Bower Hill Road resident Janaya McConnaughy opened Anouk Curl Studio in Scott Towne Plaza because she believed the curl community was highly underserved.

“My true passion was to just work with curls,” she said. “Specializing in curls, especially in western Pennsylvania, is still a thing that is few and far between. It’s still a little subculture in the industry that is blossoming at this point.”

As anyone with curly hair knows, it tends to lack moisture and dry out easily, making it more difficult to care for.

McConnaughy says there’s a general lack of knowledge about dealing with curls that can be intimidating to some. “Styling and cutting for curly hair is just a completely different way of looking at hair as a scientific structure.”

In addition to science, McConnaughy uses math when she cuts hair. Realizing how much head shape matters, she analyzes the plains of the head and cuts in quadrants. “It’s that precise.”

At Anouk Curl Studio, most of the styling is done in the wet stage, rather than blow drying hair and adding hairspray later. Clients get such specialized treatment, they come from all over; some from as far away as Maryland and West Virginia.

“Curly hair has no racial bounds,” McConnaughy said. “There are people with curly hair from all walks of life. I want people with curly hair to feel it’s inclusive.”

After living in several Pittsburgh neighborhoods, the 36-year-old mother of a 5-year-old is happy to call Mt. Lebanon home. “She gets to go to a great school and we live in a great community. I’m thrilled to be here and service the area. It’s exciting,” McConnaughy noted.

For hours of operation and more details check out Anouk Curl Studio online at www.vagaro.com/anoukcurlstudio.