Geoff Wetzel, 30, was sentenced at the County Court of Victoria via video link on Thursday.

Judge Kevin Doyle said Wetzel chose a 'soft target' for the armed robbery knowing the salon was staffed and patronised by women and would likely be met with little resistance.

"Your conduct was outrageous and terrifying," he said.

The court heard two staff who were working in the salon at the time of the offence had experienced poor sleep, nightmares and anxiety since and both were seeing a psychologist.

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Wetzel was wearing black sunglasses, a black hooded jumper and a mouth covering when he entered Kline Street's Iconic Hair Studio on January 21 after 7pm.

He approached a staff member and waved a kitchen knife around while saying, "give us the money".

Wetzel took $200 and a set of keys before running out the door and was seen getting into a car.

He was identified by police after being linked to an offence nine days earlier that showed him getting into the same car on CCTV footage.

Wetzel had used a stolen bank card to buy fuel, cigarettes and phone credit at three service stations.

Wetzel pleaded guilty to one charge of armed robbery and four charges of obtaining property by deception in August.

Judge Doyle said he took into account the armed robbery was planned, with a disguise and a getaway car in place.

He said Wetzel was motivated to obtain money to purchase the drug ice, which he had been using heavily and was severely sleep-deprived at the time of the armed robbery.

Judge Doyle said he took into account Wetzel's low IQ, psychological issues and difficult upbringing, but he did not consider it reduced his moral culpability much.

"A little after six months after your release from prison you decided to take drugs and offend again," he said.

"I regard your moral culpability as high.

"It was a plan that took you only a matter of minutes to execute but has had a lasting impact on your victims, all because you wanted to purchase drugs."

Judge Doyle acknowledged Wetzel's long criminal history but said worryingly this armed robbery was his most serious offence to date.

"Your criminal history suggests your prospects for rehabilitation are bleak," he said.

"I have considerable doubts about your prospects for rehabilitation but the NDIS plan now in place does provide cautious optimism."

Wetzel was sentenced to four years and one-month imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and eight months.

He has already served 308 days of pre-sentence detention.

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