Beauty

Byron Bay is welcoming a new addition to its food scene, with New York–style cookie brand Butterboy opening a permanent store in Jonson Street.

CIEL Spa is a bio-wellness day spa that blends science, ritual, and design, all wrapped up in a luxe atmosphere.

Lan Spa has officially opened its first New South Wales location in Tweed Heads, extending its reputation for serene wellness spaces and carefully curated treatments across the border.

The Facial Bar is the Gold Coast’s first dedicated premium facial experience, bringing high-end facial treatments and a luxury beauty destination to Mermaid Beach. The Facial Bar is driven by a strong ethos of prioritising self-care, skincare and overall wellbeing and is based on the belief that facials should be part of your luxury, everyday experience. Don’t mind if we do.

Tugun keeps impressing us with its mouthwatering eats and amazing coffee and Made Barber And Barista falls into the latter category.

One appointment at The Lash Spa and you’ll be absolutely hooked.

Located high in the lush Gold Coast Hinterland is the famous Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat. Offering the perfect balance of fitness, nutrition and heavenly rest, Gwinganna will soothe your soul—just what the doctor ordered. A picture-perfect infinity pool overlooking the hinterland hills and ocean is a great place to spend your afternoon after a day of spa pampering.

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous golden tan? What we don’t love is the harmful effect the sun can cause on our skin. Thankfully we’re blessed with a bunch of seriously good spray tan salons here on the Gold Coast, and they don’t come much greater than the crew at Bella Bronze.

The Studio Upstairs, which sits high above the hustle and bustle of Burleigh’s Connor Street, is a bright, calming oasis, home to a collective of talented hairdressers, make-up artists and yogis alike.

Sometimes you just need to treat yo’self. But not all spas are created equal. Which is why we’re here to steer you in the right, relaxing direction. And they don’t get much more relaxing than One Spa.

Forget everything you thought knew and had come to expect from a nail salon. Because ERVA is the total opposite. The Gold Coast’s first vegan and organic salon is the ultimate zen destination. From the stunning interior (think warm colours, soft lighting and thoughtful greenery) to the talented and sweet staff, you'll never want to leave this little slice of heaven.

When it comes to the brow game, no one does it better than the Amy Jean Brow Agency. With locations all over Australia and a celeb clientele to boot (Delta Goodrem, Sam Frost and Chloe Morello to name a few) you know you’re in excellent hands. 

When it comes to your tresses the team at Oscar Oscar in Broadbeach have got you covered, offering up a most luxe hairdressing experience. The bespoke salon, located at Pacific Fair, is sleek and modern with dark accents and moody lighting, making it the perfect spot for the ultimate pamper session. 

Nestled in the stunning beachside hood of Rainbow Bay—and conveniently around the corner from one of our favourite brekky nooks Little Mali—this intimate salon is the epitome of hair goals. Specialising in natural, stunning hair, if you’re after creamy, dreamy locks, this is your go to. Think soft balayage, baby lights and beach waves. 

Widely respected for his handiwork at family-owned Luigi & Sons barbershop, with over 30 years experience, Joey D’Adderio has expanded into a totally unique and versatile 376m2 warehouse in Bundall. Now the home base for Luigi & Sons’ mobile barbershop caravan, this concept barbershop boasts retro lounges, a pool table and pinball machines, industrial styling, vintage vibes, plus a silver Airstream that doubles as a bar—and regularly morphs into a rad backdrop for weddings and character-charged events. Ensuring this Gold Coast barber is more than just a place to get a haircut—Mobile Barber Shop Depot is a social community hub and the pride and joy of a talented man who infectiously lives and breathes his craft.

Operating on the Gold Coast since 1961—when father Luigi D’Adderio first immigrated to Australia from Italy—second-generation barbershop Luigi & Sons is the Coast’s long-running store. This family-orientated barber is now in the capable hands of son Lino who has more than 25 years experience under his belt, is a world-renowned ambassador for American Crew and has also developed his own man-grooming tool, the King Louis IX styling rake. What’s really cool is hearing stories of gents who were first taken to Luigi, Lino and brother Joey as boys, and are now returning with their own sons to keep the man-love and grooming tradition alive. No list of best barbers on the Gold Coast would be complete without this local institution.

