‘Your hair BFF’: Brisbane’s best summer hairstylist revealed

We asked our readers to vote for Brisbane’s best summer hairstylist. After a week of voting, our readers have crowned a new winner! See the full list and read what our winners had to say.

Elysium Hair Brisbane, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

We put the call out to our readers to nominate Brisbane’s best summer hairstylist and after hundreds of responses we narrowed the list down to a group of finalists. We can now reveal, as voted by our readers, Brisbane’s best summer hairstylist, 2023!

1. Elysium Hair Brisbane

Elysium Hair Brisbane, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Established: 2012

Speciality: Bespoke experiences

Address: 15 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City

Instagram: @elysiumhairbrisbane

With more than 26 accolades, including being named the Australian Salon of the Year seven times, Elysium Hair Brisbane co-owner, Kate Henderson, said the business celebrates the stories of their guests by creating “fabulous hair memories”.

“We’re not just about the snip-snip and the colour magic. We’re all about the feeling when you step out with hair that has got its own fan club,” she said.

Focusing on recycling and repurposing, Ms Henderson said the a major focus of the business is to “pamper mother Earth”.

Elysium Hair Brisbane, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Now with more than 400 five-star Google reviews, Elysium Hair Brisbane offers guests a quiz to help with selecting the perfect stylist.

“It’s all about matching you with a stylist who has got the skill and the sparkle to be your hair BFF,” she said.

2. Little Foxie Hair Studio

Little Foxie Hair Studio, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Established: 2020

Speciality: Personal consultations

Address: 8 Beatrice Street, Hawthorne

Instagram: @littlefoxiehairstudio

Offering more than just a haircut, Little Foxie Hair Studio pampers customers with lavender and linseed eye pillows as well as herbal tees, coffees, orange and almond cakes or citrus tarts. “We look after the busiest of people who can work from their salon while charging their laptops as well as mums, teenagers and everyone in between,” Helen Downs, director and senior stylist at the salon said.

3. The Disco Salon

The Disco Salon, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Established: 2012

Speciality: High end commercial colouring and cutting

Address: Shop 5 / 416 Logan Road. Stones Corner

Instagram: @thediscosalon

Fashion-forward designs are at the heart of The Disco Salon. Creative director Mikey Forster said the salon hosts three globally recognised Wella Colour Experts.

“We love to create beautiful, healthy commercial hair that will have people asking who does their hair’,” he said.

“We offer our clients our first class personalised service. From the moment you walk in the door, to the moment you leave, we have got you covered.”

4. Atelier by Christian Alexander

Atelier by Christian Alexander, Best of Brisbane. Picture: @pixel_punk_pictures

Established: 2014

Speciality: Editorial, celebrity, fashion

Address: 57 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Instagram: @brisbanesbesthairdressers

Crafting hair designs for the stars, clients of Atelier by Christian Alexander range from Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Joanna Lumley, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Katrina Blowers and Abby Coleman. “Atelier by Christian Alexander is a salon rich in luxury and esoteric design, and with a completely honest approach to servicing their clients. Working with celebrities, royalty, advertising campaigns and fashion shoots out of the salon,” owner Christian Alexander said.

5. LALA Hair Studio

LALA Hair Studio, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Established: 2013

Speciality: Blondes, vibrant colours, style cuts and blow dries

Address: 487 Old Cleveland Rd, Camp Hill

Instagram: @lalahairstudio

Describing the community within the salon as a family at heart, LALA Hair Studio focuses entirely on the needs and the wants of the client. “We always enjoy a laugh with each other and our guests,” owner Leigh Marsh said.

6. Urban Chic

Urban Chic, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Emmy O’Neill

Established: 2005

Speciality: Colour, long hairstyles and short haircuts

Address: 487 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove

Instagram: @urbanchichairsalon

With women empowerment at the core of the business, owner Amy Gaudie said she encourages women to “take the reins of their hairdressing career while having fun.”

“At our heart we are a family, from our dedicated staff to our cherished clientele. Our unwavering commitment to attentive listening is what sets us apart, allowing us to deliver unparalleled hair services in the most extraordinary and welcoming environment,” she said.

7. The Hair Pin

The Hair Pin, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Established: 2015

Speciality: Blondes and vivid colours

Address: 8/170 Patricks Rd, Ferny Hills

Instagram: @thehairpin_

Now in its eighth year of operation, The Hair Pin has a team of 21 stylists. “Our salon specialises in customer care and making the client experience relaxing, enjoyable and supportive,” owner Ally McErlean said.

Operating as a sustainable salon, the team places importance on “creating an environment which has a healthy impact on the planet.”

8. Collette Saunders Hair

Collette Saunders Hair, Best of Brisbane. Picture: @sociallycreate/Emma Winzar

Established: 2017

Speciality: Blonde transformations, precision cutting for short hairstyles, luxury barbering

Address: Located within Siobhan Hair Artistry, 10 Lakeview Promenade, Newport

Instagram: @collettesaundershair

Working within KLIF Newport, a collaborative space where hair, lashes, beauty and cosmetic injectables come together, Collette Saunders is a stylist at Siobhan Hair Artistry. Describing the brand, Ms Saunders said it is her accumulated professional knowledge and mastery of the art of hair styling over a 34 year period. “With traditional and contemporary technique, combining a crossover of barbering and hairdressing, I have always maintained a skillset to encompass gender neutral styling at the chair,” she said.

9. Special Fx Hair

Special Fx Hair, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Established: 2003

Speciality: Sustainability

Address: 61 Scrub Rd, Carindale

Instagram: @specialfxhair

With over 30 years experience in the hair industry, owner Michelle Coglan has worked with a range of clients over the years, including GHD at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. “Special FX Hair Studio prides itself on offering cutting-edge hair services, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques through ongoing training and attending workshops,” Ms Coglan said.

10. Terryleeon

Terryleeon, Best of Brisbane. Picture: @Naunaphotography/Nauna Guttenbeil

Established: 2014

Speciality: Colour correction, hair lightening, colour transformations, styling and keratin smoothing

Instagram: @terryleeon

After moving to Brisbane from South Auckland in 2014, Teiiri Leeon Cowen created the Terryleeon brand to create a “holistic safe space for women and men to feel respected, comfortable, encouraged, uplifted and empowered.” Mr Cowen has worked with a range of brands and offers both commercial and consumer services. “As a business owner and passionate hair enthusiast I aim to continue to do my best in business and to also create a positive impact in the community,” he said.