Your colour in very safe hands with this lot
Most of us can hold our hands up and say that we've experienced some sort of dye disaster in our lifetime. It may be the more expensive option, but putting your trust in one of the best hair salons for colour (and their expert colourists) is without question the safest option for great-looking hair.
Whether you're looking for a crazy colour transformation, refresh existing colour or need a bit of blonde maintenance, there's an expert in the city just waiting to fix your locks up. Keep reading for the Marie Claire approved salons for colour across the capital. Just want a cut and styling session? All of the below are excellent for a new 'do, but check out our guide to the overall best hair salons in London next for more recommendations.
Windle London
One of the best London salons you'll find, newly-rebranded Windle London is based right in the heart of the capital's West End, tucked just around the corner from Seven Dials. Founded by Paul Windle, who started his career at Vidal Sassoon before becoming principal of their hairdressing school, the small and chic salon has been going for over 30 years. As well as all being super hard working and precise in their colouring – Pia in particular is meticulous – the whole team of colourists and stylists has a lovely, friendly family feel to it. Having your hair washed and head massaged in a darkened room is a game-changer; you'll leave feeling super relaxed and in good spirits after every visit. Head here for the best blow dries that last for days, too.
Where is it?
41-45 Shorts Gardens, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9AP
Percy and Reed
At Percy & Reed salons (one in East London and one up West) they do things a little differently. Rather than having a colourist tend to your balayage, then a stylist getting to grips with your cut, each member of the team is fully trained in both. This means that no matter who you end up with, you’re with them from the moment you sit down in their chair at the beginning of your appointment right to the very end, so they really listen to you. Because they know that the cut and colour are integral to achieving the exact look you’re after. They’ll ask about hair history, condition, type, lifestyle, you name it. If you’ve got inspo pictures, show them. If you fell in love with a girl’s colour who passed you on the street six weeks ago, describe it. If you’re completely unsure about exactly what you want, trust them. Because founders Paul Percival and Adam Reed still work closely at fashion weeks and on shoots, the salon is often flooded with trend-led colour treatments and new approaches that are not to be missed.
Where is it?
Percy & Reed West is based at 157C Great Portland Street, W1W 6QS, while East is at 1 Fournier Street, E1 6QE.
Words by Katie Thomas
Zoë Irwin at John Frieda
Described as 'the Stella McCartney of the hairdressing' world, Zoë's CV top line speaks for itself: ghd UK Brand Ambassador, Wella Professionals UK Colour Trend Expert, and now Creative Director of John Frieda's Aldford Street salon in the heart of Mayfair. Zoe is known for having an eagle eye for spotting hair trends before anyone else. The woman is scrupulous when it comes to colour – you'll probably be happy with your hair before she is, but that's a good thing – and she won't rest until your hair is perfect, whether you're after trend-led blonde balayage or a natural-looking rich, warm brunette. Bonus: she's super chilled and all-round lovely to be around.
Where is it?
4 Aldford Street, Mayfair, London W1K 2AE
Larry King
Best for: Refreshing colour
Based around the concept of 'a social life for your hair', Larry King's flagship salon isn't even three years old yet but has made huge waves in the hair industry, with tonnes of A-listers flocking to Kensington to get their hair did. The man himself has hand-picked a team of expert colourists with decades of expertise and dab-handedness in balayage, beachy blondes, experimental hues, the works. Don't have time to sit in a salon chair for half a day? We hear you. Fortunately the salon offers Redken's genius new treatment menu, express Blow Dry with Benefits. In a smudge more time than it takes to get a blow-dry, you can add a pop of colour, neutralise any brassy tones, blend out your greys or add shine with a clear gloss using Shades EQ. If you're growing out highlights, the treatment can soften the look so that it's more of a gentle balayage. Or, go all-out and add peach or lilac tones to change up your look before a holiday or festival. The treament lasts for eight washes and, best of all, you'll be in and out in less than 90 minutes.
Where is it?
34-36 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3ND
Nicola Clarke at John Frieda
Best for: Classic blonde
Think of a seriously famous blonde – Kate Moss, Madonna, Cate Blanchet, Kate Winslet – and Nicola Clarke probably does her hair. In the beauty industry she's about as synonymous with blondes as red buses are to London. Awarded Best London Salon at our 2019 Hair Awards, Nicola is based at John Frieda's super luxe Margaret Street salon, a seriously chic space. She has decades of experience and her status as a legendary colourist spans the globe, with an artistic eye for colour that's almost unrivalled. And who wouldn't want their hair coloured by the same person who looks after one of the biggest supermodels of all time?
Where is it?
58-59 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SN
Bleach London
Best for: Every colour on the spectrum
Bursting onto the scene in 2010, Bleach has since transformed into the one-stop-shop for all things colour. And we’re not just talking your regular blondes, reds and brunettes; they’re the pros when it comes to experimental shades. Baby blues, pastel pinks, a complete multi-coloured rainbow – the choice is yours. First and foremost, the stylists are at the top of their game. Head to their Instagram @bleachlondon and you’ll see there’s nothing they can’t do, whether you want all-over highlighter yellow or a super natural blonde balayage. They also specialise in diplights; regular highlights that start an inch from the root for a blended look that's perfect for anyone who wants their colour to look lived-in, or can’t commit to touch-ups every six weeks. Jada at the Soho branch is a wizard when it comes to mermaid hair (check out the before and after pictures below if you don’t believe us).
At your patch test, they’ll snip off a tiny lock of your hair to test how it reacts to the colour, to ensure they can give you the unicorn mane of your dreams. Yes, it’s possible to take the leap from brunette to blonde in one sitting, but at Bleach their priority is getting you there without ruining your hair – they can take you from bottle copper to soft peach without sacrificing your hair health. No straw-like hair here – their two-part plex treatment ensures every strand is silky soft and healthy when you walk out of the salon. All their products are completely vegan and cruelty-free, so when your super-cool colour needs a top up, head to Boots and pick up a bottle of your favourite shade from their range.
Where is it?
You'll find Bleach Salons in Dalston (42 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA), Brixton (195 Ferndale Road, SW9 8BA) and Soho (2 Berwick Street, W1F 0DR).
Words by Jadie Troy-Pride
Josh Wood Atelier
The man behind the hair of Kylie and Elle Macpherson (to name but a few famous clients), Josh Wood is the man behind some of the fashion week catwalk's biggest and best hair looks; you'll always find him backstage putting his creative talents to work. He recently launched his own hair colouring line which you've probably seen around and, FYI, they'll be doing in-store color consultations in the new look Boots store. But if you want the best results, put your faith in Josh and his 'dream team' in the Notting Hill salon, for a wealth of knowledge and a colour experience that's tailored specifically to you and your look. They can do anything from 'oil slick' colour to candy floss pink, as well as perfectly blended classic shades.
Where is it?
6 Lansdowne Mews, Notting Hill, London W11 3AN
STIL Salon
Best for: Cool cuts and Scandi blonde
Founded by super cool Scandinavian Christel Lundqvist – three times winner of British Colour Technician of the Year award – STIL offers a super bespoke colouring experience that will simultaneously fuel your Pinterest obsession with Scandi interiors. Christel's famous-faced clients have included the likes of Pink, Ellie Goulding and Pixie Lott, and her expertise has been drafted in to create all over the world. If effortlessly chic hair is your bag, this Notting Hill gem should be high on your salon hit list because, really, there's nothing effortless about perfect 'lived-in' hair.
Where is it?
2 Chepstow Road, Notting Hill, London W2 5BH
Time for a colour change-up? We think so too...
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