For a town of its size, Murwillumbah has a genuinely impressive hair and beauty scene. The creative streak that runs through the Tweed Valley shows up here: independent hair studios, sharp barbershops, skin and beauty rooms and a couple of lovely day spas, many of them holding near-perfect local ratings. Whether you have just moved to the area and need a new regular, or you are visiting and want a tidy-up before a big day, this guide rounds up the best-rated options across every category.
Everything below is a real business listed in the Murwillumbah Directory, grouped by what it does, with its public Google rating and review count at the time of writing. Ratings move over time, so treat them as a starting point and check the current score and opening hours on each listing before you book.
The short version. For hair, Harper and the Hare, The Style Shop, POLLY and B Spoilt lead the way. For men's cuts, Bonneville Barbershop and Franks Barbershop are the standouts. For beauty and skin, Essenza Skin and Beauty, The Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauty Bar and Kokona are all highly rated. Opal Nails is the go-to for nails. Book ahead for anything involving colour or treatments.
Best hairdressers in Murwillumbah
The town's hair salons are its strongest category, with several holding perfect or near-perfect scores. These are the independent studios locals rate most highly for cuts, colour and styling.
Harper and the Hare
The town's most-reviewed hair salon and a genuine local favourite, Harper and the Hare pairs a perfect 5.0 star rating with more than 100 reviews, which is a rare combination. Expect thoughtful cuts and colour in a warm, characterful space. If you only book one salon in Murwillumbah, this is the safe choice, so book well ahead.
View listing →The Style Shop
A long-standing, well-loved salon with a 4.9 star rating across nearly 60 reviews. The Style Shop is a reliable all-rounder for cuts, colour and styling, and the kind of place that builds long-term regulars. A strong pick if you want a classic salon experience close to the centre of town.
View listing →POLLY
A stylish, modern hairdresser holding a 4.9 star rating, POLLY is popular for on-trend cuts and colour work. Reviewers consistently praise the finish and the friendly, unhurried service. A great option if you are after something a little more contemporary.
View listing →B Spoilt Hair Studio
A boutique studio with a perfect 5.0 star rating, B Spoilt lives up to its name with a personal, pampering approach. With a smaller review count than the biggest salons but a flawless score, it is a lovely choice for anyone who wants focused, one-on-one attention.
View listing →AJ's Hair Studios
Just across the river in South Murwillumbah, AJ's Hair Studios holds a perfect 5.0 star rating. A handy, well-regarded local option if you are on the southern side of town or want a quieter salon away from the main street.
View listing →Hair By Shenae
Just outside Murwillumbah in Bray Park, Hair By Shenae is a small, personal hairdressing business with a perfect rating from its early reviews. Worth a look if you prefer a more intimate, appointment-only setup close to town.
View listing →Best barbershops in Murwillumbah
Murwillumbah is well served for a classic men's cut, hot-towel shave or a quick tidy-up. These barbers are the highest rated in town.
Bonneville Barbershop
The town's most-reviewed barbershop, Bonneville pairs a 4.9 star rating with a strong local following. Expect proper barbering, sharp fades and classic cuts in a shop with real character. A dependable regular for men and kids alike.
View listing →Franks Barbershop
A perfect 5.0 star rating across more than 40 reviews makes Franks one of the highest-scoring barbers in town. Reviewers rate both the cut and the welcome. A great choice for a traditional barbershop experience done well.
View listing →Country Style Barber Murwillumbah
A no-fuss, good-value barbershop with a solid 4.4 star rating across more than 30 reviews. A handy walk-in option for a straightforward cut without the wait, and a favourite for those who want the job done properly and quickly.
View listing →The Barbers On Main
Right on the main street, The Barbers On Main is a central, convenient option for a cut in the heart of town. A newer entry with fewer reviews so far, but well placed if you want to combine a haircut with a coffee and a wander down Murwillumbah Street.
View listing →Best beauty and skin salons in Murwillumbah
For facials, waxing, brows, lashes, cosmetic tattoo and skin treatments, Murwillumbah has a cluster of highly rated beauty and skin studios. These are the standouts.
