If you’ve got curly hair, you know the struggle. Endless aisles and ads for products promising frizz control, definition, shine, hydration, and a whole host of other stuff you didn’t even know you needed.

You’d be forgiven for feeling you need a 10-step routine just to get out of the door. But here’s the truth; curls don’t need complication. With the right products, your natural texture can thrive without all the extras.

Anyone who follows me on Insta and TikTok will know I recommend Only Curls products – and here’s why. Only Curls has simplified curly hair care down to what I believe are just three essentials: Shampoo, Conditioner, and Curl Gel. Yes, three bottles – that’s really all you need – and here’s why.

1. A Shampoo That Cleanses Without Stripping

Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair because the bends and spirals make it harder for scalp oils to travel down the strand. That means traditional shampoos—especially those with sulfates—can leave curls brittle and frizzy.

The Only Curls All Curl Cleanser is different. It’s sulfate-free, super gentle, and designed to cleanse without robbing curls of their natural oils. Instead of squeaky-clean dryness, you’re left with a fresh scalp and hydrated strands – all ready to soak up the conditioner.

2. A Conditioner That Does the Heavy Lifting

Moisture is everything when it comes to curls. The Only Curls All Curl Conditioner delivers deep hydration while smoothing the cuticle, making detangling easier and curls softer. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients that balance moisture without weighing hair down.

When your curls are properly conditioned, you’ll notice less frizz, more bounce, and longer-lasting definition. And here’s my top tip – apply your conditioner but don’t rinse it off. Leave it on so it continues to nourish your locks.

3. A Curl Gel That Locks It All In

Here’s where the magic happens. The Only Curls Enhancing Curl Gel is lightweight yet strong enough to hold curls in place, reducing frizz and maintaining shape all day. Unlike heavy gels that leave crunchy residue, this one creates a soft, flexible hold—so your curls look natural and touchable.

Think of it as the final step that seals in all the moisture and definition from your wash routine.

And that’s that.

Curly hair thrives with consistency, not complexity. Too many products can actually lead to buildup, weigh curls down, and make it harder to know what’s really working. By sticking to these three essentials, you:

Give curls the right balance of cleansing, hydration, and hold.

Avoid product overload and unnecessary spending.

Build a routine that’s simple, quick, and easy to stick with.

Because less time fussing over products means more time enjoying your curls exactly as they are.

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Getting Quiet and Slowing Down

When the days are short, it’s natural to crave early nights and more time at home. Instead of resisting that pull, what if we leaned into it?

Wintering is permission to get quiet. To step away from constant output and productivity and make space for rest. Fewer plans. Softer routines. More moments of stillness. This slowing down isn’t laziness — it’s maintenance. And it’s essential.

Nourishment, Nurture, and Not Being Part of the Problem

As a consultant who offers curl transformations I could easily jump on the ‘new year, new you’ bandwagon. But I don’t want to be part of the problem. Chances are your curls took a battering over the party season; gel-ed, moussed and sprayed to within an inch of their life. So why not treat them to a mask or a steam? A bit of nourishment after the excess. 

And what about those warm, grounding meals. Rich in protein to support our bodies – and our hair. Remember, protein is the building block of hair health, and winter is the perfect time to give it a good feed from the inside out.

Think of winter as a repair season. Hair thrives on consistency and care, especially when it’s protected from cold air, indoor heating, and friction. A silk pillowcase is a small but powerful swap – reducing breakage, minimising friction, and helping hair (and skin) retain moisture overnight.

This is not about dramatic change. It’s about maintenance, protection, and patience.

A Season of Care, Not Change

Wintering reminds us that growth doesn’t always look like action. Sometimes it looks like rest. Like early nights, eating well, feeding your hair and body, wrapping yourself in warmth, and giving yourself over to the conditions of the season you’re in.

This winter, slow down. Get cosy. Nourish deeply. And trust that this quiet care is doing more than you think.

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When curly hair does make it on screen, it’s often tamed, defined or styled, baring little to no resemblance to real, everyday curls.  

The Professional Hair / Hollywood Myth

For decades, curly hair has been represented especially in corporate spaces as “unpolished” or “unprofessional.” Those of us with curly hair know the silent pressure to straighten it for job interviews, formal events, or pretty much anything where we want to be taken seriously.

The underlying message is clear; straight is neutral, curls are a statement and a bit of an irreverent one at that.  

In films and TV, curly hair is often typecast. It’s the quirky best friend. The ‘before’ in a makeover montage. The love interest who magically becomes more desirable once her curls are straightened in the final scene.

This isn’t just vanity – it’s identity

But the issue is when kids (like me) with curly hair grow up never seeing themselves reflected in the stuff they watch and the things they see, they learn early that their natural texture is less than. The idea that beauty lies in straight strands gets internalised.

Entire generations of people were taught to fry, relax, or chemically strip their curls into submission before they were old enough to understand the damage… all because representation failed them.

It’s time to see curls in their full, unfiltered glory

Representation isn’t a token curly head. We need to see those curls from loose waves to tight coils, in every colour, length and density. Let’s see them in their natural, imperfect, humid-weather glory and let’s have them on CEOs, romantic leads, superheroes and fashion icons.

Because curls are not a trend. They’re not a costume. They’re not “brave.” They’re just hair – and they deserve the same celebration, care, and visibility that straight hair has enjoyed for decades.

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A Whole Different Approach to Haircutting

Traditional hairdressing is all about precision: angles, symmetry, and clean lines. Everything is meant to “marry up” in a very controlled way. But when it comes to curly hair, especially curl-by-curl cutting, we throw that rulebook out the window.

This method is all about embracing the organic. I’m working with the hair, not trying to control or tame it. Watching how your curls sit when they’re dry and in their natural pattern gives me all the information I need to tailor a truly unique, customised cut for every single curl.

