3a curls MN haircut - wet or dry? brush or gather up curls?

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

DD1 has 3a curls which we care for with a lowpoo method and air drying. When wet her hair is waist length and when dry it is shoulder blade-ish with shorter pieces at the front the longer back bits are starting to pull flat from her crown and then coilling from the nape of her neck.

I think she'd benefit from some layers but don't want 'steps' iyswim. I have looked at the MN haircut and think this may be the way to go? But I have some questions -

Firstly should I do it wet or dry?

When making the ponytail should I brush it 'straight' or just gather up the curls? (We NEVER normally brush DD1s hair).

Any help advice greatly received.

T.I.A from a straight haired clueless Mum to a curly girl.

Hairdresser?

I'd do it wet and only take off an inch, allow to try and take off more with subsequent washes. Brush it smooth into a tight ponytail otherwise it won't be even. She has a lot of hair so any mistakes could be easily rectified.

I would also pull straight up rather than to the front - a curly fringe looks weird.

I would also say go to a hairdresser.

I would go to the hairdresser - you could end up messing it up.

Thanks for the replies. Seems I'm going to have to find a hairdresser for her. Any suggestions for a hairdresser in the North East who is happy to cut a wriggly 3yo curly girl?

Can't you take her along to your hairdresser?

I have long straight hair that I get a dry trim every 2 years or so, I don't have a regular hairdresser . I'll have to ask around my more stylish friends for a recommendation.