Meet Brisbane’s best hairdressers voted by Courier Mail readers

Meet the hairdressing team with great haircuts and chats that have been voted Brisbane’s best.

The Courier-Mail readers have decided that a hair salon north of Brisbane, that has thrived since moving from a rundown business district to the owner’s house, is Brisbane’s best.

House of York Hair Design was voted Brisbane’s best hairdresser by readers in a recent poll.

House of York Hair Design owner Lisa McDermott took over as owner 15 years ago when it was previously located on Lower King Street, Caboolture, before moving to 23 Lesley Avenue 12 years ago.

Lisa has been a hairdresser for almost 35 years and she and her team we shocked to learn they had been crowned the best in Brisbane.

“We are absolutely thrilled,” Ms McDermott said.

“We thought it was fantastic just to be nominated .

“It’s great to know that even though we aren’t the biggest, loudest and fanciest salon in Brisbane, we are a small and comfortable setting that our client base loves.”

House of York hair stylists Emma Barro, Vera Agatic and Lisa McDermott. Thursday May 29, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Ms McDermott took over from the previous owner 15 years ago and decided to move from Lower King Street to Lesley Avenue and set up the salon in her garage.

“Lower King Street had changed,” Ms McDermott said.

“Some of the banks had closed and other businesses had relocated .

“It ended up being occupied by takeaway shops and business that were only open in the late afternoon to evening.

“Once upon a time this was the old garage, took out the roller door, put the sliding door in.

“We didn’t know whether everyone would follow us here.

“People just like the setting and Vera, Emma and myself are just real people

“We’re fantastic at doing your hair which helps.”

House of York Hair Design offers an extensive range of hair styles, cuts and treatments, along with lashes, brows and other beauty treatments.

House of York hair stylists Emma Barro, Lisa McDermott and Vera Agatic with Chelsea Aranovitch. Picture: John Gass

“If people come in and their hair is in bad condition, we don’t just throw a colour on and go see you later,” Ms McDermott said.

“We like to educate people on how to make their hair healthy, how to get longevity out of their cuts and colors.

“A lot of the time our regulars come in and their hair looks awesome from six-eight weeks ago.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about people, community and making everyone feel happy.”

Ms McDermott said the salon’s customer base has grown at a steady rate year-on-year but spiked during Covid-19, when customers wanted to a fresh cut to feel better and enjoy conversation.

“It’s just a real pleasure to be able to go to work and enjoy what you do everyday,” Ms McDermott said.

“Make people feel good about themselves, happy and do it in a relaxed, cosy setting.”

The Courier-Mail will be crowning and featuring Brisbane’s best nail technician in the coming days.