How to cut curly hair? Which hairstyles do we recommend for curls?

Cutting curly hair, in the opinion of many hairdressers, is harder and more demanding than cutting straight hair. And from what the women who come to us say, it is hard to find a good hairdresser in Warsaw who can cut curly hair professionally. At Haircut Express we have been practising this difficult art for years. And we have people on our team who positively love the particular challenges that our clients’ curly hairstyles present! We invite you to one of our salons in Warsaw, Poznań, Szczecin, Wrocław, Łódź, Bydgoszcz and Siedlce, where 7 days a week, with no appointment and until late in the evening (even until 9 pm!) you will meet a professional who knows how to bring out the shape of your curls during the cut and how to match the shape of the style to your face.

How to cut curly hair

Firstly, thinning scissors are not used to cut curly hair. We don’t thin curly hair, especially when it is long. Secondly, before cutting, the hair must be very thoroughly combed through. This should be done well before the hairdresser assesses the natural curl and looks carefully at the shape of the client’s face. Thirdly – and most importantly – curly hair is not cut wet. Curly hair is cut in sections, without making a straight line. While cutting, the shape of the resulting style must be constantly checked. The rule is always to cut a little less than planned – the style almost always springs up surprisingly fast anyway. Between successively cut sections there should not be too great a difference in length. We cut gradually, without creating a “helmet” effect.

Which hairstyles do we recommend for curly hair?

Bob for curly hair – a short, asymmetric bob is an excellent option for people with curly hair. It can be worn naturally combed out or slightly tamed with styling products.

Medium-length pixie cut – short, medium-length curly hair in a pixie style will make your curls look great. This style is both stylish and practical.

Afro – photos of an afro on curly hair are always impressive! This natural, fluffy and cheeky look gives curls complete freedom.

Dreadlocks – if you like more expressive, natural styles, dreadlocks on curly hair can be a great solution. A style that adds character!

Braids – braids on curly hair are a great way to show off natural curls and add an interesting twist. Braids look particularly interesting on curly hair when we pull out single strands and let them curl next to the braid (they mustn’t be too long, though!). When braiding curly hair, keep the braid loose. Don’t tighten the sections, don’t pull – give the style volume, which will make the braid look fuller and the curl more visible.

What should you remember when cutting curly hair at home?

Many people, disappointed by unsuccessful visits to the hairdresser, decide to cut their curly hair at home, reaching for whatever scissors happen to be in the drawer and bravely standing in front of the mirror. How do you cut your hair at home and avoid a disaster? First of all, just as with cutting curly hair anywhere else – don’t do it wet. Once dry, the style will look completely different, and the difference will be much greater than with straight hair. Cutting curly hair dry above all avoids cutting it too short. Besides, when cutting dry you can constantly monitor progress and correct any misjudged snips. It is also absolutely essential to wash the hair thoroughly before cutting. Make sure there is no excess sebum on the surface, no dirt on the scalp, and that the hair is not coated with hairspray, conditioner or any other styling or care product.

Disguise an unsuccessful curly haircut with a well-chosen style!

Finally, remember that even a mediocre cut can be disguised with a nice style. Curly hair can sometimes be troublesome to style. But it’s worth looking for a style that suits you: matched to your face shape and, of course, to the length of your hair. Updos based on gathering the hair at the sides work very well on curly hair. Another style that almost always looks good on curly hair is the half-up ponytail. It’s the ideal solution for people who want to leave some of their hair loose while pinning it up at the back of the head. You can make a loose half-ponytail with a few ends hanging around the face. The key to a successful updo on curly hair is gentleness and care, so as not to disturb the natural waves and texture. You can also use special styling products, such as a light curl-scrunching gel or a curl-enhancing mousse, to complete the style and keep the hair in place. A light shine spray also works well.

FAQ

Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?

Dry. Curls shrink and spring up as they dry, so cutting wet almost always ends with a shorter style than planned. The hairdresser should assess the natural curl pattern and cut in sections, checking the shape as they go.

Can curly hair be thinned out?

Classic thinning with thinning scissors is not advisable – it breaks up the curl and causes frizz. Instead, point cutting or layering with scissors is used, which keeps the shape of the curls.

Which hairstyle suits curly hair best?

A bob and long bob, a pixie with a longer top, natural afro, and layers on longer hair all work well. The key is matching the length to the type of curl and the face shape.

How often should curly hair be cut?

Usually every 8–12 weeks – less often than straight hair. Curly hair loses its shape more slowly, but shows split ends faster, so regular trimming is important.

Does Haircut Express cut curly hair without an appointment?

Yes. In every one of our salons we cut women, men and children with no prior booking – curly hair included. Haircut prices are in the price list, salons on the map.

Read also

• How often should you get a haircut? Facts and myths
• Hairstyles that make women look younger – what to choose and why it works
• Walk-in hairdresser – everything you want to know before you come
• Women’s haircut – price list