Page Reviewed and Updated: June 2026
Welcome to the Curly Hair FAQ.
At Curly Cuts, one of the most common things I hear is, “I wish someone had explained this to me years ago.”
Curly hair is different from straight hair and often requires a different approach to cutting, hydration, styling and ongoing care. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of curlies and noticed many of the same questions come up time and time again.
This page answers some of the most common questions I receive about curly hair cutting, frizz, hydration, wet brushing and curly hair care.
If you’re looking for more in-depth curly hair education, you may also be interested in The Curly Cuts System Curl Education Classes.
Why Does Thinning Curly Hair Cause Frizz?
Thinning curly hair can create wispy, uneven ends that often appear frizzier and less defined. Curly hair naturally relies on weight and structure to help curls form clumps. When too much hair is removed through thinning, slicing or texturising techniques, curls can lose support and appear fluffier or more frizzy.
At Curly Cuts, I focus on creating stronger, more solid ends and building shape and structure into the haircut rather than removing bulk through thinning techniques.
What Is Curl-by-Curl Cutting?
Curl-by-curl cutting is a newer approach to cutting curly hair that works with the natural curl pattern rather than treating curly hair like straight hair.
While traditional hairdressing training focuses primarily on straight-hair cutting techniques, newer curly cutting methods require additional education and specialised training. Since 2018, I have intentionally invested in multiple advanced curly cutting courses and continue to update my skills as newer curly cutting methods emerge.
How Often Should Curly Hair Be Cut?
The ideal time between haircuts depends on your hair length, condition, goals and current shape.
Someone transitioning from traditional haircuts to newer curly cutting methods may benefit from a few appointments closer together while building a new shape. Once the shape is established, many clients find their cuts grow out well and can last anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
One sign of a great curly haircut is not just how it looks on the day, but how well it grows out over time.
Why Won’t My Curls Clump Together?
Curl clumps form when curls have enough moisture and products are distributed evenly through the hair.
Many curlies focus on products alone, but hydration and product distribution techniques are often overlooked. Keeping the hair wet throughout styling and distributing products evenly with a wet brush can help encourage better curl clumping.
Does Wet Brushing Damage Curly Hair?
When performed correctly on wet hair with conditioner or styling products, wet brushing is a key part of many newer curly hair methods.
Wet brushing helps distribute water and products evenly throughout the hair, improving consistency and reducing areas that miss out on hydration. At Curly Cuts, we do not recommend dry brushing curly hair.
Why Is My Curly Hair Dry?
Dryness can be caused by many factors, including product build-up, incorrect cleansing, lack of hydration, environmental conditions, hard water or styling techniques.
Many curlies try to solve dryness by continuously adding more products. Often the solution starts with understanding your cleansing routine, hydration techniques and individual hair needs. This is one of the topics covered in The Curly Cuts System Curl Education Classes.
Why Doesn’t Squish to Condish Work for Me?
Technique matters.
Water alone does not hydrate curly hair. Hydration comes from combining water with suitable products and distributing them properly throughout the hair.
If products are not evenly worked through the hair first, squishing may simply move water around rather than creating lasting hydration.
What Causes Halo Frizz?
Halo frizz is often caused when parts of the hair begin drying before water and products have been distributed evenly.
The root area is particularly prone to drying quickly. Keeping the hair wet throughout the styling process and ensuring products are worked through thoroughly can help reduce halo frizz.
How Do I Diffuse Curly Hair Correctly?
A common mistake is cupping the hair too early.
Instead, hover diffuse until the hair is approximately 80–90% dry before beginning to cup the curls. This helps set the cast and reduce frizz.
For Dyson users, I generally recommend:
• Hover diffuse: Heat 2, Speed 2
• Cup diffuse: Heat 1, Speed 1
Why Do My Curls Look Different Every Wash Day?
Curly hair naturally responds to changing weather conditions, humidity, temperature, wind and moisture levels in the air.
This is completely normal. On rainy, humid or frosty days, adjusting your styling products can make a significant difference. A light mist of silicone-free hairspray over the cast can also provide additional protection from the elements.
Have More Questions?
Curly hair is unique, and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. If you’d like to learn more about hydration, styling, product selection, diffusing, weather-proofing your curls and modern curly hair techniques, consider attending one of The Curly Cuts System Curl Education Classes.
You can also purchase our Curly Cuts Curl Education Booklet. that we use in our classes instore at Curly Cuts or online.
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