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.
Thank you for your wonderful advice!! Most of what you posted is helpful but for me, unfortunately, I too have dry hair but only on the ends, my roots and scalp are very oily! I can skip one day then I have to wash my hair or it looks very nasty and my scalp starts to itch. I have found if I use a paraben free or a vegan shampoo (I find them at Sally’s) that I do not have the problem with frizz or unruly hair. Also, I for some reason can not stand the feel of gel in my hair!! I have found Infusium moisture replenishing leave in conditioner works just as well as gel, I find it at Wal-Mart. (Has to be the moisture replenishing, the others do not have the same affect) I spray a good bit in my hair and make sure it is covered then let it dry or use my diffuser and it looks as if I used gel, (I need to try the ringlet method). If my hair starts to dry and I notice a frizz or problem spot I just give it a spay and gone! Day two I just spray a little more leave in conditioner in my hair and off I go. The conditioner comes in a regular bottle with a squeeze top so I just use an old spray bottle and pore it in! If you have any advice or come across any for oily/dry curly hair I would love to hear what you have! My hair is very thick as well!
Hello,
I just read through your three parts here. I have shoulder length, short layered 2c/3a-ish curls and I love them…sometimes. I also have very oily skin, so I wash my hair (with “extra moisture” shampoo) almost everyday… I know it’s bad to do, but when I don’t wash, I get flat and oily on top with dry and frizzy ends. Is there a shampoo that is okay to use? Or does washing with just conditioner work? My skin (including my scalp) is SO oily; I don’t understand how my hair can be so dry!
Love your advice!
Hi Audrey! Have you tried doing a vinegar rinse for your scalp and hair?
Possibly you have buildup that is causing excess oils? I’m getting ready to share my clarifying rinse but it’s essentially a mixture of apple cider vinegar and conditioner. Also, I’d recommend you avoid putting conditioner at your roots and just focus the added oils/conditioner to the length of your hair.
Where can you get the curly handbook? And thank you for all the advice! I have shoulder length curly hair and I love it when it cooperates. However, the underneath layers of my hair curl really nicely, but the top layer is a bunch of frizz and some pieces are completely straight. Do you have any advice? I wash my hair about every other day (I am in sports, but if I’m not then I go 3-4 days) and when I dont wash it I just condition it. I use the loreal evercurl gel and Moroccan oil every day. My mom won’t let me not wash my hair (I tried the washing with conditioner and loved it, but when my mom found out she told me I was disgusting) and she won’t let my try the AC vinegar rinse. Do you have any advice on how to convince her?
Hi Karli, you can request the Curly Girl Handbook at your local library if you don’t want to buy it. It is available on Amazon if you want to have a copy to keep. There is a ton of information in the book about why shampoo isn’t necessary, and can be damaging for curly hair. I’d start with trying to get the book and show her the reasons to not using shampoo. I’m just a blogger and I think my advice may not be as helpful for her as an author and hair expert. Hope this helps and best of luck to you!
I just downloaded the kindle version for $2 from Amazon. It is very helpful! Starting day 1 of embracing my curls. 🙂
Great! Thank you Jessica, $2 is so worth it!!
Thank you so much for creating a blog for REAL curls. So many pictures/blogs show heat styled curls that takes hours to achieve. I cant wait to try short layers, everyone always says long layers. There is a brand out there called Deva Curl. What do you think about them? They have a lot of products and even certify hairdressers. Im just not sure if I should trust them.
Hi Lizz, thank you for your nice comments! I have heard of Deva Curl but have never tried the products so I can’t speak for them personally. Another curly-haired friend of mine tried one of their products but she did NOT like it. I can’t remember what she used, but she was disappointed. Everyone is different so I’d say give them a try. You may like what they have to offer. You could try one of their stylists, it can’t hurt. The key is to find a stylist who will listen to you and give you short layers. It’s an adventure finding the one who will take a risk and give you short layers. 🙂
Deva Curl is a lovely product. It really helps keep the curl. Just weird when shampooing, no suds!!! Have enjoyed using the gel they offer, too
Great blog. I have long 3B hair, what Massey calls ‘corkicelli’. It’s also very porous, something that I have come to think is almost more important than type of curl pattern. I’ve done no-poo for 8+ years now & it has improved my hair greatly. However, I still struggle with frizz & curl definition.
