'As a hair stylist, these 8 things you're doing are low-key driving us crazy.'

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There's nothing as humbling as sitting in a hair stylist's chair; wet hair, cape done up tight around your neck, with nowhere to look except at your own reflection.

But what about what the person with the scissors is thinking?

Turns out, every stylist has a list of repeat offences that make them silently scream inside. 

We recently chatted with h.AIRLAB's George Mattar, a prominent Sydney stylist and trichologist (aka a hair-and-scalp specialist) to find out if we're inadvertently giving our hairdresser the ick.

With seven years of experience leading backstage teams at Australian Fashion Week, styling on-set at the Cannes Film Festival, and of course, running his own salon, George has seen it all.

From regrowth etiquette to the controversial topic of how much a hair appointment should cost in 2025, keep scrolling for eight salon "sins" you're likely guilty of, that are low-key driving your stylist batty.

Watch: Try this 30-second hair hack to hide greasy roots! Post contionues below.

1. No warning no-shows.

Everyone gets it. Life happens. Maybe your kid's soccer game ran late, or you double booked a medical appointment. It happens to the best of us.

But ghosting your stylist without notice? That's a hard no.

"We can't fill your chair at the last minute, and those terms exist for a reason," says George.

"A no-show doesn't just cost us time. It costs wages, product, and the spot another client could've had."

If you can't make it, George asks you cancel as early as possible. Most salons have waitlists, and a little notice means someone else can slide into your spot.

And if you do no-show or cancel late; be respectful of the cancellation fees. If you do your best to communicate, your stylist may be able to hold it as a deposit for a make-do appointment, or work something out with you individually.

2. Complaining about regrowth… after 6 weeks.

That little shadow halo at your roots? It's not a poor colour job; it's biology.

"Seeing roots is not your stylist's fault. If your colour is growing out, it means your hair is growing! The only way to avoid regrowth is to stop your hair from growing, which just isn't possible."

Tailor your colour to your lifestyle (i.e. how often you're willing to have your hair coloured) or work with your stylist to strategically schedule your appointmnts to suit your hair.

For example, if you're blonde and want a more low-maintenance look, George recommends asking about a root smudge or a "lived-in blonde."

These are designed to blend your natural regrowth, so your colour still looks intentional, even months later.

And if you're on the darker side, "expensive brunette" is the shade of the season.

Think: Rich chocolates, deep cherry tones and soft caramel lights that grow out beautifully. Perfect if you want dimension, without the constant touch-ups.

3. Misdiagnosing damage as 'texture' or 'hair growth'.

Anyone else thought the hair sprouting from their head was growth rather than… breakage?

George explains that "heat from styling tools, unsafe colour practices and certain products don't just make hair fluffy, they actually break it."

"When it feels rough, stretchy, or spongy, that's not a new texture. That's damage. You can't flat iron your hair every morning and then ask why it's dull. That's like running a marathon in heels and blaming the shoes.

The solution? Limit heat styling to two or three times a week, use a protectant, and let your stylist show you a lower-heat setting that still does the job.

4. Complaining about cost.

This one's a bit of a hot take George knows is contentious, but here we go: hair care is a luxury.

"What you're really investing in isn't just cut or colour, it's the years of skill that make it look effortless."

"If you want luxury outcomes, expect luxury pricing. That's not greed, that's value. You're paying for experience, and results that actually last."

If you're worried about the bill, be upfront. Most stylists are happy to plan out a maintenance schedule or tweak your colour to suit your budget.

But if your stylist is firm on their pricing, that's their choice. Don't take it as a personal attack.

Find someone whose work and prices align with you, and everyone stays happy (and respectful).

5. Not thinking about your scalp.

It's often an afterthought, but scalp care plays a big role in encouraging healthier hair.

"You're exfoliating your face twice a week, but your scalp hasn't seen a scrub since 2019," says George.

"That buildup? It's why your hair feels flat and oily. Don't forget, your scalp is skin. It sweats, sheds, and collects product residue just like the rest of your body. When it's congested, your follicles can't breathe properly, which means duller, slower-growing hair."

It's an easy fix; add a scalp scrub or clarifying treatment into your weekly hair routine.

6. Relying on bond-building hair care.

George explains that although bond repair products like Olaplex and K18 are effective, "a good bond-builder can help rebuild strength, but only if you stop breaking it faster than we can fix it."

"If your hair's been fried for years, we need to do some damage control first. We need to chat about your styling habits and lifestyle and work out what's causing the damage, and then go in with a bond-building plan." 

In other words, think of these products as part of a recovery plan, not an 'quick fix'. 

7. Over-using purple shampoo.

Blondes, this one is aimed at you. If you're using purple shampoos or blonde treatments with every wash, your colourist is silently screaming.

"Too much purple shampoo turns blonde hair into something flat, dull, and lifeless," George says. "Purple shampoo is designed to tone brass, not wipe out all warmth."

If you like your blonde toned down and cooler, you only need to use your purple shampoo once a week, not every wash.

And if you'd like to try a softer, more buttery summer tone, ask for a biscuit blonde. It's the new-season shade that's evolving from winter's more popular honey tones.

8. Taking 'no' as an offence.

Finally, George has noticed the word "no" has become an insult instead of what it really is: professional advice.

"You go to a stylist because they know what they're doing, not just to nod along to your inspo pic. When your stylist says no, they're not being difficult, they're being honest."

"Sometimes we save your hair by refusing your idea," says George. "If I tell you no, it's because I want you to still have hair next month, not just a great selfie today."

Good stylists don't just recreate looks. They interpret them for you. Your skin tone, your lifestyle, your hair's condition.

So if your hairdresser hesitates, take it as a sign they care. A well-timed 'no' might save your hair's health (and your sanity).

For more beauty advice recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

Featured Image: Canva.