One local mom put it perfectly — she's 35, has two kids under two, runs and bikes regularly, and hasn't worn her hair down in roughly 14 years. Her morning routine? Shower, air dry, bun. Repeat. Forever. She's tried expensive salons (including a trip down to DBS in Sunnyvale), but walked away still clueless about daily styling. Her honest question: does she even need a hairdresser, or is this more of a coaching situation?

It's a fair point, and one that highlights something the beauty industry doesn't love to admit — a $200 curly cut doesn't mean much if you can't replicate anything at home. What most curly-haired people actually need isn't just a trim. They need education: product knowledge, technique, drying methods, and a realistic routine that fits their actual life (not a two-hour YouTube tutorial lifestyle).

San Francisco does have specialists who focus on curly and textured hair — salons that use DevaCurl methods or similar curl-specific approaches — and many of them build in teaching time during appointments. That's the move. You're not paying for a haircut; you're paying for a skills transfer.

But here's the libertarian in us talking: this is also a great example of how the market responds to real demand. The explosion of curl-specific stylists, online communities, and product lines happened because people got tired of the one-size-fits-all salon model and demanded something better. No government program needed — just consumers voting with their wallets.

For anyone in the same boat, look for stylists who specifically advertise curly hair consultations, not just cuts. Ask if they'll walk you through a start-to-finish routine with your products, in your time constraints. A good curly stylist should be part hairdresser, part teacher, and part therapist.

Life's too short for a permanent bun. Free those curls, SF.