HAIRDRESSER HEAVEN

Hair is identity and superpower. We cut it to feel renewed, colour it to feel empowered, and change it when life calls for a reset. Sometimes it’s a glow-up. Sometimes it’s damage control. Either way, it matters.

That’s why finding a great hairdresser feels a little bit holy. Part therapist, part best friend, they’ve seen us at our worst and sent us back out into the world feeling like our best. So, we asked around and gathered the most-loved hairdressers across the Northern Rivers. These are the hair heroes locals swear by.

Ochre & Ash — Lismore

There’s something instantly reassuring about Maz, owner and senior hair stylist at Ochre & Ash Studio. It might be her calm confidence behind the chair, or the warm, unpretentious feel of the space, but this is the kind of salon where you instantly feel like you’re catching up with an old friend.

An ex-Melbourne hairdresser with serious experience under her belt, Maz is part magician, part chemist and an intuitive genius with a whole lot of spunk. She truly knows hair, and brings an upbeat, grounding energy to every appointment, paired with an easy, genuine way of connecting that instantly puts clients at ease. A curly girl herself, she specialises in curly cuts and has a knack for helping people fall back in love with their natural texture.

Her move from Byron Bay has added a quietly cool energy to Lismore. Thoughtfully designed and working exclusively with Kevin Murphy, Ochre & Ash is all about hair health and results that grow out beautifully.

Her's is the chair you can finally relax in. Exhale, trust the process and let Maz do her thing.

@ochreandashstudio

Craft Hair and Beauty — Pottsville

Craft Hair and Beauty is a little haven in the heart of Pottsville. From the moment you step inside, the vibe is warm, welcoming and designed for slowing down.

Known for their expertise in dry cutting, curly hair and beautifully tailored shapes, the talented team approach every style with intention. Colour is effortlessly wearable — think lived-in balayage, creamy blondes, natural grey blending and high-gloss finishes that elevate everyday hair. While cuts are all about natural, low-maintenance styles that grow out beautifully and suit real life.

Elevating the experience is Craft’s serene beauty room, offering bespoke facials, brows, lashes, waxing, brow tattooing and premium toxic-free nail services. With wedding and event hair and makeup also on offer, you’re in familiar, experienced hands for both everyday upkeep and milestone moments.

This is the kind of salon that delivers on good hair days — every time.

@crafthairandbeauty

Aqua Hair — Pottsville

Bright, modern and relaxed, Aqua Hair in Pottsville is a well-loved main-street favourite. Known for its skilled team and results-driven approach, this is a salon that balances creativity with serious technical know-how.

Aqua specialises in personalised colour and transformations that still feel wearable. From soft balayage and clean blondes to sleek nanoplasty treatments, seamless grey blending and edgy, contemporary cuts. The focus is always on healthy hair, using Australian-made, low-ammonia, vegan-friendly products designed to keep hair strong, shiny and vibrant.

With years of professional experience and a finger firmly on the pulse of modern techniques, the team deliver results that look great in the salon — and even better weeks later. Whether it’s a subtle refresh or a full reset, Aqua Hair is where good hair and good energy go hand in hand.

@aquahairpottsville

Ruby Q Hair — Hastings Point

Ruby Q Hair feels perfectly at home in Hastings Point. Located within the adults-only Seascape Centre at Tasman Holiday Parks, the boutique salon mirrors the area’s laid-back coastal rhythm, offering an experience that feels equal parts escape and indulgence.

Founded by Ruby at just 23, the salon grew from a leap of faith and a clear vision to create a space where people feel welcome, comfortable and valued. Specialising in blondes and low-maintenance transformations, Ruby Q Hair focuses on effortless styles that still feel polished, thoughtful and wearable.

The salon works with milk_shake® professional haircare, using natural ingredients and milk proteins to strengthen hair, boost shine and protect colour. But beyond the products, it’s the feeling that lingers. Built on kindness, inclusivity and connection, Ruby Q is deeply passionate about creating a positive, empowering environment, and it shows.

Each visit feels unrushed and personal, leaving clients refreshed, confident and very well looked after.

@rubyqhair

Salon S.E. 10 — Cabarita Beach

Bringing the energy to Cabarita Beach, Salon S.E.10 is a well-loved hair destination with a loyal local following and relaxed coastal vibes. Combining talented UK and Aussie stylists with international experience, the team create styles that feel effortless and wearable — from kids’ cuts and everyday trims to sun-kissed blondes, lived-in colour and modern, on-trend looks. Their technical expertise is paired with a welcoming, approachable atmosphere, making every appointment easy and enjoyable.

The salon is also highly regarded for event styling, crafting polished, contemporary looks for weddings, formals and special occasions. Each appointment begins with a thoughtful consultation, considering lifestyle, hair goals and maintenance, so results grow out beautifully and last long after you leave the chair.

Set on the main street, this community-focused, upbeat salon delivers thoughtful service, solid technical skill and styling that balances ease with intention. A magic combination that equals great hair, every time.

@salonse10

Studio Eleven Hair & Beauty – Kingscliff

If consistency is your love language, Studio Eleven Hair & Beauty will win you over fast. This modern Kingscliff salon has built a loyal following for a reason — and with more than 2,400 five-star reviews, the hype is well earned.

The vibe is professional but relaxed, the kind of place where you feel instantly comfortable handing over the reins. The talented team cover all bases — from precision cuts and creative colour to styling, treatments and beauty services — combining skill, creativity, and up-to-date industry knowledge with high-quality products and the latest techniques to achieve beautiful, long-lasting results.

Awarded locally two years running in 2024 and 2025 (plus a regional runner-up nod), this is a salon that quietly excels. Special occasion or an everyday glow-up, Studio Eleven is the salon you walk out of feeling confident, refreshed and very well looked after.

@studioelevenhair

Hyde Hair Care — Terranora

Tucked away in Terranora, Hyde Hair Care is a calm, considered space that invites clients to slow down and feel genuinely looked after. The atmosphere is relaxed and intentional, with a strong focus on hair health, integrity and thoughtful service.

Founded by Lily Ramsay, Hyde Hair Care is backed by more than 20 years of industry experience, including work as a global educator, mentoring hair professionals around the world. That expertise flows through every appointment, from consultation to finish.

The salon works exclusively with Kevin Murphy and Davines, prioritising sustainable, high-performance products that deliver beautiful results without compromise. Appointments are unrushed and personalised, with time taken to truly understand each client’s hair and lifestyle.

Hyde Hair Care isn’t about quick fixes or trends. It’s about building trust, consistency and confidence over time, leaving clients feeling cared for and quietly confident when they walk back out the door.

@hydehaircare

Salon Maggie G — Tweed Heads | Coolangatta

Salon Maggie G is a cornerstone of the Tweed Heads | Coolangatta hair scene, known for its calm, boutique atmosphere and highly personalised approach. With 40 years of industry experience, Maggie brings mastery and care to every appointment, ensuring clients leave feeling confident, refreshed, and genuinely cared for.

Her approach is grounded in technical knowledge, attentive listening, and thoughtful artistry. Taking time to understand the hair’s history, quality and texture, and designing looks that are flattering, practical, and authentically individual.

Each visit begins with a complimentary consultation, exploring lifestyle, inspiration and expectations to create a tailored plan for hair that’s both beautiful and wearable. Specialising in handcrafted colour, blonding, grey blending and precision cutting, Maggie works with Matrix low-ammonia colour, paired with luxe Kérastase treatments to support long-term scalp and hair health.

The salon itself reflects her philosophy: a calm, boutique space where guests can relax, feel unhurried, and enjoy truly personalised care.

@salonmaggieg