An Outside Perspective

By Becki Perez

OlyCurl is a salon unlike any you have ever walked into before. As a school teacher who typically goes to a [chain salon] for a haircut once a year, the atmosphere, education, and service at OlyCurl blew my mind. I have the absolute pleasure of being a temporary receptionist for the month of July. As a teacher, I can tell you grammar rules, how to add, subtract, and whether the chicken or the egg came first. I can’t tell you the first thing about curly hair, other than mine usually looks like a rat’s nest by the time I get my annual cut in September.

Yukiko and Julia are exceptionally knowledgeable in their craft and share their knowledge with such passion to all clients. Every client that comes into OlyCurl is so excited to see what magic Yukiko and Julia can whip up for them. They make sure each and every curl on your head is attended to, and will answer any and every question you have about curly hair and how to best care for it.

One of my favorite things about being a part of the OlyCurl experience this past month has been seeing new clients and the transformation their curls go through. An 8 year old girl came in with her mom. As Yukiko spoke with her mom about curls and the process they would be going through, the mom seemed a bit hesitant and skeptical.
Could this haircut REALLY be different from the ones her daughter had experienced before? Would they both ACTUALLY love the final result? Or was this all just a waste of time and money?
As Yukiko cut her hair, the curls began to show through, and her mom was starting to realize that this wasn’t just a hoax. The little girl wanted to wait for a big reveal, and wow, what a reveal it was! Yukiko washed her hair, and applied the necessary products for her curls to really take form and bounce beautifully. As Yukiko applied the clips in her hair for volume, her mom was absolutely amazed at the difference in her daughter’s hair. Once her hair was dried and Yukiko did the final touch ups, it was time for the big reveal.
As she saw the final product, a huge smile lit up her face, and she proclaimed, “IT’S SO PRETTY!” Her mom was so pleased with the care and time put into her daughter’s hair and the end result gave her daughter confidence, which is exactly what Yukiko and Julia strive to do for each of their clients.

The reason this story was so powerful to me is because of the little girl’s reaction before and after her appointment. She felt defeated by her hair, and at 8 years old, this is heart wrenching. We are taught at a young age that our appearance is so important, and that we must be aware of how we look to others. What OlyCurl does is teach us to love the hair we have, rather than fight with it, or destroy it by using chemicals, straighteners, and other heat treatments. Seeing her reaction after Yukiko worked with her hair was incredible.
​There is a reason clients love coming to OlyCurl and there are new clients interested in the services we provide every single day. The clients that walk through the door always have a smile on their face. They know they are getting the best possible service, and when they are here at OlyCurl, they will walk away loving their curls.

Anytime you start a new job, whether it is a temporary position, or a new career path, there is always the fear that you will mess up. The clients have been so patient, understanding, and welcoming to me as I learn the ins and outs of OlyCurl. There is a part of me that is sad I am only here for a short time, because I love seeing the relationships that have been built over the years between client and stylist. There is such a trust between our clients and our stylists at OlyCurl, that I don’t see when I am at a [chain salon]. In fact, the last time I left a [chain salon], I almost left in tears because the woman who cut my hair blow dried it and I looked like a frizzy ball!

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​​The clients at OlyCurl always leave with a smile on their face, a spring in their step, and a bounce in their curl, because they know that Yukiko and Julia truly care about them. Yukiko and Julia remember their clients, and make a point to make sure OlyCurl is a stress-free, welcoming, and fun environment. If you are looking for a salon that truly cares about you, your hair, and will make sure you walk away loving the way you look, OlyCurl is the place for you. To the clients that have made me feel so welcomed this past month, thank you! I hope to continue seeing all the beautiful curlies and burlies!

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