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Best Hair Salons in Toronto (2026): Colour, Curls & Cuts

Our 2026 ranking of Toronto hair salons: gender-neutral rooms, curly specialists, Japanese and Korean technique, colour houses, and neighbourhood chairs. Book by specialty.

This ranking is for people booking Toronto hair by specialty: cut versus colour versus curls versus protective styles, plus Japanese and Korean technique rooms. We ranked on published specialty clarity, neighbourhood fit, and book-by-name or gender-neutral pricing where the salon actually works that way, not paid placement. Choose fast: a colour house when you want paint, a curly or texture chair when pattern matters, Japanese or Korean technique for perms and straighten, braids for protective styles, or a gender-neutral hourly room when you want the work priced without gendered menus.

Updated for 2026•17 Destinations
No.1
Inside The Cabinet Salon on Queen West, official 2024 salon photography
Shop• Queen West

The Cabinet Salon

“Best gender-neutral Queen West room: hourly $90-$130, entrance on Portland, book the colourist by name - closed Sunday-Monday.”

— Very Toronto Editors

The Cabinet is still the Queen-and-Portland salon other gender-neutral rooms get measured against: second floor, 577 Queen Street West, entrance on Portland, a 19th-century room with floor-to-ceiling windows over the sidewalk. Founded in 2009 by stylists Alex and Emma, it books by the hour, not by gender : official team page posts stylist rates from $90 to $130 per hour, gratuity-free, products included. Official clock: Tuesday and Thursday 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone (647) 344-3132. thecabinetsalon.com frames the house as precision cuts, balayage, creative colour, gray blending, curly hair, extensions, and keratin, plus Green Circle waste recovery and 5% of retail to Rainbow Railroad. First-timers: take the stylist matchmaker quiz or email thecabinetsalon@gmail.com if you do not know who to book. Colour needs a real hour block, not a squeeze-in. 24-hour cancel; same-day is charged in full on the official policy page. Closed Sunday and Monday. This is the unfussy Queen West cabinet, not a street-level walk-in.

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No.2
Album Hair Queen East salon interior from the official Album site
Shop• Leslieville / Riverside

Album Hair

“Best east-end colour room: Queen East, published balayage from $244, book Dat or Eric by name - closed Sunday-Monday.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Album is the Queen East colour salon that publishes the number before anything is mixed: 639 Queen Street East, Leslieville / Riverside, official hours Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Phone (416) 778-8892. Dat Tran opened the room in 2018; the interior took a Contessa for salon design, and the house still books named stylists : Dat, Eric, Daniel, Petro : not a generic opening. albumhair.com posts gender-neutral level pricing; balayage is listed from $244 with toner included, colour correction quoted by the hour after a $50 consultation deposit credited to the service. Davines and Milbon on the bar. First-timers: book the colourist by name online or through the Album app; a cut-and-style is on the same published menu if you are not here for paint. Street parking on Queen, Carroll, and Thompson. This is the east-end colour room, not a booth-rental hallway.

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No.3
Take Khair Beauty official salon photography from takekhairbeauty.com
Shop• Wychwood / St. Clair West

Take Khair Beauty

“Best curl-and-texture HQ: St. Clair West, DevaCut and texture-safe colour, book the chair - shop the wall if you are only after product.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Take Khair is the St. Clair West curly-and-texture house that is also a full supply shop: 574 St. Clair Avenue West, Black- and female-owned, official line is curls, kinks, and coils six days a week. Phone on the official site: (416) 651-9321. takekhairbeauty.com posts DevaCut-method curly cuts, texture-safe colour (full colour, balayage, highlights, bleach-and-tone), blowouts and silk press, knotless and boho braids with synthetic hair in-house, weaves, wigs, kids and men’s services. A midweek Blow Out, Glow Out special is posted for Tuesday and Wednesday. First-timers: book the wash, cut, and style : first haircut is posted at 15% off : or a consultation if you want colour without flattening the pattern. Daily hours are not on the official hours block; they say six days a week and point you to online booking. This is a salon-plus-shop, not a quiet one-chair studio. Walk in for product; book the chair.

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No.4
N15 Hair Salon official photography from n15salon.com
Shop• North York / Yonge–Sheppard

N15 Hair Salon (Sheppard)

“Best Japanese-technique room: Sheppard Centre #103, digital perm or straighten - College if you are already downtown.”

