Balayage experts in Manchester

Our award-winning team of experts love this hand-painted technique. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a lower-maintenance colour application.

Woman back of head with balayage
2021 & 2023 Winner
Best Salon In the UK
British Hairdressing Business Awards
2022 Winner
Best Customer Service Award
National Hairdressing Business Awards
2018 & 2019 Winner
Best Client Experience
NHF Business Awards
2021, 2023 & 2024 Winner
Best Salon Team of the Year
British Hairdressing Business Awards
2023 Winner
Afro Hairdresser of the Year
British Hairdressing Awards
2020 Winner
Independent Salon of the Year
The Fellowship for British Hairdressing
2022 Winner
Business Salon of The Year
Salon Business Awards
2021 & 2023 Winner
Best Salon In the UK
British Hairdressing Business Awards
2022 Winner
Best Customer Service Award
National Hairdressing Business Awards
2018 & 2019 Winner
Best Client Experience
NHF Business Awards
2021, 2023 & 2024 Winner
Best Salon Team of the Year
British Hairdressing Business Awards
2023 Winner
Afro Hairdresser of the Year
British Hairdressing Awards
2020 Winner
Independent Salon of the Year
The Fellowship for British Hairdressing
2022 Winner
Business Salon of The Year
Salon Business Awards

Your beautiful balayage awaits…

You’ll have heard about it, read about it, and seen gorgeous examples of it out on the street … but what exactly is balayage?

From the French word for ‘sweeping,’ balayage has become a popular free-hand technique that is used to ‘paint’ or ‘sweep’ colour directly into your hair. If you want soft-looking hair without the maintenance, then balayage is the way to go.

Balayage is a more natural blending technique for a subtler, sun-kissed look, while ombre hair typically has a more dramatic gradient, with a strong contrast between the darker roots and the lighter ends. If you’re not sure which look to choose, our team of experts are here to help!

We are consistently voted as one of the best hair salons in Manchester for our balayage hair, cut and client experience.

Balayage and ombre work

Our expert team that has the talent and experience to create the balayage or ombre style of your dreams. Some notable recent creations for our lovely clients include:

  • Sunkissed curls – accentuating curls and waves with pops of colour to create definition in curls
  • Copper tones and teddy bronde– a stunning way to add depth to dark brown hair
  • Classic blonde notes – brightening and lifting blonde balayage
  • Gorgeous caramel balayage – creating a warm glow with golden tones amongst rich brown or blonde
  • Pastel balayage and rainbow shades – for those wanting a higher impact colour

We genuinely love creating new colour looks for all lengths of hair, whether it’s short, mid or luxuriously long – and we’re equally at home working with straight, wavy or curly hair.

What to expect

We love that everyone’s hair is unique – that’s why the Manchester Balayage team is focused on creating an amazing individual experience for each of our clients. When you arrive for an appointment, here’s a brief rundown of what you can expect:

  • An in-depth consultation with one of our award-winning hair colour experts who will discuss with you the colour blends that best suit your hair type, skin tone, features, and style.
  • A chance to look through images of balayage hair ideas and colours to help us pinpoint the exact look you want.
  • We’ll share practical aftercare tips and hair care advice for healthy hair, so that you maintain your ‘fresh-from-the salon’ look when managing your coloured hair at home after your Manchester Balayage Centre appointment.
  • An explanation of the colour products we recommend due to their long-lasting colour results from trusted brands such as Wella and K18.

Your beautiful balayage awaits…

You’ll have heard about it, read about it, and seen gorgeous examples of it out on the street … but what exactly is balayage?

From the French word for ‘sweeping,’ balayage has become a popular free-hand technique that is used to ‘paint’ or ‘sweep’ colour directly into your hair. If you want soft-looking hair without the maintenance, then balayage is the way to go.

Balayage is a more natural blending technique for a subtler, sun-kissed look, while ombre hair typically has a more dramatic gradient, with a strong contrast between the darker roots and the lighter ends. If you’re not sure which look to choose, our team of experts are here to help!

We are consistently voted as one of the best hair salons in Manchester for our balayage hair, cut and client experience.

Balayage and ombre work

Our expert team that has the talent and experience to create the balayage or ombre style of your dreams. Some notable recent creations for our lovely clients include:

  • Sunkissed curls – accentuating curls and waves with pops of colour to create definition in curls
  • Copper tones and teddy bronde– a stunning way to add depth to dark brown hair
  • Classic blonde notes – brightening and lifting blonde balayage
  • Gorgeous caramel balayage – creating a warm glow with golden tones amongst rich brown or blonde
  • Pastel balayage and rainbow shades – for those wanting a higher impact colour

We genuinely love creating new colour looks for all lengths of hair, whether it’s short, mid or luxuriously long – and we’re equally at home working with straight, wavy or curly hair.

