Having a good salon haircut in Medford, MA, can make a huge difference when you have curly hair. In turn, you will be able to embrace your natural texture.

Still, cutting curly hair can be challenging, as you need to know your hair type and curl pattern to make yourself look and feel good. So, if you have tight coils or loose waves, our guide will help you know how to cut your hair professionally.

As a hair and spa salon, we have learned many techniques, from dry cutting to cutting under the crown and understanding curl patterns. Here is our best advice.

Our Proven Techniques For Cutting Curly Hair

Cutting curly hair requires special skill and knowledge. It’s not about cutting your length, but shaping your curls to bring out your beauty.

As a hair wellness spa, we’ve learned over the years that curly hair differs from straight hair, as it has a unique bounce.

For this reason, it helps to visit us for a professional hair analysis. We must carefully cut your hair using our trusted techniques for the best results.

Before you can have your curls cut, we first need to determine your curl pattern, as there are different types available.

Curl Patterns

Whether you have tight coils or loose waves, there is a special method for cutting your hair. As a curly girl, you can have various curls ranging from Type 2, which are waves, to Type 4, which are tight coils. You have the correct cutting technique and products for each type, allowing you to determine the best cut.

Dry Cutting For Curly Hair: Why It Works

The best way to cut curly hair is to use the dry-cutting method. This technique helps us better shape curls and prevents damage. Another reason is that wet hair stretches, making it look longer, while dry hair reveals your actual curl pattern.

Here are some other reasons why we at Haste prefer dry cutting your curls:

1. First, we can get a clear picture as dry hair allows you to see the natural curl formation. With it, we can make precise changes to the shape you want.
2. When hair is wet, it also shrinks, leading to some not-so-pretty surprises. Dry cutting prevents this, leaving you with the desired final length.
3. Another important reason is that cutting hair when it’s wet can cause it to break more easily than cutting it when it’s dry.

Our Tools For Cutting Curly Hair

We have the tools to work magic with your curls to get a great haircut.

A Good Pair of Scissors

For a perfect curly haircut, you need sharp scissors and professional hairdressing scissors made for cutting your hair. Dull blades can harm your hair and lead to split ends.

Our scissors have a strong, sharp blade and work well for a shag cut, and the best part is it has a comfy design to fit perfectly in our stylist’s hands.

You can be assured that our scissors will slice through your hair to simplify the cut without pulling it.

Brushes & Combs Designed For Curly Hair

Next on the list is having the right brush and comb to help style your hair, even if you use your fingers for detangling.

We prefer using a wide-tooth comb that glides through your curls without disrupting your natural curl pattern. Our combs also have a long, tapered handle that helps section your hair.

We also have special brushes for curly or coily hair, with flexible bristles that help spread the products evenly while defining curls without causing frizz.

How We Cut Curly Hair

Now that you know the basics, from finding your curl pattern to choosing the right tools, follow our step-by-step instructions for cutting your curly hair.

We First Prepare Your Hair

After visiting us for a professional hair analysis, we recommend washing your hair at home using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner made for your hair type. It will help clean and boost your natural texture, making cutting easier.

You can do this a day before visiting us at the salon, as your hair must be dry. If you plan to cut your hair at home, you can use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to help reduce frizz.

Also, avoid using styling products before visiting us, as they can alter your hair texture.

We Start By Sectioning Your Curly Hair

The haircut differs depending on whether you want a Diva Cut or a precision cut, so check out our Deva Cut article for more information.

But today, we will concentrate on a precise cut for your curly hair. For better control, we will section your dry hair into smaller sections.

The number of sections will depend on your hair’s length and thickness. If you have long hair, we will divide it into four parts, with two sections on top and the other two at the bottom. 

We use clips to hold each section in place, which helps to prevent hair from tangling. At the same time, we will consider your face shape and how you want your hair cut.

The Cutting of Your Curls Start Here

Depending on your curl type, we use different techniques to cut your hair. If you have Type 2 hair, you have loose curls with a soft wavy pattern. We’ll cut your hair to make those waves pop, boosting volume and movement while preserving your hair’s natural texture and flow.

For Type 2 hair, we recommend a layered haircut, as it adds depth and prevents the hair from looking flat. If you have long curls, we will cut your layers to follow your natural curl pattern for a clean finish. 

We focus on each curl’s natural shape and bounce to create a stylish and balanced look. If you have tight curls, which are seen primarily in Type 3 and Type 4 hair, consider how much your curls shrink to follow the natural shape.

Here, we recommend using a “strand by strand” or “coil by coil” cutting method. We will cut each coil or curl individually to make it look better and more defined.

Tips For Cutting Certain Curl Types

When you have a specific type of curl, like spiral, wavy, or coily hair, each type needs a different cut and care:

Cutting Wavy Curls

When we cut wavy curls, we always pay attention to the curl pattern and natural texture. We will change our cutting method to emphasize the loose waves and make them look balanced. We consider your hair length and will choose a cut to help prevent hair breakage and dryness. We can also add some elegance to your hair with a balayage.

Spiral Curl Cut

To make your ringlets look their best, we offer a unique cut designed for your hair, allowing you to keep the length you want. We will keep the length and remove the bulk to give it a nice shape, allowing you to style your hair in a ponytail. We can also add layers to bring out movement and volume, but we won’t add too much, as you’ll end up with a triangular look.

Cutting Coily Hair

If you have coily hair, you have one of the tightest curls, which requires special cutting and care, which we can provide.

We use sharp tools and are always gentle with your hair to prevent breakage and split ends. We have a water bottle on hand to wet your hair during your cut, which helps prevent it from drying out.

We then follow it with a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair moist and beautiful.

How We Can Transform Your Curly Hair With Strategic Cuts

When you visit us for a curly haircut in Medford, MA, we can help you highlight your natural beauty, but you’ll need the right haircut to reduce bulk and add volume.

Add Volume to Your Curly Hair With Layers

With layers, you can add movement and volume to your hair. The best part is that they remove weight, making your curls bounce around and look fuller. We will place the layers in the perfect spots to transform your flat hairstyle into something gorgeous. We can give you long blended layers for loose curls or define the layers to give them shape for shorter, tighter curls.

Reduce The Bulk

We can eliminate the bulk without compromising the length if you have curly, thick hair. We use the texturizing method to thin out your hair using thinning shears, allowing your curls to sit smoothly. Or we can do internal layers inside your hair to remove weight without changing the length.

Aftercare And Styling Post-Cut

Once you’ve completed your curly haircut, you need to provide your hair with aftercare to keep your curls looking their best. We recommend using products designed for curly or coily hair, such as leave-in conditioners, gels, curl creams, or mousses, to meet your specific needs.

Another helpful tip is to avoid using products with parabens, silicones, and sulfates, as these can strip the natural oil from your scalp and hair. Cutting your curly hair makes managing and styling it easier.

Always follow your natural curl pattern when styling, and use your styling products on damp hair. Scrunch your hair towards the scalp to give it a full and bouncy look. When drying your hair, use a diffuser attachment or finger coiling.

Wrap-Up: Cutting Curly Hair

When you visit us at Haste Urban Hair, our stylists have mastered cutting curly hair because they are familiar with the different curl patterns. We use dry-cutting methods with the right tools to achieve the best results. We provide you with the best aftercare advice and will recommend the correct products to use. Book your curly haircut with us today to give those curls a bounce.

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