CURLY HAIR SPECIALIST · WANAKA

Curly hair specialist in Wanaka

Curly, wavy and textured hair needs to be cut and cared for differently — and finding a stylist who genuinely understands that can be hard, especially in a small town. At UKIYO in Wanaka, Mikaela is our curly hair specialist. She cuts curls on their own terms, so you leave with hair that works with your natural texture instead of fighting it.

Why curly hair needs a specialist

Curl behaves differently from straight hair at every stage — it shrinks as it dries, every curl sits at its own angle, and a layer that looks right wet can look completely wrong once the hair springs up. Cutting curly hair the same way you cut straight hair is how people end up with triangle shapes, uneven curl clumps, or that puffy mid-length nobody asked for. A curl specialist reads your individual curl pattern and cuts to it, often working with the hair dry or in its natural state so what you see being cut is what you actually get.

Meet your curl specialist — Mikaela

Mikaela leads UKIYO's colour team and is also our go-to stylist for curly and textured hair. She has a real feel for curl — how it falls, where it needs weight removed, where it needs length kept — and she takes the time to understand how your hair behaves day to day before she picks up the scissors. You can read more about her on her stylist page, and request her by name when you book your curl appointment.

Curl cutting and curl care at UKIYO

A curl appointment with Mikaela starts with a conversation about your hair — your curl type, your routine, what is working and what is not. The cut is shaped to your natural pattern, with curls placed so they support each other rather than collapsing or sticking out. We also look at curl care as a whole: the right cleansing approach for your hair, hydration and definition, and the products and technique to style at home. Curls thrive on moisture and gentle handling, and a good portion of a first appointment is making sure you leave knowing how to look after them yourself.

Aftercare for curls

Curly hair tends to run drier than straight hair, so moisture is everything. We will guide you on a curl-friendly washing routine, how to encourage definition rather than frizz, and how to dry your hair without disturbing the curl pattern — diffusing or air-drying rather than rough towel-drying. Sleeping on a smooth pillowcase and refreshing curls between washes makes a real difference too. We stock salon products suited to curly and textured hair and will only point you to the ones your hair actually needs.

Why UKIYO

Wanaka has not had a dedicated curl specialist for long, and curly clients often feel they have to drive to a city or simply put up with cuts that do not suit them. UKIYO changes that. We are a small, calm studio at 28 Helwick Street, and with Mikaela you get a stylist who treats curl as a specialism in its own right — not an inconvenience to be straightened out.

Book a curl appointment with Mikaela

Or call the salon on 03 443 1040.

---

Frequently asked

Do you cut curly hair dry?

Often, yes. Cutting curls dry or in their natural state lets Mikaela see exactly how each curl sits and shrinks, so the finished shape is accurate. The approach is tailored to your hair — she will explain her plan at the start of your appointment.

I have wavy hair rather than tight curls — is this for me?

Absolutely. Wavy and loose-curl hair benefits from a texture-aware cut just as much as tight curls. Mikaela works across the full range of curl and wave patterns.

How do I book a curly hair appointment in Wanaka?

Book online at apps.kitomba.com/bookings/ukiyosalon or call 03 443 1040, and request Mikaela for curl cutting. If it is your first curl appointment with us, allow a little extra time so we can get the consultation right.

UKIYO Salon · 28 Helwick Street, Wanaka · 03 443 1040 · accounts@ukiyo.co.nz