If the thought of finding a new hair salon produces a sense of unease, we're here to tell you that you aren't alone. There's something unreasonably personal about hair – even more so than the sartorial choices we make – given that we are stuck with our choices (by and large) for a matter of weeks or months, sometimes even years. Perhaps that is why the relationship we have with our hairdresser is so special, and why they are often privy to our deepest secrets and juiciest gossip as we sit in their chairs. So it's inevitable that finding a replacement should be difficult and a peculiarly large responsibility.
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. So we've decided to do the dirty work for you and collate a list (in no particular order) of 21 of the best salons to visit across Melbourne.
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 and creativity when it comes to hair.
2. EdwardsAndCo (Fitzroy)
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EdwardsAndCo is expanding its reach, opening a brick-and-mortar salon in the heart of Fitzroy. The salon's elevated approach to the salon experience is indulgent and you'll leave looking phenomenal every damn time.
3. Mitch Studio (Ashburton)
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You may have seen the neon yellow interiors of Mitch Studio online, a gorgeous, sunshine-y interior guaranteed to brighten up your day. 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.
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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Fitzroy's Cream is one of the suburb's leading salons, and was built on the desire to excel in their craft. Its upstairs salon combines expert styling and innovative cuts to create a luxurious experience.
6. Stache Hair Salon (Brunswick East)
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Stache is Everyday Salon's little sister, also committed to circularity and sustainability in its practice.
7. Neel Loves Curls (Fitzroy)
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For the curly-haired persons among us, Neel Loves Curls is 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 are all about a timeless, personal approach to cutting and colouring hair. It's beautiful architecturally-restored salon on Toorak Road is all about the details – 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 based in both Elwood and Carlton. Its philosophy is to achieve hair performance and results, without the nasty chemicals that can be present in traditional salon products.
10. Donna Sheridan (Fitzroy)
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Donna Sheridan in Fitzroy seeks to embrace the texture and shape of your hair, boasting a relaxed, attentive salon experience with a focus on sustainability.
11. Delilah Hair Studio (Brunswick East)
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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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Entered via Milney's bar, Madison by Madison is an alternative to the traditional. The brainchild of Madison Finn, you'll find a host of colourful creatives frequent this spot, where Madison likes to push the limits with bright, fun colours, but with a grounded, grown-up polish.
13. GAG Hairdressing (Fitzroy)
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GAG's website says "we all love the feeling of making people feel hot, sexy and freshhhhh" and that just about sums it up. 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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TKAY specialise in luxurious hair salon experiences that are personalised from start to finish. And honestly, you'll feel right at home amongst the chilled-out music and refreshments from their locally sourced and extensive drinks menu.
15. Hues Hair (Richmond)
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This intimate hair team of three boast extensive knowledge in the hair industry, with an emphasis on empowering and educating their clients. Using Australian-owned products without the harsh chemicals, they've got a demonstrated passion and vision for hair.
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', perhaps the reason that this salon was anointed the highest reviewed salon 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 stylist's 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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This NYC loft-style salon is proudly sustainable and is served by a diverse team of 17 stylists, colourist and precision cutters. It was also voted Melbourne's best blonde colour salon.
20. Xiang Hair (Forest Hill, Greensborough, Essendon, Richmond)
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Voted Australian Hairdressers of the Year in 2020, Xiang Hair offer a selection 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 Jennifer Hawkins to Nadia Bartel.
You can also see our list of the best salons in Sydney and our favourite hairdressers in Brisbane.
