Balayage* is a specialist hair colour salon on Welles Street in central Christchurch, self-described as Ōtautahi's leading colour specialists. Founded in 2016 in Addington, the studio moved to its current bright Welles Street location in 2021, continuing to grow and evolve under the direction of founder and Salon Director Tom UJ.
The studio operates on a one-on-one model — every service comes with a complimentary consultation so clients can sit down with their stylist and design a look that's specific to them. The team of five stylists includes two Senior Stylists (Jess Brit and Clare Sanders), Stylist Jade McIntosh, Stylist Karys Murphy, and Tom UJ as Salon Director. Two resident greyhounds, Sachi and Lily, round out what the studio calls 'the family'.
Ethics are central to how Balayage* operates. All products used and sold are 100% cruelty free and Vegan Society certified. The studio is working toward full sustainability, including recycling materials down to the foils used in colour services and conserving water throughout the process. Studio hire is also available for those looking to use the space.
Bookings are made online via Timely, and clients can book with a specific stylist or the next available. Free consultations are available by phone or in-person for those wanting an accurate quote before committing.
Some salons are production lines. Balayage* is not one of them. Founded in 2016 in a small salon in Addington, the studio was built around a different idea: that hair colour — particularly the freehand, sun-kissed kind that the salon is named after — is something that deserves time, conversation, and individual attention. Every appointment at Balayage* comes with a complimentary consultation. You sit down with your stylist, have a coffee, and design a look together before anything happens to your hair.
The studio relocated to Welles Street in 2021, moving into what founder and Salon Director Tom UJ describes as a bright and beautiful space. The move marked a new chapter — and by all accounts, the growth hasn't stopped since.
Balayage* operates on an exclusive one-on-one service model. When you're in the chair, you have your stylist's full attention — not a shared schedule, not a rotation of juniors, but the person you booked with, focused on your hair.
The team is made up of five stylists. Tom UJ, Salon Director and founder, leads the studio. Senior Stylists Jess Brit and Clare Sanders bring significant experience to the colour work. Stylists Jade McIntosh and Karys Murphy complete the team. Each stylist has their own Instagram portfolio linked from the website, so you can browse actual work before deciding who to book with.
Two resident greyhounds — Sachi and Lily — hold the unofficial title of Head of Bark-at-things. Their presence is part of what makes the studio feel more like a space than a shop.
Balayage* is explicit about its ethics. All products used and sold in the studio are 100% cruelty free and Vegan Society certified. The team has made a deliberate choice not to use products tested on animals, and that applies to everything in the salon.
Sustainability is an ongoing project. The studio is working toward being 100% sustainable — recycling and repurposing materials including the foils used in colour services, and conserving water throughout the process. This is a stated goal, not a marketing line: the website describes it as something they're working hard to achieve as soon as they can.
The core of Balayage* is colour. Balayage and foil services range from scattered (from $290) through to full head (from $435), with toner and a haircut included in every price. Prices vary based on hair thickness and length. Olaplex No.1 and No.2 is strongly recommended as an add-on for all lightening services — it's $60 extra and the salon is clear that they think it's worth it.
For those who don't need a full appointment, the Balayage* Express is worth knowing about. At $295 for a 2.5-hour session, it's designed to refresh hair that's had colour before — a regrowth touch-up after a few months, or brightening the money piece. It's not available to everyone: the salon asks that you send photos first so they can confirm eligibility.
Beyond colour, the service menu covers haircuts from $65 (men's, 30 minutes) to $145 (restyle), blowwaves from $95, on-scalp lightening from $220, toning, and in-salon treatments. Colour correction is also available — starting from $130 per hour — with a free consultation required first to assess what's needed.
Wedding hair is offered too: hair ups, curls, and styling. Colour for weddings follows the standard pricing; hair up prices are given on application. Travel fees apply when the team comes to you.
For those who want to use the studio itself, Balayage* also offers studio hire — details available on request.