If you have curly hair, you probably have a story about a cut that looked great in the chair and fell apart once it dried, or color that looked stripy once your curls sprang back up. Curls are not just straight hair with a twist. They shrink, they are often drier, and they react to color differently. Here is how we cut and color curly hair at Got Hair? Color Salon in San Antonio.
Related service: Precision Dry Cutting for Curly Hair
Why Curls Need a Different Approach
Curly hair can shrink a lot when it dries, so the length you see when it is wet is not the length you will live with. Curls also tend to be drier, because natural oils have a harder time traveling down a curved strand. And every head of curly hair is different, with looser waves in one area and tighter coils in another. A good cut and a good color plan both start by seeing how your curls actually behave.
Cutting Curls Dry
We cut curly hair dry, in its natural state. That way we can see how each curl falls and shape it accordingly, instead of guessing how the hair will shrink once it dries. It is one of the main reasons clients with curly and wavy hair love precision dry cutting: what you see in the chair is what you get at home.
Coloring Curly Hair
- Placement that shows in your curls. Color that looks right on straight hair can look stripy or patchy once curls spring up. We plan placement so dimension shows up in your curls as you actually wear them.
- Gentle lightening. Curly hair can be more fragile, and overprocessing can loosen your curl pattern. We work at a pace your hair can handle and use bond-building treatments like K18 in every lightening service.
- Grey on curly hair. Grey often grows in with a different texture. Our grey blending work takes that into account, and our post on frizzy grey hair explains why.
"Sonia knows curly hair. People with curly hair know this is extraordinary."
— Nicole H., Google Review
How to Come to Your Appointment
- Wear your hair the way you usually do, styled with your normal products.
- Skip the ponytail or bun on the way in, so the curls are not flattened.
- Bring photos of curls and colors you love, and tell us what your current routine is.
Caring for Curls in San Antonio
Our humidity can turn definition into frizz quickly. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and plenty of conditioner, apply styling products to wet hair, and dry with a diffuser or air-dry instead of using high heat. Our guide to frizz in San Antonio humidity has more tips. If you would like a break from frizz without losing your curls, ask us whether a Brazilian Blowout is a good fit, since it can smooth frizz while still letting you wear your hair curly.
Defined, healthy curls
Frequently Asked Questions
Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Many curly clients prefer a dry cut, because curls shrink as they dry. Cutting dry lets your stylist shape each curl as it actually falls.
Can you color curly hair without ruining the curl pattern?
Yes, with care. Overprocessing can loosen curls, so lightening should be gentle and paced, with bond-building treatments like K18. Placement should also be planned so color shows well in your curls.
How should I come to a curly haircut appointment?
Come with your hair styled the way you usually wear it, using your normal products, and avoid a ponytail or bun on the way in.
Is there a curly hair specialist in San Antonio?
At Got Hair? Color Salon, Sonia cuts curly hair dry and plans color around your curl pattern. Book a complimentary consultation to talk about your goals.