Curl by curl isn’t just a technique, it’s a philosophy.

Forget Curl Type Obsession

A lot of people come to me with questions about their curl type, trying to pin down whether they’re a 2C, 3A, 3B, etc. While I understand the curiosity, I want to take the pressure off: it really doesn’t matter when I’m cutting curl by curl.

Why? Because most people have multiple curl types on one head. Some strands might be looser, some tighter, and some might not curl at all. What matters to me is how they all work together. That’s what helps me sculpt a cut that celebrates the uniqueness of your hair.

Working With Your Curls, Not Against Them

Dry cutting is key. Cutting curls wet often leads to uneven results, because curly hair shrinks as it dries and if you’ve ever had a stylist stretch your hair out straight before chopping it, you know the panic when it bounces up way shorter than expected.

By cutting each curl in its dry, natural state, I avoid surprises. I can see what each snip will do, how it affects the shape, weight, and flow of your hair. I take into account weight distribution, volume, and how to make the most of your natural texture.

Say Goodbye to the Triangle

You know the triangle: flat on top, wide and heavy at the bottom. It’s the curly-haired horror story. But when we cut curl by curl, with thought given to how each one springs, lays, and interacts with the rest, we avoid that dreaded shape. Instead, we create balance, volume where it counts, and movement that makes your curls come alive.

Curl by curl isn’t just a technique, it’s a philosophy. It’s about respecting the natural state of your hair and enhancing what’s already beautiful. When we work this way, your curls get to shine exactly as they are.

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There’s a moment in every consultation when I see it… the sigh of relief. It happens when my client realises that, as a curly girl myself, I truly get it. I’ve been there. I understand what it is to have curls; the frustrations, the triumphs, the blessing, the curse, and all the moments in between. I know how hard it is to get haircuts for curly hair and as a client of mine you’re no longer alone on your curl journey – I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Preparation is Everything

I always have one big request: come to me for your appointment on a “good hair day” (or as close as you can get). This lets me see how your curls naturally behave, so I can meet you exactly where you are, no guesswork, no assumptions.

The Appointment

You’ll be warmly welcomed into my curly hair salon and not just as a client, but as part of a curl-loving community.

Once in the chair, this is your space. Tell me your vision for your hair, for example, what do you need and what are you hoping for? Bring photos, inspiration, and ideas or anything that helps paint the picture.

I want to hear your curl story; the history, the products you’ve tried, your lifestyle and what you want from your curls. I want to hear how your curls are showing up for you on a daily basis. Having listened, I’ll offer my professional feedback and tell you what I think would work for your hair. Once we’re in agreement, it’s time to get to work.

Sculpted Curl by Curl, Just for You

Your cut will be completely tailored and informed by the plan we’ve made it’ll be a curl-by-curl cut and sculpting process that celebrates the unique way your hair moves and lives.

Seeing yourself reflected with your curls truly loved and understood can be a powerful thing.

Curly Spa Time: Detox or Hydration?

Once your cut is complete, we move to the cleansing stage. Based on what I’ve seen and felt in your hair, I may recommend a detox to remove product buildup, or a deep hydration treatment because let’s face it, hydration is a curly girl’s best friend.

I’ll give your curls what they need to reset and thrive.

Styling: Where the Magic Happens

After a final rinse, we head into the most mind-blowing part for many clients, the styling. This is where the real curl definition is born, during conditioning and styling.

I’ll choose the perfect styling products from Only Curls, selected just for your unique texture. And I won’t just apply them, I’ll teach you how to use them, step-by-step.

Curly Hair Education, Empowerment & The Big Reveal

Next, we move into drying. I’ll show you how to create volume exactly where you want it, and how to achieve juicy, hydrated, defined curls – every time. Because let’s be real, that’s the dream, isn’t it?

And then it’s time for the big reveal. It’s often emotional, sometimes even life-changing. Seeing yourself reflected with your curls truly loved and understood can be a powerful thing.

When Should You Come Back?

This is the most common question I get: “When should I book my next appointment?”.

My answer? I want you to become the expert on your own hair. Trust your intuition. You’ll feel when it’s time. For some, that’s every 12 weeks. For others, it might be six months. Every curl journey is different.

Until then, I’ll be here, cheering you and your curls on every step of the way!

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I want my curls to live their best life – and I’m here to encourage you to do the same.

I’m Anna and I’ve run my own hair salon on the North Essex coast for 17 years. I was never taught to cut curly hair as part of my hairdressing training the expectation was that you would cut it just as you would straight hair; by lifting it up, pulling it taut, snipping and dropping. But if you do that to a curl you have no idea where it’s going to land and therefore what shape you’re going to end up with. And that’s just the cut, don’t even get me started on products!

“Curls are not a trend, they’re a lifestyle.”
– Lorraine Massey, 1999

Motivated to do better for my clients I made it my ambition to go to New York City and train with the absolute Queen of Curls, Lorraine Massey – author of Curly Girl: The Handbook, founder of Devachan Salons, and cofounder of DevaCurl products. Lorraine now works independently, teaching the Curl-by-Curl cutting technique.

In 2022 I landed in Tribeca to be one of just five people on a course with Lorraine. It was here I discovered a completely new way of managing and caring for curls. I could do away with all the old ways of cutting, like the lines, the angles that, let’s face it, were never created with curly hair in mind. Instead I could adopt an approach that meant I would tackle every head of curls differently. That course turned everything I’d been taught on its head, if you can pardon the pun.

Now, I practice curl-by-curl cutting at my salon in Essex and I absolutely love it. Nothing beats educating curly people on how to embrace each and every curl. Our curls are our superpower, an extension of we are, and I do my utmost to ensure every curly client leaves my salon feeling just that.

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