How to Cut Curly Hair

Giving a haircut to a person who has curly hair can be more difficult and frustrating than cutting straight hair. Curly hair can tend to take a triangular shape when it has not been cut correctly. This is a problem that can be very difficult to remedy. Fortunately, you can prevent this from occurring by using the proper techniques when cutting curly hair. Use the steps below to give a person with curly hair a haircut that individual will love.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comb
• Hair cutting shears
• Texturizing shears
• Hair clips

1. Section the hair into four different parts (two in the front and two in the back). To do this, separate the hair from front to back in the middle as well as side to side in the middle.

2. Comb down a 1/2-inch section beginning at the nape of the neck. First do this in the back two sections of the head.

3. Hold the hair between your index and middle finger.

4. Use your straight blade scissors to chip diagonally into the bottom of the hair to create the length that you would prefer. This technique softens all of the lines that are cut. Continue doing this around the the rest of the head.

5. Starting at the crown of the head down to the nape, create a vertical 1/2-inch section. Comb this section into the air at a 45-degree angle. The guide for your layers will be the last bit of hair from the bottom that you are able to hold at that angle.

6. Using your texturizing shears, create the layers based on your guide. Continue around to the back of the head while using this technique.

7. Comb the hair on the side of the head towards the crown and at the same angle as in step 5. Cut the hair using the guide you created in the back of the head.

8. Comb your hands through the hair and use your fingers to shake the hair around. This will allow you to see how the hair will naturally lay and to determine where you may need go back through with your texturizing blades.

9. Use a curling cream to style the hair. Coat your hands with the cream and then work it through the hair from root to tip.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless the person plans on blow drying their hair, do not cut very short bangs or angles in the front of of the head. Otherwise, the bangs will spring up, ruining the haircut. Curly hair has a shorter appearance when it is dry. Keep this in mind when cutting the length. Curly hair is often styled with gels and mousses. These are not appropriate products for this texture because they are too sticky and stiff. You should instead use curling cream.

Resources

• Cutler Curling Cream

[leahmarcelle]

on 3/18/2009 My thick, curly, waivy, red, frizzy hair thanks you for this information. I have a giant forehead that I prefer to keep under wraps and agree that bangs are not the best choice. So far, all hair dressers have recommended some form of draping which does not work as my hairline naturally falls back. Does anyone out there have another recommendation. Also, I am guilty of using the gels and mousses and agree that they too sticky and stiff. Since I don't wash my hair every day, I have found that creams give in to the frizz by the next day or so. Does anyone have an alternate recommendation for this problem. Again, thanks for this great information.

[leahmarcelle]

on 3/18/2009 My thick, curly, waivy, red, frizzy hair thanks you for this information. I have a giant forehead that I prefer to keep under wraps and agree that bangs are not the best choice. So far, all hair dressers have recommended some form of draping which does not work as my hairline naturally falls back. Does anyone out there have another recommendation. Also, I am guilty of using the gels and mousses and agree that they too sticky and stiff. Since I don't wash my hair every day, I have found that creams give in to the frizz by the next day or so. Does anyone have an alternate recommendation for this problem. Again, thanks for this great information.

[leahmarcelle]

on 3/18/2009 My thick, curly, waivy, red, frizzy hair thanks you for this information. I have a giant forehead that I prefer to keep under wraps and agree that bangs are not the best choice. So far, all hair dressers have recommended some form of draping which does not work as my hairline naturally falls back. Does anyone out there have another recommendation. Also, I am guilty of using the gels and mousses and agree that they too sticky and stiff. Since I don't wash my hair every day, I have found that creams give in to the frizz by the next day or so. Does anyone have an alternate recommendation for this problem. Again, thanks for this great information.

[leahmarcelle]

on 3/18/2009 My thick, curly, waivy, red, frizzy hair thanks you for this information. I have a giant forehead that I prefer to keep under wraps and agree that bangs are not the best choice. So far, all hair dressers have recommended some form of draping which does not work as my hairline naturally falls back. Does anyone out there have another recommendation. Also, I am guilty of using the gels and mousses and agree that they too sticky and stiff. Since I don't wash my hair every day, I have found that creams give in to the frizz by the next day or so. Does anyone have an alternate recommendation for this problem. Again, thanks for this great information.