The Curly Canvas — Local services in Millbury

In 2022, I decided to embrace my natural silver and I completely stopped coloring my hair . It may sound like a minuscule decision, but attitudes about aging in this country suck in general! Any older working woman will tell you, both ageism and sexism are alive and well in the workforce. And in my case, add that to the fact that I entered a new profession in a field strongly influenced by style; where your appearance really does bear a direct impact on you.

Between getting older, growing out my gray and moving to an area with hard water; in the last year my hair has become a wiry, hard-to-manage unruly beast! So, in my continued effort to age naturally, gracefully and preserve professionalism I recently found Lidia, a Master level 3 Deva Curl Specialist at the Curly Canvas and took a leap to try this unique cut/styling technique which is radically different than anything I’ve ever done on my hair before!

I showed up for this new adventure armed with the collection of products I have been using so I could inform her. I had a collage of photos of me throughout the decades to show her how I have worn my hair over time. I also had a collage of inspiration pictures that included various spins on the inverted bob. I did all my google research about Deva cuts and I was ready for her to meet my commands and conduct my perfect transformation in one sitting! So imagine how stunned I was when Lidia told me that I could not properly do the inverted or angled bob on that day! Initially I was confused, frustrated and maybe a little annoyed. I wasn’t understanding or really buying into it! But then…she held up the mirror and explained crystal clear to me the following:

Deva Experience Lesson #1 (baffling me and enlightening me simultaneously)-I am not a full-blown “curly girl”. The pattern(s) in the back of my head are blended patterns of wavy!

NOTE This came as a surprise to me because in my younger years it was so easy! I got my cuts and/or highlights- I scrunched, maybe straightened or blow dryed (in varying combinations or degrees at different times). I actually was always a mostly mousse or gel, wash-n-go girl and never had to put much thought or effort into my hair as I have in the last two years. But I was youthful and the aging process naturally changes our hair. I did not live in a new house with hard water (as I do now) and my hair was not silver!!

Deva Experience Lesson #2

I could not properly do the inverted or angled bob today because my most recent cut (and it’s been a while since that), combined with my blended curl patterns and increasing length left me with 2 very distinguished lengths (almost like a shelf). In order to do any type gradual angle- she would have had to cut to the shortest of those distinguished lengths. It would have been extremely short (and accentuated once my curls shrink as they dried). Once she physically pointed this out to me, I totally understood! So the end result of my maiden Deva voyage was a transitionary compromise of sorts. Another trim toward the end of the summer, and I will probably be able to go for one of my inspiration cuts in time for the holidays!

What I ultimately received from Lidia was an authentic, knowledge-based education on caring for my now matured silver crown (and I got the often hard to find support and encouragement from a stylist to stay on my chosen path to keep my natural silver!).

I also got a hands-on introductory experience to the Deva Cut technique which gave me renewed texture and appearance of the curly locks surrounding my face. And finally, I got some sense of direction on how to manage my uniquely me; blended, curly, sparking silver coiffe!

I cannot wait to go back for my next appointment for my next Deva...

My daughter was blessed with very thick, very curly hair and I have been trying to manage it unsuccessfully for 12 years now. We have tried other salons, online tutorials, and thousands of dollars worth of products, but have never gotten the results we were looking for. After each visit to a stylist, my daughter would be disappointed or downright upset that she came away with frizzy, uneven cuts that made her look like a Christmas tree going through a wind tunnel. I don’t have curls like her, so I’ve been at a loss about how to help her love her hair. Then I found Lidia. She took the time to listen to our concerns, answered all of our many questions, showed us techniques for maintenance and styling at home (and encouraged us to reach out with any questions we have between appointments), and gave my daughter a cut and style that has her curls looking like something out of a magazine. For the first time, she walked out of a salon with a beaming smile and I feel confident that I know how to help her maintain her beautiful hair. I can’t recommend Lidia enough to anyone who has curly hair, she is like a curly fairy godmother. We will be coming to her exclusively...

I recently visited The Curly Canvas for an “Above and Beyond” service with Lidia. It was my first curly cut ever and to say I was excited would be an understatement. The reviews were excellent and I couldn’t wait to see my curls look their best ever. I asked questions seeking guidance/education on styling and maintenance throughout the service and received what I perceived to be somewhat dismissive responses. What I had envisioned to be a premium service at $225 amounted to a 15 minute haphazard dry cut without the expected “Deva Cut” curl by curl attention to detail. It looked like a hack job and I was deeply disappointed to say the least. I left the salon with my hair looking and feeling awful. The experience was a complete waste of time and money and did not meet the advertised standard or industry expectations. At check out, I was told I had 2 weeks to return for adjustments if desired. No thanks. I’ll do what I can with my hair while it grows out and try a different salon in the future. I don’t ever post bad reviews, but I wanted to spare someone else from going through the same thing. I would not recommend The Curly Canvas or the “Above and...