The best hairdressers in Leeds in 2020 – a guide to all the best salons in your local area

Leeds – a great city, with great hairdressers to boot.

During lockdown you may have trimmed your own fringe or chosen to dye your own hair with home highlight kits, with varying degrees of success. But there's no denying we missed our hairdressers –this letter to a hairdresser, for example, shows how important a trip to the salon can be. Even if you're nifty with a pair of scissors, would you have been able to cut your own celebrity-inspired medium hairstyle to a professional standard? Welcome back, beloved hair salons – we've missed you.

There's no shortage of excellent hairdressers in the vibrant city of Leeds. Look around the center, where there are salons to suit a variety of needs. A bit further out, you'll find local salons of a very high standard in lively Chapel Allerton, the well-connected suburb of Horsforth and in the surrounding pretty villages such as East Keswick.

How can I find good hairdressers near me in Leeds?

Yes, you can google 'hairdressers near me' but the woman&home team is partial to using Treatwell. This hair and beauty site enables you to book appointments in seconds. There are thousands of salons listed (and 85 in Leeds alone) with special offers for the taking too.

Which hairdressers in Leeds have the best reputation professionally?

Robert Eaton of Russell Eaton Hair in the City Centre is a bit of a legend on the hairdressing circuit, having won British Hairdresser of the Year at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2019, and Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Technician of the Year three years running. The family-run salon is also a recipient of multiple awards, including winner of the Fellowship For British Hairdressing Salon Group of the Year 2017.

Can I book online?Yes, via the salons' online booking services at Russell Eaton

RMUK Hair & Beauty, opposite Leeds General Infirmary, is also a well respected and long-standing family-run salon and spa that made the finals in the British Business Awards for Best Salon Design.

Can I book online?Yes, via the salons' online booking services at RMUK.

Fancy something a bit different? If you’re looking for a salon that will whip up an adventurous restyle, try Hive Hair inside the Corn Exchange. To book an appointment at Hive Hair, call or email the salon.

Best hairdressers in Leeds 2020

Often we find that real customer reviews offer more insight what experience you can expect though. So in order to decide which hairdresser in Leeds comes first, we looked at a combination of Treatwell star ratings and customer reviews. At the time of writing, Linda Garbutt'stop of the crop with 5 stars and 385 reviews. “Impossible to find fault,” said reviewer Sarah. Want to book? You can, here.

These 10 hairdressers in Leeds and the surrounding area are also rated very highly. These salons offer both women's haircuts and colour, and prices are as featured on Treatwell at the time of writing.

Top 10 hair salons in Leeds

5 stars, 385 reviews Based at Sketchhair on Mill Hill, right by Leeds station, award-winning senior creative stylist Linda Garbutt is a brilliant all-rounder who takes her craft seriously. As a result, she’s highly respected in her field and loved by her clients, garnering hundreds of five star reviews. “The best hairdresser I’ve ever been to!” wrote Lucy. Other happy customers say equally pleasant things, “Amazing as always,” wrote Anonymous, while Julia describes Linda as “talented, skilled, welcoming and caring!” 💇Starting price for a haircut and finish: £45 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and blow dry: £100

5 stars, 289 reviews Located in the villagey suburb of Horsforth, this Treatwell Top Rated salon is known for putting customers at ease. Professionally trained at Redken and Alterna, stylist Aimee has an impressive amount of 5 star reviews from customers satisfied with the “friendly and welcoming” service, Aimee’s “professional” and “conscientious” manner and her skills as a stylist and colourist. “Always a fabulous job, highly recommend,” wrote reviewer Tracy. 💇Starting price for a haircut and finish: £38 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and finish: £83

5 stars, 247 reviews Situated on Gledhow Valley Road between Moortown and Chapel Allerton, the accomplished stylists at this welcoming local salon are trained by the Toni & Guy and Nicky Clark academies so they really know their stuff. Staff “always listen to exactly what you want,” wrote Colette; “Always leave feeling a million dollars,” wrote Steffanie. 💇Starting price for a wash, haircut and blow dry: £45 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and finish: £90

5 stars, 186 reviews Located in a popular, family-friendly part of Leeds, Ray of Ginger is the place to go for some calm and pampering (it also provides beauty treatments). With more than a hundred 5 star reviews, salon owner Katie is a hit with her clients – reviewers have called her “amazing”, “knowledgeable” and “the best hairdresser around.” High praise indeed. 💇Starting price for a haircut and blow dry: £40 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and blow dry: £95

5 stars, 142 reviews Working from Mousie Brown’s (which also gets 5 star reviews) in leafy Horsforth, Craig is a popular guy and for good reason. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, there’s nothing he can’t do – “friendly”, “excellent” and “talented” are some of the words that regularly pop up to describe him. 💇Starting price for a haircut and blow dry: £40 💇Starting price for half head highlights with finish: £65

5 stars, 63 reviews Situated in the student hub of Headingly, Jam Hair is owned by senior stylist Rosie, who works alongside Will and Georgia. Rosie, who specialises in balayage and long hair but “loves every aspect of hairdressing” comes highly recommended, as do the rest of the lovely staff. Reviewers call her “attentive”, “professional" and a stylist who “can deal with curly hair” – she's also an excellent colourist. 💇Starting price for a wash, haircut and finish: £25 💇Starting price for half head highlights with finish: £60

5 stars, 62 reviews Open since 1991, Rapport has built up a loyal client base for its “head to toe” services. It’s a family-friendly salon and the team – who work together very harmoniously by all accounts – all get 5 stars for their talents and friendliness. “Can’t find a single negative, as always,” wrote Sue, while Katrina enthused, “What a fantastic place - I can see why it’s so popular.” Meanwhile, Joanna was pleased to report that “Nothing is ever too much, I rate this salon very highly.” 💇Starting price for a haircut and finish: £40 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and finish: £140

5 stars, 37 reviews Based in the charming village of East Keswick, within the golden triangle of Leeds, Harrogate and Wetherby, Bay Laurel Hair is run by owner Laura, an experienced hairdresser and expert in colouring who specialises in colour correction and bleaching techniques (she can also do bright fashion colours). Feedback is very positive about both Laura and senior stylist Jess, with reviews highlighting “excellent colour” and “great haircuts”, while the salon is described as having “a warm and relaxing feel”. It’s very reasonably priced, too. 💇Starting price for a wash, haircut and blow dry: £35 💇Starting price for half head highlights with finish: £55

5 stars, 34 reviews Freelance stylist Anna is based at Boheme, a well-reviewed salon in a village near Leeds that's popular with commuters and young professionals. A trusted hairdresser and colourist, Anna is known for making her clients feel at ease, and for offering excellent haircare advice. Customers enjoy the “relaxing and welcoming atmosphere” of the “beautiful venue” and reviewers wax lyrical about the “amazing” and “fabulous” results Anna achieves. “Thank you for making my hair amazing again!” wrote Porsche – a sentiment many of us will relate to, post-lockdown. 💇Starting price for a wash, haircut and blow dry: £32 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and finish: £82

5 stars, 27 reviews Stylist and colour expert Ben works from within the XS Hair Salon in the Central Arcade, a short walk from Leeds station. Experienced, attentive and welcoming, “he talks you through your treatment, making sure you’re happy with every decision,” wrote happy client Joanne, while Wendy declared “If I could give more than 5* I would! Ben was amazing.” Other customers have commented on the salon’s friendly atmosphere and the free vino (always a winner). 💇Starting price for a haircut and finish: £40 💇Starting price for half head highlights, haircut and blow dry: £100