Why Some Stylists Struggle with Curly Hair and What You Should Know Before Your Next Cut
Let me walk you through these mistakes just like I do when you’re in my chair, cape on, and your curls doing their beautifully unpredictable thing.
1. Cut Curly Hair Only When It’s Dry
Here’s the thing: curls shrink. Some a little, some a lot. When a stylist cuts curls wet, they’re guessing how short your hair will be once it dries, and guessing does not end well in the curl world.
What I do instead:
I will always cut your hair dry and let it fall where it wants, so I can see your true shape before I start cutting.
I will always cut your hair dry and let it fall where it wants, so I can see your true shape before I start cutting.
2. Not Noticing You Have More Than One Curl Pattern
Most people with curly hair don’t have just one type of curl.
You might have looser waves in the front, tighter curls in the back, and a few rebellious pieces doing their own thing near the crown. That’s normal.
You might have looser waves in the front, tighter curls in the back, and a few rebellious pieces doing their own thing near the crown. That’s normal.
Where some stylists go wrong:
They treat your hair like it’s one uniform texture, but it’s not.
They treat your hair like it’s one uniform texture, but it’s not.
What I do instead:
I adjust the cut based on each curl’s personality. Yes, they all have one.
I adjust the cut based on each curl’s personality. Yes, they all have one.
3. Using Tension While Cutting
If someone pulls your curls straight, cuts them, and then lets go,
They’ve just taken off way more than you expected.
They’ve just taken off way more than you expected.
Why I don’t do that:
Curls should be cut with no tension so they can spring naturally into place. This way, there’s no snapping back and no surprises.
Curls should be cut with no tension so they can spring naturally into place. This way, there’s no snapping back and no surprises.
4. Using Straight-Hair Techniques On Curly Hair
This is a big one.
A lot of traditional haircutting techniques create shelves, bulk, or that infamous triangle shape when used on curls. What works on straight hair simply doesn’t translate.
A lot of traditional haircutting techniques create shelves, bulk, or that infamous triangle shape when used on curls. What works on straight hair simply doesn’t translate.
What I do instead:
I cut for the curl’s natural curve and how it wants to sit on your head, not how it behaves when it’s wet, stretched, or forced.
I cut for the curl’s natural curve and how it wants to sit on your head, not how it behaves when it’s wet, stretched, or forced.
5. Thinning Shears and Razors: Just No
For curly hair, thinning shears and razors are the main problem.
They rough up your curl pattern, create frizz, and make the ends look stringy.
They rough up your curl pattern, create frizz, and make the ends look stringy.
My approach:
I use clean, intentional shear work only. Your texture already gives you all the movement you need.
I use clean, intentional shear work only. Your texture already gives you all the movement you need.
6. Ignoring Your Natural Curl Direction
Every curl turns, flips, and spirals in its own direction.
If a stylist cuts against that, some pieces will flip in odd ways or refuse to lay as they should.
If a stylist cuts against that, some pieces will flip in odd ways or refuse to lay as they should.
What I do:
I pay attention to how your curls move so the haircut works with you, not against you.
I pay attention to how your curls move so the haircut works with you, not against you.
7. Not Considering How You Actually Live Your Life
This part matters more than people think.
If you:
- air-dry most days
- diffuse for volume
- throw it up at the gym
- sleep wild
- Or if you don’t want a high-maintenance routine,
Your cut needs to match that.
My job isn’t to give you a look that only works in the salon.
It’s to give you a shape that works in your real world.
It’s to give you a shape that works in your real world.
8. Not Teaching You How to Care for Your Curls
Even with the perfect cut, curls need hydration, the right products, and the right techniques.
I’m big on education because:
If you don’t know how to care for your curls, you won’t get the results you want at home, and that’s not fair to you.
If you don’t know how to care for your curls, you won’t get the results you want at home, and that’s not fair to you.
In the end,
Curly hair isn’t “difficult.” It’s specific.
It needs to be cut with intention, patience, and respect for how each curl behaves.
It needs to be cut with intention, patience, and respect for how each curl behaves.
When curls are cut correctly, they don’t just look good.
They become easier to care for, healthier over time, and way more predictable.
They become easier to care for, healthier over time, and way more predictable.
If you ever have questions about your curl type, how your cut can help your routine, or what your curls actually need, just ask me. I love talking curls, and I want you to understand your hair as much as I do.
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