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Hair Colouring For Curly and Wavy Hair

Are you on the hunt for tips for keeping your curls healthy and stylish, even when having them coloured? Well, you are most certainly in the right place!

Here at Sharp Cutz, we’re known for our dry-haircutting and curl expertise at our fab little studio on Jetty Road in Glenelg in Adelaide. We spend our days shaping, hydrating and beautifying our curly peeps—and enjoy every single second of it! That’s why we’re proud to be Adelaide’s number 1 curly hair specialist.

We are also super passionate and experienced in colouring your curls. We have a strong focus on hair colouring techniques (particularly techniques that keep your locks as luscious as possible) and products for all types of curly, textured hair.

Today, I want to give you some tips, tricks and insights—direct from our studio floor straight to you. All of these tips are designed to give you a head start in keeping your luscious curls looking their colourful best, whilst also staying protected throughout the hair colouring process.

Ammonia Versus Ammonia Free Hair Colour

At Sharp Cutz, we have hand-picked only the most beneficial products. So, it should come as no surprise that we use the all famous MUK Colour. MUK is a low-ammonia colour hair colour.

The reason why we’ve chosen a low-ammonia colour range as opposed to ammonia-free is because of this little known fact: low-ammonia hair colour is actually better for your hair than ammonia-free hair colour. This is because the chemical used to open the cuticle in ammonia-free hair colour is actually more damaging to the hair than a small amount of ammonia!

MUK offers a hair colour with the lowest possible ammonia content on the market. Plus, MUK colour is highly conditioning and hydrating, which compensates for any dryness caused by the curl colouring process.

Blondpro and Bond Builders

We always recommend the use of disulphide bond builders (think Olaplex) during and after the hair colouring process. A bond builder like Blondpro (we use this brand as opposed to Olaplex because I believe it is better and more hydrating for curly hair) will minimize damage to the hair whilst we are colouring. Plus, curly hair relies on its internal disulphide bonds to be its curly best. So, if you use Blondpro after the colouring process, you won’t suffer from curl or elasticity loss.

Lived-in Colour Techniques For Curly Hair

We want you to get the most out of your curly hair colour so we always recommend a more natural and lived-in hair colouring technique like balayage or hair painting. With these lived-in colouring techniques, you get more of a stress free and natural grow-out. And, you won’t need your colour topped up as frequently with more of a casual look.
Our more diffused hair colours will blend with your natural curl pattern and create incredible dimension in your hair. This gives your curls a much more interesting appearance without causing unsightly regrowth after a couple of weeks. Lived-in colouring techniques like balayage and hair painting tend to last months, not weeks, which makes them perfect for the hip pocket!

After-care For Your Coloured Curly Hair

We use and recommend O&M shampoos and conditioners for your curly hair after you have had a hair colouring process. O&M (Original and Mineral) is an Australian hair care brand that is sulphate and paraben free. It will gently cleanse your curly hair and keep it extremely light and hydrated. This not only protects your hair colour, but keeps your curls in their best condition.
It doesn’t stop their either, we have our in-house range of Sharp Cutz Curl Creams that are designed to keep your curls and your curly hair colour in tip-top condition. Packed with essential oils and conditioners, they will keep that beautiful frizz free spring in your hair! And they’re hand-made with love and care by us!

Monday 18th July – DRY HAIRCUTS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HAIR

We have perfected the art of the highly coveted dry-haircut. So, I thought I’d take this opportunity to tell you all about why we do it, and why you should too!

At our gorgeous and cozy, light filled hair studio in Adelaide’s fashionable heart of Glenelg, we’ve been delivering expert haircuts to lots of lovely folk for the past 14 years (and counting). And baby—let me tell you—we do it dry!

Put simply, dry-haircutting is the art of cutting hair in its natural state: dry. People come to us with their hair in its natural textured form, and that’s the way we cut it.

Here’s why…

We can truly see your hair, and you!

When you arrive at our studio for a dry-haircut with your hair in its natural, dry state, we can truly see your hair texture. We can see all of the lumps and bumps, curls, waves, cow-licks and frizz. This means that when we are deciding on a haircut for you, together, we can design the haircut around what your hair wants to do naturally. We can emphasize areas, disguise areas, and really bring out the very best parts of your hair texture.