Based in the Mermaid Beach nook neighbouring Lupo and Glenelg Public House, Zeppelin.B is seriously cool and has earned itself a dedicated following of loyal clients—who return again and again for friendly banter and fashion style cuts with attention to precision scissor work, texture and slicing. Recently recognised as a top five finalist for Best Barber of the Year at the esteemed 2019 Australian Hair Industry Awards, if you’re on the hunt for an absolute standout among the best Gold Coast barbers, Jase Alpen and his crew are legends around these parts. Bookings required.   

If there’s one thing we love, it’s when local businesses take off, and success stories don’t get much bigger than Alpha H. The beauty brand was founded on the Gold Coast by Michelle Doherty, who created Alpha H after experiencing her own skin struggles and desire for more effective treatments. In the two decades since it’s inception, the range has become the holy grail of beauty products, producing skincare that achieves clinical results with minimal effort. 

Sometimes you can find gems in the most unsuspecting of locations, which rings true for a newcomer to the top Gold Coast barbers list, Backbone Barbershop. Tucked away in a retail complex in the humming Currumbin Industrial Estate, Backbone Barbershop is the first solo venture for UK transplant and barber extraordinaire, Sam Squires. If you remember Sam from Alfred’s barber or Edwards & Co in Coolangatta, and were wondering where he’d disappeared off to, now you can book your seat for cutthroat shaves, fades, cuts and all the modern barbering services.

Fellas looking for fresh cuts and cool vibes on the northern end of the Coast need to book themselves in with The Lost Boys. The talented crew will hook you up with slick fades and perfectly tailored beards all in the comfort of their super sweet digs. The place has all the charm and class of an old school barbershop but with modern quirks. And by that we mean a bar serving up Stone & Wood to quench your thirst. The combination of a relaxed, chilled out atmosphere and top-notch service means you’ll no doubt make this spot your go-to. 

We’re not sure what we love more? The magic the team at HACQ work on our locks or their new beachside digs. After transforming the tresses of gals and guys on the Gold Coast for over 13 years, Marissa and her team have waved goodbye to their Burleigh Heads home and have relaunched in gorgeous Currumbin. And trust us, it’s the perfect little sanctuary for you to get pampered. 

If you love natural, totally gorge hair then we’ve found the salon for you. At Gilston Four, the team are all about embracing your own beauty and know just how to take your locks to the next level. The intimate salon has only, yep you guessed it, four chairs, so you’re always made to feel super spesh, whether that be having your champagne glass constantly topped up or sampling one of owner Jason’s daily sweet treats—his creations are just as incredible as his hairdressing skills, delish! The space oozes luxury with sheer black curtains, lush hanging greenery and pendant lights. But despite its swanky appearance you won’t find an ounce of pretence here. You might arrive a stranger, but you’ll leave feeling like one of the family—and looking like a goddess. 

Is it just us or does a good brow make you feel like you can take on the world? If you’re nodding your head along with us then you’ll want to pay the talented gang at the iBrow Boutique a visit asap. The Mermaid Beach salon is a tranquil little oasis were, after a consultation on your wants and needs, the technicians will work their magic giving you the perfect set of brows. But that’s not all they do. They also specialise in lash lifts (this is a game changer) as well as spray tans, cosmetic tattooing, make up and a bunch of heavenly skin treatments—there’s even a mini teen facial, sah cute. So if you’re looking to treat yo’self (and you should, every damn day we reckon) then you know where to go.

If you’ve been cruising along the GC HWY and spotted what looked like an adorable weatherboard house with a group of genetically blessed people hanging out the front, then you’ve found The Front Yard. The cute-as-a-button former home has been transformed into a creative hub with a gallery, coffee nook, nail bar and uber cool salon. So you can basically walk in looking like a hot mess and strut out looking like a 10! We dig that. 

