As with naturally curly hair, my hair journey has been quite the rollercoaster ride up to getting my first curly hair cut. For years, I straightened my hair and even resorted to using heat to add a curl back into it. I underestimated how beautiful my curly hair was for far too long. However, during COVID lockdowns, I decided to embark on my journey back to curly. It was the perfect opportunity to go through the messy phase without worrying about going out in public with unruly hair. I researched curly methods and routines and fell in love with the volume that my natural curls gave me. I never looked back.
After lots of trial and error and gaining a better understanding of my hair’s needs, I found products that worked for me and gradually improved my technique. However, my curls were nowhere near their full potential. My cut was wrong and the curls fell awkwardly on my shoulders. I really struggled to find a hairdresser who knew how to cut and color curly hair. Since embracing my curls, I had never walked out of a salon with curls I was happy with. My hair was either frizzy, or I reluctantly agreed to the stylist’s suggestion to blow-dry it straight – it was easier all around!
That was until I recently had my first curly hair cut and it completely changed the game for me. Here are my key takeaways from this experience.
Curly hair cut consultation
When I first walked into the salon, even though I knew it was a dedicated curly hair salon, I was still struck by the sight of everyone having curly hair. I felt at home, and I was excited to finally have a stylist who understood my hair type. I had booked a cut and color with Simone, a senior stylist at Curl Evolution in Babylon, NY. The stylists at this salon undergo 12 months of training before becoming certified and possess an in-depth understanding of curly hair.
First and foremost, communication is key. During the consultation with my stylist, she asked me about my curly hair care routine and what products I use. It’s important to be honest about what you use on your hair, what works for you and what doesn’t. That way, your stylist can recommend the best haircut and styling techniques for your particular hair type and texture.
Another thing I learned is that curly hair is not a one size fits all. Everyone’s curls are unique and different, so it’s important to find a stylist who knows how to work with your specific hair type. My stylist analyzed my hair type and texture and gave me a haircut that flattered my face shape and brought out the best in my curls.
The dry cut for curly hair
My stylist started by using a specialized dry cutting technique tailored to my unique curl pattern. She added layers to my hair, which enhanced the natural texture of my curls and made them look fuller and more voluminous. Early on in this stage, I began to see a much more defined shape taking form that was far more flattering and I felt complete confidence in Simone.
The color process
During the consultation, my stylist and I discussed my current hair color and how to make it work for my lifestyle and hair goals. Since I wanted to grow the length of my hair, I needed extra time between cuts. My stylist blended the color towards the roots to ensure that regrowth doesn’t look harsh between appointments.
In the past, I had experienced an issue with coloring. It worked well when the stylist blow-dried it straight at the salon but looked stripy once I styled it curly. Simone hand-painted fine sections, which provided a beautiful result for my curls.
The styling
After the cutting and coloring process, my stylist applied a deep conditioning treatment to my hair. I spent some time under a heat lamp to help the treatment penetrate the hair shaft before the real fun began! Simone provided me with a customized, step-by-step lesson on styling my curls. She recommended the best products for my hair type and the best techniques for achieving beautiful, defined curls.
Simone took her time to ensure the product was evenly distributed and really scrunched in while my hair was wet. She explained that the squelch sound during the scrunching phase was what I needed to aim for when styling my hair at home.
Over the years, I had researched various techniques and ways to apply products to style my curls. Therefore, I thought I was well-informed in this area. However, the routine that Simone patiently took me through re-educated me on how to get the most out of my curls. A particularly important step was the length of time she took to evenly distribute the product into my hair. She also emphasized how important it is to section the hair properly when doing this to achieve volume on the top.
The final stage
Simone finished off my styling session by using a diffuser and recommended I purchase one instead of air drying my hair. She advised that diffusing hair upside down would result in much more consistent results and better volume, which made complete sense. I also spent some time under a gentle heat lamp to finish off the drying process.
Once my hair was completely dry, Simone gently scrunched it to break the gel cast. She then finished off the cut. As I like to flip my hair from one side to another, it was cut to work with a center, left, or right-side parting. I was genuinely thrilled with the results and the entire experience. The color was beautiful (the yellow tones are gone), my curls were big, bouncy, and defined. I felt that finally, I had found someone who truly understood my curly hair.
Lastly, Simone gave a me a list of the products she had used during styling, and a microfiber towel to use in the future.
Conclusion
It’s been a few weeks since my first curly hair cut, and although I’m not achieving the same results as my stylist, I have improved my technique. My hair looks so much more defined and voluminous. The curls fall better, I have less frizz, and I feel much better about my curls. The shape feels more contemporary, and the bulkiness at the bottom is no more!
Overall, my visit to Curl Evolution was a feeling of belonging and confidence. I felt confident in my stylist, Simone, and in my new hair. The love, care, and dedication to curly hair made my first visit to a curly hair salon really special. I’m happy to say that I have found my new hair stylist and salon.
If you currently embrace your curls, or are thinking about it, and not using a curl specialist, then I highly recommend going to a dedicated curly hair salon too.