Who does the most natural brunette balayage? The best blonde? Or perhaps the most long-lasting blow-dry? Here, we’ve assembled an edited list of the best hair salons — each of them tried, tested and approved.

Six years ago, EdwardsAndCO opened its doors in Sydney’s Surry Hills and fast became an institution – with colourist and owner Jaye Edwards attracting a number of notable clientele including Lara Worthington, Samara Weaving and Harper & Harley’s Sara Donaldson. You’ve certainly seen his signature ‘balayage’ on your travels through Instagram. What makes EdwardsAndCo different is the freelancer approach – Edwards brings together some of the best freelance hair and beauty stylists under one roof including Byron Turnbull and Remington Schulz (the man responsible for Gritty Pretty editor Eleanor Pendleton’s hair).

Now, EdwardsAndCo has expanded nationwide with eight salons across Sydney, Melbourne, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. In Sydney, there are two locations for new customers to choose from in Surry Hills and Alexandria. Both are equally as chic – promise!

Book in now and you (and your hair) will never look back.

See more.

The Fuchs family have hairdressing in their blood, with sibling salon owners Alexander and Rebecca the youngest of three generations of hairdressers — you know you’re in good hands. Aside from the cuts, colours and treatments you’d expect, there’s also a feel-good factor, with environmentally-sustainable practices part and parcel of every service offered at the salon. Yep, up to 95 per cent of the salon’s waste is recycled! Plus, who doesn’t want to indulge in a luxurious space that looks like its straight out of a European coastal town? What’s more, the salon is also part of the Dresscode project, helping to create safe, welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ clientele.

See more.

If the man who has styled Kate Moss’ hair isn’t the man to trust with your tresses, we don’t know who is. Over the past 18 years, British-born Barney Martin has become an internationally known stylist with a reputation for producing beautiful hair and individual styles. When he isn’t styling the strands of Ms Moss or Drew Barrymore or working on editorials for Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR and InStyle magazines, you can find him in his Surry Hills salon. The instantly recognisable Turquoise-bright door on the corner of Riley Street in Surry Hills is something of a institution in the Sydney hair scene. The spacious two-level terrace with raw brick and white interiors accented by playful colour is a cool space, filled with even cooler people and hair care brands like R+Co, Oribe, and Smith & Cult. We had a hydration treatment and blow-dry here and were buttered up (literally) with the freshly-made popcorn and herbal teas. Talk about a full service, right? The basin area is a sight to behold, a white cave plastered with polaroids of clients, family and friends. A truly special salon you shouldn’t hesitate booking.

See more.

Anthony Nader is THE MAN. Adored by Australian beauty editors (many of whom have him on speed dial), Nader’s salon RAW is the place to go if you want an enviable cut and colour that’s both fresh and stylish, but classic all at once. You’ll be taking secret selfies for days. Since opening in 1997, RAW has been the choice for many international and Aussie celebrities including Gisele Bundchen, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Miranda Kerr, Margherita Missoni and Nicole Richie (yes, the list goes on and on). The team at RAW will spoil you – that’s guaranteed – and it’ll be a classy, indulgent and intimate affair, because that’s the kind of exceptional service you get here.

See more.

Bondi girls know their blonde, which is why many of them flock to see Tarryn Cherniayeff and her team. They’re always on the front lines of what’s new, which is not surprising considering half of their clientele are smart, savvy Sydney women and almost a third of their business is thanks to their amazing Instagram (see #BondisBestHair). The salon works with high-end brands including REDKEN, Oribe, ghd and Mr Smith, and consultations are complimentary so there are no surprises at the end of your visit. There is also a client fridge stocked with bubbles, wine and Peroni (don’t mind if we do). Bonus: There’s also unlimited free parking close by. No, really. Go now and see for yourself.

See more.

Tucked away inside a laneway, you have to put in a little work to find this Double Bay secret – but it’s well worth the effort. With a very cool London-meets-Soho vibe, Adilla, which translates to ‘just and fair’, is the brainchild of award-winning hairdressers Rhiannon and Frankie (her clients include The Veronicas). It’s a sort of hairdressing hot desk situation, with a roster of freelance creatives swinging by to do their thing, from cutting and colouring, to styling and extensions, treatments and colour corrections. We love this full-service salon for that last-minute, Friday night blow-out. And the wine! Did we mention there’s wine?

See more.

Meet A + H Salon, the younger sister of renowned Newtown hair salon Audrey + Him, whose stylists have been cutting, colouring and styling with their own brand of Newtown flair for over 15 years. With cult beauty brands stocked here and used throughout their treatment such as Kerastase, Shu Uemura and The Ordinary, you know you’re in good hands. We opted for your standard cut and blow-dry – which was anything but standard – thanks to the attentive and incredibly friendly consultants who make you feel zen-like and comfortable with every step of your hair journey. Newtown locals and visitors alike, look no further!

See more.

The salon formerly known as Oscar Oscar has had a makeover. It’s now run solely by hair stylist extraordinaire Paloma Rose Garcia, a favourite of cool girls (hello, Jessica Gomes and Margaret Zhang) and beauty editors alike. Airy and intimate, the space takes hair care to the next level. They’re all about taking care of you: clients are referred to as “guests”, the drinks menu includes herbal teas and inner beauty elixirs, and every guest is treated to an essential oil head, neck and shoulder massage (the boys get a mini facial). And that’s before you even get to the basin. What else can you expect? Oh, only some of the best cuts, colours and hair styles in town.

See more.

Nestled in the sweet streets of Sydney’s Mosman, COV Hair is the epitome of industrial-chic – think concrete floors, marble surfaces and black detailing. Salon owner and French native Yoav Cohen is a master of his trade. Not only is Yoav a wiz with a brush – his freehand balayage skills are unparalleled – he’s also just so damn cool. If you’re contemplating a change, a refresh or are in need of some general hair advice, COV Hair has your back.

See more.

Located on Macquarie Street in Sydney’s CBD, Franck Provost has everything you need. City workers can pop in after work knowing that they will walk out with the kind of hair that warrants compliments. Jenny from account will be asking, “Where did you get your hair done.” With knowledgeable staff, high-end products (hello Kérastase and Pureology) and beautiful, clean interiors, you won’t want to leave.

See more.