Any natural girl knows: Curlier and coarser hair types are more prone to breakage. So when thinking about how to cut curly hair by yourself, you need to go in with the right game plan. While most hairdressers encourage you to leave the cutting to the professionals, hair maintenance is oftentimes an at-home activity that is just needed. “Giving yourself a trim in between professional cuts can help maintain your style for a longer period of time,” says Lorraine Massey, founder of the Curly Girl cutting method and the New York-based salon Spiral XYZ.
Here, Massey along with Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons haircare, and Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, owner of Deeper Than Hair salon, share their step-by-step guide for the safest and most effective way to cut curly hair, no matter what your natural curl pattern may be. Read on and trim coils, kinks, waves, and curls the right way, while at home.
Required Tools
Taylor cautions against using regular household scissors to trim your hair, as their blunt edges may cause split ends or more damage to the hair cuticle. Good quality hair shears are key for trimming any hair length and hair type. “You don’t need to spend a fortune on hair scissors, but you also don’t want to use blunt scissors,” for example, do not use kitchen or paper scissors. “Think of your hair as being a priceless fabric,” Massey said. She recommends the Hikari scissors.
“You are cutting your hair when it is in its natural state, “ says Fitzsimons. “With that, you are going to want a scissor with a very sharp blade as it will not allow your curls to bend or spilt after it has been cut.” He recommends the Equinox Hair Cutting Scissors for something affordable and easy to use.
Taylor also recommends having a wide-tooth comb so you can precisely section off hair while you trim, as well as section clips to hold hair in place.
After that, be sure you have a hand-held mirror as well as a mirror “big enough to see the back of your hair,” Massey says. Add good lighting and a plain wall “so that you can see the shape and silhouette of your hair” clearly.
Make Sure You Cut with Dry Hair
Taylor says that cutting curly hair is best with a dry cut. She explains that wet hair can become very condensed and you won’t be able to gauge the amount of hair you’re actually cutting, which can lead to shrinkage and other major cutting mistakes.
