Two hairdressers tie for Best of Bundaberg 2023

A week of frenzied voting has delivered a surprise result in the search for the region’s best hairdresser with not one, but two ladies taking out the top spot.

Best of Bundaberg Hairdressers for 2023, Claire Mallows (left) and Kala Duffy (right).

More than 300 comments nominating 70 hairdressers and more than 300 votes have delivered a shock result in the hunt for the region’s best in 2023, with people split on the winner of the crown.

It was a tight competition with not one, but two hairdressers tying for the top spot following a frenzied week of voting.

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Claire Mallows from the Place Hairdressing and Kala Duffy from Bella Donna Hair and Makeup tied with 8 per cent of the votes each.

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The owner of Bella Donna, Mrs Duffy has been a local name in hair for two decades and this continued presence a drove support behind the voting.

She first took on an apprenticeship at Bella Donna in 2003 and within three years was running it.

“I just love hairdressing,” she said.

“The people I have worked with over the years have been really good, and as the owner of the business for the past 17 years I have been able to pivot and grow in new directions.”

Like many local businesses, Covid staggered the business two years ago but Mrs Duffy has said through the support of the community they have been bouncing back better than ever.

She stressed how important the wider hairdressing community was to her, and her love of the city.

“I love Bundy, I enjoy living here, it’s a great place to raise a family,” she said.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Like Mrs Duffy, Claire Mallows has been working for the Place Hairdressing since she first began her apprenticeship more than eight years ago.

A Bundaberg local, Miss Mallows began her apprenticeship at age 15 through her high school and immediately stepped into a full time role after graduation.

Miss Mallows love for the job and passion for her community was strong.

“I love making people feel good about themselves,” she said.

“They may just come in for a cut and colour but they leave with confidence in themselves again.”

It was a close race for second place with Miranda Lammin from the Hair Lounge Gin Gin, taking out 7 per cent of the votes.

Hannah Rose Hair and Heather Shalier from Salon on Sims tied for third place with 5 per cent of the vote each.

Congratulations to all nominees, winners and placegetters and keep an eye out for the next Best of Bundaberg competition.

Originally published as Two hairdressers tie for Best of Bundaberg 2023