Hello from the curly side,
Although I have been cutting curly hair using the dry cut method for around 30 years, it has only been in the last 4 years in New Zealand that I have seen an explosion in curly hair clients.
This seems to relate to the fact that there are not a lot of curly hair specialists who are prepared to a dry, free hand curl by curl cut on curly hair. It has always seemed logical to me to cut hair this way so then you get to see exactly what the hair is going to do and it allows for opportunity to re adjust the shape once it has been wet down loo poo or co washed and left to dry naturally.
I have had so many stories of curly girls who have not stepped foot inside a salon for years due to the last cut they had which was done wet often against their request.
So often when it’s a curly girls first cut with me they are nervous and unsure how it will go so that is why I always ask them about their previous experiences and also what outcome they are expecting.
I must say that the sense of joy I get from their positive feedback is amazing. Once they see their hair at its best and the curls coming to life, they are relieved and very grateful. This is what makes the whole experience so rewarding for me.
The sense that I have taken them on a curl journey and shown them they really do have beautiful curls that can be brought out and made into a great shape also and to ensure them that they will be able to re-create the look at home so it is important to arm them with the correct cleansing styling
and conditioning advice.
I must say that I have also learnt a great deal from my curly clients as they often have already figured out a regime that works well. As a hairstylist you have to be open to the fact, clients may know more about how to style than you do. It is humbling but also enlightening to try methods to suit the many different curl patterns that exist in the curly world.
With nearly 3 years now of the global pandemic, it has made it difficult to travel to other parts of New Zealand to both cut and teach the art of curly hair but rest assured that is the long term goal. I want to see more stylists out there who have confidence and empathy for curly hair and an ever
growing improvement in the suitability and sustainability of products that perform well and enhance rather than restrict curl and wave shapes.
With the food back from my curly clients I can improve and expand on my range NJR HAIR and I look forward to further developing them with a uniquely kiwi flavour.
Kia Ora curlies
Nigel