Having curly hair can be a blessing and a curse—while many people spend hundreds of dollars on products and tools that will give them the curly hair effect, knowing how to maintain it if you have it naturally can be overwhelming. Finding the right products that will keep your texture on point and your hair healthy is a treacherous task. Picking the right cut also plays an essential role in the appearance of your curls. Getting the wrong haircut can make it significantly harder to maintain them. Curly hair requires the right shaping, products, and routines to fight frizz and keep shine and volume.
We asked Jennifer Mendoza, owner of Flourish Hair & Beauty in Chicago, Illinois, what the worst haircut is if you have curly hair. “I would say the least flattering is getting a pixie haircut. This tends to age women with curly hair and doesn’t enhance the look.” While a pixie cut means less hair to care for (and time saved in front of the mirror) it may not be the best for curls. When picking a haircut, it’s important to find something that jives with your hair texture, so that you can amplify your natural features.
When it comes to picking the right haircut for curly hair, there are lots of options. One great option for curly hair that’s on trend right now is a shag cut. “It’s ultra-modern, has a sleekness that hugs the face and allows you to play with the piecey-ness that only curly tendrils can give you.” Michelle O’Connor, artistic director for Matrix, told SheFinds. Because it gives a messy, effortless look, it’s a perfect low maintenance style that will save you from stressing in front of the mirror with hot tools and products. Anything with layers and a little bit of length are also good options to consider—next time you visit the salon, talk to your stylist about styles that work best for your face shape and hair texture.
The key to beautiful curls is also in the products you use and the routines you follow. Mendoza has a few recommendations for choosing products and making a haircare routine. “Use sulfate free shampoo, don’t shampoo your curls daily, and use a concentrator on your blow dryer when styling.” Concentrators are great for curls because they keep the hot air from blowing all over, and instead focuses the air onto the hair so that it dries it without causing frizz.
Taking care of your curls doesn’t have to be impossible or expensive. Oftentimes the haircut you get can make a world of difference—knowing what works best with your hair texture and shape is key. If you have naturally curly hair, you should avoid a short style like a pixie cut. Instead, try something with layers that you can play with to get that fun, effortless, texture just right.