What to expect

We love that everyone’s hair is unique – that’s why the Manchester Balayage team is focused on creating an amazing individual experience for each of our clients. When you arrive for an appointment, here’s a brief rundown of what you can expect:

  • An in-depth consultation with one of our award-winning hair colour experts who will discuss with you the colour blends that best suit your hair type, skin tone, features, and style.
  • A chance to look through images of balayage hair ideas and colours to help us pinpoint the exact look you want.
  • We’ll share practical aftercare tips and hair care advice for healthy hair, so that you maintain your ‘fresh-from-the salon’ look when managing your coloured hair at home after your Manchester Balayage Centre appointment.
  • An explanation of the colour products we recommend due to their long-lasting colour results from trusted brands such as Wella and K18.

Balayage prices

Includes wash, massage and blowdry.
Balayage treatment with root coverage
Natural-looking balayage including a rich root colour.
from
£198
Full head highlights or balayage
Your hair woven with babylights, highlights/lowlights or chunky weaves.
from
£198
Half head highlights or balayage
The top half of your hair woven with babylights, highlights/lowlights or chunky weaves.
from
£168
Colour transformation
A complete change to your hair colour.
from
£238

Add-on services & treaments

Beauty Potion
A brand new instant treatment by Authentic Beauty Concept. It beautifies hair instantly and lasts in the hair for up to 4 weeks after! It's our new addiction. Book on to upgrade your haircut package.
from
£40
K18
A K18 treatment can be applied to all cut and colour services for an additional £30, which includes a sample of the leave-in-conditioner for you to apply at home to help maintain your colour, and the overall health of your hair.
from
£30
Silent Appointment
Please email or call the salon to advise if you would like a silent appointment.
from
£0
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Colour on shelves

Coloured hair experts

We are award-winning colourists, and our team has won national and international awards for our colour work. From beautiful balayage hair ideas to shimmering highlights or a vibrant head of colour, we ensure that your expertly applied colour enhances hair texture and creates your perfect look.

Our 3Cs consultation at the beginning of your hair appointment helps us to understand and achieve exactly what you’re looking for and makes sure you leave our salon with beautifully coloured, healthy hair that suits you, your lifestyle and your personality.

If you haven’t had colour with us before, you’ll need to book in for an all-important colour skin test, which must be completed 48 hours prior to all new colour appointments.

Model with hair styled

Award-winning hair design

Our vision is to design beautiful hair to the highest possible standards in a calm, relaxing environment. It is this ethos and passion that has resulted in multiple prestigious awards for our work, and we are proud to be a leading local salon for cut, colour and client experience. Melissa and her talented team of stylists are trained in precision cutting with the world-renowned Sassoon Academy to create stunning styles and long-lasting cuts that suit you and your lifestyle.

Our talented team have won awards for:

  • Best Hair Salon UK (twice!)
  • Best Client Service
  • Best Independent Salon

Melissa is also a two-time North West Hairdresser of the Year finalist. What does this mean for our clients? Perfect hair from a leading Manchester hairdressers is just an appointment away!

Hair salon with reception staff

Let’s get you booked in!

Our salon is located in Manchester city centre, in the heart of the Northern Quarter, with excellent transport links and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars nearby.

Our talented team can’t wait to give you a warm welcome at our hair salon! Whether you’re visiting for balayage, a precision haircut, or a nourishing hair treatment, our goal is simple - to do an amazing job and leave you with healthier, beautiful hair that makes you feel the best version of yourself.

Book your next appointment for an unparalleled experience with the best hairdressers in Manchester.

Balayage FAQs

Your questions about our Balayage services answered. Common questions on booking appointments, the consultation process, and our expertise with various hair types.
What’s the difference between balayage and traditional highlights?

Balayage is a freehand technique for a natural, sun-kissed look with soft regrowth, while traditional foiled highlights create a more structured, even lift from root to tip. Your stylist can recommend the best balayage technique based on your desired result.

Do I need a patch test before getting balayage?

Yes, we require a patch test at least 48 hours before your appointment to check for any allergic reactions. This is essential for all colour treatments, including balayage, tints, and highlights. Please call the salon to arrange your patch test appointment.

How long does balayage last?

Balayage is low-maintenance and can last 3-6 months, depending on your hair type and how well you care for it. A toner refresh every 6-8 weeks helps keep the colour vibrant and free from brassiness.

What is reverse balayage?

Reverse balayage is one of the hottest hair colouring techniques right now, and is especially popular around autumn and wintertime. It refers to adding darker shades to the roots or throughout the hair, rather than adding the lighter shades you see in traditional balayage highlights. The reverse balayage technique creates a more natural look, and is a great way to transition back to darker hair or change up your hair after the sun-kissed summer months.

What about balayage for grey hair?

Balayage won’t cover up grey hair, but it can help you embrace it. Subtle balayage can help to blend grey hair growth more naturally into the rest of your hair to reduce the appearance of regrowth. Or why not try a silver balayage to show off your grey hair with intention for a bold and oh-so stylish look.

Can I get balayage if I have previously coloured hair?

Our talented stylists are used to creating gorgeous looks on previously coloured hair. Sometimes, the colour and condition of your hair may mean we have to go through a few extra steps like pre-lightening or colour correction to achieve your desired look, but we’ll always discuss this with you as part of your colour consultation.