If you’re after swoon-worthy hair – who isn’t? – then the talented crew at Edwards and Co have got you covered. The brand, which has a celeb following including the likes of Lara Worthington and Samara Weaving, has an impressive six salons across the country and we’re lucky enough to have one right here on the Goldie. Nestled in the heart of Budds Beach away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, this little gem is absolutely one to pay a visit.

Size definitely does not matter when it comes to creating a tranquil space, so sashay upstairs at Cornerstone Stores to Earth Essence’s private treatment room. With its leafy outlook, here you can indulge in an organic spa menu from facials to manis and pedis, waxing, microdermabrasion, eye lash extensions and tanning. Or, benefit from a technology originally developed by NASA to grow plants in space—infrared light treatment for cell generation and anti aging. Ah, it sounds like we all need a little Earth Essence in our lives.

Fitness mavens, if you’re lurking around the southern end and NEED a new something-something for your activewear collection, this one is for you! Walk through the doors at Prae Store in the beautiful Cornerstone Stores precinct, and you’ll be whisked into a calming boutique lined with hand-selected active wear pieces from P.E. Nation, First Base and Nimble. Together with a range of teas, incense and natural skin care ranges; Prae Store stocks make up by Inika, serums and creams by Cedar + Stone and Edible Beauty, plus more. Not forgetting a wellness-focussed collection of fine jewellery and stones from By Charlotte and Violet Grey, respected for their therapeutic characteristics, and you’re practically gliding into an I-want-to-buy-everything dream. 

If you’ve ever treated yourself to a long wine-fuelled lunch or perhaps splashed out on a fanciful weekend getaway, you can attest that Cabarita’s dreamy Halcyon House is the kinda place you wish you could shut off from reality and hide away forever. A recent addition to this whimsical beachside resort, while Halcyon Spa is not technically on the Gold Coast, it is absolutely worth the short jaunt south across the border if you’re looking for the ultimate day spa experience. Designed by the same creative hands behind the adjoining boutique hotel and Paper Daisy restaurant, Halcyon Spa is wrapped in crisp white stucco walls, with those signature breezeblocks and archways hiding relaxation areas and calming courtyards. Inside, you’ll find accents of Moroccan mosaics, honey timber floors, upholstered wallpaper and bespoke mismatched textiles and furnishings that somehow marrying together effortlessly. There’s also a Hammam-inspired domed steam room, where you can bliss out pre or post-treatment to maximise the rejuvenation experience

The arrival of Azure Spa & Fitness is another final piece of the puzzle in The Star Gold Coast’s staggering transformation. Quickly taking its place among the best day spas on the Gold Coast, step past the doors and be transported to a tranquil oasis. Choose from an indulgent treatment menu including luxe facials and massage to signature body treatments, manis and pedis, plus offerings just for the gents. With seven treatment rooms at the ready, guests are welcome to take advantage of the high-tech fitness room and sprawling resort pool to extend their experience.

Pops of pink, loads of white, nude wood and cute pendant lights above the sunny window nook make this place totally Pinnable. But there’s so much more to this gem than the interior. Easily one of the best hairdressers on the Gold Coast, Kerri and her team at Zanzi Hairdressing are pros at delivering perfectly primed cuts and colours. With a holistic approach to hairdressing, eco-friendly Zanzi is part of the Sustainable Salons program, where 95% of salon waste is carefully recycled. Zanzi has also eliminated the need for unnecessary paper (there are iPads instead of magazines!) and exclusively uses organic OWAY products that are free from toxic chemicals, while still providing a quality treatment without comprising the health of the hair, client and environment. You'll find Zanzi Hairdressing in the stunning Cornerstone Stores precinct in Currumbin-Tugun.

