Carrie Waller

My Curl Story started when I was an awkward teen going through puberty and my hair suddenly went from blonde straight hair to strawberry blonde waves to uncontrollable curls. I spent most of my teen years and some of my 20's trying to "fix" my hair, I wouldn't find out until years later that my hair didn't need to be fixed. I could ditch my frizzy blowout or slicked down ponytail for beautiful curls that I didn't have to spend hours styling. I could feel beautiful, naturally. 

I began my hair education in 2008, learning the basics of head shape, cutting, coloring, and styling in cosmetology school. I began to wonder why there wasn't any difference in technique for cutting curly hair or styling options that didn't involve a lengthy blow out and flat iron process.

 After school, I landed a job at a salon where I was offered a spot in the Deva Curl Inspired Cutting Class. I took the 1-day course where I learned the waterfall haircut, product information, and styling methods (also, that for years I hadn't been using the product to its fullest potential) I WAS HOOKED.

 In 2015, I continued my education with the Deva Curl at the Academy in SoHo, New York City. I took the 3-day advanced class where I built upon my natural understanding and basic curl education learning the deva bob, advanced cutting positions, and the Pintura highlighting technique. 

I'm a member of Curly Hair Artistry (CHA), where I receive a non-brand based education on cutting all types of curly hair. In 2015, I attended my first fall symposium in New Hampshire. This symposium was focused on wavy and curly types. In 2016, I attended the spring symposium in Washington, D.C., which focused on curly and super curly/multi-cultural hair. With CHA I have learned The Cubist Haircut, The Foundation Cut, and the Fusion Cut. 

Each curl artist is different, each guest is different, each curl on your head is different. My haircuts or color are customized for each guest using intuitive methods. I have taken the information I have leaned and my passion for curls and apply it to my form of artistry.

 I am a colorist using primarily ammonia-free curl friendly color. I love to create dimensional color using Natural, Natural Fashion, Fashion/Vivid/Unicorn Palettes, customizing using Balayage/Hair Painting and Color Melting Techniques. 

I'm always doing research to find the cleanest, most quality curl friendly products. I currently carry Innersense Organic Beauty (entire line is certified organic, great for straight hair too!), and Long Hair Don't Care Cooling Co-wash.

 My ideal guest will have the desire to embrace and enhance their natural curl pattern and allow me to educate you on how to care for your hair to keep it in it's healthiest state. I am LGBTQ friendly and encourage a safe, comfortable environment for guests of all colors and lifestyles. I look forward to hearing your curl story!    

Chop Shop
4139 Manchester Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110