Let’s talk about curly haircuts – one of my most frequently asked questions. Today I want to chat to you about why I don’t get my curly hair cut dry and if that’s right for you.
Curly hair is very different to straight hair and needs to be treated differently. Not only do you wash it differently, but curly hair needs a different kind of haircut.
Curly hair experts will say you need your curls cut when they’re dry, and for many good reasons. Dry haircuts probably need an entire post on their own, but today I wanted to explain why I prefer to get my hair cut when it’s wet.
You can read more below and watch my video to see my explanations.
Why I don’t get my curly hair cut dry
Click here if you can’t see the video
1. Dry haircuts (by their nature) are uneven
Every curl springs up differently and any curly girl will know how much curly hair length changes as it dries.
Shrinkage is real!
Shrinkage is what you call the difference between the length of your hair when it’s wet and pulled straight compared to when it’s dry. For some curly girls that can be a huge, huge difference.
In my hair, the shrinkage works out to be around 10cm. I have a very mixed curl pattern on my head. Underneath I have very tight ringlets and on the top I have looser waves.
Dry cuts account for the shrinkage and are shaped as your hair sits naturally. In my hair, this would mean big differences in length across my head.
It’s not a major issue when you’re wearing your hair curly all the time, but this does cause problems for me. And that leads me on to reason two…
2. I wear my hair straight from time to time
For me hair is fun, and I love the versatility of being able to style my hair in different ways.
Plus my job is to create hairstyles for Hair Romance, so I need a variety of looks in my hair. If I tried to straighten my hair after it has been cut dry then my hair would look a mess. It pretty much looks like I took a pair of scissors to my hair. (And actually this is what a lot of curly girls do; they cut their hair curl by curl with scissors.)
If you never wear your hair straight, this won’t be a problem for you. But if you like a bit of variety, then this is something to consider.
3. My curls change
I seem to have very fluid curl patterns and my hair changes all the time. Sometimes I’ll do the exact same routine and get a completely different curl result.
My curls also change over time. If you compare photos of my curls from two years ago to now, they look completely different.
My hair may not change in a month, so I could probably still get away with the unevenness of a dry hair cut, but I prefer having a straighter haircut. This gives my curls space to change when they want and my haircut will still be fairly even.
Do you get your hair cut wet or dry, and why? Do your curls change? And do you like to wear your hair straight sometimes too?
I know it’s been some time since this article was published but I came across it while considering curly hairstylists. While it might not be very fashionable, I think I would just like to pursue a blunt cut for my wavy to curly hair. I got a curly cut some time ago and as it grew out it just became a ton of hair at different lengths, and often looked unkempt. Each stylist thereafter tried to follow the lines of the previous ones, installing more layers. During the pandemic I have been able to let it grow and come to the conclusion that a blunt cut will be best even if it does look a bit like a pyramid. It will give me a chance to learn how to use hair tools and style with tools instead of a trendy cut.
Nothing wrong with a trendy cut of course; kudos to those who can keep a great style!
I had my hair dry cut and I loved it! I think it really depends on your hairdresser. My hair varies between 2C and 3A. My hair dresser asked that I wash my own hair in the morning, so that she could cut it when it’s air-dried (I always air-dry my hair). This would mean that the curl pattern would represent my everyday curls. She cut it curl by curl (but also made sure to cut all split ends and add layers). then she washed it and dried it with a diffuser to make sure that there were no uneven areas after shrinkage. She also told me that if there were any uneven areas showing up in the next few days, she would touch it up for free. It was honestly the best haircut experience I’ve ever had. My hair ended up being the right length and shape and felt super healthy!!
i DO NOT LIKE THE CURLY DRY CUT AT ALL. i AM DEFINITELY ABOUT A 3C . VERY DRY, THICK AND CURLY. I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH MY LAST HAIRCUT. SHE NIPPED ABOUT TEN STRANDS FOR 140 BUCKS. REALLY A “DEVA CURL SPECIALIST”. WHAT ABOUT HEALTHY ENDS? I WALKED OUT WITH A V SHAPE IN THE BACK OF MY HAIR AND UNEVEN ENDS. NOT FOR ME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WHEN I HAVE MY HAIRCUT WET, THEY SOMETIMES LAYER IT TOO MUCH AS IF I HAVE STRAIGHT HAIR . THAT IS AFTER THEY BRUSH IT. ANOTHER MISTAKE. A BRUSH ON VERY CURLY HAIR NOT ONLY HURTS THROUGH THE KNOTS BUT IT CAUSES FRIZZ–LARGE TOOTH COMB IS ALL I USE AT HOME ON CONDITIONER.
SO AS ONE CAN TELL, I AM NOT HAPPY WITH EITHER BUT I WILL STILL OPT WITH THE WET CUT. WHY? BECAUSE IT IS AN ACTUAL HAIRCUT AND GETS RID OF DEAD ENDS UNLIKE THE DRY AND RANDOM SNIP.