Why will this make my life easier?

Having a dry-haircut means that we are working with the natural texture of your hair. When we design a haircut for you, we aren’t trying to force your hair to do things it doesn’t want to. This means when you style one of our haircuts at home, they are sooooo easy. They literally take no time at all to style. Why? Because your haircut has been designed around what your hair does naturally.

Why is dry-cutting better for curly hair?

W,e are excited to answer this question for you! With dry-haircutting we can truly create wonderful shape for your curly hair that’s really easy to style. This is because we are taking your curls natural texture into consideration when we cut it. We aren’t trying to change your curl. We’re simply bringing out the best in what it’s already, all on its own! And by doing this, we can create fantastic shape in any curl type!

What about dry-cutting Afro hair?

At Sharp Cutz, we truly see Afro hair as being the holy grail of curl. So it should come as no surprise that we’re Afro hair specialists! Dry-hair cutting is the only way to cut your Afro hair. When you have your Afro hair dry-cut, we can really carve out wonderful shapes and bring out the fabulous texture in your Afro hair. Dry-cutting your Afro hair means we can design a bespoke shape just for you. We can see how your hair will sit as soon as you sit in our chair!

How do I style my dry-haircut?

We have our own in-house range of Creams to suit any hair type. Peppermint Cream, Sea-Salt Cream and Clay are the 3 creams made by owner Adrian Panayiotis and sold in-salon and through our Sharp Cutz online shop. Since their creation 3 years ago, Sharp Cutz Creams have taken Australia and the curl community by storm! Made with majority natural ingredients and pure essential oils, Sharp Cutz Creams are truly the best partner for your Sharp Cutz dry-haircut. They will bring out the best in your hairs texture and help you manage your brilliant new hairstyle while treating and detoxing your hair shaft. Also packed with protective qualities, Sharp Cutz Creams are designed to hold moisture in while keeping the damage and pollutants out!

Friday 15th July – MULLETS AND SHAG MULLETS

Ever heard of shag-mullets? You’re in for treat!

We are Sharp Cutz. A chop heavy salon in the fashionable heart of Glenelg in Adelaide’s North. We have been calling Jetty Road our home for 15 years.

Haircuts are our thing. So, I wanted to do a little summary of the 2 biggest haircuts of the moment, and how they come together! Introducing the mullet, the shag, and shag-mullets!!!

Let’s face it, these 2 haircuts have been well and truly alive for decades. Everyone has heard of the 70s shag. Conjuring an image of the 80s shag, the 90s shag and even the 2000s shag may be a little more difficult. But, trust us, they definitely existed! Every so often, they change and evolve, enjoying their time in the spotlight once again.

Think Sharpies, Farrah Fawcett and Courtney Love. You may not think these 3 names have anything in common but think again! They all had a version of these haircuts suited to their time. The shag haircut, the mullet haircut and the love child of the 2: the shag-mullet haircut.

The 2 main differences between the mullet haircut and then shag haircut are:

THE MULLET – Business at the front and party at the back.

THE SHAG – All party!

Let’s talk about the mullet haircut first.

MULLET HAIRCUTS

Mullets have been around for decades. They truly have survived the test of time! They have had their place in all sorts of demographics of humans, from the Sharpies, to the 80s cool kids. Now, they’re the haircut of choice for the inner-city chic hipster kid.

The mullet haircut is business at the front (meaning a short and sharp  front) and party at the back (meaning long and luscious with a mostly big drop of hair flowing past your shoulders).

There are so many ways to cut a mullet, and so many variations. Razor cutting a mullet will give you lots of cool texture and create beautiful tassels in the hair. Clipper cutting a mullet will give you sharpness and definition at the front of your haircut whilst creating a striking disconnection at the back and dry-cutting a mullet is specific to cutting a curly mullet.

SHAG HAIRCUTS

The shag haircut has truly stood the test of time. The shaggy doo’s of the 70s and 80s were choppy and texture focused. The next 2 decades saw it hit a more commercial and smooth vibe with the rise of straightening irons and hot wands. Now, well into the 2000s, it has rushed screaming back to choppy and natural. It has become the favourite and go-to haircut for dry-cutters and curly hair specialists around the world.

