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IRENE | Internationally Certified Curl Specialist

@irene_thetexpert

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Founder @thezhooshcut
👑 KM icon of the year 2025
🏆3xTop 5 Cut in the World
@oneshothairawards
🏆Keune style shot 2026
➰ RËZO Certified

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Three weeks ago, I boarded a flight to Texas and it still feels so surreal.

Honestly, I am overwhelmed and humbled by the experience. Meeting my mentors and stylists that I looked up to throughout my career has been amazing - standing alongside them on stage to present an award, was truly a highlight of my career.

To be voted the Top 5 Cut in the world - out of thousands of entries from stylists of all specialities, was life-changing. Seeing the beauty of our South African curlies showcased on a global stage brought tears to my eyes.

This is for you my curlies! I am so blessed to do what I love each and every day 🤍 by @irene_thetexpert

More than a trophy. 🤍

This one is for every curly girl who was ever told her texture needed to be “fixed.”
For every crown that was hidden, straightened, tied down, or misunderstood.

To see natural texture celebrated on a national stage means everything to us.

Congratulations to our curl queen, Irene da Fonseca, on winning the Style Category at the Keune Stylist Awards 2026. Your passion, education, and dedication to healthy curls continue to change the way curls are seen, worn, and loved.

A win for curls.
A win for texture.
A win for the entire curl community.

#FREETHECURL 🤍

Photographer: @aart.verrips
Model: @brooklyn.bakerr by @irene_thetexpert

Irene is still so grateful for being named Kevin Murphy’s Icon of the Year 2025, and it’s a win that continues to be celebrated in the salon every day. The trophy proudly stands on display, not just as a symbol of her achievement, but as a reminder that this recognition belongs to the entire Zhoosh family. It represents the dedication of the team, the love of our curl community, and every Zhoosh queen who has trusted us with her curl journey. Together, we’ll keep growing, expanding our family, and empowering more curlies - because we truly believe curly girls will rule the world. #freethecurl #thezhooshcut #curlspecialist #curlexpert #curlcertified #curlysalon #curlystylist #queenofcurls #naturalcurlyhair #curls #curlygirls #embracingcurls #curlqueen #curljourney #curltransformation by @irene_thetexpert

A little peek into my world 🤍✂️ From curls to chaos, coffee to conversations… just another day doing what I love. ✨ #thezhooshcut #curlyhair #curlyhaircommunity #naturalcurls #curlyhairstylist by @irene_thetexpert

The reactions speaks for themselves. #freethecurl #thezhooshcut #curlyhair #haireducation #curlygirls by @irene_thetexpert

French, fabulous and curls? Très dangereux. 💋🇫🇷

The french charm was already iconic - the Zhoosh curls just made it a whole new situation. 🤩🖤➰

#FreeTheCurl #curlyhair #thezhooshcut #curlsunderstood by @irene_thetexpert

Safe to say I’m obsessed with them all 😍 #freethecurl #thezhooshcut #curlyhair #curlyhairsalon #hairtransformation by @irene_thetexpert

Our queen showing us how it’s done!!! 🖤➰
#freethecurl by @irene_thetexpert

Many titles, one passion. 🤎👑 #freethecurl #thezhooshcut #curlcommunity #curlyhair #curlyspecialist by @irene_thetexpert

WHY ARE WE DETOXING OUR HAIR IN THE FIRST PLACE? 👀➰

Maybe it’s time to question what we’re putting on our curls. The endless creams, conditioners, mousses and gels… then another product to fix the build-up.

At Zhoosh, we believe in less product, more curl. Your routine should work with your hair, not leave you constantly trying to reset it.

Curl girls, how many products are in your routine right now? Be honest. 👀

#FreeTheCurl #curltalk #thezhooshcut #curleducation by @irene_thetexpert

Little Billie-Rose said forget the rules, give me the wolf cut. 🖤➰

Proof that curls have NO age limit and style has no minimum age. She’s not following trends, babe. She’s setting them. 🪩➰

#freethecurl

#FreeTheCurl by @irene_thetexpert

You will be getting all 3 versions during your Zhoosh visit 😂💕 #freethecurl #thezhooshcut #curlyhaircommunity #curlyhair #curlyhairtips by @irene_thetexpert