— Very Toronto Editors

N15 is still the Japanese-technique house Hiroki Sugita started in 2015 after Aoyama / Omotesando years: the Sheppard room is 4841 Yonge Street #103, Yonge Sheppard Centre, main floor near Winners. Official n15salon.com lists four 2026 addresses : Sheppard (416) 226-0729, College at 831 Bay (416) 615-0088, Dundas / Queen East lash room at 1 Queen Street East #105 (416) 363-0088, and a Bay Street lash salon at 643 Bay (647) 748-8820. The pitch is omotenashi plus precision cutting, digital perms, Korean-inspired perms, Japanese straightening, colour and balayage, with a Shiatsu-style wash. Daily hours are not posted on the official site : book the chair online. First-timers: a digital perm and cut, or straightening if that is the homework; they will refuse a service that would wreck the hair. Start at Sheppard if you want the original North York room; College if you are downtown. This is technique, not a trend loft.

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No.5
THIC Studio loft interior from the official THIC products studio-rental page
Shop• Trinity Bellwoods / Queen West

THIC Studio

“Best loft cut: Mitchell Avenue 2nd floor, full haircut from $100 or a dry cut - book ahead, no walk-in.”

— Very Toronto Editors

THIC is the Mitchell Avenue loft, not a Queen West storefront: 80 Mitchell Avenue, 2nd floor, a converted warehouse with skylights and a photography room attached to the chairs. Morgan Tully built the studio around the THIC oil; the official product site still rents the 2,400-square-foot room and the salon side books cuts, dry cutting, colour, and styling. Services page posts a Full Haircut Experience starting at $100-$145+ and a Dry Haircut Experience starting at $75-$110+; colour is lived-in only (no on-the-root bleach, no fashion colours). Book through the official Fresha link or info@thicstudio.com. Daily hours are not posted on thicstudio.com or thicproducts.com. First-timers: the full haircut if your hair is straight or wavy; the curly dry cut if you can arrive air-dried in pattern. Appointment only. This is the light loft, not a walk-in on Queen.

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No.6
The Proudest Pony official rainbow hero photography from theproudestpony.com
Shop• Bloorcourt / West End

The Proudest Pony

“Best long-running genderless room: Bloor West since 2010, 11-7 daily, book a silent appointment if you want the chair quiet.”

— Very Toronto Editors

The Proudest Pony has been a genderless west-end chair since September 2010: 1267 Bloor Street West, official hours 11 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days, by appointment only. Phone (647) 351-4047, info@proudestpony.com. theproudestpony.com prices the work, not the gender, and still posts Green Circle recycling for foils, tubes, and clippings. The book is vivids, pastels, colour correction, foilyage, short cuts, buzzcut art, bridal and extensions : stylists are named with pronouns on the site (Carolyn, Eryn, Matthew, Olive, Jamie-eve, Poppy; founder Ashley Brewsmith is now mostly film). First-timers: book a silent appointment if you want the chair without the chat : it is a free add-on on the official page. Do not walk in. This is the Bloor West queer-friendly room that has been doing this since before it was a marketing line.

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No.7
August Salon official client photography from salonaugust.com
Shop• Little Portugal / Dundas West

August Salon

“Best precision walk-up: Gladstone 2nd floor, come for the cut - book ahead, no street-level walk-in.”

— Very Toronto Editors

August is the Gladstone walk-up for people who want a cut, not a scene: 42 Gladstone Avenue, 2nd floor, founded by Aliza Esmail after Vidal Sassoon years in London and Los Angeles. salonaugust.com is a photography site more than a brochure : the work is structural, education-forward, Davines on the shelf, angular bobs and precision shapes across textures. Phone (416) 876-4744. Daily hours are not posted on the official site; book through the site. First-timers: go in for a cut, not a trend colour. This is a quiet second-floor studio. Appointments only : do not buzz up hoping for a walk-in. Dundas West, not Queen. If you want Sassoon geometry without the downtown volume, this is the room.

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No.8
PERFECT X HAIR official salon photography from perfectxhair.com
Shop• Yorkville

PERFECT X HAIR (Yorkville)

“Best Korean luxury cut: Cumberland, official 11-7 weekdays, a digital perm or a layered cut - Dundas if you are already at the AGO.”

— Very Toronto Editors

PERFECT X is the Korean-luxury cut-and-perm house with four official Toronto rooms; the Yorkville chair is 18 Cumberland Street. Official hours at every location: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Phone (437) 870-7250, info@perfectxhair.com. perfectxhair.com posts a published menu : women’s cut from $70, digital perm $249, straightening perm $269, multi-process balayage from $409 : plus consultations, snacks, and Korean product. Sister rooms: Art Gallery at 336 Dundas Street West, Yonge & Sheppard (4750 Yonge, units 124-126), and Yonge & Empress (5195B Yonge). First-timers: a layered cut and a treatment at Cumberland if you want the Yorkville room; digital perm if that is the homework. Book online. This is K-beauty precision, not a neighbourhood family salon.

