Half head balayage in Cardiff
Half head balayage concentrates hand-painted lightening through the top and sides of your hair, where colour frames your face and catches the most light.
It's a great option if you want the soft, dimensional balayage effect with a little less lift than a full head, making it easier on both maintenance and budget while still giving a natural, sun-kissed finish.
Every half head balayage includes a toner or gloss to perfect the final shade.
What's included
- A colour consultation to plan your tone and placement
- Freehand balayage lightening through the top and sides
- Oli G Peptide Protection worked in during lightening
- A perfecting toner or gloss
- A professional finish and aftercare advice
Prices start from £130 and depend on your hair's length, thickness and how much lift is involved. Your exact price is confirmed at your consultation.
More information
What the service involves
- A consultation to assess hair condition, colour history and texture, and to plan placement and tone
- A patch test is typically required at least 48 hours beforehand to check for sensitivity
- Hair is sectioned through the crown, parting and hairline, then lightener is hand-painted onto mid-lengths and ends, feathered towards the roots
- Lightener processes for a controlled period, commonly 30 to 55 minutes, depending on hair type and desired lift
- Hair is rinsed and a toner or gloss is applied to refine the shade and add shine
- Oli G Peptide Protection is worked in to strengthen the internal hair structure and reduce damage from lightening
- The appointment finishes with conditioning and a professional blow-dry, typically taking 90 to 135 minutes in total
Who it suits
- Clients wanting brighter, sun-kissed pieces through the top and face frame while keeping natural depth underneath
- Those with previously coloured, fine or fragile hair, where peptide protection helps limit breakage
- Anyone looking for a lower-cost, shorter alternative to full-head balayage that still gives a noticeable lift
- Clients maintaining or refreshing an existing full balayage, using the half head service to keep visible areas bright
Our colour specialist Ceri O'Brien, along with senior stylists Lucy Osborne and Emma Stokes, work with clients to judge placement and tone that suit each hair type.
What to expect afterwards
- Regrowth is soft and blended, so most clients return to refresh their balayage every 3 to 4 months
- Interim toning or gloss appointments help keep tone fresh between full colour visits
- Some dryness is normal after lightening, even with peptide protection, so home aftercare matters
- Sulphate-free shampoo, regular conditioning treatments and heat protectant before styling all help preserve colour and condition
- Very dark or previously processed hair may need more than one session to reach a significantly lighter result safely
A note on realistic results
Half head balayage brightens the most visible areas, the crown, parting and face frame, while leaving the underneath more natural for dimension. It's a softer, more gradual look than full-head lightening, and stylists will always advise honestly on what's achievable in one session based on your hair's starting point and condition.
