For anyone blessed with waves, coils, or curls, the search for a great haircut can feel like a lifelong quest. Understanding the language and principles of curly hair care is essential. The top salons are not just cutting hair, they are operating on distinct philosophies that set them apart from conventional hairdressers.
A Quick Tip: Some Techniques To Look Out For
The most basic principle uniting curly specialists is the practice of dry-cutting. Salons like Delilah Hair Studio, Neel Loves Curls, and Cherry Bomb Hair all champion this method for a critical reason: it allows the stylist to see each curl in its “natural shape and form”.
When hair is wet, curls can stretch and change in length and bounce, making it nearly impossible to predict the final result. By cutting the hair dry, stylists can sculpt a shape that works with the hair’s unique texture and “natural fall,” ensuring the cut looks just as good outside the salon.
Beyond the dry cut, specialists employ specific techniques to enhance texture. A “curl-by-curl” cut, offered at salons like Delilah and So Haircutters, involves assessing and cutting each individual curl to create a harmonious shape.
1. Delilah Hair Studio
Since opening in 2007, Delilah Hair Studio in Brunswick East has become a cornerstone of Melbourne’s curly community. Their philosophy is to work with curls, not against them, embracing what they call an “intentional tizz”. They are experts in creating styles that enhance, define, and celebrate every unique curl pattern.
The Experience: The salon is known for its “vibrant and energetic” and “joyful approach” to hair. Clients receive dedicated one-on-one sessions and are treated to a glass of bubbles, wine, or barista-grade coffee, making the appointment a true pampering experience. The large, diverse team includes stylists with various specializations, from master cutters to blonde specialists who are also wizards with curls.
Techniques & Specialities: As a full-service salon, Delilah’s expertise is broad. They are masters of dry-cutting, curl-by-curl, and razor cutting techniques. Unlike purist curl salons, they are also highly regarded for their hair colouring services, from lived-in looks to bold transformations. They even produce their own line of Delilah Curl Creams.
The Word on the Street: Delilah receives a great deal of praise, with many clients calling the team “legends” and highlighting the skills of stylists like Danni, George, and Josie.
The Price Tag: Pricing is tiered based on the stylist’s experience level. A regular or curly haircut ranges from $140 with stylists like Dani, Josie, or Naia, to $150 with George or Chloe, up to $185 with owner Mr. D. A full restyle is more, ranging from $175 to $225. Colour packages start from $285.
Delilah Hair Studio
Website: https://www.delilahhairstudio.com/curly-hair/
Address: 2/414 Lygon St, Brunswick East, VIC 3057, Melbourne, Australia
Appointments can be made by calling (03) 9387 6744 or booking through their website.
2. Neel Loves Curls
As Melbourne’s “original curly hair salon,” Neel Loves Curls holds a unique place in the city’s hair history. Opening in 2014, it was Australia’s first salon dedicated exclusively to curly hair. The philosophy is uncompromising: dry cuts only, with no colouring, blowouts, or straightening services offered. The mission is to deliver hydrated, frizz-free curls and, most importantly, to educate every client.
The Experience: Located in a colourful and intimate boutique space in Fitzroy, the salon exudes a sense of fun and joy. New guests receive a comprehensive lesson and a take-home sheet to continue their curl journey.
Techniques & Specialities: Founder Neel Morley trained in the United States to learn the famed DevaCurl technique. The salon exclusively performs dry, curl-by-curl cuts, meticulously working with all textures from loose 2b waves to tight 4c coils.
The Word on the Street: Feedback is highly polarized, creating a “love it or hate it” reputation. Fans celebrate Neel as a “curl guru” and a “wonderful human being,” with some flying in from interstate for an appointment. On the other hand, a significant number of online reviews describe the salon as “crazy expensive” and “overhyped.”
The Price Tag: The salon sits firmly at the premium end of the market. An initial appointment for a new guest costs $281 with Neel or $261 with stylists Jason or Christine. A full service for a returning client is between $205 and $220.
Neel Loves Curls
Website: https://neellovescurls.blogspot.com/
Address: 399b Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Melbourne, Australia
Appointments are highly sought after and open on the 1st of each month via their booking site. The salon can be reached for product inquiries via text at 0451 001 433.
3. Cherry Bomb Hair
Located on Collingwood’s vibrant Smith Street, Cherry Bomb Hair is a salon for “all things bold, beautiful, and uniquely you”. The salon celebrates self-expression, love, and diversity in an inclusive environment. They are also a member of Sustainable Salons, diverting resources from landfills.
The Experience: The atmosphere is fun, eclectic, and encapsulates the creative energy of its neighbourhood. It also offers a “silent treatment” booking option for those who prefer a quieter and private appointment. Adding to the charm, clients might get a visit from resident dog Judi or cat Gomez.
Techniques & Specialities: Cherry Bomb’s key differentiator is its dual expertise in “Curly hair magic” and “Vivid colours”. This makes it a one-stop destination for those who want both a technically precise curly cut and a bold, creative colour transformation. All curly cuts are performed on dry hair to ensure the best shape. Notably, Neel Morley of Neel Loves Curls once worked here before opening his own salon.
The Word on the Street: The salon is highly recommended in online communities as a place that can be trusted with curls. Stylists like Lizzi, Tommy, and Angela receive specific praise for their work. The friendly, welcoming, and inclusive vibe is a consistent theme in reviews.
The Price Tag: A tiered pricing system (Emerging, Senior, Master) makes the salon accessible to a range of budgets. A specialized curly haircut with a wash and style ranges from $131 to $211. For those who prefer just a cut, a dry cut without the wash and style can be booked over the phone.
Cherry Bomb Hair
Website: https://cherrybombhair.com.au/
Address: 366 Smith St, Collingwood 3066, Melbourne, Australia
Appointments can be made by calling (03) 9417 2770 or via their online booking system.
