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Original poster

To wonder why so few hairdressers do curly hair cuts

128 replies

JKLMNO · 20/10/2021 08:30

I live in an area swamped with hairdressers. Keratin blow drys and curly blow drys are two a penny. But try getting a curly deva cut. I have found one fairly local salon with a wait of months , otherwise it’s a drive to Manchester or Birmingham.

I don’t want to drive for miles I don’t have time. There are at least 8 fancy hairdressers local to me. I’m genuinely wondering why this isn’t something more widely available?

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 25/10/2021 07:49

The number of times I've tried a new salon and sat there as the cut was too drastic and the curls took hold as it dried and my hair pinged up around my ears Shock
I've had two decent hairdressers - first 15 years+, I decided was a bit too expensive when it hit £100, and my current one, 3+ years, social enterprise, pay what you can, so anything from £2.50, usually £20-£25.
Neither advertise as "curly cuts" - just excellent hairdressers that understand hair and don't attempt to trot out the same style and approach to every client.
Probably helps that my current hairdresser prefers to do a dry cut anyway - so can see what my hair is doing, although he knows my hair pretty well now. I'd continue to come back and use even if I moved away from London.

MrsDThomas · 25/10/2021 08:25

Why do those who go in for a nice cut and blow dry leave with perfectly dry hair, yet us with natural curls leave with damp hair which frizzes immediately? It shows their clear incompetence at styling it

Thighdentitycrisis · 25/10/2021 09:35

Thanks @TertiusLydgate
I had a look but it’s too expensive for me

I think my cut looks ok - I let her diffuse it dry, I know hairdresser like to do their thing. next time I will ask for just wet cut.

I have always worn mine curly as straightened hair wasn’t a thing when I was young. I’m in my 50’s

Maybe the younger hairdressers today have lost the skill because not so many people wear their curly hair - but this is changing since curly girl took off

I still wash with shampoo and conditioner and get my hair cut wet though.

Gonnagetgoing · 25/10/2021 12:05

just to let you know - I haven't got curly hair - just wavy - but trying a new hairdresser in SE London - and reviews say they are great with cutting curly hair. If anyone would like the name please PM me.

SpeedRunParent · 25/10/2021 13:52

I'm in my late 40's and cannot imagine straightening my curls because 'they are not acceptable / in fashion'. Why on earth would anyone let anyone else tell them that something that is natural to the way they look isn't good enough. That is so sad. My daughter has slightly less curly hair than mine and has brushed it out for quite a while as it has been long. She has just had a short, layered cut done and it looks fabulous.
Don't you realise that by listening to the garbage they churn out in fashion mags you are perpetuating the very nonsense that keeps you feeling 'unacceptable'.
Straight hair is perfectly commonplace, why strive for anonymity?

SpeedRunParent · 25/10/2021 13:55

@Thighdentitycrisis
Gorgeous!

jlg22 · 25/10/2021 13:57

Which salon please?

SillyLittleBiscuit · 25/10/2021 14:12

I really like Unruly Curls in west London.

Gonnagetgoing · 25/10/2021 14:21

@jlg22

Which salon please?
if you mean me the salon I've been recommended is House of Hair, Brockley (near New Cross/Deptford).
Imdoingitnow · 25/10/2021 14:58

@SpeedRunParent. I think we're all in agreement with you. We're basically mourning the lack of hairdressers skilled in cutting curly hair on this thread

LadyJaye · 25/10/2021 15:14

I have 3a/3b-type curls, but only properly took up wearing my hair naturally a couple of years ago, having adopted a slightly modified version of CGM a couple of years. I now no longer straighten my hair, ever.

I have had some GENUINELY HIDEOUS haircuts over the years, inflicted on me by hairdressers who had no idea how to work with textured hair, but fortunately I have now found two salons who specialise in curls, meaning if I can't get into one, I can get into the other!

I also only get my hair cut once or twice a year, so that helps!

