{"id":10708,"date":"2024-08-01T05:53:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T09:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/?p=10708"},"modified":"2025-12-12T12:47:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T17:47:22","slug":"how-to-cut-curly-hair-5-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/how-to-cut-curly-hair-5-rules","title":{"rendered":"How to Cut Curly Hair: 5 Golden Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1. Trim Often<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Curly hair should be trimmed often<\/a>. More often than other hair types require, actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful bends and twists of curly hair make it more vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Because curly hair is more prone to being dry, trimming it frequently will help prevent any split ends at the bottom from creeping up the hair shaft and drying out the rest of your hair too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If curls are beginning to knot easily, it\u2019s another sign that you\u2019re due for a trim. A good rule of thumb is that curly hair should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Setting up recurring appointments at your favorite salon is good practice to help ensure you get a fresh trim regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Stick to Dry Hair Trims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This can depend on individual preference, but usually, curly hair should be cut while it\u2019s dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each curl has its own pattern, and one head of hair can even have multiple different curl patterns<\/a>. When hair is dry, it\u2019s easier to section it off into its different curl patterns and treat each pattern accordingly. Curly hair shouldn\u2019t be cut uniformly like straight hair; each curl needs to be cut individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When hair is dry, it\u2019s also easier to recognize the curls\u2019 spring factor (how much each curl will spring back into shape after it\u2019s been pulled down). If hair is wet, it needs to be pulled down to be cut, making it very difficult to estimate how much it will bounce back when it\u2019s dry; this is a recipe for disaster that could result in hair being cut way too short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Density is another element. Wet hair clumps together, making it challenging to judge thickness. This will play a big role in the amount of hair that will potentially be thinned. Curly hair girls all know that density basically means \u201cpuff factor.\u201d Curls may need to be tamed and taken down a notch sometimes, but removing too much density and losing precious volume would be tragic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve been telling you all along that curly hair is exceptional \u2014 and cutting it dry instead of wet is just another one of its unique needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Find Someone Who Gets Your<\/em> Hair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you go to a salon to get your haircut? If so, do you see the same stylist each time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to become best friends with your stylist, but working with the same person will be beneficial. By seeing the same stylist each time, they\u2019ll be able to really get to know your curls and understand their characteristics. Many stylists will \u201cspecialize in curly hair,\u201d but no two people have the same curls. How a stylist treats someone else\u2019s curly hair may not be the best way to treat your curly hair. Find the person that \u201cgets\u201d you and your hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Cutting Curly Hair at Home? Become Your Own Hair Expert<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019ve always cut your hair, or maybe the long-ago days of quarantine pushed you to explore your inner stylist. Either way, we salute you \u2014 cutting curly hair is no simple task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re cutting your own hair, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you\u2019re doing it safely and effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n