I have tried Devacurl – their One Condition is truly great, gives a slippery seaweed detangling feeI. live in a cold, misty climate & the products just don’t combat humidity well enough for me. I have had several cuts from Deva trained stylists. They always cut dry, like a bonsai tree basically. I am not comfortable wi wet cutting, ever. In my experience the vast majority of stylists do -not- grasp how much shrinkage curly hair can have. That said, your cut is amazing! I’m wondering what your curl type is though, as you seem to have no issue with frizz. Is your hair 3a perhaps? My 3b curls are fine & dry, but lots of hair. Basically I need some weight from a cream, in addition to gel, or I get puffy frizz. I do agree in the shorter layers though, as long as as I can get enough weight into my hair. Ouidad, the other main curl guru is a huge believer in protein & thinning the hair, while Massey believes in moisture & cutting individual curls to make them fall better. Neither one seems to be the real answer for me.
Hi aLicia! Thank you for your comment and recommendation of Devacurl! Your description of it sounds perfect for my hair and I need to try it soon.
I recently had my hair cut dry and I have to say it was the best cut I’ve ever had. She cut my hair similar to how you described it, like a bonsai tree. I’m not kidding when I say it was revolutionary. Best haircut ever! This stylist also was adamantly against thinning with sheers which makes sense given the different weight that results from the shorter hairs.
I *think* my curl type is somewhere between a 2C and 3A. I do have some frizz issues but that’s where Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie comes into the picture. I LOVE that stuff and it really does reduce the frizz.
I love the tips you give about drugstore hair products – no sense in spending an arm and a leg! I “wash” with conditioner as well – I use Suave Naturals everyday. Only $2 for the family size and I go through it quick! I also love John Freida Dream Curls, Curl Perfecting Spray. I have fine hair that is weighed down by most gels – the Curl Perfecting Spray gives just enough hold and lasts through the whole day. I occasionally use the Suave Naturals conditioner as a leave in if my hair is feeling dry. Thanks!!!
Thank you for your comment Mallory! I love finding budget-friendly solutions, and haircare products should cost an arm and a leg. 🙂
Hi there!
I came across your post and I am so glad I did! I am having such a hard time finding a stylist where I live (which just so happens to be Rapid City) that can cut my curly hair! What stylist did you see while living here?! Thank you so much!
I just sent you a message McKayla. 🙂
Omg 2017 and just found this blog: love it ….But am more in the Baby Boomers curly hair night mare Cuts!!! age group, 58 years young 🙂 and live in apple Valley Ca. Any! Stylest you can refer my way. Will travel up to hour if necessary. Really need help.
Smiles Patricia
Thanks for all the great tips. I know yoh said you went to a stylist Ft. Walton Beach. Could you send me the name or anyone else anywhere from Pensacola to there. I live very close by and need help with a proper cut. Thanks so much.
I just sent you an email Chancebeau. 🙂
I realize this is an old post. I found it on Pinterest. Could you please send me the same info re: FWB and P’cola area stylists? I live in Destin but would be willing to drive. Thanks.
Will email you Mollie! 🙂
Ditto on requesting the stylists in the FWB/Destin area! Have been desperately searching for weeks now!
Hi Julie,
I have long curly hair without any layers. I have had long layers but I didn’t think it added much to my hair. I am nervous to do the short layers because I have always found when my hair is shorter it is frizzier. I wash it daily because when I wake up it is a mess, (I wear it down to sleep – I guess that is my mistake) it never occurred to be to not wash daily! (when I blow it straight I can go 2-3 days without washing it). I feel because I use so much product in my hair, I want to wash it as well. I am certainly going to try skipping the shampoo! I do some of the same techniques that you do (never brush my curls, hand brush in shower with conditioner, towel dry etc). My current ritual for styling is to use a large palmful of mousse and then seal it with hairspray. I use cheap product because I use a lot and haven’t found that it makes much difference to use more expensive product. I just wanted to share my process and thank you for sharing yours. I am going to try some of your tips! Like you, I used to blow my curls out on a regular basis and it took a long time for me to embrace them – but I love them now! thanks for your blog
thanks,
Julie
Hi Julie! If you can take the plunge and go for short layers, I really think you’ll love them. 🙂 My understanding is that most frizz is from dryness or lack of product rather than the length of the cut. Without my gel, my frizz would be out of control.
Thank you for sharing your tips as well! I’d love to hear if you get short layers and what you think about them! Take care!