Today’s post is the last installment on how to take care of naturally curly hair and we are going to cover super curly haircuts for naturally curly hair.
In the first post, I shared some of the tools you need for caring for your curly hair, along with grocery store products that work well for curly hair
The second post was all about how to style your hair.
First, let me just say that I’ve probably seen many different hair stylists and tried to achieve a cut that was compatible with my long curly hair. I’ve had two stylists who cut my hair just right and all the others left me with a similar problem: Triangle Shaped Hair.
What is Triangle Hair?
Triangle Hair speaks to the shape of your hair when the layers are not significant enough to take the bulk of the weight off towards the bottom of your length.
This issue happens with straight hair too, but it is usually not as pronounced unless hair the straight hair is very thick or the hair is not straightened with a flat iron.
With naturally curly hair, Triangle Hair is far more prevalent in my experience. There are two reasons why I think this happens more with curly hair:
- A misconception that your curly hair needs to have the weight of your hair to tame your curls and be cut all one length.
- Natural curls will flair out some at the ends as the curls get looser from flow and movement.
Though many stylists are well-meaning. Keeping long layers (or no layers in some cases) is the biggest mistake you can make if you want a more tapered look for your curls.
The reality is you want to lighten your hair up. Here we are in the year 2023 and so many hair stylists now get the need for layers for curly hair.
How to Avoice Triangle Hair
In order to avoid triangle hair, need to get layers cut in your hair but long layers won’t do. You must insist that you want SHORT layers. In fact, I think I had long layers in this photo.
If you are going for this look of mine above, I don’t want to sway you otherwise. But if you aren’t, you must insist upon short layers.
It doesn’t really matter if you have medium or longer curly hair, my experience is that haircuts for naturally curly hair must have short layers.
I’ve had stylists TRY to give me short layers but I still got long layers.
Back when I originally posted this, it really was a challenge to get a stylist to truly give me short layers. Maybe that has changed due to social media, Curly Girl, and more understanding of curly hair.
Basic Haircut Instructions
I wish I would have captured my curly hair layers before and after when I first had my hair cut properly. Through a quick Google search, you’ll see for yourself the difference short layers make. My stylist up in Rapid City sent me these instructions for the next person who cuts my hair and I plan on quoting her exactly as follows:
“Increase layer and let the bottom drop out. Slide cutting from the top down to take out the bulk, or you can thin with shears. Top layer should be 6-7 inches long. Frame face.”
Those were her instructions on how to talk to a stylist about a long curly haircut.
If you look at the top photo (the non-triangular hair one) you’ll see that I have short layers. This is really what you want if you want to have long curly hair and be able to wear it down.
So those are the basic instructions for haircuts for curly hair.
Key Takeaway: You have to have short layers, which will lighten the weight and enhance your curls.
I’d love to hear if you have some product you love to use for your hair or if you have a tip you’d like to add, please comment below.
*UPDATE #1* I had a stylist in Fort Walton Beach, FL who did an amazing job of cutting my hair. She cut it dry and have me the short layers I need. She also said someone with naturally curly hair should NEVER have their hair thinned with thinning sheers.
As a hairstylist myself, and ALSO having naturally curly hair similar to yours, I’d have to say that thinning shears aren’t the devil when it comes to our natural style. I agree with the quote that you posted from your stylist, as that is how I cut my curly haired clients hair as well. BUT, there is a proper way to thin the hair to help remove some weight and allow the curl to form without a heavy blunt or razored mess. Taking our sections at the top of the head and as if you were “slide cutting” and do about three snips with the shears vertically facing down p. This allows the curl to bounce up without w blunt end and give the client a fuller, better shoes, look.
Ahhh…very good Katrina!! Yes, my latest stylist did not use shears but she did twist my hair (around my face) and did little snippets to remove some bulk. Thank you for chiming in, I really appreciate your expertise!
Hi Julie. You are so right about getting a good haircut if you have curly hair. One question, in the first set of instructions your stylist says – “or you can thin with shears”, but in your update your stylist says “someone with naturally curly hair should NEVER have their hair thinned with thinning shears” So, I’m confused. Shears or no shears? I’m about to get my haircut and I’m seriously going to give them these exact instructions.
Great question Heather!
Yes, so my first stylist (and many others) have used shears and recommend it. My 2nd stylist had strong opinions about NOT using shears though. I honestly can’t say one way or the other. I did just get my hair cut (it is medium length and I need to do an update post) and my newest stylist does NOT use shears. She knew what she was doing though. Sorry…it’s not consistent but I can’t really say one way is perfect…I’d go with your stylist’s gut on whether to thin or not.
