The DevaCut is a popular hair cutting technique for curly hair. However, after all the controversy surrounding the DevaCurl products, that are associated with the cut, there's concern about getting a DevaCut.
Let me answer the question for all the curly girls holding their breath. You can still get a DevaCut in 2023. You can even buy the DevaCurl products! The brand just under fire in recent years after some customers who used the products claimed it made their hair fall out, caused hair damage, or gave them scalp problems.
I must have been living under a rock, because not only was I unaware that the DevaChan Salon in New York closed it's doors, but that there was so much controversy around the DevaCurl products. This was a shock because for many years, DevaCurl was a beloved brand among the curly hair community. Many customers swore by its products for achieving healthy, defined curls.
However, it's not just the controversy about the DevaCurl products. Now that New York's DevaChan Salon is closed, there are questions about the survival of the DevaCut.
In this article we will talk about the rise and fall of DevaCurl and if you should still seek out a DevaCut.
The Rise of DevaCurl
To understand the controversy of DevaCurl, it's important to first examine the brand's rise to popularity. DevaCurl is a hair care brand that was founded in 1994 by Lorraine Massey and Denis DaSilva, along with the DevaChan Salon in New York. The company is known for its line of products designed specifically for curly hair, including shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.
When DevaCurl was founded there were few hair care brands that catered specifically to curly hair. Straight hair was the ideal, and many people with curly hair struggled to find products that worked for them. DevaCurl was one of the first brands to recognize this gap in the market and create a line of products specifically for curly hair.
DevaCurl's approach to hair care was based on the "Curly Girl Method," which was developed by Lorraine Massey and outlined in her book, "Curly Girl: The Handbook." The Curly Girl Method is a set of hair care guidelines that emphasize using gentle, sulfate-free products and avoiding heat styling. The method quickly gained a following among the curly hair community, and DevaCurl was one of the leading brands that embodied these principles.
The Controversy of DevaCurl
Despite its initial success, DevaCurl began to face criticism and backlash in the late 2010s. In 2018, a group of DevaCurl customers started a Facebook group called "DevaCurl Hair Junkies," where they could discuss their experiences using the products. Over time, the group grew to include tens of thousands of members, and many began to report serious issues with their hair after using DevaCurl products.
Some of the most common complaints included hair breakage, scalp irritation, and hair loss. Many customers reported that their hair had become dry, brittle, and damaged after using DevaCurl products. Some even claimed that they had developed bald spots.
These reports were particularly alarming because DevaCurl had built its brand around the idea of promoting healthy, natural curls, and many customers had trusted the brand to deliver on this promise.
In 2020, BuzzFeed News published an investigative report that detailed the experiences of several DevaCurl customers who had suffered hair damage. The report also included comments from hair care experts concerns about some of the ingredients in DevaCurl products, including a preservative called DMDM hydantoin. It releases formaldehyde when it comes into contact with water. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause skin irritation and other health issues.
Following the BuzzFeed report, DevaCurl issued a statement acknowledging the concerns of its customers and promising to investigate the issue. The company also released a new line of products in 2020 formulated without DMDM hydantoin, but many customers remained skeptical of the brand and its commitment to transparency and safety.
DevaCurl faced a class action lawsuit from customers claiming to have hair thinning, shedding and other scalp issues. In January 2022, a $5.2 million settlement received its final approval. The lawsuit was another black eye for a company trying to regain customer's trust.
Months later, DevaCurl announced on it's website that the DevaChan Soho salon will close on June 30, 2022.
The DevaCut
The history of DevaCut can be traced back to the early 1990s, when Lorraine Massey, co-founder of the DevaCurl brand, began to develop a new approach to cutting curly hair. Massey was frustrated with the traditional approach to cutting curly hair, which often involved heavy layering and thinning, and felt that there must be a better way to work with the natural texture of curly hair.
Massey began experimenting with different cutting techniques and products, and eventually developed the "DevaCut." The hair is cut curl-by-curl, while it's dry and in it's natural state. One of the key features of the DevaCut is its focus on enhancing the natural texture of wavy and curly hair.
The DevaChan Salon gained popularity performing the DevaCut, then using DevaCurl products on their clients. Many curly girls would go to the DevaChan Salon to get the DevaCut and have the DevaCurl product applied by a professional. Stylists would also go to the salon to learn the cutting technique and about the products.
Are DevaCuts Cancelled?
Now that the salon that founded the DevaCut has closed, can you still get the famous curly hair cut? The answer is yes! You can still find Deva certified stylists that offer DevaCuts. The Deva certification lets you know that the stylist took the time to truly understand how to cut curly hair. It also tells you that the hair is dry and cut curl-by-curl.
The actual cutting process involves a variety of techniques, including point cutting, slicing, and carving. These techniques are used to create layers and shape that enhance the natural curl pattern of the hair. Because DevaCut is performed on dry hair, the stylist can see exactly how the hair falls and how the curls behave, allowing them to create a precise and customized cut that works with the hair's natural texture.
Do you have to use DevaCurl products?
The hair cut may be associated with DevaCurl, but the stylist doesn't have to use those products. The DevaCut is unique in its approach to styling products. Rather than relying on heavy products that can weigh down the hair and create buildup, DevaCut stylists typically recommend lighter products that enhance the natural curl pattern of the hair.
These products are typically chosen based on the client's hair type and texture, and may include gels, mousses, or creams. At the DevaChan salon they would normally use DevaCurl products. However, there are some stylist who use other styling products. If you are getting a DevaCut, it's important to talk to your stylist about what you want and the products they will be using during your time in the salon.
DevaCut Is Still Legit
If you have curly or wavy hair, a DevaCut may be worth considering, even if you are not using DevaCurl anymore. Unfortunately, curly hair is not the norm in beauty school. Other stylists may straighten your hair or cut it wet. It may look choppy when the hair is styled curly again. It may also require additional unnecessary cutting due to shrinkage and a client having different curl patterns.
A DevaCut stylist has at least learned to cut curly hair and give you a haircut that works with your natural texture. You may still end up with a bad haircut, but that could be based on the initial consultation with your stylist. At the end of the day the DevaCut is just a name. It's the technique of dry cutting, curl-by-curl that's important.
If you are looking for a stylist or salon that specializes in curly hair, we have you covered. We have an article on Naturally Linked with "The Top 30 Curly Hair Salons in the U.S."
Commentaires