Best of Brisbane 2021: The city’s best hairdressers for 2021 revealed
After receiving an overwhelming number of nominations we can now reveal the winners on our hunt for Brisbane’s best hairdressers for 2021, as voted by our readers.
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On our hunt to find Brisbane’s best hairdressers for 2021, we were overwhelmed with the response having received thousands of nominations.
After the challenging task of short-listing the top 40, we then put the vote out to our readers to find the very best and Brisbane has spoken. Here are the top 10 best Brisbane hairdressers of 2021.
10. Bree Moon, Moonshine., North Lakes
53 Endeavour Blvd, North Lakes
Facebook: moonshine.northlakes
Instagram: @moonshine.bree
Manager of family-owned small business Moonshine. Bree Moon absolutely loves all things hair and always had a passion for makeup, fashion, and hair since she was a child.
No matter the thickness, length, or current style of your hair, Bree Moon has got you covered. Known for providing excellent results when it comes to cut and colour, you’ll never see this hairdresser without a smile on her face.
9. Scott Taituha, Epic Hair Designs, Ascot
Racecourse Village Shopping Centre 3, 11/188 Nudgee Rd, Ascot
epichairdesigns.com.au/locations/ascot/
Instagram: @the_hairy_god_father
Senior stylist at Epic Hair Ascot is loved by every client who comes across him.
His big personality is matched by his big love of hair and the beautiful blends he achieves with his balayage and ombre colour work.
8. Holly Sharpe, B’Me Hair, North Lakes
4/9 Discovery Dr, North Lakes
Instagram: @hollysharpe.hair
Two words: rainbow hair. A specialist in all things colour, Holly Sharpe of B’Me Hair is one of Brisbane’s favourite hair stylists known for her vivid and experimental colour work, which her clients are obsessed with.
Her work has even taken her internationally (pre-Covid) thanks to securing the role of Australian ambassador for Crazy Color, one of the world’s leading brands in vibrant hair colour brand.
With 15 years hairdressing experience and after working at B’Me hair for a few years, Holly decided to buy the salon from the previous owner two years ago as she couldn’t picture herself in any other space.
Holly says the best part of her job is she gets to make people feel amazing, worthy, and feeling good about themselves!
“Not only is it nice to look in the mirror and see some pretty hair but what a good hairdo does for peoples mental health is so incredibly important,” the B’Me Hair owner says.
“The key to great hair is finding the right hairdresser for you, use a great home care routine and have regular visits to your hairdresser to maintain your beautiful colour or haircut,” Holly recommends.
The Crazy Color ambassador also says the best way to support your favourite hair salon during a lockdown is to pre-book your appointments for the year, buy a gift voucher, or simply share their work and spread the word about the amazing job they do.
“There’s no better feeling than when you have new clients from word of mouth recommendations.”
7. Amy Gaudie, Urban Chic, Ashgrove
487 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove
Instagram: @amyurbanchic
Award-winning hair industry veteran Amy Gaudie is no stranger to a head of hair having started working at a salon at the age of 13.
Best known for her incredible cutting and styling skills, in the way some people say they have no favourite child but secretly do, out of the hair lengths her favourite to work with is short hair.
“My favourite part of my job is that every day is different, from the hair that I’ve created, to the people that I meet and my team that I get to lead,” the AHIA QLD Hairdresser of the Year for 2021 says.
She believes the key to fabulous hair is finding a fabulous hairdresser and knows just how important beautiful hair is to a lot of people.
“I think it’s important – our hair is like our crown, as cliche as it sounds, it’s the first thing we see in the mirror and the first thing others see when looking at us,” Urban Chic salon owner Amy Gaudie says.
“So when it’s not right we don’t feel right.”
6. Lachlan Pegler, Salon x Papas, Newstead
In Long Island Brisbane, 18 Longland St, Teneriffe
Instagram: @lachlanpegler
Inspired by fashion and design, whether you want something classic or something edgy, with scissors and tools at the ready Lachlan Pegler of high-end Newstead hair salon Salon x Papas will get you looking photo-ready.
