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.
Hey,
So I have curly/wavy hair. It is a pain, but you know you get what you get haha. I love the tips from parts one and two. However I have a bit of a problem with this one. I can’t have short layers. I dance and my hair has to be at a decent controllable length in order to be styled how I need it. Do you have any suggestions on what to do..other than getting it layered short anyways
I’d suggest you get your shortest layer cut so you can still style it how you need to for dancing. My hair can almost always be pulled back completely, as long as I don’t do a low ponytail. 🙂 Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for this post! As someone who has also been fighting my curls for years, I’m excited to give some of these a try!! Also, your comment about the triangle hair made me laugh quite a bit, my sister and I have nicknamed it “Vader-head” (in reference to Darth Vader’s helmet). 🙂
Vader-head is way way way more cool! LOL! You’re so welcome, thanks for stopping by!
With the short layers, can u still pull your hair up in a ponytail or do some shorter pieces stick out?
It really depends Lisa. If you still need to pull your hair up, have your shortest layer cut to allow for that. I actually have very long pieces that do stick out when I do a low ponytail but I prefer that look.
Great blog! You mention seeing a stylist in Fort Walton Beach, any chance you still know thir contact info?! My husband is stationed here and I would love to find someone who can cut curly hair 🙂 Thanks!
I will send you an email Candice! Love the stylist I had on Fort Walton!!
Hi there! I know this is a very old post, but I to am a curly headed lady who can’t find anyone to cut properly in the Pensacola, FL area. I would love if you could recommend someone still! 🙂
I’m sorry, I don’t have a recommendation but maybe someone else does. Danna is worth the trip to Fort Walton, (I’d thought about driving there from Texas – I’m not kidding).
If you’re willing to travel (depending on how often you get it cut), I can recommend someone in Tallahassee! Sorry I can’t get you any closer. My stylist moved to Orlando and since I loved her and I don’t get mine cut often, I actually considered still going to her, but luckily the woman who took me over at the same salon does an excellent job, as well.
I live in Orlando! Renee, an you give me your stylists name or contact information?
Hi, could you tell me the name of the person who cut your hair in Rapid? She may not still be there but it would be nice to contact her. I mostly cut my hair myself because of the frustration and disappointments from years of bad haircuts
I will email you her information Gloria!
I have extremely thick curly hair and I am going to ditch the shampoo! My hair is very dry and I am always fighting the poof! Excited to follow your advice!!
Great Tammy! Hope it works for you. I love my hair now that I’m no-poo! 🙂
I have long curly hair in Michigan so our weather never helps…it’s either so hot and humid I have a legit poofball or it’s so dry my strands get dull and flat. I haven’t found a stylist yet who hasn’t given me triangle head. One flat out refused to cut it when I showed up to my appointment! I’ll try asking for short layers and see if that works.
For frizz control I recently found SmoothN’Shine curly hair mousse (it’s in the ethnic section of my local store). It smells great and makes my hair soft, bouncy and shiny without being greasy. I can go 3 days without washing my hair, and plus it’s only a few dollars per can. If I need to tame any flyways or moisturize the ends I use some coconut oil, which adds shine and also smells amazing.
Oh I’ve been there Kelly. It’s so frustrating when a stylist refuses. One that will work with you is out there…just gotta keep looking. Thank you for the suggestions, I love hearing what other curly heads find useful!
Hi Julie,
I’m 32 and like you I had issues growing up with a mom who simply didn’t know what to do with my curls since she herself had straight hair.
I fought for my long hair at 13 and painfully waited for it to grow. But like any curly haired teen I feel in love with a flat iron. In college my very complimented long curly hair fell victim to DIY straightener. It was death my hair brittled and fell out it was a mess! I started cutting it shorter and shorter hoping for new heathy hair. Its been 10yrs and I’ve embraced my curls! Baby hormones and time have changed the original texture but the curls are back and heres what I use:
To wash I use a picnic ketchup squirt bottle with 2tbsp of baking soda/8oz water mix I apply slowly on my scalp rubbing circularly then I grab the length and douce it. I rinse then apply my “Rinse” with is 2tbsp apple cider vinegar/8oz water and 8 drops of vanilla essential oil. I rinse that off pat dry and while my hair is air drying I apply either almond oil or jojoba oil to tips and length.
I haven’t used styling products in over 2 yrs but your curl twist is def something to try so Thanks!
Thank you Ana! It’s so nice to hear ideas on how other curly-haired readers do their regimen!
Hi, i really liked everything i read about curly hair on your blog. And i have to say it sounds very interesting! I’ve heard about no poo but never of conditioning instead of shampooing and i can’t wait to try it. I have a question though, and i really hope u have something to help me! My natural hair color is dark brown, i dye my hair to look like a natural red and i have to say, boy do i love it. But, even though i dye it just once a month or every other month, sometimes my curls get loosen up a little and that i don’t like. Is there any way i can keep my curls looks bouncy and healthy even after dyeing it?
I’m sorry Norelis but I don’t have experience with working with dyed hair.
I have the whole angled bob going and I have very thick, cours, curly hair. I love my cut. I get compliments daily. The key to this cute and trendy cut is to tell the stylist you don’t want a shelf look in the back. It’s a great cut but the person with scissors in their hands can mess it up quickly. She thins “pieces” with a razor. It works. Also I use wen on my hair for “poo”. It’s pricey but I only wash twice weekly. Thanks for your post
Thank you Melissa! I appreciate you sharing your ideas for a bob cut and Wen!