Curly hair specialist Melanie Nickels is founder and president of Naples, Florida based salon and product lines Raw Hair Organics, Inc. She is also founder and president of Melanie A. Nickels Nutz & Boltz Foundation and has been working as a stylist for over 18 years, and working in the organic salon business since 2007.
When did becoming a curly hair specialist become a passion of yours?
I have always had an interest in curly hair since I am a curly girl, but I really started taking it seriously in 2009 when I started training in curly hair. I was hearing about specialty cutting techniques for curly hair and that just made sense to me.
You have a product line called Raw Curls. What makes this line necessary for people with curly hair?
The 2 most important things for curly hair are the right cut and the right products. Raw Curls products are perfect for curly textures because they are gentle, moisturizing, and pure. My products deliver outstanding results using organic ingredients that leave the hair healthy, shiny, and frizz-free. I tell my clients that using Raw Curls products is like taking supplements for the hair and scalp.
You also have a pet care line.
We actually put the pet line on hold to launch the Raw Curls, which I feel was a good decision. We are hoping to bring the pet line out in the near future.
What is the biggest mistake you often find yourself correcting on your clients’ hair?
When new curly clients come to me the thing I see a lot of is what I have termed the “jellyfish.” This is when there is a big shelf in the hair like a bushy triangle or mushroom, and then stringy dangles that hang down (pictured above”>. Also, I see a lot of stripy over-highlighted hair.
What’s the biggest piece of advice you wish you could tell every curly out there?
Spend money on your hair–you wear it everyday! It is so worth paying for a truly specialized curly cut and great professional products that are healthy for you and your hair.
How can we keep up with you online and book an appointment?
Our website is www.rawhairorganics.com, Facebook: Raw Hair Organics, Twitter: @RawHairOrganics, Instagram: MelanieNickels1, blog: thehaircolorreview.com
