By: Olive Marquardt

If you’ve ever left a salon feeling like your curls looked great for one day and then completely different once you washed them at home, you’re not alone. Curly hair requires a different approach than straight hair, and finding a stylist who understands curl patterns, shrinkage, density, hydration, styling techniques, and everything else that can happen at home makes all the difference.

Every person deserves a haircut that is tailored to them and their curls specifically for the way it naturally grows and moves.

What Makes a Curly Haircut Different?

Unlike traditional haircuts that are often performed on wet hair, many curly haircuts are done dry or with the curl pattern in mind. This allows your stylist to see exactly how each curl lives, bends, and springs up naturally.

A customized curly haircut takes into consideration:

Curl pattern
Hair Health and Hydration
Hair density
Shrinkage
Styling habits
Desired shape and volume
Lifestyle and maintenance preferences

The goal isn’t to force curls into a specific shape. They should be encouraged and refined.

Common Mistakes Made With Curly Hair
Many people with curly hair have experienced one (or all) of these unfortunate issues:

Triangle-shaped haircuts
Uneven curl patterns resulting in an uneven looking haircut
Too much weight removed
thinning techniques that create unwanted frizz
Haircuts that only look good when styled or straightened
Improper / No education on how to care for their hair

A stylist trained in curly cutting techniques understands how curls interact with one another and can create a shape that works both on wash day and refresh days throughout the week.

How Often Should You Get a Curly Haircut?

The answer depends on your goals.

Curly hair takes longer to show growth because of the way that it grows. If you’re maintaining a shape, most curly clients benefit from a haircut every 2-4 months. I talk to my clients and we talk about what their goals are for their hair, how fast it grows, and realistically how often they want to come in to get it maintained.

Regular haircuts are very important for curly hair especially if you’re wanting to continue growing your hair until it’s a big beautiful heap of curls. Haircuts help prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft and keep your curl pattern looking its best.

Preparing for Your Curly Hair Appointment

To get the most accurate haircut possible, arrive with your hair:

Worn naturally curly and how you normally style
Clean and dry (day 1-3 hair depending on how much you curl pattern can fall.
Free of heavy products and oils

Bringing inspiration photos can also help communicate your goals. Try to find some that are as close to your natural texture as possible. I always find it very hard to find one picture that has everything, So, I recommend saving multiple images that show shapes, lengths, and styling preferences you love.

The Importance of a Personalized Curl Routine

A great haircut is only one piece of the puzzle. The right products, styling techniques, and hair health can dramatically impact how your curls look and feel between appointments.

Learning about your curl types, porosity, and moisture needs can help you build a routine that supports healthy, consistently defined curls. Always ask your stylist how they style your hair and get the when and why of every step. Don’t be afraid to frankenstein different routines until you find the routine that works best for you and your curls.

Finding a Curly Hair Hairstylist

Finding a stylist who understands curly hair can transform your relationship with your hair. Whether you’re embracing your natural texture for the first time, transitioning from heat damage, or simply looking for a shape that feels more like you, working with a curl-focused stylist can make styling easier and more predictable.

Here are a few things to look for when searching for a curly hair hairstylist:

1. Look at Their Portfolio

A stylist may say they cut curly hair, but their work should reflect that. Browse their Instagram or website and ask yourself:

Do they regularly post curly hair?
Do they work with multiple curl patterns and textures?
Do the before-and-after photos show movement, shape, and volume?

The more variety you see, the better understanding the stylist likely has of different textures.

2. Read Reviews from Curly-Haired Clients

Reviews can tell you a lot about the experience.

Look for comments mentioning:

Curl Styling and Care education
Comfortable consultations
Long-term results
Ease of styling after the appointment

If multiple curly clients say their hair grew out well, that’s usually a great sign.

3. Pay Attention to Texture Inclusivity

Curly hair isn’t one texture. A stylist should be comfortable working with waves, curls, coils, and everything in between.

This is where conversations about textureism become important. Textureism is bias toward certain hair textures, often favoring looser curls or straighter hair over tighter curl patterns. An inclusive stylist understands that every texture deserves expertise and respect—not just the curl types most commonly seen on social media.

Look for stylists whose work represents a range of textures and who celebrate natural hair rather than treating it as something to “fix.”

A haircut should fit your lifestyle, not just a trend.

The right curly hairstylist won’t just know how to cut curls—they’ll help you understand and appreciate your natural texture. Look for someone with a strong curly portfolio, experience across different textures, and an approach centered on education and collaboration.

Your curls deserve a haircut designed for your texture, your routine, and your personal style.

As a trans and queer stylist, I’ve seen firsthand how appearance can become tied to expectations about who we’re supposed to be. Hair texture is no different. Everyone deserves access to education, services, and haircut experiences that affirm who they are rather than pressure them to fit a particular beauty standard.

If you’re looking for a curly hairstylist in Denver I’d love to see you in my chair!

Book your appointment with me at Fōrma Collective Salon here.

Looking for more trans and queer hair inspiration? Follow @thehair.oracle on Instagram or browse our gallery for real client transformations.

— Olive Marquardt (they/he)

Trans Queer Stylist at Fōrma Collective