Cornerstone Stores is a labour of love for a family of long-time locals, who’ve held onto this Gold Coast Highway-side block for the last four years while they planned their build. Among the gorge stores there's Stable Coffee & Kitchen; a new yoga, Pilates and meditation centre by The Body Method; Quince Fromagerie (with a freakin’ walk-in cheese room); organic hairdresser Zanzi Hair; indoor plants by The Borrowed Nursery, Essence of Beauty; Little Loves babyswear; plus curated lifestyle boutiques Kind Curations and Prae Store. 

Boasting one of the most beautiful and spacious salons on the Coast, contemporary art gallery at the rear and a dedicated dude’s corner with a fulltime barber, you could say Maverick Hair & Art Space has got it all going on. 

Beauty gurus, raise your contouring brushes, this cruelty-free, non-toxic beauty bar in Nobby Beach is seriously worth a look-see. Y’know how some planet-friendly makeup can look kinda like the innards of an old avocado stuffed into a sad brown bag and slapped with a hand-written label? Well, this is totally not that place. 

It’s no longer a woman’s world where only us gals are carving out hours for self indulgence—guys, now you understand the pleasure of being primped and groomed. Another top shop among the best barbers on the Gold Coast, you’ll love Shipwreck Barber’s man den atmosphere where you can sip on a smooth spiced rum while the cool gents get you looking your best with clean shaves and classic cuts.

They say good things come in small packages, which stands true for Coolangatta hole-in-the-wall grooming den, The Barberoy. We love the vintage-inspired interior dressed with wallpaper, pressed metal, and a gorgeous old wood floor; combined with classic full-service extras such as hot and cold towels, massage, and Turkish ear fluff singeing. And with just enough space for two clients at a time, you’re assured of some bro love and attention from the expert owner-operator scissorhands. 

Isle of Capri's Barber Bros & Co. is a hands down favourite among Gold Coast locals. This stylish team of passionate barbers live and breathe their trade, so it’s little wonder gents flock to this traditional full-service barber shop for beard scaping, perfectly manicured moustaches, hot towel cut throat shaves, and expert rockabilly and hipster hair styling. We know you won’t knock back a complimentary JD or Corona while you’re there, either; these are the kinda guys all other barbers aspire to. Walk ins only. 

Organic beauty spa, Earth & Skin is soothing all our stresses away. Located in a stunning Queenslander-style cottage at the entrance to Mudgeeraba, this sanctuary is just what you need: calming, quiet and heavenly. Offering a range of holistic treatments including signature massage experiences, organic facials, sugaring, eyebrow shaping, eco spray tans or incredibly blissful manis and pedis, Earth & Skin is the spa getaway of your dreams.

Hidden away in a non-descript Robina shopping plaza, Whiskey Lane has made a name as the go-to for those seeking traditional old school Americana ink work. Recreating a vintage American style tattoo parlour, eclectic frames lining the studio walls are filled with hand sketched flash by the in house artists, so slide on in and take your pick! Whiskey Lane is also well known for their bi annual 'flash days' when any pickings off the day’s flash sheet can be inked for just $50.

Located at the mouth of the Tallebudgera Valley, step inside The Bath House (by local vegan babes, Greenhouse Canteen) and we bet you’ll immediately breathe out a sigh in the same instant your tense shoulders relax. Inspired by bathhouses in the likes of Morocco—where all facilities are gathered under one roof—the space is modern and minimalistic. They’ve nailed the flow and feng shui, with lots of white, soft arches, natural textures, pops of peach and neon green, cute hand lettering signs adorning the walls, several inviting lounging areas for lingering and ample plants smattered about.

Surfers Paradise’s funky QT Gold Coast is no ordinary lodging, and its retro 50s-inspired theme continues through to one of the Gold Coast’s best day spa settings. A colourful spa experience that’s unlikely to be outshone anywhere along the glittering coastal strip, get in the mood by snuggling into a robe and sipping herbal tea as you ponder their array of treatment options. Finish with a complimentary treat, giving your skin a blood-circulating boost in Spa Q’s hammam steam room and ice fountain. Is this one of the best day spas on the Gold Coast? We think so!