Leeds hairdressers: where to actually go

Leeds has a proper hair scene: independents, name-stylist salons, colour specialists and traditional barbers, most of them in a handful of neighbourhoods. The trick is picking a salon that’s good at what you want, rather than walking out with whatever they’re best at.

There are 242 hairdressers and barbers listed in Leeds on WotsItCalled so far, with a strong lean towards Chapel Allerton, Moortown and Roundhay. Some are old-school salons with a loyal Saturday crowd and some are appointment-only stylists working out of small studios. Both can be excellent; they’re just built for different jobs.

Work out what you actually want first

Most hair regrets start with asking the wrong kind of salon for the wrong thing. Be honest about which of these you’re after:

• Cut and dry. You know what you like and want a good cut every 6-8 weeks. Any decent salon can do it and it shouldn’t cost a fortune, so a local independent with plenty of reviews is usually the answer.
• A big change: colour, balayage, highlights. This needs a colour specialist rather than any stylist who’s free. Look for salons that name their senior colourist and post before-and-after photos, and book a consultation rather than a slot.
• Restorative or corrective work. Box dye gone wrong, brassy lift, bleach damage. It’s technical, so ask outright whether they do corrective colour and expect to pay for a proper consultation first.
• Barbering. Men’s cuts, skin fades, beard trims. Plenty of hairdressers will do a men’s cut, but a proper barber will usually do it better and cheaper.

Ask a walk-in barber for balayage and you’ll probably leave with orange roots. Match the salon to the job.

Five questions to ask before you book

On the phone or at a consultation, these sort the salons that know their stuff from the ones crossing their fingers.

1. Do you do a consultation before colour? A serious colourist always does. They’ll look at your hair, ask what’s been on it before and tell you honestly how many sessions it’ll take. If they book you in for a full head of bleach over the phone, walk away.
2. Who’ll actually be doing my hair? In bigger salons, senior stylists and assistants do very different work. Either can be fine, but you should know which price band you’re paying.
3. Can I see photos of similar work? Any stylist worth their salt has an Instagram or a folder of real clients, not magazine shots.
4. What’s your patch test policy? Any colour service needs a patch test at least 48 hours beforehand. A salon that skips it is cutting corners where it matters.
5. What will this cost, start to finish? Toner, Olaplex, treatments and a cut on top are how colour bills balloon. Get one number for the lot before you sit down.

What a good listing actually tells you

A decent listing should answer most of your questions before you pick up the phone. Check for:

• Photos of hair, not just the salon. Cuts and colours on real clients show you their range.
• Reviews that name the stylist. “Sarah did my balayage and talked me through every step” is gold; “lovely salon” tells you nothing.
• A price guide, or at least a starting price. Salons that hide pricing usually reveal the reason when the bill arrives.
• Replies to bad reviews. A classy salon takes criticism on the chin and explains. A poor one deletes it or gets defensive.
• Named specialisms such as curly hair, grey coverage, bridal, men’s or colour correction. Salons tend to call out what they know they’re good at.

Leeds hairdressers worth a look

These are already on WotsItCalled and cover a spread of styles, prices and neighbourhoods. Check the reviews, and book a consultation for anything bigger than a trim:

• Mod Salons in Chapel Allerton has over 800 reviews, making it one of the most-reviewed salons in Leeds. It’s full-service, with a big team of stylists.
• Haus of XS in Moortown is consistently top-rated, a good bet for a modern cut and colour done with care.
• Head Start is a smaller Chapel Allerton salon with loyal regulars.
• Hana’s Academy Leeds in Roundhay is worth a look if you’re after something more specialist.
• Co2 Hair and Beauty, also in Roundhay, does hair and beauty together for when you want the lot in one trip.
• Becky’s Unisex Hair Salon is a well-reviewed unisex salon in Moortown and a handy neighbourhood option.

If none of those fit, the full list is on the Leeds hairdressers category page, and the national hairdressers directory covers salons across the UK.

The short version

• Decide whether it’s a cut, colour, correction or barbering job, because each has a different shortlist.
• Always book a consultation for colour.
• Ask who’ll do your hair and what the full price is, extras included.
• Trust reviews that name the stylist and photos of real clients.
• The bar is a salon that patch tests, talks you through it and doesn’t oversell.

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