At Leo & Simon Hair Salon in Eton, near Windsor, we create bespoke balayage for clients who want polished, wearable colour without harsh lines. Whether you want soft brunette dimension, creamy blonde balayage, face-framing brightness or a complete colour refresh, your appointment starts with a consultation so we can understand your hair history, condition and desired result.
What is balayage?
Highlights use foils to lift sections of hair from root to tip in a uniform pattern, which is wonderful for high-impact contrast but produces a hard regrowth line and demands a salon visit every six to eight weeks to keep tidy. Balayage is the opposite philosophy: colour is hand-painted onto the surface of the hair in a freehand sweeping motion, deliberately softer and lighter at the roots and richer through the mid-lengths and ends.
The result mimics the way the sun naturally lifts hair on holiday, bright at the ends, blended through the middle, and untouched at the scalp. Because there is no hard line, balayage grows out gracefully. Most of our balayage clients in Eton and Windsor stretch their salon visits to three or four months between full appointments, with a glossing service in between to refresh tone.
Balayage at Leo & Simon
Every balayage at Leo & Simon is hand-painted by a trained colourist, never a junior, never rushed. We colour exclusively with L'Oréal Professionnel and use bond-protecting technology in every lightener and toner mix, which means the disulphide bonds inside your hair are reinforced as we lift. The hair leaves stronger and shinier than salons that skip this step.
Blonde balayage is our most-requested look, soft money-piece face-framing through to full-head cream, honey, beige or buttery blonde, finished with a custom toner so you land on exactly the shade you want. Brunette balayage is the quiet hero of low-maintenance hair colour, caramel, toffee, chestnut and bronde tones that add light and movement with virtually invisible regrowth.
Every balayage booking starts with a free in-salon consultation so we can plan honestly around your hair history, lifestyle and budget. We will tell you if your goal needs more than one appointment, we never overpromise.
Who is balayage best for?
Balayage is ideal if you want colour that grows out softly and does not need the same level of upkeep as traditional highlights. It can be subtle and natural or brighter and more dramatic, depending on your hair, base colour and maintenance routine.
It works beautifully on virgin hair, on previously coloured hair, and as a refresh on existing balayage. It suits long hair, lobs, bobs and even short pixie cuts in the form of money-piece face-framing or subtle dimension through the mid-lengths. It is the right choice if you only want to come into the salon three or four times a year for a full appointment, or if you want to add light and movement to dark hair without committing to going fully blonde.
In short
Anyone wanting a natural, sun-kissed look with low ongoing upkeep, from subtle face-framing to full head dimension.
“Leo did the most beautiful, natural-looking balayage I've had, soft at the roots, bright at the ends, and the gloss finish made it shine for weeks. So glad I made the trip from Windsor.”
Verified Fresha review
Balayage prices
Balayage from £180
Final pricing depends on hair length, density, current colour, desired result and whether toner, treatment or correction work is required. We will confirm the expected price during consultation before starting your service. Indicative prices on request via WhatsApp 07342 328337.
Patch testing and consultation
What to expect at your appointment
- 1
Free consultation (15 minutes)
We sit down with you, look at your natural base, recent colour history and inspiration photos, and agree honestly on what's achievable in a single sitting versus across multiple visits. We will tell you if your goal needs more than one appointment, we never overpromise.
- 2
Patch test (at least 48 hours before)
A legal requirement and a safety check. Quick and free.
- 3
Painting (90-180 minutes depending on length)
Section-by-section freehand application. Most clients sit comfortably with a coffee or tea and a magazine; we have free Wi-Fi if you prefer to work or scroll.
- 4
Develop, rinse, tone, gloss
After processing we shampoo, apply a custom toner to land on your exact shade, then a gloss to seal.
- 5
Cut and finish
We finish with a cut or trim if booked, then a smooth blow-dry so you can see the colour catch the light. Photos for our gallery are taken with your permission only.
Balayage aftercare
Balayage looks its best when the colour stays bright and the lightened ends stay strong, so aftercare matters. Every balayage client at Leo & Simon leaves with a written, salon-approved home-care plan tailored to their shade and hair type.
We recommend Maria Nila, 100% vegan, sulphate- and paraben-free, and specifically formulated for colour-treated hair. Sulphate-free shampoo is essential, because sulphates strip toner and dull blonde and brunette balayage within a few washes. We also strongly recommend a weekly bond-building mask, daily heat protection before any hot tool, and UV protection in summer.
Most clients add a 30-minute Glossing & Toning service every six to eight weeks between full appointments, it refreshes tone, adds shine, and dramatically extends how long your balayage stays salon-fresh.
FAQs
How long does balayage take?
Most balayage appointments take between two and four hours, depending on your hair length, density, current colour and desired result. The freehand painting itself takes around 90 to 180 minutes, plus development, toning, glossing and a finishing blow-dry.
Is balayage low maintenance?
Yes, balayage is usually lower maintenance than traditional highlights because it grows out softly. Most of our balayage clients in Eton and Windsor return every three to four months for a full appointment, with an optional 30-minute glossing service in between to refresh tone.
Do I need a toner?
Most balayage results require toner to refine the final shade and create the desired finish, for example, removing warmth from a blonde balayage to land on a clean beige, or deepening the ends of a brunette balayage for a richer caramel. Toner is included as part of your balayage appointment.
Can I go blonde in one appointment?
Not always. This depends on your current colour, previous colour history and hair condition. If your starting point is significantly darker than your goal, or if your hair has been box-dyed, we may plan your blonde balayage across two or more appointments to lift safely without compromising condition. We will explain everything honestly at your free consultation.
How much does balayage cost at Leo & Simon Hair Salon in Eton?
Balayage starts from £180 and varies with hair length, density and the number of sessions required. We confirm the expected price at your free consultation before starting your service, no surprises at the chair. We're happy to give an indicative price by WhatsApp first on 07342 328337.
Do I need a patch test before balayage?
Yes. UK colour-product guidance and our salon insurance require a patch test at least 48 hours before any colour service, including balayage. The patch test is quick and free, pop in any time we're open.
Is balayage available for short hair?
Yes. The hand-painted technique adapts beautifully to bobs, lobs and short pixie cuts, often in the form of money-piece face-framing or subtle dimension through the mid-lengths.
What products do you use for balayage in Eton?
We use L'Oréal Professionnel colour, lightener and toner with built-in bond protection, and Maria Nila for sulphate-free aftercare. Both are premium, professional brands chosen for performance and hair health.
Do you offer balayage near Windsor?
Yes. Our salon is at 4 High Street, Eton, a short walk over Windsor Bridge from Windsor town centre and Windsor Castle. Many of our balayage clients travel from Windsor, Datchet, Ascot, Maidenhead and Slough.
Book your balayage appointment in Eton
If you're searching for balayage Windsor, we're just across Windsor Bridge from the town centre and the castle, the salon is at 4 High Street, Eton, with on-street parking on Eton High Street and the King Edward VII multi-storey car park nearby in central Windsor. Whether you've come for balayage Eton, hair colour Windsor, or full hair colour Eton work like a colour correction, the same trained colourist looks after you start to finish. Many of our balayage clients travel in from Datchet, Ascot, Maidenhead, Slough and the wider Berkshire area.
Book online any time, or get in touch directly, we'll confirm your appointment, arrange a patch test if needed, and answer any questions before you arrive.