Chilliwack award-winning hair artists answer the questions you’ve always wanted to ask your hair stylist.
Between social media “hacks” and old-school salon advice, it’s hard to know what’s actually true about hair care. At Create Space Hair Co., our award-winning, Chilliwack stylists hear the same questions every day—from whether trimming really makes your hair grow faster to how often you should wash it. But we’ll also be taking you behind the chair, so to speak, and answering those hard-to-ask questions like “How much should I be tipping my hair stylist?” and “Are the product recommendations real or just a way for my hair stylist to upsell me?”
We’re answering them all—honestly. No gatekeeping, no fluff—just real answers from your Chilliwack stylists who care about keeping your hair (and your expectations) healthy.
Cuts
1. Is it true that trimming makes hair grow faster?
Trims don’t make your hair physically grow faster from the scalp. Your follicles set their own pace regardless of any trimming. However, timing off damage will help you retain the growth you achieve. You can’t grow out your hair if the ends are experiencing constant breakage. Consistent trims means healthier ends and the less you’ll “have” to trim.
2. What is the difference between a dry cut and a wet cut?
Most cuts use both: structure wet, refine dry.
A wet cut is done on damp, freshly washed hair. Cutting while wet makes it easier to create super clean, blunt lines because the hair is smooth and has added weight from the water. Hair appears longer when wet, so the length of a wet cut is different from your actual result.
A dry cut means we cut the hair completely dry, how you’d normally wear it. Dry cuts are great for curly or wavy clients, or finishing touches. Dry cutting allows super precise personalization of shape and texture.
3. How do I explain what haircut I want to my stylist?
Inspiration photos give your stylist a roadmap and are super helpful, but remember we’re matching the vibe, not cloning the photo. Tell us:
- What bugs you now (“heavy at the ends,” “no root volume”).
- Non-negotiables (“must fit in a ponytail,” “nothing above the chin”).
- Styling reality (five minutes vs. full blowout).
At Create Space Hair Co., we are very honest with our clients of whether or not their inspiration photo is feasible. If it’s not, we will let you know what is possible and still has you leaving our Chilliwack hair salon confident and happy.
Colour
1. Do I need to bring my hair back to one shade to correct it?
Not always. Colour corrections are about even lift + proper neutralization + realistic sessions. Sometimes that includes evening things out to one solid shade, but often we can blend, lift, and tone strategically. We’ll choose the least-aggressive route your hair can handle.
2. What’s the difference between balayage and highlights?
All are techniques to lighten hair, but they differ in application and result:
Balayage: A hand-painted technique that creates a soft, sun-kissed gradient — brighter through the ends and blurred at the root. It’s lower-maintenance, with most clients refreshing every three to four months (or longer). Because it processes in open air, it typically lifts a bit less than foils.
Foil highlights: Foils trap heat, giving the lightener extra power for a stronger lift and brighter blonde in fewer sessions. Since foils usually start at the root, regrowth appears sooner — expect to come in every six to eight weeks for a hairline or crown refresh.
Wet balayage: Applied on damp hair for a quick, gentle brightening. The moisture slightly softens the lightener, creating a subtle lift and ultra-blended finish. It’s perfect for refreshing blonde ends or adding a pop of brightness between bigger colour appointments.
3. Can I dye my hair twice in one day?
No, please don’t!
Permanent dyes and bleaches lift the hair cuticle and alter it. The first round already stresses and chips away at the hair’s protective layer. If you go in for round two on that same day, before giving your hair a chance to recover, your hair’s cuticle can literally get over-etched and start to break off. We lift slowly, treat in between, and space sessions when needed.
4. Why do some hair stylists take hours for a colour and others only a couple hours?
There are so many factors that go into how long a colour service takes, so don’t be too quick to assume a faster job is better or worse.
- Starting point: Uncoloured hair with a few highlights might take two hours, while correcting box-dyed ends and grey roots for a soft, blended bronde can easily become a multi-hour process.
- Desired result: Going lighter, especially from dark or previously coloured hair, requires slower, safer lifting and toning. Adding depth or toning pre-lightened hair, on the other hand, might be done in an hour or two.
- Technique: Timing also depends on your stylist’s approach for your desired results. Some methods are faster than others.
- Hair health: If your stylist prioritizes maintaining your hair’s integrity, they may add bond builders, mid-process treatments, or rest periods—all of which add time but protect your strands.
5. What is the lowest-cost colour to maintain?
The secret to a low-maintenance (and budget-friendly) colour is to work with your natural colour instead of against it. Consider techniques like balayage that blend your roots with lighter ends, because it grows out beautifully with no harsh line. If you do go lighter, ask for a shadow root or incorporate some lowlights, so as your hair grows, it’s a smooth transition.
Hair Care
1. Why is my hair falling out?
True hair loss happens when strands come out at the root rather than snapping mid‑shaft. Losing about 50–100 hairs a day is normal; those hairs are shed to make room for new growth. When shedding increases, it’s often due to disruptions in the hair growth cycle.
Stress, trauma, illness and hormonal shifts (post‑partum, menopause or thyroid disorders) can send more hair into the resting phase, causing more to fall out. Nutrient deficiencies in iron, protein or certain vitamins can also weaken new growth, as can underlying medical conditions or medications. Genetics play a major role too: androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) causes follicles to shrink over time, leading to gradual thinning. Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata and scalp infections can cause patchy bald spots or break hairs at the scalp. Tight hairstyles, extensions and chronic tension cause traction alopecia, and severe chemical processing or burns can scar follicles and lead to permanent loss.
