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.
This post ( and the other 2 ) are printed and placed in my beauty folder. I am 47 and just now embracing my naturally curly hair! If only I had known how to make it beautiful instead of going against the grain. Or curl I should say! This process began a FEW years back. NAd am now loving my hair. One thing that has helped me SUPREMELY is I take a pipe cleaner with me for my layers! lol Seriously! After a visit to my wonderful local hairdresser, ( I WILL DIE IF SHE EVER MOVES!! ) my haircut was PERFECT!!! I actually got a pipe cleaner out and took a lock of my first layer and cut the pipe cleaner to match. To this day, I yank out that pipe cleaner and its cut perfectly. If I dont yank it out fast enough, even my hairdresser asks for it! She loves the idea ~ says it takes all the guess work out. 😉 IT WORKS <3
Great tip April Jo!!!! I love it!! Thank you for sharing!
So glad i found this on Google. I live in Rapid City too. After 30 yrs of straightening my hair I learn to love my curl! I’m scared of getting a haircut in town. I even cut my own hair with the curly girl book technique! But I’m in need of a “real” cut and gray maintenance. I will be giving Shayla a try. Thank you!
Shayla is awesome! Tell her I said hi! 🙂
*applause*
Stylists are so afraid to cut short layers into my hair. They think they know more about my hair than I do and insist that the shorter layers will curl too much. I was devastated when my current stylist moves 3 1/2 hours away, but I was lucky that someone just as good took over for her.
A good stylist is worth their weight in gold!! So glad you found a new one Renee!
Hi julie! I was wondering what products do you use on your hair its very alive lol. Looks beautiful. Ty.
Thank you so much Sandra! I think you’ll find this post very helpful in seeing what products I use. https://thenewlighterlife.com/how-to-care-for-naturally-curly-hair-part-1/ I did switch to Kirkland’s Sulfate-free Conditioner. The rest of my regimen remains the same. 🙂
Hi ! First of all, thank you so much for your 3 posts about curly hair ! I have curly hair myself (I have fine hair and the frustrating thing is some parts on the back are 2b, and elsewhere it’s just a mix of 3a and 3b), and I was thrilled to read all your tips to take care of curly hair. I just have a little problem with this third post… English is not my first language as you might have guessed from my message, and I have trouble understanding what you mean about short layers (that is worse with your stylist’s instructions but that’s pro language so I guess it’s normal). I want to get a haircut (God knows I need to do that…), but I’m always so scared about what I’ll get because most of the time it doesn’t really look good when my hair is curly. Would it be possible to explain it to me in other words ? If not, thanks anyway for taking the time to read this.
Also, I thought about cutting my hair shorter too (right now the length is at almost half my back) because it takes so much time to dry in the winter without a blowdryer, but on most of the pictures of short curly haircuts I see it is obvious that they used curling iron for styling and in my experience naturally curly hair doesn’t look the same at all with those haircuts. Do you have some short curly haircuts ideas to share ?
Thanks again for everything ! 🙂
I am so sorry Sarah, but I’m not sure how else to word the directions (since I’m not a professional). Maybe someone else will chime in on what the terms mean but state them in a different way for you.
As far as short curly hair ideas…it’s funny you ask. My hair is short now. Well not really short, but it is shoulder length and I have to be honest and say I’m not a huge fan. I’m looking for the right stylist to fix some of the layering that was done, (and I’m honestly missing my long hair). If I’m going out for something professional or a date with my husband, I curl it. Definitely not the low-maintenance I was looking for.
But I do have plans to post some short curly hair style ideas in the near future. Thanks for stopping by (and your English was superb)! 🙂
I wanted to thank you for your suggestions! I had the frizz head through most of my growing up and my mom (who had poker straight hair) would blow dry it out. Finally my senior year we discovered (completely by accident) that my hair was actually curly! Through a lot of trial and error, I began playing with different products, but never had layers, just the triangle head with bangs. LOL I did have hair that came down to nearly my waist and was cut straight across. One day, 6-7 years later, I decided I wanted to experiment with layers to give it a little fuller look. I went to a stylist and told her I wanted layers but to keep the length. She didn’t listen well and ended up taking off nearly 8 inches off my hair and giving me layers. At first I was devastated…but then, when I started to style it, I quickly realized it was the best “mistake” I had ever made! My hair was beautiful and full and healthy! And now, 15 years later, with hair down to almost middle of my back, I’ve got the short layered look for years and haven’t looked back!
