Fine Hair Specialist

Do you have fine hair, thinning areas, or alopecia concerns? Are you constantly disappointed by haircuts that lack volume, shape, or longevity? Have you been told ‘layers won’t work’, that your hair is ‘too thin to do much with’, or left frustrated by cuts that are always too short, too blunt, or done wet? If so, you’re not alone. These are common salon traumas for anyone with fine, thin, or thinning hair.

The good news? You’ve found Melbourne’s true fine hair specialist.

I’m Tom Zappala, the person behind the haircutting. While I’m widely recognised for my curly hair work, my expertise extends far beyond that niche. I’ve spent over 30 years refining dry-cutting techniques for all challenging hair types—particularly those where conventional methods fall short. My private one-on-one studio offers a quiet, supportive space where structure, integrity, and long-term satisfaction take priority. My goal is simple: to help those who’ve struggled find clarity and confidence.

Genuine Expertise

Fine, thin, or thinning hair leaves little room for error. Most who live with these textures already know this—and yet many hairdressers still default to cutting them wet and blunt. That’s a mistake. Wet cutting removes all visible nuance, collapses shape, and flattens what little volume there is. Blunt edges further weigh down the hair, leaving it lifeless and unresponsive.

Fine hair requires a completely different approach. It demands time, restraint, and well-practised dry-cutting precision. It cannot be rushed, and shortcuts always show. But when executed properly, dry cutting expands fine hair, boosts its visual density, and introduces genuine lift and movement—without relying on styling gimmicks.

This is the foundation of my work. While curly hair may feature heavily on this website, I want to be clear: fine, thin, and thinning hair clients are equally welcome and equally prioritised. That said, I may not be the right fit for those seeking pixie cuts, ultra-short crops, or maintenance-heavy salon routines. My work supports long-lasting structure—not high-rotation salon dependency.

If you’ve been seeking real expertise and thoughtful design, you’re in the right place. I’m as real as it gets.