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No.9
Hair salon interior stock photo (Unsplash last resort — Jason Lee site has no usable hero)
Shop• Midtown / Yonge–Eglinton

Jason Lee Salon

“Best midtown colour quiet room: 2470 A Yonge, call (416) 480-0020 - the site will not book you.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Jason Lee Salon is the midtown colour room at 2470 A Yonge Street, above the sidewalk south of Eglinton. Official site jasonleesalon.com posts the address, (416) 480-0020, and info@jasonleesalon.com : it is appointment-first and almost silent on hours and menu. Lee also founded the Mela & Kera line; the salon is the chair, not the product site. First-timers: call or email for a consultation and a lived-in colour or a lightweight cut; do not treat the website like a booking engine. Daily hours are not posted on the official page. Closed-feeling Sundays are a rumour we are not printing : if you need a clock, phone the desk. This is a small, calm Yonge room, not a street-level blow-dry bar.

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No.10
JUSTB Salon Leslieville interior from the official Squarespace site
Shop• Leslieville

JUSTB Salon

“Best Leslieville gender-neutral chair: 1150 Queen East, published cut and balayage menu - phone to book, hours are not on the site.”

— Very Toronto Editors

JUSTB is Ben Barkworth’s Leslieville gender-neutral room: 1150 Queen Street East, (647) 740-1309, info@justbsalon.ca. justbsalon.ca sells bespoke cuts and colour in a bright Queen East shop, Oribe / Electric London / Goldwell on the retail wall, and a published menu that prices short cuts from $50-$125 and balayage from $240-$360 depending on stylist level. Barkworth’s official about page notes FASTFOILS™ and a 2022 Contessa for Canada’s top men’s hairstylist; the house line is everyone can B who they want to B. Daily hours are not posted on the official contact page : phone or book through the site. First-timers: a cut and a blow-dry if you want the room; balayage if you came for paint. This is the inclusive Leslieville chair, not a downtown loft.

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No.11
Calia Hair interior on Yonge Street from the official Wix site
Shop• Yonge–Lawrence / North Toronto

Calia Hair

“Best Yonge-Lawrence neighbourhood salon: since 2000, official late Wed-Thu, book colour ahead.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Calia is the Yonge-Lawrence family salon Peter and Luisa Ciardulli opened in 2000, the name stitched from their kids Luca and Julia: 3338 Yonge Street. Official contact page hours: Monday closed; Tuesday and Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Phone (416) 440-2696. caliahair.com is still cuts, colour, balayage, keratin, bridal, and in-house product, with online booking 24/7. First-timers: a precision cut or a colour consult; technical work wants a card on file. This is the midtown-north neighbourhood room that has been there a quarter century, not a concept loft. Book ahead for Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

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No.12
Cinderella Hair Salon official style-gallery photography from cinderellahairsalon.com
Shop• Koreatown / The Annex

Cinderella Hair Salon

“Best Koreatown straighten: 651A Bloor 2nd floor, official 10-7 Monday-Saturday - consult first, walk-ins taken.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Cinderella is the Koreatown walk-up for Japanese thermal reconditioning: 651A Bloor Street West, 2nd floor, owner Hyang Mi Kim, 20-plus years on the official about. Hours on the contact page: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Phone (416) 530-9891, info@cinderellahairsalon.com. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments by phone. cinderellahairsalon.com specializes in Japanese hair straightening with NAKANO, STRAIGHT TIO, and i_Style systems : official copy says pricing begins at $400 and a touch-up lands around 6-8 months of new growth. Also cuts, colour, perms, and treatments. First-timers: book a consultation before a straighten; the page is blunt that they do not skip the consult or the heat-protect steps. This is the Bloor Koreatown technical room, not a Yorkville K-beauty lounge.

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No.13
Tony Shamas Hair Salon official balayage photography from tonyshamas.ca
Shop• Old Town / St. Lawrence

Tony Shamas Hair Salon

“Best downtown blonde chair: Jarvis and Adelaide, official 10-8 weekdays, Saturday to 3 - appointment only, 48-hour cancel.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Tony Shamas is the Jarvis-and-Adelaide blonde room: 81 Jarvis Street, northeast corner, official contact hours Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Phone (416) 941-9915, info@tonyshamas.ca. Appointment only, 48-hour cancel, card required for new guests, text-and-email confirm 3 days and 25 hours out. tonyshamas.ca still sells blonde highlights, balayage, iNOA ammonia-free colour, men’s and women’s cuts, and laser : master colourist Tony Shamas is the name on the door, 30-plus years. First-timers: book a consult for blonde or balayage; they will not colour or install extensions. Underground parking at the Holiday Inn Express across Adelaide, or King George Square on George. This is the downtown colour staple, not a concept studio.