And I just remembered that my last gal did twist my hair around my face and did a few snippets of hear to remove some of the bulk. I’m going to quote the comment for a stylist who just commented, hope you find it helpful for your upcoming haircut!
From Katrina Goodin “As a hairstylist myself, and ALSO having naturally curly hair similar to yours, I’d have to say that thinning shears aren’t the devil when it comes to our natural style. I agree with the quote that you posted from your stylist, as that is how I cut my curly haired clients hair as well. BUT, there is a proper way to thin the hair to help remove some weight and allow the curl to form without a heavy blunt or razored mess. Taking our sections at the top of the head and as if you were “slide cutting” and do about three snips with the shears vertically facing down p. This allows the curl to bounce up without w blunt end and give the client a fuller, better shoes, look.”
Thank you Julie for posting the Triangle Hair blog. I have extremely thick & wavy hair, so I decided to try the short layers. Loving it!!! I’m planning on getting the top shorter layers next hair cut. I actually received compliments. No more big 80’s hair plus the frizz is way less!!! I do use Renpure shampoo, conditioner, & deep conditioner as a leave in….great product!! Thanks again!!
Yay!!! So glad to hear that Kim!!! And thank you for the product recommendation!
Would love to know if anyone knows of a good stylist in the Little Rock Arkansas area. I too have had triangle head one too many times.
WOW! THE POST I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! Lol, I have long thick curly Polynesian hair, I’ve had long hair almost all my life (besides the few trims and few short cuts I had as a little girl that ALWAYS ended up with triangle head smh). So for my birthday I’m looking to get a really short cut, but I was so skeptical of how to handle my ball of curly thickness, and most of all, “triangle head” lol. And this post has put my worries to rest. THANK YOU JULIE FOR SHARING ?
So glad to have helped you Abigail! Rock those gorgeous locks! 🙂
Hi Julie,
Thank you for all of the wonderful information on curly hair. It’s a Godsend really. I’m nearing 50 and my hair is much thinner than when I was in my 30s. Would short layers still be a good idea for my hair? It’s not consistently curly. Meaning I will have some weird straight pieces. It’s curly just with a mind of it’s own. Thank you.
Hi Connie! Yes! It will still work wonderfully for you! A good friend of mine has thinner hair and her layers look gorgeous.
Ha-ha-ha, omg. This was so funny for me to come across your post!
I have long curly hair, I remember YEARS ago (like 15 years ago) going to a mall stylist and asking for short layers. Whoah – BIG mistake!! The stylist was ENRAGED with me! She insisted that I was asking for a mullet. I tried so hard to explain what I meant, knowing that short layers would take the weight off my hair and let the curls bounce up more…but not long layers that yes, give you a mess of hair in the last 3 inches of your hair. The stylist got another stylist to come out of the back to prove she was right and that I would end up with a mullet if she was to give me short layers. I left yelling that she was an incompetent stylist.
I was finally able to find a stylist who understood me…well she didnt really, but she said its my hair and she’ll do what I asked. I was never so happy about a cut in all my life.
Way to stick to your guns!!!! Seriously!! 🙂
3 years too late but I’m commenting to request articles/blogs about short curly hair. Especially hair styles. Thanks!
Oh my gosh, your post echoed all of the complaints I have had about my haircut experiences. In the last year, I decided to grow my hair out, and because I hate it when my hair gives me that pyramid look, I told the stylist to give me layers. And JUST LIKE YOU, she insisted that she couldn’t go shorter than my shoulders otherwise it will poof out. So she cut the layers so close in length to each other that when they dried, they sprung up to basically the same length. No one could tell I had layers. And my head still looks like a pyramid. I was so disappointed. I’m doing extra research in finding a salon with a stylist who actually understands curly hair. I’m the only one of my friends with thick curls so no one can relate to my hair situation. It was nice to know others understand the struggle.
Hey Shabana, look into DevaCurl/Deva Stylists. Seriously, they will transform your curly hair life! 🙂 Their website has a stylist locator, so that might be the easiest place to get started. Scott Musgrave Hair also a wonderful Facebook page and blog for additional research and help if needed. Best of luck!
Hi Julie,
Thank you for your fantastic post, LOVE IT! I wanted to ask if you knew of any good hair stylists in the Boston area? I am willing to drive several hours for a good cut, as I’ve definitely spent may years of my life with 3A triangle hair 🙁
Thanks!
Hi Annette! Thank you for stopping by! I don’t know anyone in the Boston area but maybe a reader will…best wishes!
I LOVE the DevaCare products and stylists. If you go to their website, they have a stylist locator. Maybe that would help you narrow down to someone in your area that isn’t several hours away. 🙂 Best of luck!