Lachlan began his career five years ago with Toni & Guy before finishing his apprenticeship at Papas and Pace and has loved pushing himself with new challenges like doing hair for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney.
5. Carla Stone, STONE. The Studio, Everton Park
469 S Pine Rd, Everton Park
Instagram: @stone.thestudio
Carla Stone is a hair goddess. The salon owner of STONE. The Studio takes her time to give her clients a quality of service is second to none.
She is not only inviting and friendly, she is extremely knowledgeable and will consider every aspect from the shape of your face to your skin tone and personality to give you the perfect cut and colour just for you.
Not only will you look gorgeous as Carla works her magic, but will feel absolutely wonderful over the duration of your hair experience at her beautiful salon.
4. The Halo Room Hairdressing, Hawthorne
46 Lindsay St, Hawthorne
Instagram: @the_halo_room
Since its establishment in 2015 by hair specialist Kodie Weick, The Halo Room has expanded from a small three chair salon to a larger, more open location that breathes serenity with its white aesthetic decorated with plants to liven up the space.
While they don’t limit themselves to specialising in just one particular service, The Halo Room focuses on each client’s individual goal and/or concern in their appointment to reflect a more personalised approach.
Salon owner Kodie Weick and her team truly love all aspects of their job but their favourite part is getting to meet all different types of people and hearing all about their lives while offering amazing service.
“It‘s like a big family and when we grow relationships with all our guests it’s like hanging out with your friends all day everyday,” Kodie says.
On the topic of supporting your local small businesses while getting through Covid, Kodie says it’s a good idea to invest in their products, purchase gift vouchers, and to be understanding with rescheduling appointments.
“People seem to really invest in them selves and their hair a lot more which is amazing,” she says
“We have such a personal relationships with our stylists so it’s nice to be welcomed into a relaxing environment – for so many people the environment and the salon is just as important as good hair.
“Self-care and pampering lifts our mood and gives us so much confidence.”
The Halo Room team consists of four permanent hairstylists and brings on freelancers when needed and will be looking to continue growing their team in the coming months.
3. The Hair Pin, Ferny Hills
8/170 Patricks Rd, Ferny Hills
Instagram: @thehairpin_
Visit Ferny Hills’ The Hair Pin and you’ll be warmly welcomed and meant to feel right at ease whether it’s your first visit or 21st visit.
Since opening The Hair Pin six years ago, owner and senior stylist Ally McErlean has grown the salon into the popular local hair haunte it is today with 19 staff.
Though their diverse range of hairstylists bring a wide range of talents, the salon’s specialty is creating lived-in blondes.
Ally says the best part of her job is making people happy and creating an environment that is not only fun but family friendly, as well as being able to have a good work life balance.
The Hair Pin owner says the key to having great hair is using the best haircare products such as brands like De Lorenzo, as well as having a hairdresser that’ll use their expertise to work out what’s best for your hair.
2. Togninis, Fortitude Valley
8 Wandoo St, Fortitude Valley
Instagram: @togninis
While Tognini’s continues to evolve daily, what’s stayed true since opening 30 years ago is their love for their inclusive, creative and beautiful clients, community and industry.
What started with haircuts and styling by Benni Tognini and wife Tracey over 30 years ago in 1987, has since become one of Australia’s most awarded hair salons.
Earlier this year, their sons Jules Tognini and Kristian Tognini took over the reins of the business.
“I think our clients appreciate our approach to making hair fun, personal, stylish, and playful – without needing lots of effort to fit in our hectic lives,” the Tognini brothers say.
“It’s about making sure you walk out feeling as good as you do in our salon – and beautiful and comfortable wearing your best natural accessory daily.”
Whether you’re a high profile name, a loyal customer of 30 years, or you’re coming in for your first time with your five-year-old, everyone gets the same special experience (your little sidekick will just be offered a complimentary baby chino instead of the bubbles or Campos coffee!)
