30 Current Curly Hair Cutting Techniques for Different Natural Patterns
24. Thick Glossy Long Waves. Let’s move to the myths and readers’ questions. Does cropping natural locks make them straight? Actually, it won’t make them straight. Your genes determine the shape of your follicle and your hair type. Ringlets have oval follicles. When it comes to how they should be cropped, there are really no hard and fast rules. While some techniques are all about following your pattern and texture, some focus more on your hair type and volume. However, a good crop won’t make your locks go flat. A bad crop can make them look flatter and frizzier.
Knowing various curly hair cutting techniques is vital for your natural locks. Some naturalistas make a big mistake when they walk into the first salon they see to get their locks cropped. Natural locks are not like other types of hair, and thus the techniques are different. You need a specialized salon and a stylist!
The unique patterns of natural locks dictate the technique or method that would be best for each type. This is why there are so many ideas out there. Your stylist would assess your locks and discuss the best techniques for your pattern.
How to Crop Natural Locks
To help you make an informed choice, we’ve compiled all the natural styles that hairdressers do for their clients. Read through this article carefully to gain knowledge on how to crop your locks before heading to a salon.
1. Medium Messy Wavy Shag. One more important question is how often should your locks be cropped. This will depend on how healthy they are. However, whether you need to give them a trim or you’re going for a complete restyle, we recommend refreshing them regularly. Getting an update at least 2 – 3 times a year is advisable for healthy locks.
2. CC1 Technique. You should consider this method of if you would like to rock waves and still reserve the option of wearing your locks straight once in a while. CC1 Technique involves cropping pieces vertically to create airy volume and have all of them in equal length.
3. Shears to Avoid Split Ends. Shears are OK unless these are thinning shears that cause frizz. Your stylist must use really good scissors for your natural locks. A very sharp shear will help maintain the integrity of your locks and prevent bent or split ends, as well as frizz.
4. DEVA Technique. A Deva is a dry technique that isn’t just about keeping your locks trim. Here the hairdresser follows the natural pattern and crops a piece one after the other. Doing it individually helps to improve the overall look of your coif.
5. Crop in Circles. Cropping in a circular pattern and blending the different textures of your ringlets helps to achieve the desired volume. It’s best to do when your locks are dry and in their natural state. The hairstylist used the “praying hands” and scrunch methods for styling these marvelous ringlets.
6. Diametrix Crop. Specially designed to reduce the bulky feel of thick natural locks, the Diametrix is one of the best methods available for those with voluminous ringlets. Cutting the inner layers right eliminates that dreadful pyramid shape every natural girl hates.
7. Soft Bedhead Bob with Bangs. When it comes to taking proper care of your waves, embracing the natural texture is the best thing you can do. It’s important to take into account the density and texture of your locks. Remember that you will possibly need several crops when you transition to your natural texture after massive damage, straightening, etc. Sometimes it can take 1,5-2 years, but it’s worth it.
8. CURLSYS Technique. In this technique, individual ringlets are cropped in a special way to make the strands in each piece stick together towards the ends. This gives your locks better definition and minimizes frizz.
9. Ouidad Crop. The carve and slice technique as the Ouidad is also called, is ideal for ladies with thick and voluminous locks. It lessens your volume, making your mane more manageable and reducing the frizz.
10. Bounce-Boosting Layering. Doing layers is one of the most valuable tips for naturalistas. Layers give great definition, movement, and bounce. They help to shape your coif and keep it from appearing hefty. But, once again, a good hairstylist with the right skills is a must if you want perfect ringlets.
11. Popular Rezo. Invented by Nubia Suarez, this is probably the most popular technique, especially for natural waves and coils. Rezo defines your pieces neatly and makes them take on more volume. An even length is maintained. Look for a Rezo-certified specialist.
12. The Mona Crop. If you’re looking at enhancing the natural texture of your mane, go for this style. The Mona Crop is named after Mona Baltazar. It adds a good measure of movement to your coif.
13. Shaping Method. As the name suggests, this method is basically for natural locks, at least 2B type. It won’t create ringlets in your hair, but it’s for shaping natural locks and enhancing their pattern to give you healthier and more defined spirals. The ringlets are cropped dry.
14. Global Concept. This concept goes beyond crops and includes some special treatments made to keep your ringlets healthy. The pieces are also cropped individually, thus giving them much body and keeping frizz away.
