I Tried the Curly Girl Method Blow-Dry at Cult Hairdressing – Here’s What Happened to My Frizzy Waves

I’ve always been a bouncy blow-dry girly at heart. There’s something about the sleek, polished look that’s always felt like “me” – or at least, the version of me I was used to. But over the years, countless friends have told me: “I swear you’ve got curly hair, you just don’t know how to manage it.”

Lately though, I’ve been so flat-out with work that I’ve completely stopped styling my hair. The straighteners have stayed tucked away, and my once-glossy blow-drys have been replaced by air-dried chaos. My natural frizz has taken over – and not in a cool, undone way. Just fluffy, inconsistent waves with zero shape.

That’s what led me to Cult Hairdressing near Liverpool Street – and more specifically, to Francesco, the salon’s hairstyling virtuoso, the "curly hair expert", as they told me.

Francesco, also known as the “Guardian of Effortless Glamour”, immediately made me feel at ease. He’s the kind of stylist who doesn’t just cut your hair – he studies it, understands it, and somehow unlocks its potential like magic.

From the moment I stepped inside the salon, I could feel the difference. Located in the beautifully restored Old Fruit and Wool Exchange, right next to the iconic Spitalfields Market, the space is bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s got this soft, modern sophistication – clean, stylish, and quietly luxurious, yet still warm and welcoming. You instantly feel like you're in safe hands, and it’s the kind of place that gently whispers, “you deserve this.”

I was welcomed with a calming shoulder massage before Francesco even touched my hair – a thoughtful little touch that made all the difference. As he explained the Curly Girl Method blow-dry, I could feel my apprehension melting away. The technique is gentle and curl-enhancing, using no sulphates, no silicones, and no harsh heat. Instead, he used a curated selection of Kérastase products specifically designed to nourish and define curls without weighing them down.

At first, when I looked in the mirror, my hair was definitely curlier – more defined and shaped than I’d seen it before – but it wasn’t quite the dramatic wow moment I’d imagined. I think I just wasn’t used to seeing myself like that. It felt unfamiliar, like a new version of me I hadn’t met yet.

But as the day went on, something lovely happened – the curls became even curlier! By the time I headed out for dinner that evening, I had proper ringlets, and the compliments started rolling in. It felt like a whole new hair identity had been waiting to come through.

Three days later, the curls are still going strong – soft, full of life, and beautifully shaped.

I refreshed them slightly with water and a scrunch, along with some Kerastaste oil, but the style was still very much alive. For someone who’s spent years straightening and smoothing every inch of frizz, it was a game-changer.

Would I go full Curly Girl? Maybe not every day – I still love a bouncy blow-dry – but now I know my natural hair has this potential, I’ll definitely be switching things up more often.

If your hair needs a reset or you’re ready to embrace what it naturally wants to do, go see Francesco at Cult. He doesn’t just give you great hair – he gives you the confidence to love it again!

www.cult.london