Curly-wavy hair woes

[Imdoingitnext]

Why can't I ever get a decent haircut? I've been around at least 6 hairdressers in the past two years and never feel like I get good cut. All of them said they understand curly wavy hair and know how to cut it.

I find someone through recommendations or searching on the web I go to my appointment full of hope that this time they'll be the one. I take photos and I try hard to describe what I want and don't want. I leave thinking it's fine then when I get home and wash it I see uneven bits or one side slightly longer than the other, fringe too short, layered too much etc etc then I begin the whole cycle again of searching for a decent hairdresser.

The most recent one was in a reputable salon where the stylists are all level 3 and teach at the local hair academy too. Since I've had it done it won't sit right, if you get me. I've got two big curls growing out the side of my head like horns at eye level and it looks square shaped. I've noticed it's uneven at the back too.

All I want is someone who can cut well and cut curly wavy hair. I'm growing it now until I can find someone I can trust to do it properly - but sadly that's easier said than done. Perhaps I'll start wearing hats to cover it up.

Which area of UK are you, OP?

@HelpMeHiveMind East Midlands near Derby. I don't mind travelling.

I think with curly hair, and I have it, you have to cut to the shape of your hair/curls rather than wanting a style and trying to get it.

Hair Magic in Loughborough, they specialise in curly cuts. They are fantastic.

@ForensicFlossy thanks - that's only down the road from me. Do they do wavy curly hair?

Have you tried a curly hair dresser? It sounds as though you have type 2c hair, wavy in parts, curly in others. It's difficult because the curls need moisture, or they will frizz, but the wavy parts go lank with too much conditioning. So basically you need two different hair cuts/treatment types. At least with a curly hair dresser they should be cutting your hair dry to work with the curl pattern and to make sure the layers are even. Are your current hair dressers doing that? If not, then I'm not sure they understand curly hair and it's worth looking for a hairdresser that specialises.

Yes, they will do any type of curl. Give them a call and they will advise you.

You could also try the Curl Girl barn in Staffordshire, sounds like you're not too far. They are on Instagram with lots of amazing before and after pics for you to see. They really seem to know their stuff.

@chickensafari I'm actually from Staffordshire and behave a friend who lives very close to sugnall. I'm looking at their website now

You want them to cut your hair dry. I can't stress this enough. It is the only way to cut the hair into a shape that suits the way your curls and waves naturally fall. Cutting curly hair when wet is never going to end in a good shape. Same for brushing out and/or straightening it. You want to go with nice clean hair, no product in it if possible, and get them to cut it wave by wave. A hair dresser who knows how to cut curly hair will know this.

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions. I'm going to contact hair magic in Loughborough and get their advice The staffs one looks expensive for me.

Any ideas about products - an oil or wax to stop frizz, a curl enhancer?

@Imdoingitnext have a look at Only Curls London. They're a salon and now have a line of their own products for curly hair.
I sympathise on struggling with hairdressers. I had an amazing hairdresser when I lived in London, she cut it so beautifully, and have spent the past 7 years back in the NW trying to find someone who can cut my hair at least half as proficiently.

I've been to Hair Magic in Loughborough.
It was the first time a hairdresser actually understood my hair. We had a lovely chat about curly hair and she styled it really well.

@CurbsideProphet that's been my problem too. I had a great hairdresser in London and haven't really found anyone since I moved up to the midlands

@Eastnorthwest that's good. I think I'll go and chat to them - there some nice coffee and cake shops nearby 😀

I've a question for those with curly wavy hair: is it better to get your hair cut by a curl specialist or find a good hairdresser who can cut curly wavy hair. I can't help thinking that if you are a good skilled hairdresser then you should be able to cut all hair types.

@Imdoingitnext in London I had an excellent hairdresser who wasn't a specialist with curly / wavy hair, but she knew what she was doing. I would rather just find a skilled hairdresser who can adapt to whatever hair type is in front of them 💇🏻‍♀️💇🏻‍♀️

Absolutely agree that cutting hair dry is the key. If a hairdresser seems sniffy at the idea; walk out.

@CurbsideProphet I'm thinking the same as you, that a good well skilled hair stylist should be able to cut any kind of hair. Ok , they'll have their preferences - some stylists are better with straight hair or some prefer to specialise in colouring. Some are poorly skilled and some have a knack, a talent. I've just not found the one yet.

I've cut my own hair for years due to this very issue.
I just dry it in to my usual style and snip the split ends off each individual curl.
My hair is 3b/c though so definitely curly rather than wavy.

As for styling products I have recently gone back to using original formula frizz ease in the red tube after years faffing about with oils, gels and curl creams. My hair has never looked better and I will never fall for these insta curly hair influencers again.
As with all curly hair tips though, your mileage may vary, every curl is an individual and there really is no one size fits all with this hair type.

Always have your hair cut when itnis dry

I see what you're saying about a well skilled hair dresser being able to cut any type of hair. But a curl by curl cut (or wave by wave) is a relatively new and specialised method of cutting curly hair. Not a lot of standard hair salons will have stylists trained in this specific way of cutting. And it is definitely the best! Def worth looking for. I'm a bit stuck where I live but you should be able to find one in UK xx