Essenza Skin and Beauty
The town's most-reviewed beauty salon, Essenza holds a 4.9 star rating across more than 60 reviews. Reviewers rate it for skin treatments, facials and general beauty services delivered with care. A safe, well-established choice for a treat or a regular skincare routine.
View listing →The Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauty Bar
A perfect 5.0 star rating from nearly 60 reviews makes this one of the best-scoring beauty businesses in town. As the name suggests, it specialises in cosmetic tattoo, brows and beauty bar services. A strong pick if you want brow or lash work from a highly rated specialist.
View listing →Kokona Skin & Body Therapies
A perfectly rated skin and body studio, Kokona is popular for facials, skin therapies and body treatments. With a flawless 5.0 star score, it is a great option for anyone who wants a more considered, treatment-led approach to their skin.
View listing →Hkbeauty
A well-rated beauty salon with a perfect 5.0 star score across nearly 30 reviews. Hkbeauty is a solid all-rounder for beauty services in town, with the kind of consistent reviews that point to reliable, friendly service.
View listing →Silver Aesthetica
A modern beauty and aesthetics studio holding a perfect 5.0 star rating, Silver Aesthetica rounds out a strong field. A good choice for beauty and skin services delivered in a contemporary setting.
View listing →Nails and day spas
To finish the set, Murwillumbah has a dedicated nail salon and options for a longer, more indulgent spa session.
Opal Nails
The town's most-reviewed dedicated nail salon, Opal Nails holds a 4.6 star rating across around 60 reviews. The go-to for manicures, pedicures, gel and acrylic work in Murwillumbah. Several of the beauty salons above also offer nails, but Opal is the specialist.
View listing →Healing Waters
For a longer, more restorative session, Healing Waters is listed as a Murwillumbah day spa. If you want to turn a treatment into a proper unwind rather than a quick appointment, it is worth a look. As a newer listing, check its current details and offerings before you book.
View listing →How to choose the right salon
With this many good options, the choice comes down to what you want and how you like to book. A few pointers to make it easier.
Match the salon to the service
Hair salons and barbers are different worlds. For colour, restyles and long hair, book a dedicated hair studio like Harper and the Hare or The Style Shop. For a men's cut or a quick tidy-up, a barbershop like Bonneville or Franks is faster and often cheaper. For skin, brows, lashes and cosmetic tattoo, go to a specialist beauty room rather than a general salon.
Read the reviews, not just the score
A perfect 5.0 rating from three reviews is not the same as a 4.9 from a hundred. The businesses with both a high score and a high review count, like Harper and the Hare, Essenza and Bonneville, have earned that rating over time. Newer studios with fewer reviews can be excellent too, but the volume of reviews tells you how consistent they have been.
Book ahead for anything that takes time
The best salons in a small town fill up fast. For colour, treatments and special-occasion styling, book several days ahead, and further out around weekends, school holidays and the lead-up to events. Barbershops are more forgiving for walk-ins, but a quick phone call still saves you a wait.
A quick note on ratings. The ratings and review counts in this guide were accurate at the time of writing and will change over time as more customers leave feedback. Always check the current rating, opening hours and services on each business's listing, and phone ahead to confirm availability before you make a special trip.
At a glance
| What you want | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Cut and colour | Harper and the Hare, The Style Shop, POLLY, B Spoilt |
| Men's cut or shave | Bonneville Barbershop, Franks Barbershop |
| Quick walk-in trim | Country Style Barber, The Barbers On Main |
| Facials and skin | Essenza Skin and Beauty, Kokona, Silver Aesthetica |
| Brows, lashes, cosmetic tattoo | The Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauty Bar, Hkbeauty |
| Nails | Opal Nails |
| Day spa treat | Healing Waters |
Whatever you are after, Murwillumbah has a well-rated local option close to hand. Browse the full Murwillumbah directory for phone numbers, opening hours and more health and wellness businesses, and read our other local guides to get the most out of the Tweed Valley. New to the area? Our moving to Murwillumbah guide covers the essentials for settling in.