If the thought alone of finding a new hair salon makes your palms sweat, you're not alone. No matter how drastic, there's something undeniably personal about changing your hair – probably because we're (usually) stuck with our choices for weeks, months, or even years. Perhaps that's why the relationship we have with our hairdresser is so special, and why they are often privvy to our deepest secrets and juiciest gossip as we sit in their chairs. It makes sense, then, that choosing a new hairdresser is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.
If you're living in Melbourne, there are myriad salons across the city at your disposal – a prospect that might leave you practically nauseated by choice. That's where we come in. We've scoured the city and collated a list (in no particular order) of 22 of the best salons to visit across Melbourne. Read on before you book your next haircut.
1. Everyday Salon, Brunswick
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Zero waste and carbon neutral, Everyday Salon is about as sustainable as they come. They're committed to making their salon an inclusive, gender-neutral space, and embrace a philosophy of simplicity, creativity and wearability when it comes to hair.
2. EdwardsAndCo, Fitzroy
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EdwardsAndCo has expanded its reach, opening a brick-and-mortar salon in the heart of Fitzroy. With an indulgent in-salon experience at the heart of every appointment, and EdwardsAndCo's signature glossy waves, you're sure to leave looking — and feeling — phenomenal every time.
3. Mitch Studio, Ashburton
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You've probably seen the neon yellow, sunshine-y interiors of Mitch Studio online. In addition to being (extremely) aesthetically pleasing, this certified carbon-neutral salon has a focus on waste circularity and cruelty-free products. Its friendly team offer a range of services from styling services to your standard cuts, colours and foils. Even better, they're set to open a new Fairfield location within a matter of months!
4. Rakis on Collins, CBD
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Rakis on Collins has several decades of hairdressing under its belt already, having been a destination salon since 1983. With a desire to exceed expectations – from the cut to the colour – it's amassed over 100 business and industry awards and some high-profile clientele.
5. Cream Melbourne, Fitzroy
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The team at Cream Melbourne are experts at taking your inspiration and turning it into your best hair yet. Whether you're after a dramatic transformation, or just want to freshen up your existing look, it's hard not to leave happy after an appointment at Cream.
6. Stache Hair Salon (Brunswick East)
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This light-filled salon is nestled in Brunswick East, and counts Troye Sivan among their most loyal customers. The little sister to Everyday Salon, the team at Stache have nailed on-trend styles like pixie cuts and long disconnected layers, and are also masters of just about every colour.
7. Neel Loves Curls (Fitzroy)
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For the curly-haired among us, make Neel Loves Curls your go-to. Specialising in maintaining and hydrating your natural curl pattern, he'll also throw in a free lesson for first-time clients on how to maintain the cut and style at home.
8. Joey Scandizzo Salon (South Yarra)
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The talented team of stylists at Joey Scandizzo Salon have been servicing Melbournes it-girls for years. It makes sense: they're famed for their timeless, personal approach to cutting and colouring hair, and the salon is housed in a beautiful, architecturally restored salon on bustling Toorak Road, serving refreshments, curated playlists and good vibes.
9. Organika Hair (Carlton and Elwood)
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As the name would suggest, this is an organic, low-tox and biodynamic salon, with sites in both Elwood and Carlton. The Organika philosophy is simple: to achieve your hair goals, sans the nasty chemicals that can be present in traditional salon products.
10. Donna Sheridan Hair, Fitzroy
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Donna Sheridan in Fitzroy champions great, everyday hair. In every appointment, their team of stylists seek to understand and embrace your hair's natural shape and texture, to craft a look that's low-maintenance, on-trend and, most importantly, you.
11. Delilah Hair Studio, Brunswick East
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No texture is too tricky for this salon. Lygon Street's Delilah Hair Studio are experts in curly tresses. Since 2007, the team has been serving up a dynamic hairdressing experience, thriving off of making your hair goals a spectacular reality.
12. Madison by Madison, North Melbourne
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Madison by Madison is not your average salon. The brainchild of Madison Finn, this quirky salon specialises in pushing the (hair) limits with bright, fun colours, executed with grounded, grown-up polish.
13. GAG Hairdressing, Fitzroy
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GAG's website said it best when they wrote: "we love the feeling of making people feel hot, sexy and freshhhhh." From perms to eyebrow bleaching, they really do it all, and even offer a free 15-minute consultation to boot.
14. TKAY Studio, Richmond
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If you're looking for a luxurious salon experience, look no further. In addition to paying expert attention to your hair, you'll feel right at home amongst TKAY's chilled-out music and refreshments from their locally sourced and extensive drinks menu.
15. Hues Hair, Richmond
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In addition to being one of the city's most aesthetically pleasing salons, the team at Hues Hair are brimming with hair knowledge. Their passion for empowering and education their clients comes to life using Australian-owned products without harsh chemicals.
16. Frankies Salon, Richmond
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This picture-perfect salon in Richmond is tucked away under the iconic Jaques building on the newly established Dyer Street. Upon arrival, you'll be guided to their 'relaxation bar', which we think is perhaps the reason that this salon was awarded the best reviews in the city in its first year.
17. Saint Louie Hair, CBD
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Saint Louie Hair is a city salon with a rock 'n' roll edge. Its lofty interiors and mezzanine sitting area are just the start, and the stylists' hair handiwork has been featured in an array of high-end editorials.
18. BODA Hair Boutique, Richmond, Malvern, Prahran, Moonee Ponds
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BODA is on a mission to empower women through hair, and it has several locations across town so you won't have to travel far for a killer cut or colour.
19. Telleish Hair, South Melbourne
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In addition to precise cuts and bright colours, Telleish is also home to a hair spa, which is as luxurious as it sounds. Tucked away in the NYC loft-style salon, you can unwind with a scalp massage, hair treatment, steam pod, blowdry, and drinks menu (to name just a few), for an appointment that will leave you looking good and feeling better.
20. Xiang Hair, Forest Hill, Greensborough, Essendon, Richmond
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Voted Australian Hairdressers of the Year in 2020, Xiang Hair boasts an assortment of premium salons that prioritise balancing an on-trend approach with uncompromising excellence.
21. UVA Salon (Prahran)
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Seamless and unsuspecting colour blends is what UVA Salon is all about, and founder Marie Uva has the celebrity clientele to prove it – from Jesinta Franklin to Nadia Bartel.
22. Alchemy Salon
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No hair transformation — no matter how big — is off limits at Alchemy. Expect incredible colourists and cutting experts to guide you through every aspect of a hair change, from quarter head foils to an entire new revamp of your original shade.
You can also see our list of the best salons in Sydney and our favourite hairdressers in Brisbane.
