A Haircut Question for Curly Haired Girls

[Killah Kitty]

I'm talking about really curly hair! Like spiral curls, hair that shrinks up a few inches after its dry.

So my problem is my hair is getting really long, and it really drags down my roots, which doesn't let my curls form very nicely. I've always had my hair pretty long (at least bra strap) to contain its volume, but now it is getting too long.

Thing is I am afraid of hair cuts... yes I admit it... I don't feel hair dressers understand my hair. So Ive only been having trims for the past couple years. Basically my hair is all one length and very blah, dragging itself down and all. No shape. I'm afraid to get layers, as I don't want anymore extra volume. I'm afraid my hair will just stack on top of itself and I already get enough volume as it is.

I really need a new haircut, and I want my hair to have some shape. I was thinking of telling my hair stylist to cut it a little shorter in the front than in the back. With maybe one long layer in the back to help with giving it a shape? Thing is I have no idea how this would turn out really, so I'm not sure if this is what I should be asking for? I had a bad hair cut experience 4 years ago where a different stylist cut it too short and I've been terrified since.

I'm sorry for the long post, but I ask of you girls with really curly hair, how do you tell your hair stylist to do your hair cut? Do you go specifically to someone who specializes in curly hair? Please let me know! I need a hair cut bad!

 

[CellyCell]

Well, I've been told layering is good for the curls and I usually go for long layers. But I also see you don't want the added volume. Requesting long layers and nothing cut above the shoulder. When my hair is that short and gets curly... it starts forming that little afro.

I don't have a stylist because they've all sucked in my eyes but you can definitely go out and find someone who specializes with curly hairs. They would understand your texture a bit more and know how to give you a new style without added volume.

 

[monniej]

Originally Posted by CellyCell /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't have a stylist because they've all sucked in my eyes but you can definitely go out and find someone who specializes with curly hairs. They would understand your texture a bit more and know how to give you a new style without added volume. i've had similar experiences so i just do the trim myself. i was thinking about maybe straightening my hair just so that i can get a better cut. i was thinking of more of a blunt cut. it seems like it would be easier to cut it when it straight. that way i'm sure it will be even all over. i wouldn't mess with layers because i know my hair would turn into a the velma cut (marge simpson's sister!), but that's just me. i'm guessing you probably need a professional for this one.

 

[Killah Kitty]

Thank you both. I still don't know what to do and its making me sad because I want a haircut before the end of this month as I will be starting a new job. Its really no big rush but I was aiming for that. However I will not rush into this lol.

Celly, I agree, no hairdresser has ever wowed me or really understood my hair or what I wanted. I just call this guy my stylist as I go to him most of the time and I know he will never do anything drastic or scary to my hair.

Its so frustrating though

! Why are all hairdressers so focused on fabulous haircuts for straight or wavy haired girls only? What about the curly haired girls, why do we get left out in the cold?

Anybody else with any ideas? I still need a haircut, even more so as the days go by lol...

 

[ADSCOSMETICS]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I love my hair when it's big and curly. My haircut is the bob where it's shorter in the back, not the straight one. The longest layers hit right to my shoulder and the shortest layers don't go any higher than the middle of my neck. I didn't want it too short. It actually looks really cute when it's curly because it never drags. I've been going to the same hairdresser for about 6 years now and I wouldn't change her for the world. I've had my own issues with stylists.. one thinned my hair, which ended up just breaking my hair completely and it couldn't grow back normally for almost a year. I had uneven hair when I first came to my present stylist. She was shocked. I let her do whatever she wants to my hair because she knows it and she always go by my face angle and the texture of my curls. For some reason, this bob, which I never thought would work for me, is the only cut I plan on having until my hair gets a little thicker.

 

[SimplyElegant]

This is going to sound really weird but I know someone who has this cut and her hair looks great. She got her bottom layer cut a bit shorter than the top layer so it doesn't poof out more towards the ends of her hair and her hair just looks so much better.

 

[Killah Kitty]

That doesn't sound so bad SimplyElegant. Its my bottom layer thats the curliest, I will keep what you said in mind.

ADS I admire that you rock a curly bob! Your lucky for finding a hairdresser that understands. When my hair was bra strap length at its longest, and a little past my shoulder in the front, it was very curly and could get very big, because it didn't drag down at all. I want to get back to that, just having a tough time explaining. Also I sometimes feel overwhelmed by how much volume my hair can aquire lol, so in a way I want to keep that to a minimum while still maintaning nice looking curls, its a lot to ask I know...

 

[ADSCOSMETICS]

Can I see what your hair looks like naturally? I'm just really curious to see if we have similar curls.

 

[ADSCOSMETICS]

WOW. I am so in love with those curls! Mine look NOTHING like that. I think cutting off about 5-6 inches would look great and if you had a long side bang. The bang itself could take away from the dragging. If you're having problems explaining the cut, just bring the picture in. It looks great with highlights, too.

 

[Killah Kitty]

Aw thanks! They don't look like they used to in 2006 anymore though. I thought bangs were a huge no no for curly hair. I can't imagine how I would style that lol.

Yea I guess I just need to get rid of a few inches. Im just a scardey cat. You can see how my highlights have grown out to past my ears in 2 years thats pretty sad, I will probably get them done when I go for my cut.

