Here are some things I tend to chalk up to my Irish heritage: an abiding love of Sinead O’Connor; an obsession with standing my round/people not standing their round; requiring nine weeks abroad to achieve a light tan; the almost constant low-level Catholic guilt. Earlier this year, I discovered something else to add to the list: Irish curls.
The inexplicably unmanageable “big” hair my sister and I have spent years complaining about now has a name, and one that has inspired enough dedicated content to populate a fairly significant chunk of TikTok. It turns out the platform is overflowing with videos in which girls wrestling with the familiar and confounding combination of straight-but-frizz-prone hair on top and a layer of ringlets underneath transform themselves into Nicole Kidman as Shannon Christie in Far and Away (1992).
My own approach has always been to either throw my hands up in despair and my hair up in a topknot, or to turn to the professionals, which explains my extremely cost-of-living-crisis-unfriendly blow dry habit. I was intrigued, but I found that most of these viral Irish curl routines tend to involve diffusing and scrunching and hours of air drying. They require products—and patience—that I do not possess.
Still, I decided the next time I found myself in my happy place (my happy place being Josh Wood Atelier), I would ask the experts wrangling my hair into submission for their thoughts on how to handle Irish curls the DIY way. According to Matt Hawes, creative master stylist, the solution to my woes was simple: an Aura blow dry.
View this post on Instagram
A modern answer to the once popular Brazilian blow dry, which fell out of favour due to the harsh chemicals used to smooth and straighten the hair, the Aura treatment is all natural. It uses hyaluronic acid—the same ingredient that’s key to keeping our skin dewy and hydrated—to reduce frizz, boost shine and (crucially for me), cut down styling time.
Hawes told me an Aura treatment and a great ionic hairdryer would mean having to make fewer last-minute salon appointments—Irish curls or no. “The phrase usually refers to naturally wavy or curly hair that reacts dramatically to damp,” he explained, adding that the Aura would work to soften frizz, and make it much easier for me to style my hair at home.
Duly persuaded, I booked in for an Aura treatment and acquired Dyson’s Co-anda 2x. Immediately after the treatment, it looked as though I’d had the best, sleekest blow dry of my life (to the point that our beauty and wellness editor Morgan insisted I write this piece).
But once I’d eked that out for as many days as possible, it was time to style my hair myself. Not only did the Dyson make drying my thick hair the work of minutes, it was smoother and much more manageable, and generally felt lighter. The effects last, too: I’d be lying if I said my salon blow dry days are over for good, but I haven’t been back in months.
I asked Hawes to break down the benefits of the treatment:
Who would you recommend the treatment to?
Anyone who wants smoother, shinier, more manageable hair without losing natural movement. It’s especially good for those battling frizz or humidity.
What are the benefits?
Aura reduces frizz, boosts shine, cuts down styling time and leaves hair feeling healthier and more hydrated, yet it still has bounce and movement.
View this post on Instagram
How long does it last for?
Around three to four months, depending on your hair type and aftercare at home. Sulphate-free products will help you maintain the results.
How does it differ from old-school Brazilian blow dries?
Traditional versions often used formaldehyde and left hair flat and stiff. Aura is formaldehyde-free, gentler, and leaves hair soft, light and natural-looking. It creates more shine than any other smoothing treatment, and has all natural ingredients, including hyaluronic acid.
What other advice do you have for women struggling with unmanageable hair?
Keep the hair hydrated with leave-in conditioners or smoothing creams, finish with an anti-humidity spray, and avoid over-washing. A silk pillowcase helps, too!
This story originally appeared on British Vogue.