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No.14
JOS Studios official client photography from jos-studios.com
Shop• Midtown / Yonge–Eglinton

JOS Studios

“Best midtown protective-style studio: 2481A Yonge, knotless or a glueless install - book the size, Tuesday-Sunday.”

— Very Toronto Editors

JOS is the midtown Black-owned braiding and protective-style studio: 2481A Yonge Street, official page says open Tuesday-Sunday. jos-studios.com is knotless and box braids, goddess and boho, feed-ins, Fulani, cornrows, men’s braids, lace and glueless wig installs, sew-ins, ponytails, and professional takedowns, with premium braiding hair in 1 / 1B / 2. Book online (Vagaro is linked from the site). A daily clock is not on the official page. First-timers: book the braid size and length you actually want, and read the prep FAQ : they will tell you whether to bring hair. Wash is included on hair services in client notes on the same site. This is a protective-style studio, not a blow-dry bar. Yonge south of Eglinton, not a plaza booth.

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No.15
Nadine's Hair Studio official photography from nadineshairstudio.com
Shop• Eglinton West / Cedarvale

Nadine's Hair Studio

“Best Eglinton West short-cut room: since 2009, official Tue-Fri, book the pixie or the pony by phone.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Nadine’s has been the Eglinton West chair for short cuts, ponytails, and braids since 2009: 1562 Eglinton Avenue West, Black-owned, official hours Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday and Monday closed. Phone (416) 781-3065. nadineshairstudio.com posts cuts, braids and locs, weaves, colour, relaxers, and treatments, and is blunt that short hair : pixies, pin curls : is a house strength. Saturday hours are not listed on the official opening-hours block. First-timers: call or DM to book the pixie or the pony; the site’s booker runs 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. slots. This is a neighbourhood studio on the Eglinton West strip, not a downtown concept room. Family-friendly, all textures.

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No.16
Evolve Hair Studio official photography from evolvesalon.ca
Shop• CityPlace / Fort York

Evolve Hair Studio

“Best CityPlace Green Circle room: Fort York, official 11-8 weekdays - book colour mid-week, closed Sunday-Monday.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Evolve is the Cityplace two-floor Green Circle room Jody and Sonia opened in 2012: 40 Fort York Boulevard. Official book-now page hours: Monday closed; Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday closed. Phone (647) 345-7049, Info@evolvesalon.ca. evolvesalon.ca posts balayage and correction, precision cuts, texture, Great Lengths extensions, bridal, KEVIN.MURPHY, Redken Shades EQ, K18, InnerSense, plus One Tree Planted on product purchases since 2022. First-timers: use the stylist matchmaker, then book a cut or a lived-in colour; ask for the number during consult : they talk transparency. Evening chairs Tuesday-Friday. This is the Fort York neighbourhood salon, not a King West walk-in.

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No.17
Official Fifteen Twelve Salon photography from fifteentwelvesalon.com
Shop• Dundas West / Brockton Village

Fifteen Twelve Salon

“Best Dundas West genderless colour room: hourly paint plus published starting cuts when Queen West is the wrong commute.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Fifteen Twelve is the Dundas West / Brockton Village boutique room at 1512 Dundas Street West: genderless pricing, a customized hourly approach to colour, and a published starting menu for cuts and colour rather than a gendered list. Official site fifteentwelvesalon.com posts hours Monday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday closed, phone (416) 792-1558, and hello@fifteentwelvesalon.com. Services page starting prices include Rising/Senior/Lead cuts from $75/$105/$115+ and colour charged hourly plus SalonScale product (Senior $100/hour, Lead $120/hour). Co-founders Alysha and Sol pitch lived-in balayage, precision cuts, and an inclusive chair; walk-ins are accepted when the book has gaps, but booking ahead is the reliable path. First-timers: book a cut or a colour consult online, bring reference photos, and confirm current hours on fifteentwelvesalon.com before you go. This is the Dundas West genderless colour room when Queen West and Leslieville are the wrong commute.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Hair Salons in Toronto (2026): Colour, Curls & Cuts

Very Toronto's 2026 ranking leads with The Cabinet Salon, Album Hair, Take Khair Beauty, N15, and THIC Studio, then covers The Proudest Pony, August Salon, PERFECT X HAIR, Jason Lee Salon, JUSTB, Calia Hair, Cinderella Hair Salon, Tony Shamas, JOS Studios, Nadine's Hair Studio, Evolve Hair Studio, and Fifteen Twelve on Dundas West. Match specialty and neighbourhood, then book the stylist by name where the salon works that way.