Curly haircut help!

[stirlingstar]

So I've started trying this new Curly Girl method (see other thread) and hoping to have more luscious locks soon.

But what makes a nice shape haircut for curls and, most important, how do i describe this to a hairdresser in hairdresser speak? I'm always v intimidated by stylists who make me feel very non-stylish!

IME, hairdressers always say "ooo what lovely curls shall I straighten them for you?"

Sometimes has been quite successful when they take thin down some of the lower clumps with a cutty-cutty or razory scissor thing. What's the proper name for that then?

And how to stop them cutting some nice layers that then spring up in gravity defying manner once I've washed them once?

Help - I'm hairdresser rubbish.

[stirlingstar]

BTW - have also tried the mumsnet haircut and looked quite good for a bit but think I might need some professional help now...

[blithedance]

I have got the curly girl book

The suggestions are

• cut hair dry or very slightly sprayed damp so each curl/lock can be snipped precisely where it falls and so you don't get the hair bouncing up when dry to a much shorter style. If in doubt don't take too much off.

• cut to your "natural length" i.e. where the curls flatter your face and fall nicely (presumably this is easy to determine )

• layers no shorter than chin length, then carefully shaped so they aren't quite all one length or you can get "triangle" effect.

• Don't thin or razor cut ends

• Ideally find curly haired stylist

What the MN haircut by the way?

[stirlingstar]

Haha - triangle effect! Have def been there!!

Maybe I should grow it a bit to see if it becomes apparent what the "natural length "should be?

On the cutting it dry idea - does that mean tthat each curl is the same bit of hair every day (IYSWIM) - have often wondered but generally concluded it was random new groups of hair making each curl after each wash. (who sounds like sad obsessive now...)

[ruddynorah]

best cut i've had is where they basically trim it all then take big thick twisted sections and just kind of snip here and there up the twist. like how you would score pastry IYSWIM.

if they do layers like they would straight hair you end up with shelves in your hair.

[SardineQueen]

They always want to diffuse mine and i let them once and I ended up with an enormous ball of frizz and nearly cried.

Anyhoo.

My advice with hairdressers in general is:

Find one with hair like yours are they are more likely to know what to do with it

Avoid chain salons as IME they have about 5 cuts on the go at any time and whatever you ask for you, and whatever your hair is like, always get one of them. I go to a hairdresser frequented by elderly ladies where the hairdressers have all been doing it for at least 30 years so they have seen everything. It is a. cheap and b. they don't mess my hair around and try and get me to do stuff i don;t want for extra £££.

[stirlingstar]

blithe - the MN haircut was a bit of a craze for cutting your own hair following some YouTube video (if I recall). Earlier this year. Not sure what the original thread was, though might be in classics (!)

Maybe this one? here

[MaggieVirgoLeo]

Stirlingstar, I wish I were a hairdresser, because I think most hairdressers cut layers in a straightline around your hair, so it falls like three steps, or shelfs.

I wish they would do wavy lines. Not a friar tuck neat layer exactly 3 cm above the layer beneath it.

Dykwim?? My hair is so thick that the thickness pulls the curl back out of it. If it's cut properly it is curly. Cut badly it looks like three thatched rooves piled one on top of the other.

I've been 'washing' my hair with just conditioner from a healthfood shop the last two times. (once every five days). Sort of curlygirl method. Seems very long-winded.

[MaggieVirgoLeo]

does that mean tthat each curl is the same bit of hair every day (IYSWIM) - have often wondered but generally concluded it was random new groups of hair making each curl after each wash. (who sounds like sad obsessive now...)

I also wonder about this!

[BitOfFun]

Lurking to find out more! Dreading my next haircut...I know what you mean about three layers of thatched roof

I am obviousky going to have to stalk hairdressers to find a curly one!

[fluffles]

Maggievirgoleo - you have my hair!!! the thatched roofs thing... so true

i am growing it now - was just above my shoulders, now sits on them.. i've got nice ringlets that sit in front of my shoulders but from the back it's awful - full of 'steps'.. must go and show the hairdresser and ask for them to be avoided.

glad i'm not alone in this

[mathanxiety]

Don't let them take that razor thing to your hair!! It saves them time, but it will ruin the hair texture. Have it cut dry. That way, the final length will be what it will look like every day, not hair that's too short or a ball of frizz. I personally have given up on hairdressers and do it myself, not very often, with mirrors rigged up in the bathroom -- quite complicated it is, with angles and lighting, and a very sharp scissors

[stirlingstar]

Ta all - am going to grow a bit longer then try and find someone to do a dry cut.