Best salons for blonde highlights and balayage

Whether you want to do natural-looking blonde highlights or go all out to achieve a platinum blonde look, there are plenty of hairdressers in Singapore that can do a great job.  For Brunettes you might want to try balayage hair, low lights or ombre hair colouring. As we know, the right tone is the really important part – we don’t want to look washed out. Read on for our reviews on hair salons that specialise in blonde highlights and other colour treatments.

Where to go for blonde highlights, balayage and other colour treatments!

Expat Hair Studio

I love an outing to the hairdressers. As well as having a fantastic stylist to sort out my dull locks, it’s great to have a salon that’s vibrant and buzzing where I can sit back, chat and enjoy that full experience. This is probably why I’ve been seeing Kat for 14 years now since she opened her first salon here.

It took me a few years to find “my person” and after many orange hair disasters where stylists didn’t leave products on for long enough to lift the blonde, and losing hair with breakages, finding Kat and Expat Hair was a dream come true. The team are experts in what they do and I always recommend them to anyone asking, especially those looking for blonde highlights. I do have hair extensions in my hair for volume (which they are amazing at doing too!) so in addition to my usual blonde highlights, Kat recommended weaving in a few golden strands to break up the blonde and to give a gorgeous sun-kissed look. I absolutely love it!

Coupled with an Olaplex treatment to repair and protect the hair – and a good cut – my new hair is gorgeous. The golden hues break up the colour so beautifully and give a stunning shimmer. Expat Hair Studio is the best; I always love going there and am really loving my new look!

– Jacqui Young

• 422 Joo Chiat Road | 6444 7929
• 40B Boat Quay | 6219 3117
expathairstudio.com

Chez Vous Hair Salon

I’m rather particular about who I entrust with my blonde mane when it comes to having highlights. I’ve had my fair share of colour mishaps in the past and like to make sure the process is done with utmost care to minimise damage.

I’d been to the Chez Vous main salon before, for the Signature Keratin Treatment; I loved the result, so I knew I was in good hands. Chemical colour treatments can leave hair rough and dry – especially Caucasian hair, I’m told, which is more porous than Asian hair and therefore requires a different colour treatment approach. The team at Chez Vous leave no stone unturned when it comes to protecting your tresses from the damage of the bleach.

Before the foils are placed, they take your hair through an elaborate pre-colour treatment process – the Hair Defence Technology – developed by Chez Vous themselves. It involves layering multiple serums that penetrate deep into your hair to help improve resilience and elasticity so it will be strong enough to withstand the chemicals.

Chief Salon Director Serene found some unevenness and a few brassy streaks that needed correction, in addition to the dark roots that had begun to show. As I didn’t want to go darker, she suggested we do half-head highlights using a treatment bleach, subsequent gentle toning to even out the colour and a post-colour deep-conditioning protein treatment to nourish it.

I was really impressed with how insightful and meticulous the staff were. I was well looked after for the entire process (a few hours), and I really appreciated that several stylists applied the treatment products on my hair concurrently, greatly reducing my time on the chair.

The result is great! I like the vibrancy of the colour, and the blonde highlights are picture-perfect and even. My hair feels healthy and has a great shine. The people at Chez Vous have again proven to me that they are true masters of their trade and understand how to look after us blondies.

– Karin Galley

#05-05 Ngee Ann City Podium, 391 Orchard Road
6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com

Trimmings Salon & Spa

After years of having bleached strands, I really wanted to get back to my original hair colour with a subtle touch of blonde highlights. When I stepped into the lovely Trimmings at Dempsey Hill, I was greeted, seated and offered a drink by the always welcoming crew. Timothy, my stylist for the day, showed me some images and after a short discussion he understood what I wanted better than I ever did.

We decided on highlights for the top and the sides (covering up the greys so that my hair can be tied up in any way) and adding lowlights to the bottom area, creating some dimension. The foiling process – and this is when the first part of the Olaplex treatment is added as well – plus 45 minutes waiting for the colour to settle did test my patience, but listening to Balinese music while looking out at nature through the huge back window helped me forget the time.

