highlights at The Hair Lounge
After five years of living in Singapore, I am always on the hunt for a good colourist who can understand my blonde needs, without frying my long fine hair. There are so many different tones and shades of blonde today that it can be hard to find someone to execute your wish. When I met Nicole from The Hair Lounge, she carefully went through my images I had pinned earlier and was able to inform me which ones would work for my hair type, and what we should stay away from. She even went further to provide some valuable insights into the new balayage techniques and how they would work with the lived-in “old money blonde” trend that I wanted. I quickly felt at ease with her expert knowledge and guidance throughout this process.
Nicole carefully used this technique to bring out the more natural tones I desired with a subtle root extension. This style of blonde is more seamless in its application – rather than streaky or chunky – with the colours that melt and blend into one another, while also adding some lowlights to my existing blonde ends to bring that definition I needed. After chatting away and informing her I wear my hair in a ponytail 50 percent of the time due to the high humidity (thanks, Singapore!), she even added some highlights underneath for better coverage.
We finished off with a lovely hair treatment to add some nourishment back into my dry blonde ends, another must in Singapore. The Hair Lounge is located in Holland Village, tucked away in a quieter spot near the main square. It’s the perfect location to freshen up before enjoying a delicious lunch or browsing the nearby shops afterwards!
– Kelly Newey
The Hair Lounge
6610 7394 | 277A Holland Avenue
thehairlounge.sg
Blonde highlights and lowlights colour treatment at The Sloane Salon
Getting blonde highlights at hairdressers in Singapore has become something of a self-care ritual. Twice a year, I take off a half day from work to head to the salon.
When I arrived, Jordan, the salon’s owner and my stylist, greeted me and the experience started with him taking my ‘hair history’. From his level of interest, it was clear to me that hairdressing is Jordan’s life passion. (And he’s definitely trained at some of the best hair salons in the world from the sounds of it, even having done Princess Beatrice’s hair once upon a time!) Together, we chose my lowlight and highlight colours, with him giving me the pros and cons of various combinations and toners.
Jordan meticulously highlighted my hair, washed it (complete with head massage), dried and styled it. The water, the tea and the conversation all flowed freely. Our chit-chat meandered from life in London and the cost of living in Singapore to what it’s like to raise kids these days, and human rights in Asia. He was a delight!
On the hair side, I loved the results of the blonde highlights. I felt ‘brighter’ immediately. I only wished I had made plans to go out that evening to make the most of the style he had given me!
All in all, the experience at The Sloane Salon was phenomenal. Highly recommended as a relaxing, personalised day of self-care (and a good ole natter, to boot!).
– Kat Watson
The Sloane Salon
#01-20 DUO Galleria Singapore, 7 Fraser Street
6909 8042 | jordan@thesloanesalon.com
thesloanesalon.com.sg/contact-us
Enjoyed this article on blonde highlights, lowlights, balayage and colour treatments? Read more on hair and beauty salons in Singapore.
This article first appeared in the March 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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