It may be home to Parliament House and Questacon but there is more to Canberra than meets the eye: it’s also full of beauty. Beauty destinations, that is. Whether it’s a luxurious hair salon with a team renowned for nailing that lived-in colour or a fitness centre designed to build you the perfect toosh or even a skin bar that will leave you glowing, Canberra has it all. 

When it comes to an appointment with a hairstylist, you want to ensure three things—that your stylist has a passion for hair, they listen to what YOU want, and, of course, that they know good hair. Which is why we were SO impressed when we visited Axis Hairdressing. Situated in Braddon in the ACT, the stylish and modern space boasts flawless lighting and comfortable chairs—important if you’re planning to sit for a few hours! The well-trained, highly skilled team provide an extremely personalised service, from thoroughly assessing the condition of our hair prior to the appointment, to explaining in detail the products they would be using on us. It’s also reasonably priced, and we were thrilled with the end result—so much so that we’d go back in a heartbeat.

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With a team of hairstylists that specialise in every aspect of colour, cutting and styling—from balayage to blonde and even hair extensions—LBH Salon is Canberra’s one-stop shop for a good hair day. Using leading colour and styling products, including DNA Organics, Iles Formula and hair-strengthening range Olaplex, stepping inside the salon instantly feels like you’re about to catch up with a good friend—you’ll love the warm and welcoming atmosphere, which features neutral accents and fresh greenery. We tried a wash, cut and style, and our hair felt super-soft and healthy afterwards.

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Flooded with natural light and a warm, welcoming ambience, a visit to Canberra’s The Pilates Centre will leave you refreshed, rejuvenated—and ready to commit to regular classes. The Pilates Centre uses the Pilates TIC method, which brings a scientific approach to movement and strength, and the highly trained, passionate instructors are on hand to provide guidance, with the end aim of helping clients achieve their personal goals. Offering both private and group classes, as well as group Reformer and Matwork classes, there’s a session to suit everyone and your individual needs.

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“Beauty comes from the inside” is such a cliche, but we’re now learning just how big a role our insides play when it comes to our outsides (see: all those inner beauty supplements flooding the market). It’s something this boutique Campbell clinic totally understands. Clinician Cara adopts an holistic approach to skin health, dispensing dietary advice and nutritional supplements, alongside DMK paramedical services, to help treat the internal causes of skin conditions. Don’t worry, it’s all done in a very gentle way, with Cara describing each step she performs and explaining its effects and benefits for the complexion, of which there are many, most notably: skin so healthy you might just want to ditch the foundation.

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