15. Ri Ci Crop. RI CI can be done on natural locks of all types, but only when they are wet. This technique places more focus on the weight and density of your locks, rather than their pattern.
16. Twist-and-Crop. Ask for a twist-and-crop technique if you’d like to make your waves move by removing excess weight from them. This style creates invisible layers in your mane. The strands are twisted a bit. Then a hairstylist snips with shears along the length of the strand. In general, the length won’t be affected.
17. Razoring Method. Here comes the controversial method. Some stylists object to using a razor on naturalistas. Though many agree that razor can be used on glassy ringlets, but not on fuzzy ones. Cropping with razor thins out the ends, making them less bouncy. If your type of coily or wavy locks needs this – you are welcome to use this method.
18. Dry Method. Should you crop ringlets wet or dry? Most hairdressers would say yes to the dry method. The reason being that in dry-cropping the natural pattern can be clearly seen, and this allows the stylist to follow the pattern properly and give you the best shape. You get exactly what you see in the mirror during your hair appointment.
19. Wet Method. Although it’s hard to tell how your ringlets will lie when your locks are wet and when they dry, cropping them wet has its own advantages. It allows your stylist to see the true nature, qualities, and tendencies of your strands. This gives the stylist better control. The ends come out consistent and neat, not shattered.
20. Bangs or No Bangs? Who doesn’t love crops with bangs? Adding bangs makes your coif lovelier, especially short ringlets. It helps to thin out the weight around your face. It’s the best practice to crop bangs with the dry method.
21. At-Home Trims. Of course, you can trim your locks at home if you wish so. Before you start, wash them. Should you leave them wet or crop them dry? It may be easier for you to trim them dry if you are a beginner. However, there are a lot of tutorials that show easy at-home wet crops. You choose. Just ensure you stick to the simple tasks, like sniping off a few damaged ends or trimming out your locks a bit. Leave any major changes for your stylist to avoid a very uneven crop or damage.
22. Big Bouncy Beach Waves. Where should you snip? The pattern of waves follows alternating shapes of the big “C” and the small “c” letters. Most stylists prefer snipping across the curve of the larger C. Doing so helps to maintain the integrity of your pattern and keep the ends frizz-free.
23. Shaggy Wolf with Bangs. Whether you’re just removing dead ends or giving your mane a major chop, there are some rules that you shouldn’t joke with if you want to see your mane healthy. These include washing your locks, making sure there’s no product on them, and not pulling at your locks when snipping.
24. Thick Glossy Long Waves. Let’s move to the myths and readers’ questions. Does cropping natural locks make them straight? Actually, it won’t make them straight. Your genes determine the shape of your follicle and your hair type. Ringlets have oval follicles. When it comes to how they should be cropped, there are really no hard and fast rules. While some techniques are all about following your pattern and texture, some focus more on your hair type and volume. However, a good crop won’t make your locks go flat. A bad crop can make them look flatter and frizzier.
25. Cropping from the Top. One more idea on how to crop ringlets; your stylist will wash, dry, and detangle them, and then begin the crop at the top of your head to debulk the weighty look. The way your stylist manipulates the pieces at the top determines how the lower sections will appear.
26. Drab to Fab Makeover. Does cropping natural locks make them coilier? Well, a good crop will enhance your natural pattern. This makes your locks healthier and bouncier as in the before and after images we see here, and so improves the overall look of your coif. A splash of color will add more interest to your locks, too.
27. Stylish Reshaping. Your mane shouldn’t be cropped to the side you wear it often. For more versatility and even growth, it should be cropped down the middle instead. This yields a more balanced shape with an even length all around your head. You can then part and style your it to any side you like.
28. Crop with Coloring. Coloring your locks makes a big difference to how gorgeous they may look. If you choose to dye your mane, work with your colorist in order to achieve an amazing job like this. Mind that most likely you will need two different specialists to crop and color your ringlets.
29. Long Thick Wavy Shag. One more question is whether waves should be cropped straight across. Most hairdressers would snip with the wave. That means that they crop according to your wave flow, and this entails following your pattern. Cropping straight across may disrupt it.
30. Afro Crop. The shorter your coils are, the firmer they appear. They may look coilier and springier because of their short length. Your hairdresser will take the nature and type of your locks into account to choose the best techniques for you.
As you can see, there are several dozens of crop techniques. According to your hair type and personal preferences, your hairdresser should be able to give your locks the best crop. Good luck in your perfect natural journey!