Once my head was free from the foils, the second part of the treatment commenced, to help rebuild and reduce frizziness. This took about 10 minutes before shampoo and toner were applied for the more natural-looking shade and shine. Then, finally, came the long-awaited heavenly scalp massage – with a warm lavender towel, right before the final styling. Looking in the mirror, I couldn’t believe that all the yellowish tresses were gone! I can’t remember the last time my hair felt this healthy and happy; the two hours of sitting were soon forgotten after seeing my golden blonde hue. I left the salon delighted, ready to welcome the Lunar New Year with the new look.

A full head of blonde highlights for long hair is $360, with an additional $110 for toner, while the Olaplex treatment is complimentary in March for half- and full-head highlights. You’ll also receive a 250ml Kevin Murphy shampoo if you book your appointment for the same services from April to June.

– Judit Gál

• 75B Loewen Road | 8511 5085
• 123 Tanglin Road | 9710 6415
trimmings.com.sg

Chez Vous: HideAway Hair Salon

I went to Chez Vous Hideaway wanting to dye my hair purple and came out instead with purple highlights – and I couldn’t be happier!  Shawn Chia, the Associate Salon Director, spent time talking to me about the pros and cons of different colour options and the issues I would have with certain colours or bleaches. He proposed the “dip dye” technique, using pastel lilac acid colours, which allows me to change my hair back to its original colour without any bleaching or damage.

The result was a brilliant colour but equally important my hair is in really good condition. The consultation process was extremely valuable; I felt Shawn had my best interests at heart and that the team really cared not only about the result but the ongoing health of my hair.

The salon was lovely, too; I started off relaxing in the massage chairs with a lovely cup of herbal tea and after the treatment I got a wonderful head massage that completed the amazing experience. The whole visit was perfect and the customer service was second to none; I will certainly be back.

– Kiara Vye

#14-04 Ngee Ann City Tower B, 391 Orchard Road
6219 3558 | chezvoushair.com/hideaway

Sweenys Hair & Beauty Corner

My hair grows slowly, so I normally only go every eight weeks or so for blonde highlights and then it really needs touching up! When trying a new salon, often the stylist will be shocked at the condition and start berating me about how dry/oily/damaged my hair is or how brassy/light/dark the colour was that the other salon did, generally making me feel terrible. I frequently leave with something different to what I originally wanted as they’re usually adamant I need to do it their way.

At Sweenys, Jiang let me explain what I was after and my concerns, calmly looked at my roots and skin tone, then suggested an ash colour and highlights to lift the darkened roots. While the salon isn’t fancy, you can tell the staff are all experienced and have been there for years – a steady stream of expat clients came and went while I was there; many have obviously been long-time customers.

The pre-cut foils they used look more like white wax paper. Jiang sources them from overseas and they didn’t pull my hair when they were being removed like regular ones do. The colour is one of the softest, most natural-looking I’ve had in years; at just $220 for a full head of highlights and a trim, I may go back every six weeks from now on!

– Danielle Rossetti

#03-28 Holland Road Shopping Centre, 211 Holland Avenue
6468 1795 | facebook.com/Sweenyshair

The Salon by VIVA

I like coming to The Salon by VIVA; it’s bright, beautiful and relaxing! The purpose of my recent visit was to fix a few hair issues, such as greying, washed-out colour from salt water, frizziness and dryness.

Head hairstylist Felix assessed my hair and took a deep breath; I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I needn’t have been concerned; his suggestion was to colour my hair to remove the greys and tone down the beach-blonde look. He already knew exactly what to do before I even started to talk about my hair. I guess after 17 years of doing the job he has seen it all!

Felix recommended we do the Air Touch Balayage. This innovative technique uses air to create a stunning, yet natural-looking and seamless blend of colours that are multi-dimensional. It’s great if you want a low-maintenance blended hair colour that will survive the grow-out – perfect for me as I have very little time for my hair.

I think Felix did really well with covering my grey hair and toning down my colour to create a softer and natural look with this balayage hair. I love it! And while I didn’t have time to get my nails done the same day, it’s certainly possible at The Salon by VIVA!

