How To Cut Curly Hair, According To A Stylist
Learn the best way to achieve your most flattering haircut for curly hair.
Key Takeaways
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Curly hair should be cut dry to see the natural curl pattern.
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Avoid stretching curls while cutting to prevent them from ending up shorter than desired.
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Layers help reduce bulk and add bounce to curly hair.
If you have curly hair , you might be familiar with the struggle of walking out of the salon with a haircut that isn't quite as flattering for your ringlets as you wished. Although some stylists know specifically how to trim curly hair, others try to trim it just as they would straight hair, cutting so that both sides are equal. Unfortunately, curls don't work that way. To help women with curls or wavy texture in their hair, we decided to go to someone who specializes in curly hair to bust some myths: Sara Mills of Southern Curly Girls.
Here are her best tips for how to cut curly hair and making sure you get the right haircut.
Meet The Expert
Sara Millsof Southern Curly Girls in Birmingham, Alabama, is specially trained in curly hair-cutting, certified in the Ouidad technique.
What To Know About Curly Haircuts
@jesseniaspallet
Since curls are different on everyone, the stylist has to pay attention to curl type and hairline as she or he is cutting. "Your hairline is just distinctive to you. And that actually is kinda like your foundation," Mills says.
At the nape of the neck, the stylist shouldn't cut straight across because side pieces could end up being much shorter than the other curls. Mills cuts the ends of each curl rather than across the hair's ends. This eliminates having to stretch the hair and follows the hairline. Precision haircuts where pieces are cut the same length don't work for curly hair because every curl is different.
Tips For Cutting Curly Hair
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Cut Without Stretching Curls
"The thing that a lot of stylists make a mistake [on] with curly hair, [is that] they'll stretch the hair when they're cutting it...and then by the time that hair draws up, it's 2 inches shorter than the customer really wants," says Mills.
Cut Curly Hair Dry
Curly hair should be cut dry so the stylist can see the hair's natural curl pattern. Curls appear different when dry than when wet. When cut wet, the curls shrink up and end up shorter than desired, and they may fall differently than when dry.
Add Layers
Layers can reduce bulk and heaviness of curly hair and add bounce and volume. If curly hair is straightened, those layers may not be as even or flattering. Avoid texturing cuts that can result in frizz .
Trim Curls In Sections
If cutting your curls yourself, work from front to back or around the clock, starting with the top of the head, then working around to 1 o'clock, and so on.
Styling Tips For Curly Hair
@natalieannehair
For styling curly hair, Mills recommends using a little gel followed by a leave-in conditioner to combat frizz. Use the rake-and-shake method to apply the gel, detangle, and smooth your curls. To start, take small sections of hair one section at a time, gently comb your hands through the section, and shake the ends instead of scrunching. Follow up with a diffuser instead of a blow dryer.
Inspiring Curly Hairstyles
@timm.morrison
With a great cut in place, you'll enjoy the new bounce in your curls. Look to these hairstyle ideas for inspiration to play up your curly 'do.
Next time you're going in for a chop, make sure to follow Mills' tips.
Frequently asked Questions
Should you brush out curly hair before cutting?
No, it's best to keep curly hair in its natural state before cutting. Brushing, picking, or combing can change the curl pattern, leading to an uneven cut.
What type of layering is best for curly hair?
When layering curly hair, focus on adding layers to the middle and ends. This boosts volume, spreads out the weight evenly, and helps you avoid a pyramid shape.
What haircuts look best on curly hair?
Haircuts like the shag, bob, long bob (lob), and pixie cut work well to define your curls and enhance your natural texture.
Read the original article on Southern Living
