Untangled is calling all curl queens

When new customers walk into Olivia Stevens' Firle salon for the first time, they sometimes get a surprise.

Untangled Hairstylists specialises in looking after curly hair of all kinds, “but I don't have curly hair,” she admits.

“So I have to explain to new clients that my daughters have curly hair, and that puts them at ease.”

Curls weren't always Olivia's specialty. “Even though I was a hairdresser, I struggled to help them when they were younger,” she admits.

“Curly hair is a whole different world; the cutting process, styling, washing, even the products you use... everything is very different.

But when you're training to be a hairdresser, you're not taught to look after curls at all.

It's not part of the curriculum for apprentices, so I didn't even  know that there were specific curly products.”

Unsurprisingly, she learned quickly once her daughters came along. Now 15 and 18, they've learned to look after their own hair, but the Untangled founder has been able to put her skills to good use in the salon.

After undertaking specialist training with Clever Curl, she is now one of Adelaide's leading experts in caring for kinky, curly, wavy and afro hair.

So while she can still look after every style, “from dead straight right through to afros”, it's no surprise that Untangled has developed a strong reputation with the local community of curl queens.

Many people with curly hair have an understandable distrust of conventional hairdressers, “but because I've done the education and learned how to look after curly hair, it makes them feel more comfortable.”

In fact, her client list has grown so much that Olivia is currently searching for another hairdresser to join the salon.

And with the roadworks outside Untangled on Gage Street almost Complete, she's looking forward to welcoming more customers to the retail side of the business.

Untangled stocks a wide range of curl-specific products in addition to several ranges that are suitable for all hair types.

“They're Australian-made and owned,” says Olivia.

“And they're all refillable because sustainability is very important to me.”

It's such a high priority that responsibility is one of the core values of Untangled, alongside integrity, ambition and creativity.

While the first two values largely affect the decisions she makes behind the scenes, both ambition and creativity come into play when a client is in the chair.

“Hairdressing is artistic, so you're only limited by your imagination,” Olivia says.

“I see a client's hair as their crowning glory. So being able to bring that to life and make them feel good is a really important part of hairdressing.”

Visit today!

78 Gage Street Firle
W: www.untangledhairstylists.com.au
T:  8332 1088