|
Let’s go back in time to… 2013 My journey to become a hairdresser was an unusual one, as a mum of 2 children with Fragile X syndrome and autism I decided to learn hairdressing so I could cut their hair. As I was working full time I went to evening classes at the local college. After qualifying in my Level 2 at evening classes friends and family began asking me to do their hair and when my eldest started school some of the school mums did too. One of those school mums sparked my passion for and education about curls.  Sarah White, Cornwall Curl Specialist, at BlewBelle Curl Studio, Truro, Cornwall. In 2015 a school mum with the most beautiful curls visited my home studio in Truro, Cornwall, BlewBelle Hair, and trusted me to carry out an Olaplex treatment. Whilst in my chair she explained about the ‘Curly Girl Method’. At that time I was using a brand of cleansers and conditioners that were sulphate and silicone free as I had long been aware of the benefits of removing them from everyday hair care. But ‘Curly Girl Method’ was new to me, my Level 2 Hairdressing qualification did not include anything specific about curls. After the curly headed school mum left her appointment I went online and bought ‘Curly Girl – The Handbook’ written by the founder of the method Lorraine Massey. From the day the book arrived I cut curls dry and embraced the method wholeheartedly. Researching, watching demonstrations, following Curly groups and teaching myself everything I possibly could about CGM. The more I learnt, the more I listened, the more curly beauties came to my salon. 2017 I had definitely been captured by the curly bug so I returned to college to complete my Level 3 Diploma (Extended Hairdressing) with the hope of learning more about curls. Sadly that wasn’t the case but I did learn lots of other aspects and left with a Distinction*.  Sarah White, Cornwall Curl Specialist with Lorraine Massey, founder of ‘The Curly Girl Method’ 2018 In July 2018 I was very fortunate to secure a space on Lorraine Massey’s first training course in the UK which was absolutely fantastic. Learning her dry curl cutting technique, meeting fellow Curl Stylists and becoming one of Lorraine’s first certified stylists in the UK. I am very proud to have been the first stylist in Cornwall to have completed this training. My curl education journey continued later in 2018 studying The MAP method founded by Scott Musgrave, Curly Hair Artistry.  Sarah White, Cornwall Curl Specialist at the DevaChan Salon in New York 2019 2019 was a busy year! I completed the 12 week online Curly Hair Artistry Mastery Program. Covering all aspects of cleansing, styling and cutting curls. Empowering clients by teaching them what I do and ensuring they leave the salon knowing how to replicate the results at home. I am now listed in their International Stylist Locator. In May 2019 I was one of 5 finalists in the Muddy Stilettos Awards for best Hair Salon in Cornwall. I didn’t win but it was always going to be tough up against big high street salons. It was a real honour to make it as far as I did and I’m very grateful for all the nominations and votes. My Curl stylist journey continued in December 2019 to New York for Advanced Deva Curl training. Learning the DevaCut and the Devabob plus Pintura colouring. It was a truly amazing experience travelling thousands of miles to learn new techniques and bringing them back to Cornwall. New York at Christmas was fantastic too! 2020 What a year that was, one none of us expected. During the first lockdown the studio was completely refurbished and the new look is stunning, tranquil, beautiful and just so relaxing. Perfect for your curl pamper. I joined the Green Salon Collective and now I recycle everything I possibly can – including your hair. Lockdown also afforded me some extra time for curl education, completing a colouring course online with Evan Joseph and the ‘Aircut’ cutting course with Tippi Shorter from Mizani. A celebration when we were allowed to re open but my goodness there were a LOT of curls that were cut before we had to close again.  Cornwall Curl Specialist , BlewBelle. Winner of Best Hair Salon in the Muddy Stiletto Awards 2021 2021 The start of 2021 brought another lockdown and gave me the opportunity for even more training. 2 full days of Curl, Coil and Wave cutting, colouring and styling from a collaboration of stylists in America. Next, a week long Afro Styling course from Michelle Garande. I introduced a new brand Authentic Beauty Concept and have had full training in each of the beautiful products. Not only totally ‘curl friendly’ but also Vegan Society and PETA approved. Mindfulness is the ethos behind the brand, high quality, botanical, sustainable ingredients, pure formulas and Eco packaging. I am even able to offer refills on all cleansers, conditioners and deep treatment masks. July 2021 was utterly incredible having again reached the final of the Muddy Stilettos Best Hair Salon in Cornwall awards…I WON. Putting curls, boutique hair studios and alternative methods of working firmly on the hairdressing map.  Sarah White, Cornwall Curl Specialist qualifies in Rëzo cutting. 2022 Started with a bang. At the end of 2021 I began studying with Rëzo Academy and by January I became a qualified Rëzo stylist. Another fantastic cutting technique to add to my skill set. And also in January I found out that I have had my work published in Curl magazine. The first stylist from the UK to have their work published in the International magazine solely for curls, coils and waves. I am so incredibly proud. As the magazine wasn’t available to purchase directly in the UK I have now become their official UK stockist. In August I completed the Tight Curl Digital summit, a 2 day education package with Cut It Kinky (USA) Learning more about cutting and styling tight curls, all heads of curls are different and I felt it was incredibly important to develop this line of my work. In October I competed a 2 day course for hairdressers with the Cancer Hair Care charity. This course is designed to give hairdressers a better understanding of hairloss due to chemotherapy and, it supports those going through that stage. In November I delivered education to Level 3 apprentice hairdressers at Truro college. This was a joint project with a stylist that delivered braiding education. I taught the apprentices the science of curly and afro hair, product application and diffuse drying. 2023 Kicking off 2023 with more education, the Innersense Texture Tour came to London. 3 top US stylists (including the lady that taught me on the Cut It Kinky course) delivering education. Alongside further education about the Innersense Organic beauty brand. This year also started with an invitation for a fantastic opportunity. To deliver a workshop about curly hair and afro hair at Salon Cornwall. This is a trade show in Cornwall for hair and beauty professionals and I'm very proud to say that my workshop sold out first. It was a fun session delving into all things curls and teaching diffusing techniques to hair stylists and college lecturers. I also carried out some networking by inviting Only Curls and Glowwa to exhibit at the event and I'm pleased to say they jumped at the chance. In April I began volunteering with the Cancer Hair Care Charity, initially as part of their wig bank volunteers and then later as one of their helpline volunteers. I do 2 shifts per month and speak to lots of people at different stages of their chemotherapy about all manner of things from cold capping, to hair loss, to regrowth and my particular favourite caring for chemo curls. Towards the end of 2023 I was keeping a big secret, which was due to be revealed in 2024.  Sarah White, Cornwall Curl Specialist. Curl Magazine Stylist Panel 2024 2024
The big secret that I had been keeping was that I had been chosen to be a stylist advisor in Curl Magazine for 2024 and had been working away behind the scenes answering Q&A's and contributing to articles. This is an international magazine solely for curly hair, it's a fantastic source of professional information and I'm proud as punch to be part of it for 2024. Look out for the August issue where I have my own article. In January it was also time for some more education, 3 days intensive, hands on afro cutting and styling with Jennie Roberts. An incredible course, I learnt so much and I got to do it with my 2 great curl cutting friends. Whilst we were in London for the course we also got to meet socially with 'Only Curls' and it was fantastic to hear what they have coming soon. All that and it's only March... come back soon to find out what else I've been keeping secret....
0 Comments
|
