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.
My stylist gives me long layers, but cuts so that the bottom appears to angle in, not pyramid out. Maybe because she uses thinning shears on the ends during the cut instead of to actually thin out all over, like a stylist I had when I was a kid. She also gives me three layers, not just two, so I get more body out if the cut.
I’m offended by the first paragraph you wrote and I saw, a lot I found offensive. I am a hairstylist . You basically said no stylist knows how to deal with your type of hair. That statement is false. Obbiously you must have went to a great clips or hair cuttery with someone less experienced and dubbed all hairstylists unknowing of their job that they pay a lot of money for education and work hard for many hours to receive their licenses. With any job each individual gets back what they put into it. If they would like to know about curly hair or whatever kind it would be in them to teach themselves. Maybe instead of assuming you should have asked questions first, like idk maybe do you know how to work with curly hair and not assuming. We know what we say about people who assume things. Second off drugstore brands are not good for your hair you should use only salon professional product or natural remedies. Ones you do get from drug stores are tampered with or old and many stylists are fighting with this right now. Idk what your other two stories were about but I can’t imagine the advice you gave when I couldn’t even get through two paragraphs of this with biased comments. Not a blog I would follow or read again. And I’m deff sharing this and your story. Ridiculous
There is a belief among stylists that when dealing with out of control curls, you want the weight of your hair tame your haIr….this is the comment I meant that it’s false and insulting and untrue.
You are free to have a different opinion from mine Rachel and that is a beautiful thing. 🙂
You made a BIG assumption about me…you assumed that I went to a cuttery or Great Clips (which is certainly NOT the case). I asked those questions you brought up such as, “Do you have experience working with curly hair?”
You concluded that I said EVERY stylist believes the weight of hair is what will control curls. I don’t believe this as I’ve had several amazing stylists that knew exactly what to do with curly hair and knew to not weigh it down. Mind you, one of the worst haircuts I got was from a very experienced stylist who said she knew what to do with curly hair. Fact.
I’m not sure how you could be so offended by my personal experience. Truly, I’m offended by how many bad (and expensive) haircuts I’ve gotten through the years. 🙂 But the internet is mighty big space so feel free to explore other websites. I take no offense and I wish you well in your career and life.
Rachel-
I think u took this site completely wrong!!! I was raised by a hairstylist and spent my childhood in a salon… So I have the utmost respect for the hairstylists. But as my grandmother would be the first to admit- not all hair is the same. A lot of people look at other peoples hair and styles and of course…. Want to look like that. She often had to remind me that most styles I like WILL NEVER happen with my hair. A lot of stylists (even high quality) have a hard time explaining that or don’t understand my hair and think it can be done. I was always afraid to do a lot of layers and thought long layers would work, when all said n done- disappointment yet again. Was it the stylists fault, no…. I got exactly what I asked for. Unfortunately I didn’t know what to ask for. Moving a lot makes it difficult to find a stylist u feel comfortable with, referrals are always nice (especially with someone who has similar hair to your own). So I learned a lot and appreciate the referral. I had nothing against my current stylist, but she didn’t impress me either.
My hair is a little bit curlier than yours and I never can do second day hair…
I was wondering about the layered hair cut you have. I have had 1 big layer of curl my whole life, but as it is still pretty I am bored and want to try something new, however, I do not want to thin my hair. Can I still achieve the same sort of look with out thinning and avoiding triangle head?
Thank for all the info on products and how-to’s
Sydney
I’m not a professional, but yes, I think you could definitely achieve similar results without thinning. My stylist in Florida doesn’t thin hair at all. Hope this helps and thank you for visiting!
I now live in the Rapid City, SD area – do you have a recommendation for a hairstylist here? I would love to see someone who understands curls!
I just updated my post, see update 3 Miranda. Hope you love Shayla as much as I do!!
Just found your blog on Pinterest. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my curly hair my whole life. Decided in the last two years to quit trying to fight and control my curls and embrace them instead! Will definitely try your tips, especially about stylists and cuts! As far as products go, I found the Miss Jessie line at Target and fell in love!!!!! It’s on the pricier side ($22 for a tube of gel or cream, more for a container of the curly pudding). One container has lasted over a year though because a little but of product goes a long way. I live in south Louisiana where humidity is a year round problem. These products are literally wash and go! No drying or further styling required! I LOVE THEM!
Thank you for the product recommendation Erica!! Hope my tips help you get the curly hair you love. 🙂
Growing up having curly hair and a mom that straight hair, (mom had no idea what to do with it) my head was ALWAYS a huge fuzz ball. I have finally learned the tricks to frizz free curls! After showering comb through your hair with a fine brush to tame all the frizz! Put your favorite mousse in your hair and scrunch your curls. Then use a flour sac towel or birdseye towel to dry your hair in. The trick to this is-laying it on the floor, and setting your hair in the towel so you can see your curls spiral into the towel. Tuck the ends of the towel so your hair stays put while you get ready for the day. Then take towel out, if your hair doesn’t dry fast (like mine) scrunch sections of your hair with the blow dryer to it on low/medium heat.
Hi Julie,
My hair is thin and I don’t have the big curls. I have the smaller curls. Like ringlets. Would you still recommend short layers? I’ve gotten the long layers and it looks pretty good. Just as you said my stylist told me to do long layers instead of short because it’ll make my hair poofy. My hair is really long now (down to my waist – longest it’s ever been!) and i want to get it cut. Don’t know what to do tho. I’ve always had the same haircut up until a year ago when i got the long layers. I’d say my hair is prob half the thickness of yours.