The shag haircut is the balance between length and short layers, and a shag is not a shag without a killer bang! Bravely residing on or above the eyebrow. And tucked behind the ear, a proper shag will have cute little ‘money pieces’ that will appear and frame the side of the face.

The shag haircut truly transcends our hairdressing tools. They can be razor cut, scissor cut or dry-cut, each method creating sometimes subtle differences in style. 

THE SHAG-MULLET

Drumroll please… Introducing the birth child of the mullet and the shag. The shag-mullet haircut!

Shag-mullets take the elements that we love from both the mullet and the shag haircuts and blending them into another haircut! The shag mullet keeps a bit of length at the top (not going so short with the layers at the top of the head and keeping less disconnection in the haircut). The back can be either really long, or just slightly longer, to create a more casual look.

Shag-mullets works so brilliantly on curly hair. The volume you can achieve with the dry-cut layers and the curly bangs really frame the face, while the length at the back gives definition and stops the curly haircut looking like a ball!

The shag-mullet truly is the best haircut for those wanting something fun, long lasting and voluminous, without wanting to commit to the drama of the mullet alone or are after that next step haircut after having a shag.

Monday 11th July – WHAT IS KERATIN TREATMENT?

Looking for a keratin treatment near me? If you’re looking for a way to add shine and sleekness to your hair, a keratin hair treatment could be the perfect solution. This treatment achieves glossy and frizz-free locks which last for months by restoring the natural proteins of the hair follicle.

What is Keratin?

Keratin is the protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails. It’s a strong type of protein that is also found elsewhere in the body, and it is less susceptible to tearing or scratching than other types of cells.

Keratin is considered the structural building block of the hair follicle. Increasing the amount of keratin in the hair results in stronger, healthier hair with greater thickness and shine.

How do Keratin Hair Treatments Work?

Keratin hair treatments seal the hair cuticle with a coating of protein that eliminates frizz and adds softness and shine. These treatments are designed to reverse the damage often done to hair through colouring, heat styling, exposure to sun and other factors. It restores the levels of keratin protein in the hair, smoothing the cuticle and increasing shine. Because keratin enhances the health of your hair, it can also decrease frizz and restore moisture.

Keratin treatments will also harness the power of other ingredients to achieve smooth and shiny hair. These work in tandem to repair the damage done to your hair and restore the natural levels of the keratin protein, while also minimising frizz and enhancing the straightness and sleekness of your hair.

What to Expect at a Keratin Hair Appointment

Keratin treatments are applied in salon and can only be done by hair professionals. Your stylist will begin by washing and blow drying your hair to remove any dirt, excess product and other impurities. Then, the keratin treatment is applied to the hair section by section with a fine-tooth comb. At Sharp Cutz, we use only Cezanne keratin treatment. Your stylist will leave the solution to coat your hair for at least twenty minutes to ensure it has fully absorbed into the hair follicle. Following this, your hair will be blow dried again.

A heat treatment is required to lock in the keratin. If you are hoping to achieve a straight look, your hair may be straightened to seal in the solution. Overall, the process usually takes about an hour.

How Long do Keratin Hair Treatments Last?

Keratin treatments will typically last between 3 to 5 months. After your treatment, you should avoid washing your hair for three days to allow the solution to completely set. There are ways to enhance the longevity of your keratin treatment by taking care of your hair post-treatment.

Wash your hair less often
Washing your hair can gradually remove the keratin treatment and dull the smoothing results. Use a dry shampoo between washes to avoid greasy looking hair and try to only wash your hair once a week for optimal results. When you do wash your hair, avoid very hot water, which can break down the cellular structure of the treatment. Use warm water to wet your hair and to rinse instead.

Use a silk pillowcase
We recommend silk pillowcases anyway – they are so lovely and soft on your gorgeous hair! But if you have received a keratin treatment, steer clear of cotton pillowcases which dry your hair out and can amplify frizz. Silk keeps the hair hydrated because it is less porous, and the smooth and silky texture will result in softer hair each morning.

