If you’re a curly-haired gal, you know the struggle when coming out of the salon with a triangle haircut. While some stylists know how to trim curly hair (and these are usually curly hair stylists themselves), they try to trim curly hair the same way they would straight hair so that both sides are the same. Some people try to cut it so that it becomes. Unfortunately curls don’t work that way. The majority of women have curly or wavy textures in their hair, so to bust some myths, we decided to consult someone who specializes in curly hair, Sara Mills of Southern Curly Girls. Here are her best tips for cutting curly hair and ensuring you get the right haircut.
Sarah Mills of Southern Curly Girls in Birmingham, Alabama;
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cut curly hair
“The mistake a lot of stylists make with curly hair is that they let it grow out when they cut it…and by the time it grows out, it’s two inches long.” It’s shorter than I would like it to be,” says Sarah.
Everyone’s curls are different, so your stylist should pay attention to your curl type and hairline when cutting. “Your hairline is unique to you. It’s really like your foundation.”
At the nape of the neck, the stylist should not make a straight cut, since the side part can end up being much shorter than the rest of the curls. Sarah cuts the ends of each curl instead of cutting across the ends of her hair. This eliminates the need to stretch your hair and creates a finish that follows your hairline. Precision haircuts that cut to the same length will not work on curly hair because each curl is different.
curly hair styling tips
For styling curly hair, we recommend using a small amount of gel, followed by a leave-in conditioner to prevent frizz. Use the stir and shake method to apply the gel, detangle, and smooth curls. First, take one small section of hair at a time and gently comb the section with your hands, shaking the ends instead of combing them. Follow up by using a diffuser instead of a hair dryer.
impressive curly hairstyles
With a suitable cut, you can enjoy the new elasticity of your curls. Use these hairstyle ideas as inspiration to style your curly hair.
Read more of Sara’s great tips so you’re armed with information the next time you try.