Many people who think they’re losing hair are actually seeing breakage. Snapping mid‑shaft creates lots of short pieces and thinner ends, but the follicle continues producing hair. Minimize this by limiting heat styling, coloring and aggressive brushing. Switch to gentle routines and strengthening products–Kérastase’s Resistance or Genesis lines are formulated to fortify hair and reduce breakage.
2. How often should I wash my hair?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair. Straight or fine strands may feel their best with more frequent washes, wavy and curly textures often thrive on once- or twice-weekly cleansing, and coily or textured hair usually stays healthiest with weekly or bi-weekly wash days paired with rich conditioning. And because every head of hair is different, our team will help you figure out the wash schedule that truly supports your unique texture, lifestyle, and goals—so your hair stays strong, vibrant, and completely you.
3. How can I grow my hair out faster?
The truth is, we can’t speed up the rate your follicles produce hair—that’s largely genetic and influenced by overall health (usually about half an inch per month). But, if your hair grows from the root but breaks off at the ends, it seems like it’s not growing. So, our goal is to make sure your hair stays strong so it can get longer without thinning out or snapping:
- Lower heat; always use a heat protectant.
- Gentle detangling; silk pillowcase; protective styles at night.
- Regular trims to stop split ends from spreading.
And if all else fails, we’ve got a set of extensions with your name on it.
4. Does styling my hair with heat really cause that much damage?
Heat can absolutely damage your hair if you’re not careful. When you style at high temperatures, you’re basically cooking your hair’s keratin. Over 300°F, those proteins weaken, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage. Always use a heat protectant, keep temps in the 280–330°F range, and never iron damp hair. You can still use your heat tools, but give your hair a few “rest days,” and swap in some heatless styles once in a while.
5. Should I avoid brushing my hair wet? And if so, how do I keep it from tangling?
The general rule is avoid rough brushing on sopping wet hair. Wet hair is vulnerable hair. When your hair is soaking wet, the strands are swollen, softer, and have less structural support. They stretch more and snap easier. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever detangle in the shower or on damp hair, but you’ve got to do it gently and correctly.
- Blot, don’t rub (use a microfiber towel or tee).
- Detangle damp, not dripping, with a wide-tooth comb or Wet Brush.
- Start at the ends, work up in small sections.
- Add slip: leave-in detanglerlike Kérastase Kérastase Anti-Frizz Glaze Milk on lengths.
- Prevent: shampoo with hair flowing down, finger-rake while rinsing, sleep on silk/satin and loosely braid/bun.
Salon Experience
1. Is my stylist trying to “upsell me” with products and sink treatments?
Here’s the truth: at our Chilliwack salon, recommendations are about protecting your colour, integrity, and results—not hitting quotas.If we suggest a treatment, it’s because your hair needs something extra to protect your colour or boost strength. Same goes for retail products: we want your hair to look just as good at home as it does when you leave our chairs.
Now, we totally understand the concern about upselling, and sadly there are some salons where pushing products is enforced. You should never feel pressured. And if you’re ever unsure, just ask, “Is this optional or necessary?” Our stylists will educate and explain why a product is beneficial.
2. If I don’t like my hair, how can I tell my stylist?
Please tell us! The last thing a stylist wants is for you to leave the salon secretly hating your hair and never say a word. It can feel awkward to speak up, but there is a gracious way to do it.
Be kind and specific. Before you leave is best:
“Could we cool the tone a touch?”
“Bangs feel a bit long—can we take ¼ inch more?”
If you only realize your dissatisfaction after getting home, you should still reach out. Give the salon a call within a few days, explain politely what’s bothering you, and ask if you can come in for an adjustment.
3. What if I want to try another stylist’s chair in the same salon — won’t it be awkward?
This doesn’t have to be awkward! At Create Space, we understand that clients have personal preferences that might align better with another stylist’s specialty or personality.
Each Create Space hairstylist has their own unique hair story and diverse background that they bring behind the chair—and that’s by design. The goal has always been to create a space where you can be matched up with a Chilliwack hairstylist (a hair partner) that just gets it.
We encourage you, our beautiful clients, to try out different chairs Goldilocks style until you find the one that is juussssssst right. We hope that it is evident from your very first visit to our Chilliwack salon, that our stylists are extremely supportive of each other and of you being matched with the right hair partner—even it means you’re sitting in a chair that isn’t theirs.
You can be upfront (“I love what we’ve done, but I’m interested in trying so-and-so’s technique next time”) or simply book online—whichever feels better for you. People switch stylists for all kinds of reasons—schedule, style, budget, or just wanting a fresh perspective—and that’s totally okay.
4. How much should my hair cost me?
We designed our pricing to be easy to understand and respectful of your budget. Each service has a clear range based on whether you book with a Junior, Senior, or Head Stylist, so you can choose what fits your goals and your budget.
We also never want cost to be the reason you miss an appointment or fall behind on keeping your hair healthy. If you’re working within a budget, just let us know—we’re always happy to help you plan in a way that feels manageable and still gets you results.
5. How much should I tip my hair stylist?
We’re genuinely grateful for every person who sits in our chairs at Create Space Hair Co. We don’t take your trust or your time with us for granted, and gratuities are always appreciated but never expected.