– Susan Knudsen-Pickles

#02-02 Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay
9785 7753 | thevivagroup.com

ANTI’s Every Blonde Reparative Shampoo ($49) & Everything Conditioner ($50)

This US brand was developed by hair professionals who were “anti” the products they were using from larger brands, with their synthetics and chemicals. Instead, they wanted natural ingredients, and products that are vegan, cruelty-free, inclusive and gender neutral.

There are 11 products in the line; I tried the Every Blonde Shampoo and Everything Conditioner (for all hair types). The packaging is simple, clean and modern – the shampoo bottle is purple so I could easily tell them apart, which I liked.

They both smell like a high-end spa product – woodsy, fragrant and grassy. I only needed a small amount of shampoo to cover my whole head – not a lot of foam, but I could feel it was there. The conditioner was super thick; I was worried it would weigh down the hair, but it didn’t – there’s a light coating that I assume is the natural sunscreen that protects and slightly thickens the hair. My roots were not oily at all, and it was really soft and easy to style.

I’ll definitely use this at least weekly to stop the brassiness encroaching and to protect my hair. If this is what being “anti” is, count me in!

– Danielle Rossetti

More balayage and highlight reviews

Chez Vous: HideAway Hair Salon

This salon is a welcome respite from bustling Orchard Road. I can see why they’ve called it a “hideaway”! Stepping inside feels more like walking into a luxurious members’ club than a salon.

Before my appointment, I’m taken into their lounge area and given 10 minutes to unwind in a massage chair; it’s a glorious way to relax and get into the mood for some serious hair pampering. This is my first time in a while getting blonde highlights; like many, I’ve had my fair share of horror stories. Knowing the reputation of Chez Vous, I came open-minded and deferred to the expertise of Caucasian hair colourist Shawn for recommendations. I liked that, despite being unprompted, he asked specific questions about my hair condition – how I usually wore my hair, for example, and previous colours I’ve had in the past. We settled on a trim to add shape and body, and for colour a blend of multiple shades of lighter blonde and ashy cooler tones.

After an initial hair wash and head massage, and a cut and dry, it took Shawn and a wonderful assistant an hour and a half to meticulously foil all of my hair. After washing out the foils, they also applied a deep conditioning mask to hydrate and strengthen my dry, curly locks. The final result really blew my mind; this is the first time I’ve had blonde highlights that seamlessly blend into my own hair. It looked so natural yet striking, and with incredible dimension – like my hair had been dipped in gold. The cost may be on the higher side, but for the finish, level of care and expertise the colourists have in handling different hair types, I can firmly say it’s 100 percent worth it.

– Susannah Jaffer

#14-04 Ngee Ann City Tower B, 391 Orchard Road
6219 3558 | chezvoushair.com/hideaway

Hairdreams Couture Salon for blonde extensions

Using Laserbeamer Nano, the fastest extension application system in the world, hair extensions can be done with just a push of a button. The result is natural-looking locks that are gentle, safe and remain flushed with your natural hair.

The system uses nano bonds that use only healthy human hair with endless colour options so it’ll suit just about anyone. The real human hair extensions of European structure are procured from all over the world and come with an exclusive guarantee to ensure that quality is maintained. These additional hair strands are permanent, meaning they become a natural part of your own hair.

You can style your hair as you normally do with the added bonus of having more styling options than ever before. Regardless if you play sports, love to swim or even visit the sauna, your hair extensions will not be affected by your daily, active lifestyle. The best part? The process takes under two hours to achieve a full, luscious head of hair!

Hairdreams Couture Salon
#01-09, 51 Cuppage Road
6653 5500 | hairdreams.com.sg

Trimmings Tudor Court for Balayage

Over the past few years, Trimmings has become my go-to pampering spot for all things beauty – hair, nails, massages, and facials. It always feels like I’m entering a secret hideout where I can relax and leave everything to the experts here! My highlights from months ago were growing out and it was high time for a touch-up.

