My fine, wavy hair is not easy to cut, so I need to go to a gifted stylist. These people fit the bill. They listened to what I wanted, used all natural products, were friendly, made great coffee, and was cheaper than my last stylist. I even got a free haircut on my birthday - how many salons do that?

Wonderful hairdressers. I always get a great consultation beforehand that is not rushed and I actually experience being listened to by the hairdresser (rare in my experience). They ask lots of questions for guidance and are realistic about what is achievable. Also give really good advice for any problems (dry hair, oily scalp etc) and don't try to push products (too much). I also like that they get what I want when I ask for something a bit different, not too different (and other random descriptions). The only thing is that they are expensive - but it is value for your money I think.

Approximate cost: $100+

Amazing!
So happy with my piercing experience at this place. I was really nervous and embarrassed going in for a VCH piercing ( an in your pants piercing) but the girl made me feel so at ease! She made sure she knew exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it to look and made sure I was comfortable. She was very professional and made me feel at ease. The place was clean and sterile, just what you'd want to see. I would definitely go back and recommend any of my friends to go there!

Approximate cost: $80

For the first time ever, I can trust a hairdresser to create a cut/style which will suit me and will get even more fabulous as it grows out!
I always ask for Uli as I appreciate her honest comments on how my hair will "behave" with a certain cut and whether it will suit me or not. There is no bulls**t, just a genuine, honest opinion founded on years of experience and a love of her craft. And she hasn't been wrong yet (nor is she likely to be).
Both my son and myself go to Uli and are very happy to book long in advance for her expertise. On the odd occasion, I've been fortunate to have her cut my hair almost on the spot due to a well timed cancellation. Bonus!
I'm a vegan and I am very happy that Uli shares a passion for using cruelty free products in her salon. One can go a long way to find a hair salon which has such high ethics without compromising quality.
I feel it is important to trust your hairdresser as it is a personal experience - Rising Angel doesn't disappoint.

I've never had a bad hair cut or colour here. I can say "do what you want" and absolutely trust that that the result will be fantastic. sometimes strangers have actually stopped me and asked who does my hair. It's also really important to me that their hair dyes aren't tested on animals. Guilt free hairdressing - got to love that. I could say heaps more, but you get the idea. Go there.

Approximate cost: $100.00

Service is friendly. I can ask them to give me some ideas of what will look good on me and they describe it to me and draw me a picture before proceeding. I love getting their opinion as I will play it very safe and they encourage me to be just a little bit adventurous but nothing more than I am willing to do.

Approximate cost: $140

They give a great cut, and they really care about whether or not you are happy with your hair - if not they will fix it for free.
Great atmosphere, and really great service, although a little bit on the expensive side.

Approximate cost: $150

I often feel like a bit of an ugly duckling - and for me, going to the hairdressers is more scary than going to the dentist. I invariably feel unhappy with the result - even when I have had a good haircut, it never seems to be quite what I wanted and I spend the next few days telling myself "It's only hair...it'll grow back...it's only hair...it'll grow back..."

I say all this to place my rating in context. I have a deep and abiding fear of hairdressers and only the terrible 40 degree heat of the last few weeks finally sent me off to get a haircut.

So imagine my surprise when I walked out of Rising Angel last night feeling totally gorgeous!

Kylie cut my hair - meticulously. Even though we ran quite late and the salon should have been closed, she took her time, checked with me frequently about how happy I was, should we go shorter, etc, and never let me feel I was holding her up.

I have the best haircut I have ever had and have abandoned the temptation to grow my hair long again so that I don't have to keep getting it cut.

The salon has the feel of your best friend's sitting room - art by local talent adorns the walls, the music is great (and not loud, as it can be elsewhere!) and all the staff are friendly. Not "hairdresser friendly", where they ask inane questions they don't want the answers to, but chatty, interesting and interested.

They also do fantastic hair extensions and dreadlocks, using both human hair and synthetic alternatives. They do both "serious" colour and artistic colour; foils, streaks and full head colour. But Rising Angel is not only a hairdressing salon. They also do waxing, piercing (facial, body and intimate) (piercing is half price on Tuesdays), and ear candling. (If you haven't heard of ear candling, it is a traditional Hopi practice which can reduce sinus pain and blockages, ear pain (especially when caused by a build up of wax), and can relieve some headaches. I sometimes use ear candling when autumn and summer sinus pain starts keeping me up at night.)

Rising Angel also has a rewards program, where loyal customers are rewarded with a bottle of wine or a meal for two from time to time. Extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays are great for those of us working nine to five. And coffee, tea or a glass of wine are offered to make you feel downright pampered.

A full head colour, cut and style cost me $140 and it was worth every cent. In general, a short hair cut will cost around $50-60, and you can popinto the salon up to three times between visits to get a tidy up (great news for me. The bottom inch of my hair grows so fast I get Mrs Brady flicks before I can say NOOOOO!!!).

I will never look for another hairdresser as long as I live in Melbourne!

Approximate cost: $60