Best Hair Salon in Wānaka: What to Look For Before You Book

Updated November 2026. Service prices are from our live price list; product prices are our live online prices.

We're a salon, so we are not neutral here. What we can do is be specific. Where we mention UKIYO, we've kept to things you can check on our site: prices, profiles and published reviews. If we don't offer something, we'll say so.

How do I choose a hairdresser in Wānaka?

Start with the job, then find the person. A sharp bob, a first balayage, fixing a box dye and fitting extensions are four different skill sets. Most good salons in town have someone strong at each, but rarely the same person. So:

• Name the service. Colour, cut, curls, extensions or a wedding.
• Find the stylist who specialises in it. Profiles should say what each person is known for.
• Book a consultation first for anything chemical or expensive.
• Check the price before the day, not at the counter.

Our guide to our stylists and their specialties walks through who does what at UKIYO.

What makes a good hair salon in Wānaka?

Seven things, roughly in order of how much they affect your hair.

Does the consultation matter that much?

Yes. It is where most bad colour is prevented. At UKIYO every colour starts with a free 15-minute consultation. We look at your hair in natural light, ask about your colour history (box dye, henna, that at-home toner from last summer) and agree the result and the price before anything is mixed. It is required for new colour clients and any first balayage, blonde or lightening service. More on what we actually assess in our colour consultation guide.

Bring photos of hair you like and, if you have them, photos of colour you didn't like. The second set is often more useful.

Who is the best hairdresser in Wānaka for colour?

We won't pretend to answer that for every salon in town. What we can show you is who does colour at UKIYO and what they're known for:

• Nicole Sanders, Master Stylist: advanced colour and precision cutting, after many years as a senior stylist at Zaibatsu Hair Art in Dunedin.
• Yvie Horler, Master Stylist: natural, dimensional colour and tailored cuts.
• Kelsey, Senior Stylist: balayage and creative colour.
• Jasmine (Jazz), Senior Stylist: colour application and foiling, and 1st place in the AUNZ Trend Vision Newcomer Awards.

For extensions, Jack was named Extensions Specialist of the Year 2023 by Hairdressers Journal in London. Full profiles are on Meet the Team.

How much does a haircut cost in Wānaka?

Prices vary by salon and by stylist level. These are ours, straight from the live price list:

"From" means a starting point. Length, density and how much product your hair needs move the final number, and your stylist confirms it at consultation. See every service on the services page.

What products does the salon use, and can you buy them?

Worth asking anywhere you book. If the shelf is full of brands you can only find at the supermarket, the colour work is probably being done on a budget too.

We colour with Wella Professionals. Care and styling is mainly Kérastase and Sebastian Professional. We buy Kérastase direct from L'Oréal New Zealand and Sebastian through Wella New Zealand. Everything on our backbar is on our online store, with free NZ shipping over $75. Two ways to look after your hair at home, by budget:

More in our guide to the best hair care in Wānaka.

What do clients say about Wānaka salons?

Read reviews for detail, not stars. Look for mentions of listening, consultation and how the hair held up weeks later. A few of ours, quoted from our testimonials page:

“I was intimidated by the swanky salon when I first went looking for a hair stylist in Wanaka. I was correct about the swank but that did not translate into elitist or snobby.”

Charity T., Google review

“Have had great experiences with cut and colour here for my thick curly hair. And the team are just the best, plus I've never had such a good view while getting my hair done.”

Liz D., Google review

Why Wānaka clients choose UKIYO

We have been at 28 Helwick Street, in the Precinct building, for nearly six years. It is a small team on purpose: Master, Senior and Emerging stylists, plus a studio coordinator who runs the front desk. You get time in the chair and nobody rushing you out. The windows look out over the lake and mountains, which clients mention more than we do.

What to expect on the day is in the UKIYO client experience. If you've just moved here, our how often to cut your hair guide is a handy starting point. Driving in from Cromwell or Alexandra? Here's when the drive to Wānaka is worth it, and when a local trim makes more sense.

Book online or a free consultation

Why buy from UKIYO

We're working stylists at UKIYO on Helwick Street in Wānaka, and these are the products we use on clients every day. Everything we sell is genuine salon stock, bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors. Free NZ shipping over $75, or pick up in the salon at 28 Helwick St.

Questions we get asked

What is the best hair salon in Wānaka?

Nobody publishes a ranking. The right salon for you is the one with a stylist who specialises in your service, offers a free consultation before colour, uses professional brands and publishes clear prices. We think UKIYO ticks those boxes, but compare a few and read recent reviews.

How much is a haircut in Wānaka?

At UKIYO a women's cut and blowwave starts from $95 and is $130 with a Master Stylist. Men's cuts start from $85 and curl cuts from $140. Final prices are confirmed at consultation.

Do I need a consultation before colouring my hair?

For any new colour or lightening service at UKIYO, yes. It is free, takes 15 minutes, and you agree the result and the price before anything is mixed.

Which brands does UKIYO use?

We colour with Wella Professionals, and care and styling is mainly Kérastase and Sebastian Professional. Everything we use in the salon is sold in store and online.

Where is UKIYO in Wānaka?

28 Helwick Street, in the Precinct building in central Wānaka. Public parking is on Helwick Street and the surrounding streets.

What is UKIYO's booking and cancellation policy?

A 25% deposit is taken when you book and credited to your bill. Changes need 24 hours' notice. Cancellations inside 24 hours are charged 50% and no-shows 100%.

Do any UKIYO stylists hold awards?

Yes. Jack was named Extensions Specialist of the Year 2023 by Hairdressers Journal in London, and Jasmine took 1st place in the AUNZ Trend Vision Newcomer Awards.

Can I book a Wānaka hairdresser online?

Yes. UKIYO's online booking is open 24/7 through Kitomba, or call the salon on 03 443 1040.

Keep reading: The UKIYO client experience: what to expect from your first visit