Hairdresser Q&A: 10 Most Asked Questions

Welcome to our Hairdresser Q&A, where we answer the top hair questions Australians ask in salons.

First up, you’ll hear these questions before the first brush even touches your hair. 

Honestly, we love clients who ask, because it shows they actually care.

And since you’re here, you clearly want hair that looks good and stays healthy.

Best of all, these are the exact conversations we have behind the chair every day.

Whether you’re sitting in the chair or stalking hair inspo on Instagram, you’ve probably wondered about a few of these yourself.

We’re breaking down the questions we hear most often – and giving you straight-up answers from a stylist’s perspective.

There’s no guesswork, no sugar-coating—just real talk about what works and what doesn’t.

On This Page:

• How Often Should I Really Get My Hair Cut?
• Can I Make My Hair Grow Faster?
• Why Does My Colour Fade So Fast?
• Do I Really Need Salon Products?
• Is Box Dye Really That Bad?
• How Do I Get Rid of Split Ends?
• Why Doesn’t My Hair Look the Same?
• ✂ Questions We Wish You’d Ask More Often
• How Can I Fix Oily Roots and Dry Ends?
• What’s the Best Way to Repair Damaged Hair?
• Is There a Right Way to Use Heat Tools?
• Conclusion

Ah, the million-dollar question. And as with most things in hair care, the answer depends entirely on your end goal.

If you’re growing it out, you can usually stretch your trims to every 10–12 weeks. That gives your length time to flourish without losing too much shape.

On the other hand, if you’re all about that crisp, polished look, you’ll want to pop in every 6–8 weeks. Consistency here is key.

Now, let’s talk split ends—they’re not just a cosmetic nuisance. Left unchecked, they sneak up the hair shaft and wreak havoc on your strands.

That’s why regular snips are a must. They keep your style looking sharp and your ends strong.

And let’s be honest—dropping by the salon a little more often gives you the perfect excuse to sip coffee and catch up on all the juiciest salon gossip.

We all wish there was a miracle spray to speed things up—but unfortunately, science gives us a hard no.

Hair grows around 1cm a month on average, and while there’s not much that speeds it up dramatically, good nutrition, regular trims, and gentle care can make a massive difference to your hair’s strength and health.

Using salon-quality products also helps reduce breakage, which makes it seem like your hair is growing faster.

But in reality, it’s simply surviving longer instead of snapping off at the ends.

This one’s usually less about what your hairdresser’s doing and more about what’s happening in your shower.

For starters, hot water, sulphate-heavy shampoos, and daily UV exposure are the usual suspects when it comes to colour fading.

To combat this, try switching to lukewarm water when washing your hair and make sure you’re using colour-safe, salon-quality products.

Additionally, wearing a hat when you’re outdoors and spritzing on a UV-protectant spray can go a long way—especially under the harsh Aussie sun.

And to keep things looking vibrant between appointments, don’t forget to book in for a professional toner top-up.

It’s the secret weapon for maintaining that fresh-from-the-salon glow.

Look, you can get by with supermarket stuff – but it’s like fuelling a Ferrari with 91 petrol.

Salon-quality products don’t just make your hair feel softer — they help stop breakage.

That makes it seem like your hair is growing faster, when really, it’s just not snapping off.

Want to keep your colour vibrant? Stick to lukewarm water and colour-safe shampoos.

And don’t skip the hat — UV rays are brutal on Aussie hair colour.

We’re not here to shame anyone. Desperate times call for desperate dyes.

That said, box dyes are a gamble.

They’re one-size-fits-all, packed with heavy-duty chemicals, and usually end up being harder (and pricier) to fix than professional colour.

If you’re thinking of making a big colour change, it’s always safer to book a consultation with a hairdresser first.

We can customise a formula that suits your hair’s condition, history, and dream shade – not just slap on a generic solution.

This is one of those questions that makes every hairdresser smirk a little.

Truth is, there’s no miracle cure for split ends once they’ve set in.

You can mask them with smoothing products, sure.

But to truly get rid of them?

You have to cut them off.

A micro-trim (sometimes called “dusting”) removes damaged ends without drastically changing your length.

So, if you’re serious about growing your hair, regular trims are your best friend – not your enemy.

We get it. You leave the salon looking like a shampoo commercial, but at home, it’s more ‘half-deflated balloon’ than ‘runway ready’.

A big part of the magic is in the tools and techniques we use.

Salon blow dryers are hotter and more powerful than home versions, brushes are chosen for your specific hair type, and the styling products are layered intentionally.

With a few lessons (and a little practice), you can absolutely up your home-styling game.

We love teaching clients how to recreate their looks – so don’t be shy about asking.

Some questions barely get a look-in, but they’re gold when they do. Here’s what we wish more people would bring up in the chair:

👉 “What haircut suits my face shape?” – Love this one! It lets us create a look you’ll love long-term, not just for Instagram.

👉 “How can I make my colour last longer?” – Shows you’re serious about maintaining the investment.

👉 “What can I do between visits to keep my hair healthy?” – Music to every hairdresser’s ears.

👉 “Am I using the right brush?” – Game changer for styling at home.

👉 “What’s one thing I should stop doing to my hair right now?” – Oof, buckle up for honesty, but you’ll thank us later.

Here’s the thing: when you ask these questions, you’re giving us permission to geek out.

Hair isn’t just a job; it’s our passion.

Nothing makes a hairdresser’s day like a client who’s genuinely keen to learn and look after their hair.

Plus, every question opens up a conversation.

It helps us tailor our advice, pick the right products for you, and set you up for hair success beyond the salon.

Classic combination hair is super common, especially in Australia where the weather changes faster than you can say “Melbourne”.

To manage it, wash your scalp with a clarifying or balancing shampoo while conditioning only the mid-lengths and ends.

Overwashing can make oily roots worse by stripping the scalp and triggering more oil production.

Using a lightweight leave-in conditioner or serum can hydrate your ends without weighing everything down.

Dry shampoo between washes is an absolute game changer too.

First up: stop frying it.

If you’re battling heat damage, bleach stress, or general neglect, start treating your hair like fragile silk.

From there, protein treatments help rebuild strength, while deep moisturising masks restore elasticity and softness.

Booking regular in-salon treatments speeds up the recovery big time.

At home, limit heat styling, use heat protectant religiously, and swap your cotton pillowcase for silk or satin to reduce friction.

Absolutely, and it’s probably not how you’re doing it now.

First things first: always apply a heat protectant before any hot tool goes near your hair.

Next, dial your tool to the lowest effective temperature—maxing it out doesn’t speed things up, it just causes more damage.

Section your hair properly instead of attacking it all at once.

Also, move the tool continuously rather than holding it in one spot (hello, fried hair!).

Investing in professional-quality tools pays off too.

Cheaper irons and dryers often have uneven heat, causing random hot spots that wreck your hair over time.

Next time you’re in the chair and wondering if it’s “too dumb” to ask about your heat protectant, your fringe maintenance, or how to make your curls last longer – ask anyway.

We’re hairdressers.

Talking about hair is literally our favourite thing.

And if you happen to throw in a coffee order while you’re at it, even better.

Ready for your next appointment?

Book online today and bring all the questions you’ve been saving up.

Your future hair will thank you.