Curly hair - all one length, layers, thinned out or what?

[one l michele]

What is the easiest? My hair is very thick and to my shoulder blades. I have some layers that start below my chin and no bangs. I love having it curly, it's so easy to care for. I feel I need something though to give it a little more style or shape. With summer coming what would you suggest? I only get mine cut twice a year.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Some people do great with all one length, but it does NOT work for me. I have mine layered into a shape. Thinning shears are your enemy. Sure that haircut will look nice. However, 2 - 3 haircuts later, you will have brillo hair. All that hair in uneven lengths will not create defined curls, but fuzz.

However, I do get haircuts every six weeks or so and mine is shorter - just below my chin when dry.

[abbeyej]

I pretty much *have* to do all one length. Any sort of layering leaves me with a gigantic pyramid-shaped mess. ;)

I think the best thing is to ask around in real life (don't be shy about complimenting some stranger at the grocery store and asking who she uses if she has a great cut and hair similar in texture to yours), check out naturallycurly.com etc and find someone local who is *great* with curly hair. S/he can help you figure out the best cut for *your* curly hair.

ETA: I'm really amazed at all the people for whom layers work. Truly, lol, they're a *disaster* for me. Finding the "curly girl" method (in my mid-20s!) was almost life-changing. *But* clearly there's vast variety in the kinds of hair people describe as "curly". :) I stand by what I said before -- don't go by recommendations of people on the net (whose hair you can't see), find a stylist who knows what she's doing (and really talk about what she does, so you know if you have to tell someone else in the future).

[Amy in NH]

In order for mine to really curl nicely all over, it has to be layered. When it's one length it's only wavy with a little curl on the bottom.

[elegantlion]

I have very curly hair. It has to be cut in layers to work well. I try to keep my bangs longer. I cut the top a little shorter so it has some lift.

[KristineIN]

I have very thick hair and it's curly. I have it layered and thinned, but I have it cut every 6-7 weeks. If you don't have it cut that often, I would be hesitant to do this. I spend a little bit on my hair, but it's worth it for my self esteem and I hardly spend anything else on myself.

Goodluck.
Kristine

[Alenee]

I have very curly hair. It has to be cut in layers to work well. I try to keep my bangs longer. I cut the top a little shorter so it has some lift.

Agree with cutting the top shorter. Mine isn't VERY curly but I have to have layers or it's a mess. Thinning works great for me because it's SOOOOOOO thick. Layers have made my hair so much more manageable. When I have it all one length, it looks like a big poof at the bottom while it's flat on top.

[Michelle T]

I know the Curly Girls book says never to layer curly hair, but mine needs it. Without layers, the top gets pulled down and looks like a rats nest, and the bottom explodes into messy curls.

I keep my hair around jaw length, no bangs, and I always style it back away from my face.
Michelle T

[Holly IN]

I am a Curly Girl and follow the method. I keep it one length including bangs. I did the layer thing and it was a awful. I looked like I had an afro. :glare:(I am caucasion so that didn't go well for me)

So it is all one lenght and a bit past my shoulders. I LOVE it!! It has made my life so much easier. I just wet it down , pick it with a pick then LEAVE it alone and it looks wonderful!! If I even touch it it will frizz. :glare: So I warn people not to even touch my hair. I tell them to leave it alone!! ggrrr!


Like another poster said it will pyramid on my head if it is layered. Also I stay away from the salon. They beg me to layer my hair and get rid of the curls so I stay away from then and trim my own hair.

I can't find a good Curly girl salon that will not try to hack at my curls. Also they love to thin my hair with thinning shears. ahhh. Anyway....

Holly

[Sharon in SC]

Dd has thick, curly hair. We've found the best thing for her is layers. (When it was all one length it was a frizz ball that ballooned out at the bottom). Our hairstylist has advised against texturing ("thinning"). We use Suave's curly hair products and scrunch. A diffuser defines the curls all the more when we have the time.