True trust is the relationship you share with your hair stylist. They have the power to take you from Jane Birkin to He-Man in a matter of minutes. Nothing is as humbling (trust me, I know). If you're here, chances are you're in the market for a new salon. And if you're in Sydney, you've got an abundance of options to choose from. While a great stylist can navigate their way around any hair style, if you're after a precision cut, a savant colourist or just a really great head massage we know the right person for the job. Below, our most trusted hair salons in Sydney.

Michael Kelly runs this one — he’s especially known for natural-looking blondes and soft, dimensional colour. The salon’s quiet, with a calm energy that makes appointments feel unrushed. It’s a good option if you want expert colour without the noise or crowd.

Paloma Garcia leads the team here and has a long list of awards under her belt. They’re great with colour, especially blondes, and their scalp massages are genuinely worth mentioning. You’ll usually spot someone from the fashion or media world in one of the chairs.

Koda’s known for precision cutting and natural-looking colour. Diane Gorgievski, who runs it, often works on editorial shoots but keeps the salon experience really grounded. They use Davines and have two locations across Sydney (with one nestled conveniently into the QVB Building for a quick work lunch blowout).

They’re best known for creamy blondes and those relaxed waves you see everywhere on Instagram. The Surry Hills salon is big and open, and they take a team-based approach, so you often get a stylist and a colourist working together.

If your priority is colour — especially lived-in balayage or rich brunette — Que’s one of the best. They’re really consistent, and the salon has a quiet, professional feel. They work with Christophe Robin products to keep hair healthy during lightening.

John Pulitano’s one of the most experienced stylists in Sydney, and he’s behind that new Texture Edit cut. They do a proper consultation, look at your scalp and hair health, and finish with styling advice.

Usfin’s good if you’re someone who needs to talk through what you want — they listen, ask questions, and don’t rush the consultation. They’re creative but practical, and good with big changes or fun colour. And conveniently, the salon’s in the CBD, close to Town Hall.

Anthony Nader has been cutting hair for decades, and his clients come back for that reason. The salon is relaxed but sharp – great if you’re looking for a refresh without having to spell out every detail. He’s also known for really good scalp massages, if that’s a priority.

This one’s run by Nina Ratsaphong and has a strong following among artists and musicians. They’re great with more creative styles — mullets, Hime cuts, bold colour — but they’ll also do something soft if that’s what you’re after.

Rory splits his time between this salon and fashion editorial work (including for RUSSH!), so if you’re after something chic and modern, he's the go-to. The space is minimalist, with big windows and a view over The Cross' Coca-Cola sign.

Renya Xydis is one of the most established names in Australian hairdressing – she’s worked with Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman and plenty of fashion industry insiders. The salon’s known for sharp cuts, subtle gloss treatments, and colour that doesn’t look overdone.

Gina, Chad and Ciaran are experienced, collaborative, and take their time with both cuts and colour. They use Kerastase, which suits most hair types and smells nice without being too much.

If you’ve got curly or textured hair, this is the place to go. Rumbie’s developed her own method for working with curls, and she trains other hairdressers in it too. They’ve also got their own product range and take a very hands-on, educational approach.

Cov Hair’s a good all-rounder — they do strong, clean cuts and balanced colour without pushing you into anything. Yoav, who owns it, has worked overseas and brings a very calm, skilled approach.

A_Studio is small, low-key, and feels more personal than a lot of other salons. The interiors are sleek, there's plenty of reading material to keep you busy in the chair. They’re strong on soft blondes, natural texture and cuts that grow out well.

This is one of the quieter salons that people find and stick with. Located in a refurbished 19th-century chapel, the stylists here are technical, patient and very good with colour corrections or subtle blonding.

This is a great salon if you want technical, no-fuss hairdressing with a bit of personality. They’ve got a loyal base of locals and are known for low-maintenance cuts and practical colour. Expect a tidy service, good advice, and stylists who know what they’re doing.

The Toni & Guy brand is globally known, but Sydney’s locations offer solid consistency in both style and service. They’re strong on structured cuts and editorial finishes, and most stylists have been through the brand’s in-house training academy.

A good local salon doing more than just the basics. They’re open to creative looks, confident with bleach and colour, and have a solid reputation for being inclusive and community-minded. If you’re based southwest and don’t want to travel into the city, it’s a great call.

The harbourside Studio Muse leans into natural texture and soft, low-maintenance hair – they’re not about sharp lines or overly sleek looks. The team uses only vegan and organic hair products, so everything’s ammonia-free and gentle. They're also an Aveda National Colour Ambassador, so you can trust them with a colour change too.

This one’s a bit of a Double Bay secret – polished but not showy. The stylists are great with hair that needs structure (think thicker, heavier hair), and they’re careful with tone. Ideal if you’re after a clean, slightly elevated look without anything too styled.

This local gem out in Malabar is a favourite of ours, using Revlon and Kevin Murphy products to achieve bouncy, glossy hair. They're open till late most nights (great for those in need of an after-work cut or colour), and have a strong focus on environmental sustainability.

Feature image: one, two.