Best Hair Salons in Canberra

Looking for a top-quality hair salon in Canberra but not sure where to start? You’ve landed in the right place. We’ve consulted our readers’ feedback and come up with a stellar list of hairdressers in the region that’ll leave your locks perfectly styled.

What makes a quality Hair Salon?

How can you make sure your trip to the salon ends with a great head of hair – not instant regret? We suggest keeping an eye out for the following traits:

• Experienced staff. The best hair salons in Canberra hire fully trained staff with years of on-the-job experience. They know exactly how to achieve the specific look you want. And, if you’re not sure, they’ll guide you towards a style that will flatter your features.
• A great reputation. One of the best ways to gauge the quality of a salon is to read up on client reviews. Have others been happy with their results? If so, you’re more likely to be happy with yours.
• Fairly priced. There’s no doubt about it, hairdressers can be pricy. At the end of the day, you should get what you pay for.
• Excellent colouring skills. Hair colouring is a whole other challenge. The best in the industry can mix the perfect shade for your colouring.
• Perfect hygiene. There’s nothing worse than entering a hair salon with hair everywhere, questionable combs, brushes and a suspicious pile of towels in the corner. Always look for a clean and hygienic salon.

The Top Hair Salons in Canberra

RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 19 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

The Best Hair Salons in Canberra According to You

I’ve asked a few locals for their recommendations, check them out below and feel free to add your own in the comments section!

I’d recommend Kayla at Sculptures at the Kippax shops, the whole team are great, friendly and well priced.
– Laura, Queanbeyan
I love Pony and Pins for their relaxed vibe and fantastic products. Carolina is always willing to have a chat and give you exactly you want. She does great cuts for guys too! My partner and I always go together and leave super happy every time.
– Sophie, Red Hill
I have been going to Kristen at Sibu for almost 4 years. I have very thick and wavy hair and Kristen always listens to what I want, explains what will work best for me and takes the time and care that my hair needs.
– Juliette, Kaleen
Off London is a first rate salon and the staff there are friendly and professional. As well as being amazing stylist, Luke is a genuinely lovely person and I always walk out feeling great.
– Eleanor, Lyneham
Leslie Henshaw at Next Hair in Braddon is a genius. When I first moved to Canberra no hairdresser could get the blonde I wanted, it always turned out brassy. Leslie was and still is my saviour! He does a killer blonde (and pink, purple or anything in between if you dare!) and knows how to make your lightened locks look amazing (and surprisingly natural!). I’ve had everything from shoulder-length hair to French bobs to pixie cuts, and Leslie gets the cut spot on every time.
– Phoebe, Weston Creek
I’d recommend Anita Nallo at Antons. She listens to my needs and I always leave happy.
– Clare, Aranda
Cosmo in Dickson is great, I love that they spend extra time giving me a head massage!
– Steven, Hackett
I like Axis in Braddon because all the staff are trained to a really high standard. They know what they’re doing and they’re very consultative – they don’t do anything without fully explaining it (as well as providing a quote before they start). They also really look after you, offering coffee (from a proper coffee machine), wine/beer, juice etc, as well as iPads to use.
– Alexandra, Braddon
I’d recommend Antics in Civic. The ladies who run it have been doing it for years and they’re the only hairdressers who have been able to give me exactly what I ask for.
– Sophia, Reid
I’ve been going to Creative Image in Kambah since I was a teenager. There’s no beer or fancy coffee machines but they do stock all of the That’s Life magazines you could ever imagine reading. They really know how to do colours and won’t do things they know won’t suit you, which is why I never leave with a centre part or a pixie crop, which I’ve asked for more than once!
– Amy, Kingston
I’ve been going to Axis since I was 12 and I’d highly recommend them. They’re a family run business with great pre cut services and massages, drinks etc.
– Scott, Lyneham
I’ve recently been to Erindale Hair Centre and it was pretty great – they are happy to work with hesitant or nervous kids and have great products. The hairdressers (namely Ryder) were also understanding and helpful in fixing my bottle-dye catastrophe! They are a tad pricey but are happy to throw in a treatment to ensure that you get the best result.
– Kate, Calwell

Who did you pick?

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Do you have any salon or stylist recommendations? What about hair disasters (please share all embarrassing details!)? Let us know in the comments!