Is there anywhere better to have your hair cut and re-styled than at a multi award-winning salon, we think not? We sent our writer, Rachel McAlley to the renowned Leeds salon, Russell Eaton for a hair experience like no other.
The Russell Eaton brand has been in Yorkshire for 48 years, starting out in Barnsley and founded by Russell himself. Today, the Barnsley salon still has an extremely loyal customer base, plus they have a flagship salon in Leeds city centre.
Russell Eaton: Leeds’ Award-Winning Salon Redefining Hair Transformations
Russell Eaton is one of Leeds’ most celebrated names in hairdressing, with a reputation built over 48 years across Yorkshire. Robert Eaton, the salon’s Art Director, has twice won British Hairdresser of the Year and leads a team of award-winning stylists at the flagship Albion Street salon. Whether you arrive with dry split ends, unruly curls, or hair in poor condition, the team brings genuine expertise and a calming, professional approach to every appointment. From precision cuts to highlights and bespoke Kerastase treatments, the experience goes well beyond a standard salon chair visit.
What to Expect from Your Russell Eaton Experience
Clients leave Russell Eaton not just with transformed hair but with a personalised haircare routine they can actually follow at home. Robert takes time to consult on the best approach for each individual, selecting products suited to specific hair types, including specialist curl-defining and frizz-reducing treatments. A consultation costs £30, redeemable in the shop, with full cut and styling services from £250. The team also actively competes in and wins major industry awards, reflecting a culture of continuous creativity. For anyone seeking a truly elevated salon experience in Leeds city centre, Russell Eaton consistently delivers.
The Salon
Robert Eaton, son of Russell, has been a hairdresser for 30 years. He opened the Leeds Boar Lane salon 16 years ago and has since moved to a bigger space on Albion Street. Robert is Art Director at the Leeds salon and has been at the helm since first opening in the city.
The brand name Russell Eaton has been taken to new heights by Robert, who has won numerous awards and various accolades within the hairdressing industry. Most recently he won British Hairdresser of The Year in 2019 and again in 2021.
The Original Messy Hair
Our girl, Rachel was a little nervous visiting the salon as her hair hadn’t been looked after very well — in fact, she’d go as far as to say it was completely neglected.
Yes, my hair was definitely in poor condition when I sat in the hot seat at Russell Eaton last month. Robert soon put me at ease, and his team of stylists and juniors were simply wonderful.
As you can see from the photos, my hair was frizzy, full of knots, and matted. I have thick, dense, unruly curls that arrived when I hit my forties, along with extremely dry hair! I’ve always had thick hair, but never knotty or in such bad condition. I always had a slight kink in my hair, but now it’s just full of coily curls.
I should give a little context to what I had done with my hair before visiting Russell Eaton. I was in the shower, angry with my hair, had a grown-up melt-down, and asked my 14-year old daughter to cut my pony tail off! So, she got the scissors, grabbed my long hair, and cut off around 12 inches. I actually felt free, but that came at a price; my hair was just an absolute abomination.
The Process
Robert suggested I get rid of my dry, split ends, and I decided that cutting it to shoulder length would give my hair a chance of becoming healthy again. He simply worked wonders; my hair was cut with precision, highlights were added, it was washed gently with a treatment, partially dried, and then styled beautifully. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. Robert was a whizz with the scissors and made my hair look like I should be in a TV commercial.
My matted, dry curls became loose and wavey, with a pretty curl rather than the mess that it was previously. Robert used a selection of Kérastase products on my hair, specifically for curls. These included Hair & Scalp Oil, Curl Refreshing Spray, Curl Defining Gel, and Daily Moisturizing Frizz-Reducing Leave-In Treatment.
The Result
I can honestly say that my hair feels great, looks much healthier, and I’m actually following the haircare routine that Robert advised me on. It’s been a few weeks since my appointment, and my hair hasn’t knotted once. It is easy to blow-dry, and I no longer have a melt-down in the shower!
The General Info
It would have cost £250 for Robert Eaton to consult, cut, and style my hair at Russell Eaton’s flagship salon in Leeds. A consultation costs £30, which can be redeemed in the shop. The Kérastase hair products were gifted and were priced between £35.80 and £49.50 each.
Visit Russell Eaton to book an appointment or consultation, and visit the Shop to purchase Kérastase and other products.
Robert Eaton Q+A
I asked Robert Eaton at Russell Eaton a few questions about being an award-winning stylist and colourist.
When did you win your first award?
My first hair competition was in 2001. It was a Wella competition and was fairly new in the hairdressing scene. It later became the Wella Trend Vision Award.
Since then, I and the team have continued to enter them over the years with success in the L’Oreal Colour Trophy, British Hairdressing Award, and Creative Head magazine’s Most Wanted Awards.
Has anyone else in your team won any awards?
Yes! We actively encourage the team to become more involved in industry events and competitions so Daniel, Ashleigh, and Isobel have all won British Hairdressing Awards, and Angela has won the L’Oreal Colour Trophy.
Is there a competition every year that you regularly enter?
I’ve been nominated for “British Hairdresser of the Year” for the last seven years and won it twice. The British Hairdressing Awards have always been a firm date and event we have been involved in over the years. We love creating collections and the whole process provides inspiration to our team and our clients like to see the process too.
Do you have an award that you’re most proud of?
British Hairdresser of the Year because you have to be nominated by the media and industry peers and then invited to enter. This means a lot, and to win it twice will always be a career highlight for me.
Have you entered any awards that you are waiting to find out about this year?
British Hairdresser of the Year 2025. The awards take place on 24th November so everything crossed for them; however, I love being part of the event and creating a show on the night. Being part of such a prestigious line up of hairdressers is always very exciting.
If you had the opportunity to enter a specific award ceremony anywhere in the world, what or where would it be?
The UK hairdressing industry is regarded globally as one of the best in the world, so I am so lucky to be part of it; however, the USA is a huge and fast-growing market, and Australia has brilliant hairdressers and great awards. Social media is now one of the biggest ways to share our work on a global level.
Check out Russell Eaton on Instagram, and Robert Eaton on Instagram.
Words by Rachel McAlley
If you are into hair-related topics, why not check out some of our other Beauty and hair care features at House of Coco.
