Nestled in the heart of Darlinghurst, I arrived at La Boutique for my blow-dry ahead of a long weekend and from the moment I stepped inside, I knew I was in for something special. The salon buzzed with energy: friendly staff, luxe interiors, and an atmosphere that felt both effortless and elevated.
The space itself is a work of art — described by interior designer Melissa Collison as “a physical embodiment of Belinda herself — high energy, fiercely passionate, and unmistakably rock chic.” She explains, “From the outset, it was clear this space needed to capture her essence. The brief wasn’t just about designing a salon—it was about creating Belinda in physical form. We drew inspiration from her love of music, her rebellious edge, and her impeccable eye for glamour. The result is a richly layered space that’s both edgy and elegant, bold yet refined.”
Every corner feels intentional. “We wanted to evoke the spirit of rock chic through the lens of jewellery—faceted, sparkling, unexpected,” says Collison. “A bespoke full-height chain curtain in a mixed-metal palette glints and shimmers like a statement necklace, framing the space with texture and movement. It brings a sense of drama and lightness — a literal curtain call to Belinda’s show-stopping energy.”
It’s a design that perfectly mirrors the experience itself. The service began with what could only be described as a head spa moment, the hair mask alone was a standout, leaving my hair soft, glossy, and weightless. Conversation flowed easily between staff and clients; everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. It’s rare to find a salon that feels this social, this warm.
Then came my blowout, courtesy of celebrity stylist David Keough, whose impressive résumé includes working with Sarah Murdoch (yes, that iconic short cut) and being Miranda Kerr’s go-to stylist for years before returning home to Australia. When I left, my hair had that perfect 60s queen bounce thats sleek yet cool and full of movement.
And then there was Belinda Jeffrey herself, the woman behind the magic. Despite the salon being in full swing, she swept down the stairs and greeted me with a warm hug. Her presence lit up the room; clients spoke about having their appointments booked with her months in advance. Her reputation truly precedes her and if you’re not lucky enough to land an appointment with Belinda, you’re still in exceptional hands. Her team is stacked with top-tier talent and creative energy.
As Melissa Collison sums it up best:
“La Boutique isn’t just a salon—it’s a high-energy studio where creativity, expertise, and style converge. It’s a space designed to last, to evolve, and to mirror Belinda’s own tenacity and longevity in the industry. This project was about more than aesthetics. It was about celebrating a woman who has built her career on authenticity, passion, and an unrelenting drive for excellence.”
Belinda’s signature haircare line is having a serious moment — in just a short time, it’s already collected major awards from ELLE and Prevention, with the Belinda Jeffrey Hair Colour Care Masque and The One for Blondes Toning Masque topping bestseller lists and earning glowing reviews from clients and beauty editors alike.
From colour artistry to her award-winning product line, Belinda has become synonymous with craftsmanship, longevity, and an unapologetic love of beauty. Her latest space embodies all of it a boutique salon that hums with personality, elegance, and that signature Belinda energy that’s impossible to replicate.
From her rock-chic new salon to her award-winning product line, Belinda’s energy is magnetic and her story, even more so. We were lucky enough to ask her about her incredible career, the inspiration behind her Darlinghurst space, and what continues to drive her after three decades in the industry.
You’ve styled some of the world’s most recognisable stars, from Tilda Swinton to Anya Taylor-Joy. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about hair from working with celebrities on and off the red carpet?
The biggest thing I have learnt about working with celebrities on and off the red carpet/working on big film sets creating colour/character looks is to have confidence, act normal and make stars feel comfortable as they are just regular people after all. Listening is key especially in the film environment as you are working as part of a team with large hair and makeup divisions so you need to listen to the Producer/whomever is in charge of the production and then work with the team to create the best outcome while making the actors feel special, ensuring their hair is fabulous (and protecting the integrity and condition of their hair as working on a lot of films, the hair often gets damaged). .. It’s about taking direction, working with stylists to create these looks which can look include wigs etc!
Tell us about your new salon in Darlinghurst, what makes this space unique, and how do you want clients to feel the moment they walk in?
The new space in Darlinghurst for me it is nice coming back, it is a full circle moment in my career. When I was really peaking in my colourist career, first started working on big film projects and won Colourist of the Year, I was working as a Colour Specialist at Synergie in Darlinghurst. That was 21 years ago when I then moved to Double Bay and opened La Boutique which is now in it’s 22nd year. So the return to Darlinghurst is like coming home.
It is a more intimate space, smaller and more boutique, which is where the name La Boutique came from in the beginning! I own this property so I feel like it is definitely my home- for the business and my product range Belinda Jeffrey Hair.
You can now find us down a laneway which is kinda cool, the stunning fit out was done by Melissa Collison, I just love the vibe, with all the gold tones, the boutique basins, two floors with my colour room upstairs, it’s just the next phase of my career.