Thank you!
Nuria
If you want to try something new, I’d still recommend the short layers for you. (keep in mind – I’m not a stylist) I have a close friend who has curlier hair than I do. Her hair is quite a bit thinner than mine and it looks beautiful with the short layers. She separates out ringlets out more after she’s done styling to give it more body.
Hi Julie! My hair is literally just like yours. When I see the pictures of your hair, it can look exactly like mine (except mine’s a different color). Every day I shampoo and condition my hair, then I use mousse, curling cream, hydrating oil, and hairspray. I know. Worst combo ever. I really like the shampoo/conditioner I have. It’s Frizz Ease Curl Defining Shampoo and then the Conditioner. I can cut back to shampooing only every other day, which would probably help a lot. The brand of mousse I use is Got2B Kinkier. I’ve really liked it a lot, and I’ve been happy. I’m going to use my wide tooth comb more. I also use Johnson’s Detangler. What other products should I use? (That I can get at CVS). I definitely want a hydrating oil of some kind. I also want a gel, I’ve been thinking the one by Got2B (I like the advertising and commercials). What else should I do? I’m 15 years old, and I try to wake up at 5am for school everyday, and I leave at 7. I get out of the shower by 6 (no I don’t take an hour shower, I just don’t wake up) then have breakfast and start getting ready at 6:30am. In that half hour I take my hair out of my turbie-twist, and completely do hair, make up, and get dressed. I don’t use a diffuser, or blow dry my hair. What do you suggest? Also I’m wondering, does dry shampoo work for the curly haired? It would help, especially on the many days I oversleep (until 6:40) and don’t have time. Thank you very much!!!!
Hi Jackie, I can really only recommend the products that I’ve outlined in this post since these are the products I have experience with. That post should answer many of your questions.
My thought on dry shampoo for curly hair is that it would be frizzy or very goofy if you combed the dry shampoo through My best recommendation is that you buy a diffuser. Think it’s be best solution honestly. Hope this all helps!
Great tips! I already do nopoo and it works nicely with my “way too thick” hair! I’m going to try the short layers, using the exact quote from your stylist. One question though: how does the whole effect look with short layers if you straighten your hair? Not that I would let this be a deal breaker. Let’s face it, I really only straighten my hair a handful of times each year anyway.
I’m not sure on the straightening as I don’t have the patience. 🙂 Maybe someone else can chime in on this for you.
For those looking for products that work, I can recommend the Marrakesh line from Earthly Body (www.marrakeshhaircare.com). I’ve had great success with it over the last two to three years. I started using only the oil (I was the guinea pig for my stylist because it was a new product then) and was really happy with it; then I tried the shampoo and conditioner (now called Marrakesh Nourish) as well and fell absolutely in love with it. After almost 30 years, or the first time since my curly hair appeared (when I was 10 and decided I wanted my string-straight waist-length hair cut short . . . and yes, I was absolutely distraught because I like my straight hair and, unlike most girls, never, ever, ever wanted curly or even wavy hair), I don’t have frizz and I don’t have to fight with it. It also works great on my crown, where my hair is damaged from a childhood accident and I have almost twice as much hair that can be very wiry. It can be a bit pricey, but the oil lasts quite a while because you don’t need much, and if you watch the website, you can take advantage of the 2-to-3-times-a-year bo-go sales, which is when I stock up.
For reference, I have 3b hair–thick, coarse, and tons of it!–currently cut in a style very similar to the cover image of the /Curly Girl Handbook/ in post 1–in fact, that’s what my curls look like too–modified bob with a slight angle toward the jawline, lots of layers, and a stacked wedge in the back because my hair is too heavy and bothers me so it ends up in a ponytail otherwise. My stylist uses the thinning comb–not shears–on the last inch or so every 2 to 3 cuts just to lengthen the life of my cut (otherwise, I’d be in every two weeks). I wash it every 3 days.
From my experience, work with your (trusted!) stylist to create a cut that works for you. Start with what you think you want; then, when you go the next time, let your stylist know what does and doesn’t work about the cut, because he or she will probably have ideas about how to adjust it. My stylist (I should say stylists because all the stylists at the salon I go have cut my hair and each does great work with wavy/curly hair–shoutout for the stylists at Hair Express, Lancaster, PA!) and I have tried lots of tweaks and even if a cut didn’t work the way I’d hoped, it always looked great.
And keep changing stylists until you find one you trust!! I can’t stress that enough. The same stylist who cut my hair when it decided to curl took care of me for about another 10 years. After moving to Lancaster, PA, I searched for 4 or 5 years before finding a salon I felt safe at, and that was after a $90 cut that was an inch shorter on one side because the stylist didn’t believe me that the left side curls much more when wet than the right does, cuts that had long layers when I’d ask for short, and a stylist who was so uncomfortable at the thought of cutting my hair, she told me up front, “If you had ethnic hair, I’d know what to do with it, but this . . . this curl is baffling!” What a relief her honesty was! I thanked her, tipped her, and went on my merry way.
Above all, have faith. If I can come to a truce with my curly hair, anyone can! 🙂