--- title: "Half Head Balayage | Timba Cardiff" description: "Freehand half head balayage at Timba, Cardiff. Brighter, low-maintenance colour on the top and front sections. From £130." canonical: "https://www.timbahair.com/services/half-head-balayage" --- ![Long golden blonde hair with soft S-waves and lighter ribbons through the lengths.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Flong-wavy-blonde-salon-hair-back.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1790852044285&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz)![](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Flong-wavy-blonde-salon-hair-back.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1790852044285&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Colouring # Half Head Balayage From £130 90–135 mins [Book Online](https://book.thesalon.app/salons/5d037f92-0091-4453-941b-88ca6bf28bb5/book) ## 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. ## 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. [Book Online](https://book.thesalon.app/salons/5d037f92-0091-4453-941b-88ca6bf28bb5/book) ## Frequently Asked Questions How long does a half head balayage take? The appointment typically takes 90 to 135 minutes, depending on hair length, density, and starting colour. How much does it cost? Half head balayage starts from £130, with the final price depending on your hair and the work involved. How is it different from a full head balayage? Half head focuses on the top and front sections for brightness where it shows most, while full head applies the technique throughout for all-over dimension. Will my colour look natural? Yes, balayage is hand-painted with a soft, blended transition, so results are softer and more dimensional than traditional block highlights. Can I add extra treatments? Every half head balayage includes Oli G Peptide Protection to support the hair during lightening. You can also add a Root Smudge for a softer, more blended root. [Book Online](https://book.thesalon.app/salons/5d037f92-0091-4453-941b-88ca6bf28bb5/book) ## Available Team Members These team members perform this service - ![Hair stylist applying foil highlights to seated client's hair in a salon](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fceri-colour-expert-timba-96x125.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530796855&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Ceri O'Brien Colour Expert [View](/team-members/ceri-obrien) - ![Blonde stylist wearing glasses trims a seated client's wet hair with scissors in a salon](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Femma-senior-stylist-timba2-96x128.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530798963&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Emma Stokes Senior Stylist [View](/team-members/emma-stokes) - ![Busy salon with stylists cutting two clients' hair at wooden-framed mirror stations](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Ftimba-salon-128x116.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530798206&w=128&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Lucy Osborne Senior Stylist [View](/team-members/lucy-osborne) ## Related Services Complete your experience with these services - Oli G Peptide Protection From £20•From 15 mins [View](/services/oli-g-peptide-protection) - Root Smudge From £40•From 30 mins [View](/services/root-smudge) ## Related Blog Posts - [![Balayage by Claire at Timba Hair and Beauty, Cardiff](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Ftimba_CYbn2j-ovCj_hq.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1789031722496&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) ### Balayage in Cardiff: A Master Colourist's Guide | Timba Hair A Master Colourist's guide to balayage in Cardiff. Learn how it works, who it suits, and how we create your shade at our in-salon Colour Lab. Book today. Read more ](/blog/balayage-in-cardiff)