If you're in or near Glasgow, DM me and I'd be happy to help.

drivinmecrazy · 25/10/2021 15:26

I only have my hair cut by one hairdresser who I trust but she's in Spain.
Same for my DD2.
Miraculously she has the same hair type as us and is really sympathetic to us.
Though annoyingly EVERY BLOODY TIME I take DD to her she always asks her to straighten her hair. She's only just started embracing her curls so it annoys the F out of me that she comes out of the salon with straight hair!!!
Mind you that only lasts as long as it takes her to dive in the pool 😂
I would kill for a hairdresser close to home who actually understood and embraced the curls.
Though I do disagree with PPs who have said the fashion is against the curl , I actually think it's the opposite.
But I'd previously spent years watching my DD2 (now 16) straightening her curls every day before she went to school. It broke my heart that she didn't feel good enough or confident enough to embrace her lovely locks.
Thankfully she's got over that and now takes pride when those around her express their envy of her hair. So maybe straight hair is on the way out 😆
Have to say I haven't read the whole thread but it has been a bug bear of mine seeing DD2 struggle with her confidence just because she has amazing hair

101jobs · 25/10/2021 17:01

I agree with previous posters who said try to find Italian or Greek hairdressers. I have had 2 Italian hairdresser (now both returned to Italy) and currently have a Greek lady cut my 2c type hair. Any other hairdresser has never given me a decent cut.

I also follow Jayme Jo on YouTube. She has great tips for styling curly hair and has helped me disguise quite a few haircut errors

Imdoingitnow · 26/10/2021 11:53

My dilemma is do I find someone who is a good cutter or someone who is good with curly wavy hair?

They maybe good with curly hair but aren't good cutters and don't take into account your face shape, lifestyle, etc likewise they know how to cut hair well but can't manage curly hair. It's finding that holy grail isn't it

Piggywaspushed · 26/10/2021 11:58

I have just come back from another crap haircut. I had never heard these terms 3a etc before but upon research, I think I am a 2b.

I have now come back with damp hair, all fluffy and soft, and definitely had curl knocked out of it.

I actually think 2s might have the biggest problems with hairdressers?

Sexnotgender · 26/10/2021 13:08

@Piggywaspushed

I have just come back from another crap haircut. I had never heard these terms 3a etc before but upon research, I think I am a 2b.

I have now come back with damp hair, all fluffy and soft, and definitely had curl knocked out of it.

I actually think 2s might have the biggest problems with hairdressers?

I’m 3B/C and have had one decent haircut in my entire life.

Raging pile of shite. I cut it myself for years as I got fed up paying someone £60 to make a hash of it.

Only went to the hairdresser recently as I wanted a big change. And guess what? They fucked it up🙄

Piggywaspushed · 26/10/2021 13:21

Oh, guess it's not just the flyaway wavies then! I am always in awe of the curly curly hair people whose hair always looks so impressive! Mine just looks like it can't make its mind up.

101jobs · 26/10/2021 13:30

The irony is that many people believe having curly hair is easy!!

There’s a belief that you just wash your hair, give your head a shake and off you go.

Only us curlies know how hard it is to get a decent cut and then keep it tame and under control

Imdoingitnow · 26/10/2021 13:41

Mine looks like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. I used to teach 13/14 years old boys they were doing a play for school assembly and they said to me, "Miss, don't forget to comb your hair before we go on" cheeky bu**rs, but true

Sexnotgender · 26/10/2021 13:45

@101jobs

The irony is that many people believe having curly hair is easy!!

There’s a belief that you just wash your hair, give your head a shake and off you go.

Only us curlies know how hard it is to get a decent cut and then keep it tame and under control

Totally. A lady in boots once said to me how beautiful my hair was and how jealous she was that I could just wash it and leave the house and it looked like that 😂 oh how I laughed.
101jobs · 26/10/2021 14:01

😂

Cookerhood · 26/10/2021 14:05

I've just looked in the mirror and I am currently sporting the "dragged through a hedger backwards" look. My hair is great on the day it is washed (as long as it's not windy/rainy/foggy Grin), but after that it's a mess. I can't wash it every day as it takes until mid afternoon to dry and the "recently washed" look is about as professional looking as the "dragged through a hedge backwards".

FlibbertyGibbitt · 26/10/2021 14:12

@TertiusLydgate

Cookerhood, I’d recommend Lindsey Hughes in Farringdon. She’s amazing.
My curly hairdresser goes to her. I go to a little salon where they all have curls and embraced mine. Curls take much more work than straight. You never know what your hair is going to do! There’s lots of groups on FB. I had mine straightened many many times, but now curly girl although I don’t follow it as mine doesn’t like it all.
BippityBoppity87 · 26/10/2021 14:28

Probably a stupid question, but have you looked into hairdressers near you that do perms? I know you don't have a perm! But my thinking is they might be more qualified to cut curly hair

LadyJaye · 26/10/2021 14:40

Thank you to the PP who recommended Jayme Jo on YouTube!

I'm 42 and not enormously into YouTubers/Instagrammers, but she's a great presenter and I got some really good info (her 'week in the life of curly hair' video is very relatable Grin).