No Stress for the Curly Tress
After a long and congested drive downtown, the first thing I noticed at Devachan Salon was the group of three women behind the counter. The beautiful heads of black, red, and blond curls proved an auspicious sign for what was to be my first experience at this salon for the curly-haired.
Located in the trendy but often overbearing environs of SoHo, the salon’s unique interior is the perfect match for its neighborhood. Set in the basement of 560 Broadway, Devachan is a spacious white room, divided into sections by white mesh that hangs from the ceiling, pulled tight for both energy and ambience. Passing up quiet elegance for a hip vibe, the din of Devachan’s countless clients led me to wonder just what about the technique kept these girls coming back for more.
Prior to my visit, I had been a devoted follower of Ouidad, another New York salon specializing in curly hair. The Ouidad method includes a time-consuming process and lots of gel to create a highly-stylized head of curls, so I was pleasantly surprised when the only product the stylist at Devachan added to my hair was a leave-in conditioner.
The cut is made on dry hair, pre-wash. Each curl is separated and cut on its own to define every strand and enhance body. The wash is strategized as well. Devachan has a strict no-shampoo philosophy, preferring instead to use cleanser only every five to seven days. The products embody their goal of healthy and hydrated hair, and they left my hair feeling wonderfully smooth. Whereas many from the curly-haired set focus on eliminating frizz, aiming for a controlled and styled head of curls that instead often results in flat, stiff, over-gelled hair, the Devachan look is more natural and free-flowing.
After the wash, the stylist directed me in healthy ways of managing my curly hair, including which products to use and how to apply them. He even offered that if ever in the area, I should feel free to stop by or call anytime with any questions I may have!
I left with a bag full of well-priced products (a cleanser called No-Poo, conditioner called One Condition, after-shower conditioner called B’Leave-In, gel for sporadic use called AnGell, and Mist-er Right, a revitalizing spray for limp and damaged curls), and reemerged from the basement with soft and lush curls and an official Devachan conversion.