Their talented team of 16 stylists specialise in all things hair – from award-winning, cutting-edge hairstyling, to mainstream contemporary, effortless cuts.
Whether they’re doing blondes or balayage styles, or showstopping pink pixie cuts – they always make sure they’re thinking differently and bringing as much joy, passion, and craft to the industry and their work.
When it comes to their favourite part about running Tognini’s, Jules and Kristian love bringing out the best in everyone’s natural asset and having them walk out their doors with that extra “oomph” in their confidence and style so they feel like they’re having a good hair day, every day.
“Another highlight is being part of such a vibrant, supportive and creative industry,” three-time hair educator of the year and head stylist Jules Tognini says.
“We love sharing our knowledge in hair cutting and styling through our education programs, and we also love entering awards, which is no simple feat for our stylists who pull these creations together.
“The blood, sweat, and tears that go into creating an award-winning submission are all part of our love for this industry - and our passion for showing how Brisbane is having such an incredible impact.
“We’re so proud of our team for being so committed - and achieving the recognition they’ve had,” he says.
1. Elysium Hair Brisbane, CBD
15 Adelaide St, Brisbane City
Instagram: @elysiumhairbrisbane
CBD located salon Elysium Hair Brisbane takes the crown as Brisbane’s best hairdresser for 2021.
Australian Salon of the Year for Customer Care for its second year running Elysium Hair is a people-first salon specialising in delightfully personalised bespoke hair experiences that go beyond the cut.
The salon team blends passion, purpose and positivity to do good for people and the planet. But for senior stylist and mastermind behind the salon Kate Henderson, Elysium is so much more than a place to get your hair done.
Elysium’s owner Kate wants you to consider their multi-award-winning service, friendly team and central Brisbane locale your happy place. Put simply? They exist to care beyond your hair.
“Let us guess … You‘ve had a few questionable colours,” the Elysium hairstylist laughs.
“A fringe fiasco or whatever it is, we‘re here to help,” she says.
Based on your Haircare Questionnaire answers, your dream hairdresser from the Elysium team will be hand-picked, which means you‘ll always leave with locks you’ll love.
“We go to great lengths to make sure you adore not only your hair but also your time with us, so we operate knowing the little touches make big differences our clients,” the Brisbane hair specialist says.
“Think a hair plan, snacks, bubbles, sensory experiences and personalised rituals, which is basically everything we wished for in a hairdresser visit but couldn‘t find before opening Elysium’s doors.”
The salon celebrates 13 years of operation this November with their incredible team of 12, who despite the pandemic continue to grow.
Their clients are the reason they love what they do because at Elysium you‘re not just a number or a ’next.’
The award-winning salon owner says she believes hair is important to a lot of people as it‘s such a major part of their identity and is the quickest way to change the way you look and feel.
“It can help you feel more confident and is a way to express yourself, and we know how much easier life is when you feel good about yourself,” Kate Henderson says.
“We all know the phrase, ‘Are you having a bad hair day?’
“The reverse of that is if you’re having a good hair day, you can step more confidently into the world (or zoom).
“A visit to the salon is more important than ever and through Covid people have really missed their visit to their hairdressers.
“We have definitely felt the love and appreciation for what we offer in our salon. It‘s a time to escape, connect and reset, so you leave the salon with an extra spring in your step,” she says.
Kate says that even through lockdowns and the ongoing pandemic, there are heaps of ways to get involved in supporting your local salon.
“We love to keep in touch, so we send emails or DMs, write reviews, or vote in this poll,” she says.
The Elysium owner also gave a word of advice for anyone thinking about a DIY hair project at home.
“Stay away from the scissors or the home dyes – it‘s a lot harder than you think to cut and colour your hair.
“However, we are always available to help with ideas to get people through to their next appointment and ensure they are zoom ready at all times,” she says.
If you choose to visit Elysium, the team cannot wait to welcome you to the Elysium Hair family where you can indulge in a moment in time just for you. To be spritzed, spruced, snack-handed and strut-ready.
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