I completely agree with you! The Ouidad cut left me with long stringy ends, little volume at $125. Then I went 2 weeks ago for a Rezo “dry” cut, OMG awful and $250! I have no idea what to do with the mess I was left with. One side is longer than the other, ugh. I’ve already cut hundreds of curl families to try and blend them in. And they said I should use their products, mean while, my hair is falling out as I type, literally falls out everywhere I go. I can actually see thinning bald spots on my hair line. I think it is the products and I plan to return $160 worth of product! Just looked down and my keyboard is filled with curls that fell out of my head while typed this message. BTW I wanted to love the Rezo cut and was prepared to spend a small fortune, happily, unfortunately it was not right for me.
I wanted to let my short naturally curly hair grow a a little longer. My hairdresser did not cut much maybe 1/8 inch. Hair started parting on top & in back. Told her about this many times then she said the length caused heaviness (my cut was supposed to he layered as always done before. Last visit she said it needed to be cut short because the length caused the parting due to heaviness. Did not realize how short until it dried
Have not been able to do anything with my hair in almost 2 months & still having hair part on top, back.
Please help.
I have thinning, greying curly hair. It is colored dark blond at roots and then highlighted. I’m 65 yr. old. My stylist dry cuts and always gives me layers, with the front of my head cut short layers. I feel that the layering makes my hair look thinner than it already is. Oh, and my hair is shoulder length and wanting to grow it past shoulders. Any ideas? Also, I off to Bermuda. Very humid there and I don’t want to have a cotton ball on my head. Currently use Quidad products.
Hi Robyn, enjoy Bermuda! Layers can make your hair thinner but they also give more volume so you need to chat about what would work best with your hair with your stylist. Maybe try and go for a blunt cut at the ends as this helps to stop the layered ends looking thin. To grow your hair, I’d also space out your haircuts to allow your hair more time to grow and focus on a good diet to promote good hair growth. I’ve got some tips here on what to eat for your hair xx
I had my first dry cut recently and loved it. But I can’t be bothered straightening…low maintenance for me. Loving my curls and finally beginiing to tame them.
that’s great, Katrina! Where did you go for your haircut? x
I have the same issue. I have gotten a ouidad and deva curl cut. Both times the layering made my hair look thin/stringy. There’s hardly any info about this online for curlies. It seems like every stylist says curls MUST have layers but I’m wondering this info is wrong? Especially for thin/fine types. I would love to find a layering technique that is not so agressive and leaves a lot of thickness in my hair, but not sure if that is even possible. Someone needs to address this issue.
I agree 100%. I would happily pay any amount for a GOOD cut!
I love the idea that curls change; it’s like they have a life of their own. I do think that a wet cut helps to create a different kind of volume around the bottom of the hair than if it’s cut dry – the movement of that previously straight line brings out a variety of different end shapes of locks of hair. It’s that spontaneity that comes from getting your hair cut while it’s in a totally different state to the usual look – you just have to wait and see what happens!
I had my hair cut dry ONCE and I refuse to allow anyone to cut it dry again. The stylist insisted dry was the way to cut curly. It took me 2 years to grow out the back. My curls are tighter underneath and at the back of my head. She blew dry my hair straight then cut it. When I wore it curly a few days later, I had a chunk missing….like a hole in the back of my head. It was terrible. Curl patterns are different every day and with every wash. Never again!!!
oh that sounds like a nightmare! I get cutting curly hair dry, but why straighten it then cut it?? Glad it has finally grown out but what a pain! x
My hairdresser, who I’ve been going to for a while now just to have my hair washed, cut a fringe for me some months back and blowdried it straight before she cut it. It was the worst hair mistake I’ve ever had – I know I should’ve said something to her, but I hate telling them what to do. She also insists she’d need to blow dry my hair straight to cut it, so I’m having a real dilemma, because I really need to have my hair cut, but I can’t let her cut it after the fringe. I want to keep going to her to have it washed because she’s so gentle on my sensitive scalp, so I don’t know what to do.
I’ve never known of anyone else whose hairdresser has dried their curly hair straight before cutting – is this a thing now? I’m wondering what they teach them at college these days, because no-one seems to be able to cut the way hairdressers used to cut in the 70s and 80s, but I haven’t really had consistently great haircuts since then. I don’t like the ‘look’ of the moment, with curling wand curls – I have my own, and I’d like them to be able to be themselves.
It’s so frustrating, especially if you’re someone like me who doesn’t like to rock the boat, or tell a professional what to do with my hair.
Can you tell me how your haircut is done with this latest cut? I’m going to my hairdresser next week and want to show him. Thanks so much!!
Hi Nannn, I’d take some photos in or just show him the video so he can see what the shape is like. I have long layers and then some layers spliced into my hair to break up the boxy shape. Good luck with your haircut! xx
Who cuts your hair
Hi Kelly, I usually go to Alex at Stevie English Hair – http://www.stevieenglish.com.au/ – but this time my friend Anthony of Raw Hair – http://rawhair.com.au/ – cut it for me xx