I’ve kept all my staff in the move and have a new staff member so it is feeling all very high end and specialised- clients have me for colour, my freelance stylist David Keough who does a lot of editorial, Joelene who is a hair blow-dry master, Andrew who is a very specialised hair cutter, he specialises in men with curly hair and some amazing assistants who have worked with me for years. I also have a number of high profile guest artists who have come back to work with me who either live overseas or visit in between big projects. We’re 6 months in and it’s pumping and fabulous so I love being there 4 days a week doing my thing, looking after my beautiful clients and love stepping out to work on Belinda Jeffrey Hair and films and other exciting collaborations.
Your signature home haircare line has already won major beauty awards. What inspired you to create your own range, and how does it stand apart in such a crowded market?
With the home care line, It was something that I had always wanted to do, but never really had the time to do to be honest. Then Covid hit and the salons was closed for nearly 8 months, we had the major lockdown and it was then I started working on my first products which felt right with La Boutique having been in business 20 years and 30 years in the product- I’ve worked with many quality products in the salon- worked with Wella for colour range in the salon for many year, worked with Redken, I have also been a Clairol ambassador for many years in their home colour range for the Nice n Easy product range, have also had Christophe Robin who I have always been very inspired by- a beautiful high end luxury range, Oribe, EVOO, WOW, Olaplex.I started thinking I sell so many amazing products in the salon why would I not create my own range? I specialise in hair colour, I have a very loyal clientele, I know what makes a good product, and have been in the industry a long time and have a good name in the industry so use all of that to create a product that can make people feel like they have had their hair done by Belinda Jeffrey even if they can’t come to La Boutique or to me personally.
It’s a mid-price point, mid to high end range for clientele who look after their hair, it’s a moisture based product which is the biggest thing for coloured hair and the hair generally as especially in Australia it gets very dehydrated. I wanted to create formula to make the hair in better condition for when I do colour clients hair, but also for people who have their coloured, live in Australia with the high sun exposure and swim, to help their hair with the effects of pools/swimming/beach etc plus all the drying effects of styling, use of hot tongs and straighteners so that was the origin.
I started off with my blonde range as I specialise in hair colour, but am known for my blondes so that was my first range and then my latest is The Smooth One which is a detangling spray and also a heat protectant which is about keeping the moisture in the hair and protecting the condition of the hair which really is the theme of the range.
The market is very saturated, but I do think there is always space for a product you really believe in, is a good quality with a real point of difference which mine does.
Belinda Jeffrey Hair is 2.5 years in and has already won 3 awards- both here and overseas-I feel like there is definitely a market for products that make your hair feel good, smell good and longterm keeps your hair in great condition.
With party season around the corner, what’s your go-to advice for creating hair that looks polished for an event but still feels effortless and modern?
What I am seeing in the salon at the moment with all the girls coming in for their yr 10 and year 12 school formals and the party season coming, there are two main looks, both effortless.
The first look is really sleek- a lot of chignons where the hair is pulled back and up (and obviously done well so can’t see pins!) and it just looks really elegant and effortless. The other is the cool girl hair- where the hair is chin length or a bit longer, it’s blow dried out first with a twist and then all the ghd and irons are used to create that bend and the perfect “undone” style. So yes that is literally just blowdried, bend with a little twist and then the irons over the top- fantastic if you have a bit of a wave in your hair anyways and have highlights. It looks cool with all the gorgeous summer dresses the girls are wearing- so that, or the chignon are happening at the moment.
You’ve built a thriving business for more than 20 years in an ever-changing industry. What’s been your secret to staying relevant, and what excites you most about the future of hair?
My secret to staying relevant is being true to yourself in the industry, knowing what you do well and making that your main point of difference- for me (apart from colour) it is service, condition of hair, longevity of clients, taking the care and listening to what people want because it is all very well to do something that is in fashion and super on trend especially with social media these days and a lot of people come in with photos (and I love references!), but I also love reality and being honest and telling my clients what they can and can’t achieve. I feel that is where a lot of businesses go wrong and I feel this is why I can see myself lasting another 10-20 yrs because I will always listen to my client, see what is on trend and be honest with them.
It’s also very important to go see what other people in the industry are doing, keeping yourself current and never be that person who thinks they know everything and there is nothing else to learn. You can never stop learning and for me as a colourist, technology has changed so much in the last 20 years with the chemical side of things especially with blonding and highlighting the hair.
Having great staff and a team behind you and around you is key. Creating and maintaining that team takes effort and a lot of mentoring which is something I love to do.. currently I am watching two of my emerging stylists and colourists and they are probably the best that I have had and trained in the last 20 years which is so rewarding. They are so open to learning and we do regular training in the salon. Our whole team shares my passion for hair and for making our clients look and feel fabulous which is important.
I think it’s good to put yourself out there and take on jobs that you haven’t done before, never automatically just say no and never close your books, even though I am booked solid I love to take on new clients.
I love to collaborate with other hairdressers in the industry- other stylists which is why I love working in film where you work in different teams and the same with editorial. I’m now meeting all sorts of new people with my product range and now working with distributor teams in Singapore and in New Zealand.
Having a great team around you is key- I’ve got my PR girl Petra- we have been working together on Belinda Jeffrey Hair since its inception, my brilliant designer Stuart Garske, my salon manager Okti is my right hand woman on the brand- they have all been amazing. You can’t get to where you want to go all on your own.
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