Use sulphate-free keratin shampoo
Swapping to a sodium and sulphate-free shampoo will prolong the effects of your keratin treatment. Sodium can dissolve keratin, while the sulphates in some hair products can gradually strip the keratin and other beneficial oils out of your hair, diminishing the benefits of the treatment. There are plenty of specialised shampoos, conditioners, hair oils and more available, which are designed to prolong and enhance the effects of your keratin treatment.

Keratin treatments can be repeated two to three times a year.

Does Keratin Straighten Curly Hair?

If you have curly or unruly hair, you may be interested in a keratin treatment. Keratin treatments help to tame frizz and create smoother and more defined curls.

Keratin treatments do not permanently alter the texture of the hair, unlike some other hair treatments. Treatments involving keratin will eventually fade away through washing and daily life, so your natural hair texture will come through without needing to wait for your hair to grow out.

Additionally, a keratin treatment will not create that highly straightened look that can be achieved with chemical straightening.

If you’re a curl queen looking to tame the frizz but keep your gorgeous bouncy locks, you can still benefit from a keratin treatment – chat to our stylists about how we can tailor a keratin smoothing treatment for you.

Friday 8th July – OUR SHORT CUTS

Looking for the best short haircuts in the area? You’ve come to the right place. We are Sharp Cutz, a cute little salon space in Glenelg. 

We pride ourselves on giving the best short haircuts around, having worked hard for the reputation of being at the top for dry-haircuts on our curly haired peeps. Our shags, bobs, mullets and bangs are on the menu and served HOT!

Short Hair Specialist

Cutting hair is what we do, and short hair is our game. A lot of people struggle to find the right stylist to make their Pixie pop, and we know this! That’s why we work so fricken’ hard to stay at the top of the chop! We train hard and play hard when it comes to short hair, so we can deliver the best haircut for you, no matter what shorty short hair doo you want!

Paying attention to all of the important things while creating a short haircut for you is what we do best. There are so many elements in a short haircut that need to be considered. How short do you want the sides to be? Sharp around the ears or soft and textured? Money pieces? What angle are we going for at the back? Baby-mullet or taper-cut? All of these things need to be combed over with a fine tooth, and then compiled and made into the perfect crop for you!

Experience

Collectively, we have been cutting hair for over 40 years! We come from a time where precision cuts were something that we had to hone our skill on, and keep refining it, year in and year out. Working all over Adelaide, Australia and the world, we have had a million different hair textures to gain experience on. Also having careers that have spanned the decades (I know, you may not assume this by witnessing our youthful looks), the global look-book is something that we contributed to time and time again.

Hair Texture

Hair texture is super important when it comes to cutting short hair. Curly, straight, coarse, wavy, fine and all that resides in between, has to be taken into consideration when choosing the right style for someone.

We know how to use your hair texture to give you the best short hairstyle possible, and to make it easy for you to look after and style at home. We work on the premise that it’s is best to work with what you’ve got, and the right stylist can make the type of hair that you have absolutely POP for you.

Face Shape

You know what they say, short hair suits everyone, and if you think it doesn’t, you just haven’t found the right hair stylist! There was never a truer statement, a lot of the time when a salon professional tells you that short hair wont suit you, they are either to inexperienced/scared to cut it, or they don’t have the short hair experience that we do.

Taking faces shape into consideration when cutting a short hairstyle isn’t about hiding particular features on your face, its about bringing out the beauty that everyone has and making sure your best qualities are front and center!

Sure, we can take focus on one thing and lend it to another, but the real skill is that perfectly balanced pixie cut that blends seamlessly with your personal style.

Style

Choosing the right style from a period in time, or a particular haircut like a Pixie cut, an urchin cut or a crop haircut etc you sometimes be a case of working backwards. We like to sit your in the chair, hear all about your hopes and desires for your short hair cut, see images of short hair inspiration and also make recommendations to you. The best thing about working this way is the 1 + 1 = 3 theory. We take what your want, blend it with our experience and skill and you end up with something completely new and exciting that’s your and yours only!

We love to take your inspiration and create the perfect short haircut for you, tuning it into your style and making it speak for you. Bespoke statement pieces are what we do best!