The hair

So several weeks ago I trooped off to a hair salon, Devachan, that a woman at work had recommended to me because they specialise in curly hair. Music to my ears.

I prepped by taking in pics of Halle Berry and Rihanna (!!!!), with various hair styles in mind. I thought perhaps I would entertain a straight look, just for the hell of it, because I was incredibly bored with having the same hair style since...forever.

I left the salon with the best hair cut I've ever had. In fact it was the happiest hairdressing experience I have ever had. I was thrilled with how my hair looked. And how does it look? Well pretty much the same as it ever did. But for the right reasons.

So my 'consultant', Richard, quickly dispelled any notion of straightening. I have fine hair,thin hair and basically if it wasn't curly I'd be one of those people constantly trying to create volume and body. My fine hair would come out of the straightening process in bad shape, and probably change colour, get split ends, break or fall out, Richard informed me. I pointed to a gorgeous woman on the other side of the salon with tumbling loose curls down her back, "Can I have hair like that?" Richard pursed his lips, "She has a lot more hair than you honey." "What about that?" "Honey you should just buy a wig and do that on weekends."

Ok, so no straight hair, and maybe, if I treat my hair properly for about a year, then maybe I can relax the curl somewhat and have a looser, longer style, a la Ms Berry. No promises from Richard. By this stage of the appointment I didn't care because I was just enjoying being in a hair salon full of women with curls and waves: Jewish princesses, blondes with kinky manes, afros, Meg Ryan waves, ringlets, spiral curls and everything in between. And all the women were walking around in their robes looking blissed out.

For the first time the hairdresser didn't attempt to comb out or brush my hair. They use their fingers, when your hair is wet and loaded with conditioner, to gently detangle. Hooray! That's how I do it at home, (except with a comb). They suggested I never use a comb again: far less hair comes out or breaks if you avoid the comb. They also skipped the shampoo and suggested I never use shampoo again because its ridiculously stripping and drying, and the conditioner does all the cleaning that your scalp needs. My head was spinning. They smothered my saturated hair in gel - heavy, clear, non-sticky gel specially made for curly styles- and plonked me under the diffusion dryer.

While sitting there I read a book that the salon owner had published, called Curly Girl - The Handbook. The book laments the pressure some women feel to blow dry their waves and curls out of existence, feeling that their curls are unprofessional and unsophisticated and living in a constant state of frizz fear. It goes on to explain how to properly cut and care for curly and wavy hair so that they look their best, and not out of control. Finally, someone who understands! Empowerment of curly/wavy-headed people everywhere! I was elated.

So, I haven't shampooed my hair for weeks, and no I am not plagued with dandruff or stinky. I have tossed out all my shine serums and fibre gums and parked my comb in the back of the cupboard. Now I just detangle with my fingers, add the gel while its still dripping wet and heavy, and the hair is loving it!

I can't recommend the salon enough, or the book. The salon was packed, and I imagine opening a curly hair specialist salon in Melbourne would be solid business proposition. Maybe when I get back...