About Time You Tried: Balayage at Neville SalonBy Angelica Malin

Balayage at Neville Salon? What’s that when it’s at home? Well, you’re going to find out. Tucked away on a quiet leafy side street in Chelsea, Neville Hair & Beauty is one of London’s Balayage specialists; a technique of creating highlights free-hand, without the awkward tin foils. You might recognise the salon’s glossy exterior; it recently featured in Made in Chelsea, where Binky retreats to make herself feel better, in case you’re wondering. Despite its Chelsea label, a salon like this is guaranteed to make anyone feel happy and comfortable; not only do they have delightful staff who are happy to work around your personal whims, but they even have a dedicated food and drinks menu (think green juices and peanut butter banana smoothies). It feels as if you’re on holiday, whilst getting a trim; it’s heavenly.

Jack Howard, International Colour Director of Neville, unusual techniques have rightly earned him quite the legacy in the hairdressing world, grooming celebrities and A-listers alike. If it’s good enough for Kelly Brook… Balayage is all about enhancing the hair’s natural colour highlights. His method focuses in on a whole new way of seeing colour; there’s no foils here – we love the free-hand technique offered at Neville that creates more natural-looking highlighted hair. If you’re looking for a fresh summer look, here’s what you need to know:

Neville Salon: The Lowdown  Balayage at Neville Salon

Neville has grown in many ways since its opening in 1992; it’s now a 5-storey full service salon in Belgravia, offering everything from blow drys to manicures, with 5* service. The clientele is a real mix; it’s not all young girls, and is suited to anyone who likes feeling at home in a salon.

Some of the services on offer are totally unique to Neville; Stephen Low cuts hair with thermal scissors, which, at the 110c, completely stop split ends happening. It will set you back £500; perhaps one to save up for. They also have a range of great packages; our favourite is the Mothers and Daughters Package, which includes facials, blow drys, manicures and even lunch. There’s also reflexology, massage and body packages and facials that will ‘melt’ away wrinkles – for the full treatment list, see here.

Neville Salon: The Treatments Balayage at Neville Salon

The main focus at Neville is on colour; at the moment the most popular colour treatments are Balayage, Bronde and New York Lights. The key to Bronde is painting lighter pieces free-hand throughout the hair, with the colour softer towards the mid-section and at the ends. It’s a subtle colour – normally 2 shades lighter than your normal colour, so it’s not too drastic that your friends will cry, but light enough to give you that summer feel. Bronde is ideal for anyone with darker hair that’s looking to blonde without the drastic results – and there’s not a highlighter foil in sight.

The other big hit at Neville is New York Lights; this is Poppy Delevigne’s favourite, where lighter pieces are hand painted around the face for a youthful, fresh feel; again subtle, but lovely. Don’t leave without getting a Caviar Cure intensive conditioning treatment, which will leave your locks shiny, supple and beautiful.

Neville Salon: The Prices Balayage at Neville Salon

The prices are high-end, but worth it. New York Lights will set you back £140, Bronde £280 and Balayage £140-£340 depending on hair length. But if it saves you having to get colour done all over again when the foils go wrong, it’s money well-spent.

Neville Salon: Our Verdict Balayage at Neville Salon

A fantastic salon that’s pioneering a new way of experiencing colour; their techniques focus in on creating and enhancing natural beauty, rather than trying to look like a cheap impression of Jessica Alba. While the prices are high, the service is second to none and their focus on new, innovative colour techniques makes it well worth the visit.

For more information, see here. 5 Pont St, London SW1X 9EJ