A curated list of the best hair salons in Melbourne
IMAGE VIA @hueshair/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MAEVE KERR-CROWLEY
The ones you can trust.
Whether your fringe is drooping into your eyes, your colour needs a touch-up or you’re looking to completely reinvent your look, finding a hairdresser you can trust is the key to achieving your dream hair. Fortunately, Melbourne is brimming with salons and stylists who know their way around a head of hair.
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From shiny natural colours and on-trend cuts to experimental rainbow shades, there’s a stylist somewhere in the city that’s an expert. To help you find the location for your next treat-yourself day, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the best salons in Melbourne.
Shibui
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A down-to-earth salon that’s worth the hype, Shibui takes an intuitive approach to hair. Up to date on the latest in fashion but intentionally unpretentious, the team is all about tapping into what makes every client unique and finding the perfect look to bring that individuality out. Expect to leave with an uncontrived style that’s easy to keep looking its best.
Donna Sheridan
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Fitzroy salon Donna Sheridan is all about ‘great, everyday hair’, and it really makes good on that promise. It’s become the salon to go to if you’re looking for a contemporary, effortlessly cool cut, and as an added bonus, it’s also sustainable.
71 Kerr St, Fitzroy
Delilah Hair Studio
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At Delilah Hair Studio, nothing’s off the table. The salon’s specialty, however, is curly hair. Having coined its own phrase in ‘intentional tizz’, Delilah works with your curls instead of against them using the art of dry cutting. You’ll be treated to one-on-one attention the entire time you’re in the chair, with no worry that your stylist will dart off mid-appointment to deal with other clients.
2/414 Lygon St, Brunswick East
Stache
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Stache’s philosophy is simple: it’s about creating hair ‘that embraces creativity and elevated simplicity for the every day’. Its sleek, Brunswick East salon (really, it’s very sleek) is zero-waste, low-carbon and gender-neutral. What more could you want?
Level 1/158 Lygon Street (Entrance via O’Connor Street), Brunswick East
Rubi
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Sitting down with the highly trained team at Rubi Hair is sure to be a safe and welcoming experience. As the experts, they’re there to talk you through every part of your new look and figure out what works for you. As well as cuts and colours, the salon offers specialty keratin treatments to leave you with smooth, luscious hair.
234 Bridge Rd, Richmond
Hues Hair
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Hues Hair was founded by hairdresser Jamie Hughes in 2016, after 11 years of working in the industry. The aesthetically pleasing Richmond salon focuses on empowering and educating its clients and prioritises the use of Australian brands, which we love to see.
211 Swan Street, Richmond
The Blow
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A good blow dry can do wonders for your confidence, leaving your hair looking lush and artfully relaxed. The Blow specialises in beautiful blow-dry styling that is designed to last through whatever the week throws at you. Choose from a menu of six distinct blow dry styles or dry styling for your next event.
146 Little Collins St, Melbourne
Human Salon
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For an intimate experience in the heart of the city, head to Human Salon in Curtin House. This female-owned salon has a small number of chairs, offering a quiet, relaxing environment. The team uses eco-friendly products and recycles more than 95 per cent of its waste to ensure it has a positive impact on the environment.
Level 3, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street
African Queens
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Specialising in both African and European hair types, African Queens in Richmond aims to send every client out the door looking and feeling their best. Salon manager Mary Asamoah uses her knowledge of advanced trichology to apply chemistry and physiology to her appointments. So, not only can you get a quality cut, colour, perm, straightening or braids, but you’ll leave equipped with expert advice on protecting and maintaining your hair.
442 Church St, Richmond
Joey Scandizzo Salon
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A three-time Australian Hairdresser of the Year winner, Joey Scandizzo has been cutting hair in Melbourne for over 20 years, so you know you’re in a safe pair of hands. Head here if you’re after the premium salon experience.
168/172 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
Madison By Madison
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Madison By Madison is the brainchild of experimental hairdresser, Madison Finn. A favourite of inner-north creatives, she got her start working for iconic Melbourne salon Fur Hairdressing before striking out on her own. She’s drawn to vibrant colours and unconventional cuts, something she touched on when we spoke to her earlier this year for our How I Do It series. “My work pushes the limits with bright fun colours, but in a sophisticated, grown-up way. It’s hot, cool, sexy and fun, all at once,” she said. And who wouldn’t want to be all those things at the same time?
451B Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Edwards and Co
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For a glamorous, celebrity-endorsed salon experience, head to one of the two Edwards and Co locations in Melbourne. Home to some of the city’s most refined hairstylists and makeup artists, the salon specialises in rich colours that last gracefully, touchable texture and a coveted ‘rich-girl hair’ look.
1/22 Punch Ln, Melbourne
Mitch
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Mitch Studio is an aesthetically satisfying salon full of personality. Offering a bespoke, modern experience every time you walk through the door, it’s staffed by an experienced and creative team that’s passionate about making you feel your best. Mitch’s sustainability ethos also means that waste reduction and cruelty-free, environmentally hair products are always a priority.
166 High St, Ashburton
Fur Hairdressing
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The bold rainbow front door of Fitzroy’s iconic Fur Hairdressing represents the salon perfectly – its focus is on doing your own thing hair-wise, and not getting caught up in trends. If you’re looking to do something experimental, this is the place to go.
236 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Xiang Hair
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Having first opened its doors in 1989, Xiang Hair now operates three visionary salons (plus two barbershops) across Melbourne. Armed with a large, experienced team and countless industry accolades, it’s regarded as one of the most skilled salons in the city. Every stylist has undergone rigorous training programs and mentorship, so you know you’re in good hands.
401 Swanston St, Melbourne
Spada
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For high-luxury pampering days, the treat yourself attitude at Spada is just what the doctor ordered. The team prioritises attention to detail, individual service and a dynamic environment to help you be your best self. You’ll be tended to with a thorough consultation and equipped with expert maintenance advice to take home with you.
230 Malvern Road, South Yarra
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