Hair artist Benson from Trimmings Tudor Court has done an excellent job with my hair before, so I knew I was in good hands. We decided on a natural, sun-kissed balayage look to suit my dark brown locks. I settled into my seat and sipped on my green tea while Benson started to work on the highlights. It’s a tedious hour-long process of hand-painting bleach into sectioned streaks of hair. Olaplex treatment is mixed into the dye, which helps to condition the hair and combat potential damage caused by the harsh bleaching process.

After three hours of waiting and washing, plus an indulgent scalp massage, blowdry and style, my new hair emerges brighter and refreshed. I’m in love with it! The brown and blonde highlights blend in seamlessly with my natural hair; this means I won’t have to return for a touch-up until much later. This low maintenance hairstyle looks even more amazing when it’s styled wavy. I’ll definitely try recreating the curls for a special night out!

– Anthia Chng

Lowlights at Trimmings Loewen

The Dempsey Hill area is always a delight to visit – especially if it includes stop at Trimmings Salon & Spa. Founded in 2008, this army barrack turned pamper retreat has gained a loyal following with expats and locals alike – and it’s no wonder.

My consultation started well before I walked through the door, with my stylist Ray asking for some pictures of my current hair and my desired outcome.  We agreed on highlights and a gentle balayage effect to channel happy summer vibes.

With a refreshing ginger tea in hand, Ray sets to work on turning my holiday hair dream into reality. Using the foilyage technique of combining traditional foils and the balayage painting technique, Ray leaves the colour develop, checking it meticulously throughout. My hair is then washed and left to rest in the basin with the first phase of Olaplex 2 treatment. From there, a toner is used to counter any brassy undertones, followed by a sensational back massage whilst the second phase of Olaplex 6 treatment sets in. Finally, a quick dry and some dinner-ready curls and I’m a new me – I love the final result!

– Leanda Rathmell

Trimmings 
75B Loewen Road | 6471 1922
123 Tanglin Road | 9710 6415
trimmings.com.sg

Toning and blonde highlights at Chez Vous

It’s not often I can walk out of a hair salon completely satisfied with the results, but Chez Vous scored a perfect 10. I was met by Serene, a very calm and practiced stylist. She started by asking me about my complete hair history, including questions on how I usually style my hair and how often I use heat-styling devices. (I use a hair straightener two to three times a week.)

My last salon visit was more than six months ago. I wanted to remove the yellow tones and lighten up my hair all over, while keeping the look natural and low maintenance. Serene suggested we start with hand-painted highlights to emulate a natural sun-kissed look, gradually getting denser at the end to build up colour. A toner was needed to remove the old yellow tones, followed by a protein treatment to protect my hair from long-term heat damage, and a cut to neaten up the ends.

Serene spent almost an hour applying the colour all over. She also explained that she added a protein treatment into the colour itself to strengthen my hair as I frequently style with heat, and bleach can be too damaging. This was in addition to the toner and treatment mask for my hair during the washing phase. A lot of care was put into the colour application; I couldn’t see a single obvious line or streak. When I parted my hair in different ways or held it up or down, the colour was the same all over – light strands invisibly woven into my natural colour. The treatment also worked wonders as my hair felt super soft and smooth.

Another highlight was the care taken during the wash, shampoo and treatment. Often a scalp massage at most salons is only two to three minutes (we all know that’s never long enough) but the Chez Vous team took at least 10 minutes, which I appreciated. The ambience in the salon was very inviting and the staff were all very kind and polite, offering me drinks and snacks multiple times. I’d definitely recommend Chez Vous to my friends for a relaxing salon experience with guaranteed results. Thank you again to Serene for revitalising my hair with these lovely blonde highlights!

– Linda Taylor

Chez Vous (main outlet)
#05-05 Ngee Ann City Podium, 391 Orchard Road
6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com

Here’s more on hair and beauty salons in Singapore

Rebecca Bisset

Heading up Expat Living, Rebecca started off in photography and video. A bit of a nomad before Singapore, she likes to travel when she can but she finds looking at properties as exciting! One day she's going to build her own house...