My latest discovery is using products (I personally use Suave) with Moraccan Oil in them! I LOVE Moraccan Oil!!! It have really helped with hydration! I use it in the conditioner as well as in the actual oil (and I’ve even turned to it in my skin lotions now!). My hair is much more healthy. I also use a light leave in conditioner (Suave as well). I also love volumizing mousse (but I use a lot of it) because it gives the curls a little lift with control followed by hairspray. But this technique doesn’t work for my daughter who has much tighter curls than I do, so I’m going to try your products and see if them help with the frizz.
So glad someone is finally helping curly haired women find our place in the world of beautiful locks!!!
Yes!!! So glad you had your “mistake”! 🙂 I think so many curly-headed ladies are walking around hating their hair when it’s really just a matter of finding product and style that works for them! Hope you find some help for your daughter and she can embrace her curls too! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi! Nice to hear advice from other curly haired gals. ~ I just learned many of the things you mentioned Julie. My beautician has taught me all I know. I just wanted to add I also have highlighted hair as well as pretty thick curly hair and it never gets passed scapulas. I’m 47 and in menopause, I know, early. But my hair hasn’t really changed all that much. I know there are many grays in there as well. I have made some changes on my own though. Once a week Pantene moisturizing shampoo and Mane and Tail condition in shower and rinse but not all. I squeeze out excess water then dab with towel. Once air dried till just damp, not dripping, I add Paul Mitchell leave-in conditioner. Then I separate sections sporadically and apply foam root lifter Big Sexy Hair. I like big hair. I let my hair air dry mostly and then once a little dry I use my dryer with diffuser and pile hair into the diffuser gently. I start with warm setting and end with cold shot to keep shine. I stop right before it is completely dry. Sometimes though I don’t use dryer at all and don’t touch at all. Anyhow, once it is dry, I activate the roots with my fingers and circle scalp in circular motion and lifting at roots. Bam! My hair is big, shiny, curly and has volume. I do get my hair layered. Top layers are about 10 inches right now and I’m still good. But I know when it’s time to shorten the layers up. Which will be soon. I end sometimes with Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum for shine and cut frizz. Also I have been introduced to Rusk Shining spray for the ending. At night it goes up into that high loose bun. And next morning cloth hair tie comes out and I scruff up my roots with my finger tips and that root lifter just keeps me full all week. ~ I don’t use a comb ever, but do use a brush gently to get out any knots before showering. Although, my beautician told me not to use the brush because once in the shower I should be able to get my fingers through my hair. Also to not damage by using brush she tells me. So that is the one thing I guess I should stop doing. But I am happy with my hair. I am happy to hear all you gals sharing your methods and products. Thank you all and hope I helped someone as well. Oh, and I need to go and buy that Curly Hair book.
Thank you so much Sheryl!! We have a little clan of curly haired ladies here who understand each other! LOL!
hi… i have like a messy hair is very dry and i never used layers as it adds too much bad triangle volume or thats what i believed, i dont understand very well the short layers my hair is a like 4 fingers under my shoulders i did understand about a superior long layer like the length of your face but the shorts one will be under this one? really appreciate your opinion i really like your hair and have always hoping mine to look like yours.
I’m sorry Claudia…I’m not entirely clear on your question. Could you ask it another way? Shortest layers would be on top and longer layers will taper down.
Hello there 🙂
I’m almost embarrassed to ask but what exactly do you mean by ‘short layers’? I’m not native as you may recognize and I need a little support to understand it correctly…. and to have my hair dresser make it right.
Does it mean one needs many almost equal layers? Or is it rather a few layers with different lengths?
Thanks in advance for getting back to me
Xo, Elisa
No embarrassment allowed.
If most people get a haircut there is very little layering which produces a very heavy angled out bottom. So you want your crown area to have a shorter layer and for the rest of the layers to be tapered down from there. You don’t want it to be choppy or blunt. Hope this helps!