When cutting curly hair, avoid cutting it wet (unless using specific techniques), using thinning shears (causes frizz), cutting straight across (causes triangles), using too much tension, and cutting without considering natural curl shrinkage, which means dry cutting curl-by-curl is often best to control shape and avoid unwanted volume or flat spots. Focus on removing bulk with strategic layers or blunt ends rather than thinning, and always cut small amounts at a time.
5 Common Mistakes Hairdressers Make When Cutting Curly Hair
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When you “rough in” the general shape of the haircut while it is wet, it tends to give you a better flow to the shape. You can then “fine-tune” it while it's dry. Wet-cutting gives a consistent end to the curls, not shattered like dry-cutting can give. This results in a more consistent shape and less frizz.
Curly hair is not the same as straight hair and it should not be cut or cared for in the same way. Curly hair should be cut dry in its natural state to avoid shrinkage and to build the desired shape (bye bye triangle head!).
Our experts agree that most curl types should be cut on an angle. For tight curls, uneven layering works best. Make certain your cut doesn't flatten your crown. To avoid a flat top, try a short layer under a longer layer to pump up the volume.
The "7-day haircut rule" suggests that while a fresh haircut looks sharp, it often hits its peak and looks most natural, effortless, and "lived-in" around one week (7 days) after getting it, as the hair softens, settles, and blends better. It's a guideline for timing major events or understanding when your hair finds its sweet spot, allowing the initial starkness to fade into a more comfortable style, similar to breaking in new shoes.
“Many younger stylists are frightened of curls due to a lack of education and the fact they've relied on electrical equipment to style the hair for them. Professional tools will help but it is key to learn how to cut and style different types of curls first.
Hairstylists cut curly hair too short, which does not allow for shrinkage as the curls dry. The results are a drastic loss of hair length and hair blending. We call this "Cutting Shock".
For healthy, bouncy curls, we recommend getting a haircut at least every 12 weeks. This prevents split ends, maintains shape, and ensures your curls stay defined and frizz-free. If your curls are tighter or more delicate, you may need a haircut closer to the 8-week mark.
The "3-inch hair rule" (or sometimes the 2.25-inch rule) is a hairstylist's guideline to help you decide if short hair suits your face shape: place a pencil horizontally under your chin and a ruler vertically under your ear; if the measurement from the pencil to your earlobe (where the ruler sits) is less than 3 inches (or 2.25 inches), short hair will likely flatter you, while more suggests longer styles are better, though it's just a guide, not a strict rule.
Make Sure You Cut with Dry Hair
Taylor says that cutting curly hair is best with a dry cut. She explains that wet hair can become very condensed and you won't be able to gauge the amount of hair you're actually cutting, which can lead to shrinkage and other major cutting mistakes.
Top 10 Curly Hair Mistakes That Cause Frizz & Breakage
Yes, $10 is a great tip for a $40 haircut, as it's 25%, well above the standard 15-20% ($6-$8), and shows appreciation for good service, especially if the cut was detailed or you're a regular customer. A 20% tip ($8) is standard for good service, so $10 is a generous gesture that most barbers will highly appreciate.
The rarest hair type is generally considered Type 1A, which is extremely fine, straight, and wispy, lacking any natural bends or waves, making it difficult to hold a curl but naturally sleek and prone to oiliness. While curly hair types (Type 3 & 4) are less common globally, 1A stands out as the least voluminous and textured straight hair, often seen in people of East Asian descent, though it's considered rare across all populations due to its unique fineness.
Over-moisturized hair looks limp, mushy, and lacks definition, with curls falling flat and feeling overly soft, stretchy (without bouncing back), and heavy, often appearing stringy or greasy, even feeling cool and damp for a long time after washing due to moisture overload and a lack of protein balance.
In some cultures, cutting one's hair is seen as a way to release past traumas and signify a fresh start. However, it's important to note that this is symbolic and personal, not a universally applicable or scientifically validated concept.
If you ever notice that your curls appear looser right after your cut, it may be because of the way it was cut. This is typically experienced by those with looser curl patterns where removing length results in the removal of ringlets, making your curls appear looser.
Gen Z loves curly hair because it embodies their focus on natural beauty, individuality, and self-expression, heavily influenced by social media trends and celebrities embracing their authentic textures, moving away from heavily styled looks to showcase unique curls, sometimes enhanced with modern, softer perms. This shift celebrates unique textures, rejecting past pressures to conform to straight hair standards, with styles like the curly-top fade becoming popular for men too.
Curly hair needs weight on the ends for optimal curl, do not use a razor, it thins out the ends and creates frizz. Many stylists cut too many short layers in curly hair creating ledges. Assure your client that if layers are cut, they will be long layers with blunt ends to promote definition.
We call it the 2.25 rule.
Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.
Yes, a $5 tip for a $20 haircut is considered good to generous, as it's 25%, exceeding the standard 15-20% ($3-$4) for good service, showing appreciation for a great cut, or if the service was exceptional, though some stylists appreciate even more for complex cuts or loyalty.
Hair should not be cut on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Apart from this, it is not good to cut hair on Amavasya and Purnima days. It is also not good to cut hair after sunset.