4. Juniper Salon
Juniper Salon is a “hidden gem” nestled in Bentleigh, created with “southside curlies” in mind. The salon has a strong commitment to sustainability, operating as a Keune Carbon Neutral salon and using eco-friendly practices like recycling foil and using biodegradable towels.
The Experience: The salon has a “homely, vintage-style” feel with “vibey tunes” playing. Most of the staff have curly hair themselves, which creates an immediate atmosphere of trust and shared understanding, they know curls because they live with them.
Techniques & Specialities: The team caters to all textures, from curly and coily to wavy hair. Rather than adhering to a single rigid technique, the stylists combine their extensive professional and personal experience to make each client’s curls “pop”. Stylist Vicky is a local legend, with over 25 years of experience cutting curls in the area.
The Word on the Street: Juniper is regarded as a beloved local secret. Stylist Vicky is so highly in demand that clients are advised to book appointments far in advance to secure a spot with her. The salon boasts many 5-star reviews online.
The Price Tag: The pricing structure is clear and designed to support long-term client relationships. A client’s first “Curly Girl Cut & Finish” is $187. Subsequent “Curly Maintenance Cut & Finish” appointments are $152, while a full “Curly Restyle” starts from $165. Short curly cuts are very accessibly priced from just $80.
Website: https://www.junipersalon.com.au/
Address: 82 Patterson Rd, Bentleigh 3204, Melbourne, Australia
Appointments can be made by calling (03) 9557-7444 or through their online booking portals.
5. So Haircutters
The vision at So Haircutters is to “empower you to achieve your most stunning curls”. The salon is deeply committed to client education and collaboration. They even ask clients to complete a detailed online questionnaire before their visit, including photos of their current hair and dream goals, to ensure a tailored experience.
The Experience: This Clifton Hill salon has an inviting, boutique-style environment. Owner Phillip Calcagno is hailed as a “Curl Guru” who has made a significant mark on Melbourne’s curly community. The entire team is praised for being professional, friendly, and genuine.
Techniques & Specialities: The salon welcomes all hair textures, from straight and wavy to curly, coily, and kinky. Their deep expertise is demonstrated by the fact that they host “Curl By Curl Cutting Courses” for other hairdressers, positioning them as educators in the field. They are also experts in the Clever Curl product line.
The Word on the Street: Customer reviews are glowing. Clients praise the team’s incredible attention to detail, the “life” they add back into curls, and the thoroughness of their advice on how to manage styles at home. Several reviews express the sentiment of having “finally found” their perfect salon.
The Price Tag: A ladies’ cut and blow-dry is listed as starting from $75, though it is noted that the final price will vary depending on individual requirements. Specific pricing for curly cuts is not listed.
So Haircutters
Website: https://sohaircutters.com.au/
Address: 159 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, VIC 3068, Australia
Bookings are best made by calling (03) 9482 6322
6. Tom Zappala Haircutting
Tom Zappala’s Collingwood space is explicitly “not a salon in the usual sense” but rather an “ecosystem” for hair. With over 30 years of experience, his practice is built on “structural recalibration,” focusing on providing clients with lasting clarity and a deep understanding of their hair, rather than chasing trends or selling products.
The Experience: The service is delivered in a private, one-on-one setting. This unique model creates a calm, honest, and effective environment that is particularly “welcoming and safe” for clients who are neurodivergent or experience anxiety in conventional, bustling salons.
Techniques & Specialities: The service is a comprehensive, 90-minute process that goes far beyond a simple cut. It involves a deep consultation about hair history and lifestyle, a precision haircut based on structural principles, and thorough education to empower the client. Tom works with all hair types and textures, and his cuts are so well-structured that many clients find they only need to visit every six months.
The Word on the Street: Reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Clients consistently praise his holistic and neurodivergent-friendly experience, his exceptional listening skills, and the remarkable longevity of his haircuts. Many express that he provided them with “hair happiness” after decades of struggle, and that the high price is “totally worth it” for the private, educational, and transformative experience.
The Price Tag: A transparent, flat rate of $300 for the 90-minute comprehensive service. This all-inclusive price covers the consultation, cut, basin work, styling, and education, reinforcing his no-upsell philosophy.
Tom Zappala Haircutting
Website: https://www.tomzappala.com.au/
Address: Level 1/94 Smith Street Collingwood, Melbourne VIC 3066, Australia
Bookings can be made via website or by phone at 0433 359 478.
Other Notable Salons For Curly Hair
The curly hair market in Melbourne has matured to the point where it is segmenting into distinct sub-niches, catering to increasingly specific client needs. Beyond the premier all-rounders and specialists, several other salons deserve a mention for their unique offerings.
- Saka Hair Studio: A boutique, Black-owned salon in Brunswick West, Saka Hair Studio is a vital space for those with kinky, coiled, and curly hair. It focuses on creating an artistic, inclusive, and empowering environment, offering services that can either nurture natural texture or create a bold, editorial look.
- Wildilocks: For the curly-haired individual who walks a more alternative path, Wildilocks in West Melbourne is the destination. While they are renowned for dreadlocks, extensions, and unique cuts, their portfolio demonstrates a clear understanding of texture. This is the place to go to express your “most authentic inner self” and “get your weird on”.
- Rhodes Hair & Spa: This salon represents a “curly-friendly” option within a traditional wellness model. While a “curly cut” isn’t explicitly on their service menu, their social media showcases stunning results on curly hair. Specific stylists including Karly, Emmy, and Teejay are recommended for their experience with texture, making this a great choice for someone who wants a full day of pampering alongside their haircut.
Choosing the right salon for your gorgeous curls is a personal decision that goes beyond technical skill. It’s about finding a philosophy, environment, and price point that fits your life.