How do I choose the right tone for my balayage?

Our stylists will create a bespoke balayage colour that’s personal to you, your hair, and your style to complement your features and enhance your natural beauty. 

Can balayage work on short hair?

Absolutely! Balayage can add dimension and movement to short hair just as beautifully as it does for longer styles. Strategic placement of colour can help frame the face and create a soft, natural look.

How do you maintain balayage between salon visits?

To extend the staying power of your balayage, we recommend using sulphate-free shampoo, avoiding excessive heat styling, and booking regular toner touch-ups. This keeps your colour fresh and prevents brassiness.

What’s the difference between balayage and a dip dye?

While balayage uses sweeping strokes for a blended effect, a dip dye has a more defined contrast between the base colour and the ends. Balayage gives a more natural, sun-kissed result, whereas dip dye is bold and high impact.

Is balayage suitable for all hair types and textures?

Yes – balayage can enhance curls, waves or straight hair. Our stylists personalise the technique to suit different hair types, helping to draw attention to your hair’s natural texture and shape.

Which balayage shades suit warm undertones?

If you have warm undertones, golden, caramel, honey, creamy blonde and light blonde balayage shades can add radiance and create a cohesive look that complements your skin tone and eye colour.

Which balayage shades suit cool undertones?

If you have cool undertones the goal is to complement the skin’s natural coolness without making it look washed out.  Ash blonde, icy or platinum blonde, ash brown, mushroom brown and cool mocha would create a beautiful multitonal blended balayage.  

Can I get face-framing pieces with balayage?

Definitely. Adding balayage to the front sections of your hair is a great way to frame the face and highlight your features – especially if you have layers or bangs.

How do you choose the best balayage for your style?

The best balayage is the one that works with your lifestyle, base colour, and personal style. Whether you want a soft, subtle change or something bolder, our expert colourists will tailor the shades and placement for you.

Can balayage be used to blend in roots or regrowth?

Yes. Balayage is ideal for blending in roots because it creates a more natural look that grows out softly. It’s a low-maintenance option for those who want fewer salon touch-ups.

Is balayage good for a ‘pick me up’ style refresh?

A balayage is the perfect pick-me-up! Whether you're after brightness through the mid lengths or a few golden face-framing pieces, it can lift your overall style without a drastic change.

Can I get a more natural colour with balayage than with traditional highlights?

Yes – balayage offers a more natural colour result compared to traditional highlights, which tend to be more structured. Balayage blends beautifully with your base colour for a softer finish.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with us if you have a different question.

More services & treatments

Browse through some of our other hair services and treatments.

Customer reviews

Read what some of our lovely clients have to say

This will be my new regular salon from now on. I've never felt more in love with my hair.

Emmi Bowles

My hair has never been better. I’m so pleased with the cut and styling.

Frances Malaney

It’s always such a treat to visit Melissa Timperley Hair Salon, I know I can rely on them for a perfect curly style and a relaxing day too.

Laura Ayre

First time at the salon, I was feeling a bit anxious due to a past bad experience elsewhere. I was made to feel really comfortable and at ease.

Louise Handsley

I can't say enough about this salon! The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and impeccably clean, which made me feel instantly comfortable.

Carl Canning

I absolutely recommend visiting not only for their amazing skills but also because after your visit you just feel so good and confident in yourself!

Federica Signorini

A first class salon with a friendly and welcoming team, who listen and use their vast knowledge and experience to make your hair look its best.

JK

They are extremely customer orientated and will go out of their way for you. The service they provide is also personally focused, each hairdresser doesn’t have multiple clients on the go at once.

Becky Torpey

Absolutely love this hair salon! All the staff are so friendly and so talented. They are very accommodating for me as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.

Fatima Arosi

The hair cut came with a great shampoo and head massage which was extremely relaxing. It looks fantastic.

Samantha Fernandes

This will be my new regular salon from now on. I've never felt more in love with my hair.

Emmi Bowles

My hair has never been better. I’m so pleased with the cut and styling.

Frances Malaney

It’s always such a treat to visit Melissa Timperley Hair Salon, I know I can rely on them for a perfect curly style and a relaxing day too.

Laura Ayre

First time at the salon, I was feeling a bit anxious due to a past bad experience elsewhere. I was made to feel really comfortable and at ease.

Louise Handsley

I can't say enough about this salon! The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and impeccably clean, which made me feel instantly comfortable.

Carl Canning

I absolutely recommend visiting not only for their amazing skills but also because after your visit you just feel so good and confident in yourself!

Federica Signorini

A first class salon with a friendly and welcoming team, who listen and use their vast knowledge and experience to make your hair look its best.

JK

They are extremely customer orientated and will go out of their way for you. The service they provide is also personally focused, each hairdresser doesn’t have multiple clients on the go at once.

Becky Torpey

Absolutely love this hair salon! All the staff are so friendly and so talented. They are very accommodating for me as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.

Fatima Arosi

The hair cut came with a great shampoo and head massage which was extremely relaxing. It looks fantastic.

Samantha Fernandes

Melissa Timperley Salons Manchester