REVIEW: #FreeTheCurl With Zhoosh Cut
If you have ever felt a little out of place with your ‘frizz-ball’ hair, Zhoosh Cut teaches you how to embrace your unique curls and coils and live life on the wild side.
There are three main hair types worldwide: Straight, wavy and curly. Research shows that curly hair belongs to 94.9% of Africans, 12.7% of Europeans and 12% of Asians. We can’t but wonder why curly hair specialists in South Africa so sparse then.
Zhoosh Cut is a first-of-its-kind hair salon in Joburg. It specialises in naturally curly hair of all types, whether it’s coils, curls or waves. You will not find a straight-haired person in the salon, nor a perm machine notorious for producing false curls. It is all about embracing those natural curls that make you, you. Those curls can’t be altered or changed as it is part of your DNA.
Irene da Fonseca is the expert in the house. She founded Zhoosh Cut during the Covid-19 pandemic and has become known as the curl-expert in Johannesburg. Initially, Irene started her salon with curly-haired South Africans in mind and we visited her salon to experience it for ourselves.
Chit Chat Over Coffee About Curls
Walking into the salon, based in Studio 204’s second floor in Greenside, Zhoosh Cut was a breath of fresh air. Literally. Not a single drop of hairspray was lingering in the air! The big windows to our left gave the room a natural glow as the hairdressers thought up conversation starters, making their curly-haired customers feel welcome.
In this space, there is no reason to feel self-conscious. In fact, it’s the place where all the curly-haired cool kids hang out! Guess there is a first time for everything, right?
In Irene’s eyes, there is no such thing as disastrous frizz or alarming volume. She sympathises with curlies, because she was also once a person feeling out of place in a society-driven salon. They called her hair a mess and immediately wanted to do a Brazilian straightening treatment. After refusing multiple times and getting bored with the same suggestion, she deep-dove into the world of curly hair. Teaching herself everything she knows with a few online courses here and there, and being in the business for decades, she really is the curly hair specialist we all need.
Irene has even taken her expertise overseas through the international competition, One Shot Hair Awards. For the past three years, she has entered into the Cut Transformation category and she has featured in the Top 5 every time. Out of 350 000 entries, our South African expert brings the award home.
Cut-and-Blow Looks Different For Curly Hair
Instead of the stereotypical process of wash, cut and blow-out, Zhoosh Cut’s process is cut, wash and diffuse.
From brushing to cutting off the split-ends and snipping away at what seems like thin air, it’s clear that Irene knew what she is doing. All frizzed up, it’s time for a wash. The serene looking basins has hanging plants overhead, complementing the salon’s wooden floors.
Zhoosh Cut is an advocate for sulphate-free shampoos due to the hydration they offer to curly hair. Instead of creating a barrier that water cannot penetrate, the foaming bubbles in sulphate-free shampoos cleanse the curls while allowing water to enter the follicles. Thereafter, a very slick conditioner is used to detangle the curls and close the cuticles. Of course, this also comes with the best head massage you’ll ever have!
At this unique hair salon, there is no hairdryer or pair of straighteners in sight. Instead, gel is applied to your dripping wet hair, sealing the water inside the strands of curls. Then it is time to diffuse, diffuse and diffuse some more.
Finally, bouncing curls greet you in the mirror and you won’t believe the transformation! Magically, soft, beautiful interlocking curls create the perfect amount of volume without frizz or hairspray.
Why All The Fuss over the Fuzz?
Some straight-haired people (or even the skeptical curly ones) might be thinking: Why all the fuss? Well, we were once in your shoes, but our minds were changed after just one appointment. In fact, apart from it being a wonderful experience at the salon, it was also an educational one. Who knew that curly hair needs 80% water and only 20% product for maintenance and styling?
Seeing our surprise, Irene launched into some final (and very valuable) cutting and styling tips and tricks for curly hair:
1. Never use a razor or textured scissors on curly hair. There are enough curls as it is and it just damages the structure of the curl.
2. You should not have to wash your curly hair more than once a week if you style and set it correctly.
3. Use a sulphate-free shampoo with small amounts of coconut oil or butters.
4. Use a conditioner that has enough slip for detangling curls.
5. Brush your curls in the direction the follicle exits your scalp (upwards or sideways).
6. Only apply gel to your wet hair — no other products are necessary.
7. Try not to tie your hair up too often and if you do, rather use claw-clips to reduce tension which otherwise changes the curl pattern.
Basically, say goodbye to #tamethemane and hello to #freethecurl. If you want to embrace your curls and coils, book at Zhoosh Cut for a consultation and appointment that will revolutionise your life. As Zhoosh Cut said in parting: “Much love and curls!”
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