I was also discussing my hair woes with my mom lol and she told me to print out the picture and bring it in too. Im just so afraid of that volume lol but I can cross my fingers and hope it won't be so bad now, my hair is in better shape than it was then.

 

[ADSCOSMETICS]

The volume on it is great.. as far as I can tell, it doesn't look big at all. The length of the hair itself keeps it from getting too large. Make sure your stylist doesn't thin your hair to shed some of the volume--it will ruin the hair follicle. You can always take two strand from either side and put it back with cute clip if you don't want too much volume in your face that day. I think it would really bring out your face because you're very pretty.

I know it doesn't seem fit to have a bang when you have curly hair, but you'll see that the bang doesn't curl as well as the rest of your hair so it is a little easier to style. It won't look poodle-ish , that's for sure. =)

Besides, you said your hair is in pretty good shape, so if you keep taking care of it the way you have, you won't have to worry about a few extra highlights, because your hair is still gonna feel fresh and bouncy. All this hair talk, I can't wait to get my hair done this Saturday!

 

[StereoXGirl]

I really think you should bring that last picture in and ask them to do that!

Your hair looked great with that cut!

Not that it doesn't look great now, but still. lol!

 

[Killah Kitty]

Ok now feel free to laugh, I took this picture shortly after waking up. Therefore that look on my face. So this is what my hair is like now. Its still a little frizzy... but in my opinion it used to look a little fried and it looks & feels much healthier now. Note how its all dragging down.

July 2006... highlights... much shorter... don't understand the cut but wouldn't mind going back to something similiar like it.

Im probably not going to go for the highlights again actually. I think thats what made my hair kind of damaged in the first place. I like the color of my roots growing in... probably just going to let it all grow out. Im over being a blonde lol.

Also been thinking of dying the underneath half... a chocolate dark brown or something. I think this may help hide some volume? Back in 2005 I dyed the underneath half of my hair bright red, twice, and it looked really hot.

I guess Im over the blonde & red look now, Im going to be heading for light brown & dark brown... I dont think Ill start messing with bangs, Im enough of a scardey cat as it is with my hair lol. But maybe!

Guess Ill be bringing the picture in most likely. Any clue how I could basically explain it?

 

[Killah Kitty]

I guess my morning face scared everyone away LOL. Sorry.

Um do you girls think I could achieve the shape of the cut in my 2006 picture but not have to go quite that short? Im not sure if its do-able, but I got length to play around with...

And Id still like some input, would dying the underneath part dark hide volume or emphasize it? I cant quite picture it for some reason lol.

 

[StereoXGirl]

Originally Posted by Killah Kitty /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess my morning face scared everyone away LOL. Sorry.
Um do you girls think I could achieve the shape of the cut in my 2006 picture but not have to go quite that short? Im not sure if its do-able, but I got length to play around with...

And Id still like some input, would dying the underneath part dark hide volume or emphasize it? I cant quite picture it for some reason lol.

I think if you take that picture in and tell them that you want that cut, but want the overall length to remain a little longer than the picture, they should be able to do it. I've asked the same way before (came in with a picture of what I wanted, but told them I wanted to keep my hair as long as possible), and it turned out quite well.
I'm not sure what the effect of dying the under part of your hair would have on the appearance of volume, though...I'm no help on that one. lol.

 

[lilfireball]

I have naturally curly and thick hair. I always keep long layers, no shorter then my shoulders. I usually have it thinned as well so it doesn't "poof" on me. But the important thing with that is, when it's thinned I have them only thin the bottom layer of my hair. (I hope that makes sense.) I've had several bad experiences. So I make sure to go to someone who has hair like mine. Lately I've been wearing it straight though, I LOVE it straight! It's probably because we all want what we don't have naturally lol! I also agree with taking your picture to the hair stylist. That's helped me in the past. Good luck girl. I know how frustrating it is.

Wish I could be more help.

 

[Killah Kitty]

Thanks for the replies. I know my morning face is scary!

Im getting more and more sure as the days go by so hopefully soon Ill book an appointment. All the girls I know are all like "YES! I LOVE THE HAIR SALON! I WANT TO GO ALL THE TIME!"

So I feel very weird admitting here I'm afraid of the hair salon lol.

I would get my hair thinned out but I never wear it straight. Partially because I feel its healthy and don't want to damage it, and partially because its near impossible. So I heard that thinning it out can disturb the curls pattern. I dont think my stylist would understand. He does stunning haircuts and all that, and never leaves my comfort zone, but his work is mainly with straight hair and edgier styles...

 

[pinksugar]

definitely post an after pic! I think your hair looks gorgeous in the pic from 2006 you showed us! I see what you mean about being dragged down, and not wanting too much volume!

Best of luck, I wish I could offer some advice but my hair is DEAD STRAIGHT, which is equally difficult to deal with... sigh.

 

[CellyCell]

You're so pretty! I like your hair in 2006, it definitely had volume and a style, which is hard to create with curly hair.Looks like just typical side layers. I currently have that cut but my hair is shorter.

As for bangs, it depends on the cut. It can work but I never really liked it unless it's loose curls or it fits with the layers if you get me?