Beauty Spots
Our favourite spas, salons and barbers in Melbourne
Best facial MELANIE GRANT
You know you’re in good hands with Melanie Grant (melaniegrant.com) when her client roster includes Nicole Warne and Jessica Gomes. The famous facialist can address an encyclopaedia of skin concerns, from dehydration to pigmentation. Go à la carte or leave it to Grant and her team of nurturers to create a bespoke experience. A visit to her stylish Armadale clinic isn’t cheap but the quality of the service and the hand-picked products from Sisley and boutique brand Cosmedix add bang for your buck.
Best cut EDWARDS AND CO
Set in a bright, industrial-style space in a laneway off Chinatown, Edwards and Co (edwardsand co.com.au) is Melbourne’s hair hotspot. Open late midweek, the salon is a favourite of Zoë Foster Blake, Olympia Valance and various Instagram beauties. Most of the stylists have their own Instagram accounts so a quick search should narrow the field and help you find the perfect fit. Wi-fi and wine are included.
Best brows THE EYEBROW QUEEN
With more than 30 years’ experience, Carmen Duma has seen every brow calamity known to womankind. Her daughter, Diana, also works at the salon (eyebrowqueen.com), where they aim for a natural shape that’s low-maintenance. The salon is located just off Chapel Street in South Yarra and while its fit-out is basic, the service and results are topnotch.
Best post-flight treatment MASQUE DAY SPA
This cute salon (masque.com.au) in a converted terrace in Albert Park offers treatments and products from cult French skincare brand Mary Cohr. For frequent flyers, the CatioVital skin treatment repairs and rejuvenates stressed and sallow skin through deep cleansing and a serum cocktail.
Best nails TROPHY WIFE
Skip the cheap nail bars and have a gel manicure and the undivided attention of Trophy Wife founder Chelsea Bagan. Her Richmond salon (trophywife.com.au) specialises in nail art, from the basic to the outlandish. Bagan is ready for any creative challenge; the strangest image she’s painted on a nail is a lamb on the spit.