A conversation with Alexis, who is one of our Master Stylists and a curly cut specialist (Curl Craft Cut certified by Wella).
By Jenn Sharpe, Master Stylist & Owner of Sharper Image Hair Design.
If you've spent years fighting with your hair... straightening it, taming it, scraping it back into a bun because nothing else worked, or cutting it yourself at home because the last salon visit didn't go well... I want you to know you're not alone. And I want to share something with you.
I recently sat down with Alexis, a Master Stylist and resident curly cut specialist. She has curly hair herself, and she's spent her career learning how to cut it in a way that actually works. What she told me changed the way I think about curly hair, and I wanted to pass it on.
Pour yourself your favourite beverage because this is for you.
You Might Have Curly Hair And Not Know It
This was the first thing Alexis said that surprised me.
"A lot of people don't realize that they have curly hair. And then once I get into their hair, then I surprise them with what can be done."
Her observation is simple. If you deal with a lot of frizz, you have curl. Frizz is curly hair that hasn't been given what it needs.
Alexis said that many of her clients have, in her words, "struggled with it for a very long time. They don't accept a piece of themselves. They're constantly using a hot iron to tame it, and it won't work."
If you've been flat-ironing for years, fighting frizz every morning, or feeling like your hair has a mind of its own... there's a very strong chance you've been working against curly hair that's been there all along.
A curly haircut, by the way, isn't only for tight ringlets. As Alexis put it, "A curly cut is a custom cut for your texture. It doesn't necessarily mean people have to have really curly hair. They just have to have natural texture they want to enhance."
The Triangle (And Why It Keeps Happening)
If you've ever looked in the mirror after a haircut and thought why does my hair look like a triangle, this section is for you.
"It's that Christmas tree triangle shape," Alexis explained. "You want the volume at the top, not all the weight pulling down at the bottom."
The triangle happens because curly hair was cut the way straight hair gets cut. Wet, with tension, in a straight line across the bottom. When that hair dries and springs back into its natural shape, the weight ends up in the wrong places, the corners stick out where they shouldn't, and your curls end up framing the wrong parts of your face.
Alexis's approach is different.
"You cut it dry. And it sounds weird, but you cut it like a shrub. You freehand it."
Cutting dry means the stylist can see exactly how your hair is going to lay. There's no guessing about shrinkage. There's no waiting for the curls to dry and revealing two inches you didn't agree to lose. What gets cut is what you walk out with.
"Each Curl Has Its Own Family"
This was my favorite moment in our conversation.
I asked Alexis about the number one mistake clients make at home that causes frizz. Her answer was so simple I had to share it.
"They over-touch it. They brush it when they shouldn't brush it. Each curl has its own family. And if you go in with a brush, you break up the family."
A bundle of curls that wants to stay together, that wants to spiral and define itself... that's a curl family. When you reach in with a brush, you separate the curls from each other, and what you're left with is frizz instead of definition.
The fix isn't just better products, though Alexis has thoughts on those too. The fix is knowing how to live with your hair. When to touch it. When to leave it alone. How to refresh between washes. Most clients have never been taught any of this, which is why a curly cut at a salon that understands curls includes more than just scissors.
Wet or Dry? The Question That Matters More Than You Think
Some stylists will tell you it doesn't matter. Alexis disagrees, and so do I.
"Dry. Always dry. It's easier to see how it's going to lay."
Curly hair shrinks when it dries, sometimes by inches. If your stylist cuts your hair wet and goes for the length you asked for wet, you'll watch it spring up to something completely different once it dries. By then it's too late.
This is also why we ask curly cut clients to come to their appointment with clean, dry hair styled the way they would normally wear it. That way Alexis is working with the client’s hair as it actually lives, not as it looks soaking wet under fluorescent lights.
What a Real Curly Cut Consultation Looks Like
Alexis spent a lot of our conversation talking about the importance of a quality curly hair consultation.
"I sit down at their level. I want them to feel heard."
Before any scissors come out, she sits face to face with the client and asks three questions:
Do you like your curls?
What do you struggle with?
What's your routine right now?
She's reading your hair and reading you. She's listening for the words you use, because the way you describe your curls tells her where you've been carrying frustration.
The other thing she said stuck with me.
"If they only want a quarter of an inch, I'll only take a quarter of an inch. I'll build trust with them first. Next time we can plan to take off a little bit more."
No pressure for a dramatic chop on day one. The goal of your first visit is to walk out with a shape you love, build a relationship, and plan together for the future.
Many curly clients have been let down before.
Some have been cutting their own hair at home for years because the salon experience felt like too much of a risk.
Alexis called the leap to trying a new salon a Hail Mary, and she's right. You're putting yourself out there. That deserves to be taken seriously.
A Final Thought From Alexis
Near the end of our conversation, Alexis said something that I think captures the right approach.
"It's embracing nature. It's like telling a branch to go a certain direction. It doesn't. It depends on the environment. It's embracing that wrinkle, that scar, that something. It's something you can't change. And if you don't like it, then you have to find a way to work with it and not against it."
If you've been working against your hair for a long time, maybe it's time to try working with it instead.
We look forward to the chance to meet you at our hair salon. We know that you are taking a chance on us to help you make your curls work for you. I know that you will be cared for by our stylists who have been specifically trained to provide you with a new curly hairstyle that you will love.
Warmest Regards,
Jenn Sharpe
Owner / Master Stylist
Sharper Image Hair Design
Meet Our Curly Haircut Experts
Alexis is a Master Hair Stylist and curly cut specialist, but she's not our only certified curly cut stylist. The majority of our stylists are professionally certified in the Curl Craft Cut method by Wella, which means when you book a curly cut at Sharper Image, you have several talented hair stylists to choose from. Alexis is the most experienced of our certified curly cut specialists and the featured expert in this article, but our entire curly-trained team works to the same high standard.
When you book, we'll help match you with the right stylist for your schedule, your curl pattern, and your goals.
Alexis Is Our Resident Curly Girl!
Summary Checklist of Questions You Might Ask Before Booking a Curly Haircut
Should I come with my hair washed or styled?
Please come with clean, dry hair styled the way you normally wear it. We need to see how your curls actually live so we can cut accordingly.
Will my hair get a lot shorter than I expect?
No. Because we dry cut, you see exactly what's happening in real time. There are no shrinkage surprises.
How often should I get a curly haircut?
Most of our curly cut clients come in every 10-14 weeks, depending on hair length and goals. Your hair stylist will recommend a schedule that works for you.
Do I need to use special hair care products?
You'll get a personal recommendation based on your curl pattern, your routine, and the season. We carry several professional curly hair care products in the salon.
Is the first appointment longer than a regular haircut?
Yes, slightly. The consultation is thorough, and dry cutting takes more time than wet cutting. Plan for a little extra at your first visit. After that, your appointments will be more efficient.
Which Hairstylist should I book with?
We have a talented team who have over 10 years of experience and many specialized certifications as education is one of our core salon values. You can meet our team here.
How much does a curly cut cost?
The extra time and specialized techniques ensure your curls leave the salon looking great and behaving the way you want them to at home. All of our services are priced by the level and experience of our hairstylists, ranging from New Talent to Master Stylist. Please see our services and prices here.
Book Your Curly Cut Today
We use Vagaro.com to book all service appointments. Click the button below to start your booking.
You can view our Stylist availability in Vagaro on the next page. If this is your first time booking online with us, you will need to sign up for a Vagaro account.
Make sure to register your email and mobile phone number so that once booked, you will receive a confirmation and reminder via email or text.