Most barbers cut curly hair wet, which is when curls lie flat and look two inches longer than they are. The result is a great-looking wet cut and a too-short dry one. Here's how we think about it.
Cut dry, finish wet
We cut the bulk of a curly client's hair dry — to see how the curls actually fall — then refine the edges wet. This is the single biggest difference between a good curly cut and a bad one.
Shape over fade
Curly hair lives by its silhouette. The fade is secondary. We focus on the shape on top first, then taper the sides to support it.
Cuts we recommend
The curly French crop, the soft mid-length with a low taper, and — for longer curl patterns — the brushed-back flow with internal layering. Each one respects the curl pattern instead of fighting it.
What to ask before booking
Ask the shop directly: do you cut curly hair dry? If they say always wet, book somewhere else. That one question saves most curly clients in LA from six bad cuts.
—SIR Management