Curly Hair Journey

Once upon a time, I was a musician in Hollywood. That’s me in the 1980s—natural curls, no filter. Back then, I was a drummer with a hair routine that involved leave-in conditioner, spray gel, and a diffuser. Apart from the frequent shampooing (a rookie mistake), everything else I did back then mirrors the advice I now give clients. Once hair is cut well, adding moisture and a touch of hold is usually all it takes. Some may disagree, but much of what I practised then still holds true today.

When I look at that photo, a few things stand out: the haircut has shape, volume, and definition—no triangle, no flat crown, and no forced frizz. That outcome wasn’t magic. It was structure, technique, and an understanding of how to work with natural texture—long before the Curly Girl Method came along. Contrary to current myths, curly hair expertise didn’t begin in 2001. My journey started decades earlier. That experience underpins why I offer more curly hair history than any hairdresser in Melbourne.

Curly Hair Was Always Here

There’s a common misconception that before CGM, no one wore their hair curly and hairdressers only ever straightened it. That’s simply not true. In 1980s Hollywood, long curly hair was everywhere. Sure, there were perms, but much of what people saw was natural. I knew how to care for it—and so did the hairdressers I saw at the time. Yes, some salons were clueless and pushed straightening. But the idea that natural curls only emerged recently is historically false.

So where did I learn to cut curly hair? Not in a high-end, boutique salon catering to straight-haired blondes. Early on, I deliberately avoided those environments because they stifle skill development—and wouldn’t have known what to do with someone like me anyway. Instead, I worked in a low-end multicultural salon in Los Angeles, where nearly every client had what most hairdressers call “challenging” hair. That’s where I built my foundation.

My first curly haircut? A co-worker with fine, ringleted, shoulder-length hair. I cut it dry—over 30 years ago. Dry-cutting isn’t a trend. I did it back then on my own curls and still do today. When I refer to myself as a curly hair specialist, it’s not marketing fluff. It’s fact, grounded in decades of lived experience and integrity.

Experience That Lasts

Many years and several countries later, that same multicultural foundation is now seen as rare and highly sought-after—particularly by those searching for a curly hairdresser in Melbourne. I find that ironic, but also fitting. My success here suggests others value the depth of my experience, especially those who grew up in straight-hair suburbs or came of age during the flat-iron era.

I owe much to those early clients who trusted me. Their patience and feedback shaped the career I have today. From the beginning, I’ve prioritised communication, structure, and a genuine desire to help. That hasn’t changed. Every week in the studio, I bring the same intention: to provide clarity, support, and structure for people whose hair has been misunderstood.

Beyond Trends, Toward Trust

Across Australia, many hairdressers only began offering curly services after CGM took over social media. While it’s encouraging that more are embracing curls, too often their version of “curly hair care” is product-driven and filtered through unrealistic beauty standards designed to sell. I offer a different path. My studio isn’t about hype or haircare evangelism—it’s about individual support, longevity, and structure.

There are many ways to live with curly hair. My role is to help people find the one that works for them. As one of the few hairdressers in Melbourne with genuine curly hair expertise, I remain committed to being a trustworthy, honest professional—for those still searching, and for those who’ve finally found what they’ve always needed.