curly hair hairdresser Tom Zappala sitting in his Melbourne salon with long curly hair

Curly Hair Hairdresser

Hello. I’m Tom Zappala—those are my curls from the 1980s! Okay, let me try to help. When trying to find a curly hair salon in Melbourne, there are seemingly several options. However, most offer one-size-fits-all results that reflect the singular approach they preach—strict CGM or forced, quirky frizz. In either case, a curly hairdresser often places too much emphasis on product reliance and unrealistic styling expectations instead of individually supportive shaping. As a result, women usually feel their curls are an unflattering or time-consuming burden with limited lower-fuss options for their busy lives.

Here’s the thing. When looking online for a curly hair salon in Melbourne, the options aren’t always accurate, honest, or trustworthy. Rest assured, there are distinct differences here, beginning with this page. If you desire a genuine, highly competent professional who listens and provides personalised results and aftercare support, your search for the right curly hairdresser can safely end here. Nevertheless, thorough research is often beneficial. You are encouraged to keep reading.

Genuine Expertise for Curls

Nearly every curly hair salon in Melbourne began offering its services after the CGM became popular on social media. Unsurprisingly, these self-proclaimed experts often lack the skills to match the marketing hype they generate. Too frequently, their Instagram-influenced intentions align with the obsessive product sales misinformation they preach. Ironically, the alternative approach of quirky, intentionally frizzy curls proves equally and singularly dogmatic. Ultimately, neither offers an individually supportive specialist service.

The solution is a hairdresser in Melbourne with genuine curly hair expertise. As that photo above attests, I’ve been living, working with, and supporting curls for a long time. Indeed, my dry-cutting curly hair history started overseas 35 years ago in a multicultural city. As a result, my curly hair knowledge and abilities were well-established and thoroughly vetted before immigrating to Australia in 2006. That expertise remains razor-sharp today through an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, supporting individual situations and needs.

Curly Hair Salon Red Flags

When searching for a curly hair salon in Melbourne, there are an increasing number of pretenders and biased ‘best of’ blog posts. Each week, people arrive after unsuccessful visits to self-proclaimed curly hair experts. Below is a list of the common red flags to watch out for.

  • The salon says they are specialists yet promote chemical straightening, extensions, and every other standard salon service.
  • A hairdresser exclusively aligns with and provides product-reliant CGM results regardless of your preferences.
  • The salon states they are the ideal curly hair destination for everyone unless you don’t align with their preferred creative bias.
  • A hair salon lists vague, misleading pricing or charges extra for longer or thicker hair.
  • Your booking at a curly hair salon requires add-on services at extra and non-specific costs.
  • The dry haircut you received took 20 minutes or less.
  • Without products, root clips or styling, your curls are a heavy, flat, shapeless triangle.
  • A curly hairdresser tells you that the products you’ve been using—ones they don’t sell, are ‘bad’ for your hair.

Intention & Integrity

Without a doubt, a highly regarded curly hairdresser has well-honed principles that prioritise helping people over selling products. Firstly, effective communication and thorough consultation are fundamental. The primary intention of that process is to listen—to learn about someone’s hair texture, challenges, and lifestyle preferences. Secondly, a true specialist provides knowledge and results that support how each person wants to live with their hair. More than ever, individuals request versatile curly hair that looks great with minimal, medium, or maximum effort. Unfortunately, few curly hair salons in Melbourne understand that need, let alone fulfil it.

When providing a supportive curly hair specialist service, people often arrive with multiple questions and need trustworthy guidance. As a result, I’m committed to sharing my knowledge responsibly, free from conflicts of interest. To that end, selling cosmetics can easily undermine integrity. That is why I am the only curly hairdresser in Melbourne who does not engage in upselling or product sales and provides a straightforward flat-rate service fee for every client without exception. Furthermore, each person receives my undivided attention for their entire booking. As a result, time in my private, sensory-friendly curly hair salon ensures a supportive experience like no other in Melbourne.

Essential Curly Hair Advice

Despite moving beyond the obsessive, peak CGM period, social media influencers and curly hair salons remain fixated on unrealistic curly hair styling standards to drive product sales. As a result, the following is some essential curly hair advice to help your journey.

  • There is no singular way to engage with your curls—regardless of what any curly hair salon says otherwise.
  • The content shared and seen on social media promotes an unrealistic curly hair aesthetic. You don’t need perfect curls all the time—or ever.
  • Don’t obsess. Frizz is not the enemy—bad haircuts are.
  • Products alone cannot make a shapeless haircut look or feel great. 
  • Do not allow a decision to embrace your curls to become another unrealistic beauty expectation.
  • Living well with curly hair can often be far less challenging and time-consuming than people realise.
hairdresser Tom Zappala sitting in his Melbourne curly hair salon

Best Curly Hair Hairdresser

Ultimately, each person needs to find the best hairdresser for their curly hair. Hopefully, this page has helped with your research. For women wanting a genuine and knowledgeable professional to provide individualised support, I am here to listen and help. To that end, I aim to be the best and last curly hair salon in Melbourne you’ll ever need. Want to know more? Check out the following resources, and listen to my podcast. To make a booking, use the link in the main menu. Of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Level 1/94 Smith Street Collingwood, VIC 3066
[email protected] | 0433 359 478
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