Our Story
Natural Eclipse
Curly Cuts was created because of our sister business Natural Eclipse. Our team had been helping curlies at Natural Eclipse for year’s before Curly Cuts. Along the way, we have had many conversations with our curly hair customers, highlighting various concerns and issues relating to curly hair cutting and products in the Canberra region.
So Curly Cuts was years in the making thanks to our direct involvement in the Canberra curly community through Natural Eclipse. As we see it, each of our customers at Natural Eclipse has been asking for something like Curly Cuts. We took the brave step to create what our customers were asking for! We’ve been carefully listening to our customers and understanding what we need to provide for the curly community in Canberra.
How a lifetime in the hair industry lead to Curly Cuts
I started my first business at the young age of 22. I opened a hairdressing shop in a shopping centre in Adelaide. It’s been over three decades in the hair industry since I started my apprenticeship at 16. I’ve been involved in the hair industry for almost my entire life!
Organic and natural haircare
After my daughter’s birth, I became passionate about all things organic and changed directions in the hair industry. This was when Natural Eclipse came about.
I became obsessed with hair washing and wanted to learn all about no poo and low poo cleansing, and organic haircare. This then lead me to discover curly girl. I wanted to learn how to retrain and rebalance scalps from overwashing. No poo cleansing can be an unorthodox way of hairdressing. When I first started researching it, there were not many hairdressers in the industry teaching organic methods or curly girl, so I decided to step in and help and learn.
Organic methods in hair care were not as popular as it is today. Many customers, particularly curly customers, need professional advice and products in this area. This was when I discovered the fantastic Australian haircare brand EverEscents. It was hard back then to find high-quality professional organic hair care products in Australia, especially ones made here suitable for curly girls. EverEscents was the start of this journey for me in organic haircare, so they are a company I hold close to my heart.
Growing our refill bar
I started my first refill in my home (and web) based business, and curlies first started buying everescents products here.
My curly following quickly grew in Canberra, and my customers needed more space and a tailored private environment to teach them. Online teaching via my online store naturaleclipse.com.au was growing fast, too, and online sales had grown Australia-wide.
We soon moved into a room in a Fyshwick office, where I set up Canberra’s first professional haircare refill bar. We took a chance to do something new with Canberra’s first professional haircare refill bar.
Opening our first shop In Fyshwick
More and more customers wanted to see me in person for advice and refills. We needed more space to teach and wanted more room to grow our refill bar bigger. In March 2020, we moved into our own premises at Wollongong St Fyshwick.
Here, we could create a private hub for our curly customers to come in and get professional advice. That same month COVID hit, we made the tough decision to close our doors for a short time while we continued to give our customers advice online or to shout through the cracks of our closed doors. Crazy times!
The Opening of Curly Cuts
During that time, the need for Curly Cuts became apparent, and in June 2021, our doors opened. Not long after, we merged Natural Eclipse into the shop next door to Curly Cuts to create a big curly mega hub so that we could manage the two businesses more efficiently.
Customers can now pop instore to Curly Cuts and refill products, shop an extensive range of curly products, or try on curly hair bonnets. Plus, get curly advice, curly hair cuts and curly services such as hydration treatments.
Since our initial opening, we have made many changes which have lead us to where we are today.
We continue to support our Canberra curlies from our two businesses at the Lyons shops.
Curly Cuts is proudly a Canberra innovation. From local support, we have created an original and different curly shopping experience right here in the heart of Canberra.
Let’s keep Canberra full of unique creative shops that create and sustain jobs.
Meet Leeanne
Leeanne is the owner and founder of Curly Cuts and Natural Eclipse
With over 30 years of experience in the hair industry, Leeanne has become a leading specialist in the art of curl-by-curl cutting. Combining decades of hair expertise with advanced, up-to-date curly training, she is certified in Clever Curl’s dry curl-by-curl cutting techniques. Leeanne’s dedication to perfecting this method ensures she provides the highest standard of care to the curly-haired community.
A Trusted Name in Curly Hair
Leeanne’s commitment to excellence has earned her a reputation as a trusted name in Canberra’s curly-haired community. Renowned for providing the highest standard of service, she is celebrated for her expertise in dry curl-by-curl cutting and her dedication to educating curly clients.
Passion for Education and Innovation
Leeanne’s passion extends beyond Canberra as she works to share innovative curly cutting techniques, products, and knowledge with customers across Australia, redefining the approach to curly hair in the hairdressing industry.
Giving Back to the Community
Leeanne is passionate about giving back to the curly-haired community by actively participating in forums and providing online support. She offers advice and guidance to curly customers across Australia, helping those in need with her expertise and experience. Her expertise has been recognised and featured by Clever Curl — read here.
“Leading and creating change in the hair industry takes bravery and courage. Curlies needed this change to happen to the industry, so we took a bold risk and created Curly Cuts in Canberra.”
What Is A dry Curl By Curl Cut?
A dry curl-by-curl cut is ideal for those who embrace their natural curls, providing a tailored approach to enhance the unique shape and texture of each curl. This precise method is designed to suit most curly hair types, with exceptional results for tight textures and coils. However, this technique may not be the best fit for wavy hair.
If you’re unsure whether Leeanne’s cutting method is suitable for your curls, feel free to email a picture for personalised advice at [email protected].
Leeanne’s goal is to ensure Canberra’s curly-haired community receives the most specialised and expert care available.
Afro Tight Textured Cutting
Afro-textured hair requires a specialised approach that differs from traditional cutting methods. Its unique characteristics—fragile texture, significant shrinkage, and distinctive growth patterns—necessitate specific techniques to maintain hair health and achieve the desired style.
Dry Cutting: Due to the high shrinkage factor, it’s essential to cut Afro hair while it’s dry. This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of the hair’s natural length and shape, preventing unintended shortening that can occur when cutting wet hair.
Freehand Techniques: Employing freehand cutting techniques can also enable stylists to sculpt the hair precisely, respecting its natural curl pattern and ensuring a harmonious shape.
Attention to Growth Patterns: Afro hair often grows in multiple directions, requiring the stylist to consider various angles during the cutting process. This careful attention ensures an even cut and a balanced final look.
Professional Qualifications
Curly Cuts will always be one step ahead in the hair industry
Leeanne’s curly hair professional qualifications include:
2 Day Clever Curl Masterclass
Advanced training in curl theory, dry curl-by-curl cutting techniques, hydration treatments, and curly styling methods, using the latest techniques and products for all curl types.
1 Day Advanced Clever Curl Masterclass in Afro, Tight Textured Curls
A multi-faceted approach to cutting, hydrating, and styling tight textured/Afro curls.
1 Day Advanced Curly Cutting Training with Clever Curl
A one-day training session held in salon at Curly Cuts, dedicated to perfecting curly cutting and updating styling techniques for curly hair.
Certificate in Curly Cutting from Chea Education with Amanda Rickman of Purely Curls
Alongside this training, Leeanne continues to expand her knowledge of products and styling methods as the fast-growing curly hair industry evolves, with regular training days hosted by Clever Curl.
Clever Curl Curl Specialist Partner
Curly Cuts is proudly a Clever Curl Curl Specialist Partner. This course advanced our curly cutting skills and included new methods of cutting curls individually.
