Curly Curvy Passion

Last Friday, I visited my stylist for a trim and reshape. I recorded several Instagram story videos about my visit, as well as my general standing thoughts related to haircuts and caring for my curls. If you missed it, you can watch the replay under our "𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐬" highlights (there are currently two.) ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Although I've shared these before, here's a list of my most prominent thoughts regarding how I approach haircuts for 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫. You may relate to this, or you may disagree with it. Both are good things! It's also why I've always suggested that you base your decisions about haircuts on your own research, experience and the personal needs of your hair, rather than what you think you "should" be doing based on what others do. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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What I do/think and why:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣✂️: I don't skip trims/cuts.⁣⁣⁣
A regular schedule of haircuts/trims works best for me.That's been the case for years now, particularly since my hair changed to being low-density and fine textured due to my health condition. Obviously, the pandemic got me way off schedule and even my 1st trim since lock down a few weeks ago (overdue for around 5 months) didn't quite hit the mark. But, we addressed that on Friday and got it back to where it needs to be. (You can hear more about that in the videos I posted to our Instagram highlight by clicking here.) For reference, in case you're wondering, getting a trim no more than every 8 weeks works best for me.⁣⁣⁣
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✂️: I don't obsess about length.⁣⁣⁣
If something needs to  go, it needs to go. I don't currently deal with damage, so that's not typically what needs to get cut off for me. It's usually just the "standard" ends needed trimming to keep my hair healthy. But, if there are areas that have grown out unevenly (which is common for me due to my illness), and if those areas are affecting the overall shape of my hair,then I get them cut. Simple. I trust my stylist's suggestions on how to achieve the look I want. I don't attach my beauty, worth or attractiveness of my curls to their length. In fact, usually holding on to a  length or shape that doesn't suit my curls ends up frustrating me more because they don't look, feel or fall the way I want. It's always health and shape over length for me. ⁣⁣⁣
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✂️ I choose a stylist based on their skill and ability; not necessarily solely on whether or not they hold a "Curly Specialist" certification. That's not to say that I have anything against those who specialize in curls. I think that's fantastic! I do, however, disagree firmly with the peer pressure that's often put on curly-haired people to only visit curl specialists for name brand cuts, as if there weren't thousands of other very well trained, highly qualified licensed stylists who are perfectly qualified to cut curly hair. 

I see countless posts from curlies who are terrified to get their hair cut due to a negative past  experience, or a current, firm belief that a wet haircut by a non curly specialist guarantees a horrible result. Yes, experience matters, and of course having access to or being able to afford a curly specialist is great. If that's the case for you and it's working, awesome! But if it's not, just keep in mind that there may be other options out there that you're overlooking.  Do some research, read testimonials, examine portfolios, book a consultation.  You might be surprised. (𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘸-𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘭𝘴, 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝟷𝟻+ 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦.)⁣⁣⁣
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✂️ I never tell my stylist how to do her job.  (e.g. how to cut my hair, where to give me layers etc.) She's the trained, licensed expert who keeps up on her education, and can translate the "look" I want into how her shears need to work in my hair to achieve it. There's so much value in our conversation. We discuss how I want my hair to look (e.g. "more lift here", "less length there", struggling with shape here"...etc, , and how it's "behaving", or how it's growing)  what I like and what I don't. I don't go in there asking for a certain cut because someone else gets it and I trust her to be straight with me on what will or won't work for me. ⁣⁣She can also count on me to be realistic.
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I was recently asked if I bring in photos to my salon appointment for inspiration or guidance. I have in the past, and I'm not against that. I do try to mostly bring in photos of myself, when my hair looked the way that I want it to. But, if I'm looking to change something - like when I started going shorter with my bangs about a year ago - then I will bring in a photo that gives an idea of what I'm looking for; keeping in mind that my curls are unique and that there's always a chance my stylist will come back and tell me that the look in an inspirational photo isn't achievable or realistic for my curls. ⁣⁣
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Along those same lines, I never tell people with my same hair type how they HAVE to get their hair cut.....because it's not my place to do so, nor am I a licensed expert. I do my best to share based on my experience and even some of what I've observed in working in the pro beauty industry. I'd rather share things as considerations, rather than "rules" or "guarantees."  A perfect example of why? ➡️ My fine, low density hair is custom cut wet, with certain type of layers based on my needs. Layers work well for me and horribly for others with my same "hair type"! Some fine haired, low-density curlies really dislike how layers makes their curls lay. So who am I to say that just because their hair is similar to mine they should get the same type of cut? 

Trust in the education of a stylist and in their observations at your consultation, where they can see not only your scalp health but how your curls behave. ⁣⁣
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✂️: I'm not afraid to tell my stylist when something went wrong. In my opinion, a professional, seasoned stylist who cares about happy clients will be receptive to respectful,useful feedback about a haircut, because their intention is for you to be happy and to retain you as a client. In my opinion, if something didn't work out well, it's less about placing blame and more about identifying what could be done differently. I'm also not afraid to "break up" with a stylist if it's they're no longer suitable for me. I'm a paying client and I deserve to be happy with the results. I also have high regard for stylists who have the professionalism, integrity and confidence to turn away a client with whom they don't see eye to eye or for whom they don't believe to be a fit. I think it's an amazing show of camaraderie when a stylist enthusiastically recommends a colleague more suitable for a client.⁣⁣
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✂️:I never cut, trim or "dust" my own hair ....no matter how desperate I get. I know this is a point of contention for many. I see a lot of tutorials of content creators showing their followers how to give themselves cuts/trims/dustings...and I'm just not personally with it. I don't have a whole lot of hair to spare and even if a teeny baby snippet seems harmless, I'd rather not. I've literally seen how an inch can make a difference in areas like my bangs when my stylist does it...and I don't trust myself to replicate that. That being said,  I know plenty of people for whom this practice works well, without any issues. Even for myself, many years ago, when my hair was thick and more resilient, I could get away with the unicorn trim here and there. It's simply just not my reality nowadays.⁣⁣
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✂️:  I tip my stylist fairly, and happily pay the price she is charging. Of course, I have a limited budget, and, like most people, that's a major factor in who I choose and how often I go for haircuts. But I mean, generally speaking. I personally believe that being a licensed cosmetologist requires an incredible amount of passion and dedication to your craft. Salon Professionals work all day on their feet, often times dealing with absorbing the emotions of their clients, trying their best to educate them, using their skills and knowledge to achieve what clients want, and many times, investing additional and countless hours away from the chair continuing with and investing in their education. I recognize that I'm 100% biased because of decades of connections to the professional salon industry. I have a deep regard for the dedicated spirit that exists in salon professionals who help people to feel and look their best on a daily basis. So, I happily embrace the opportunity to show them my appreciation, both in the form of thanking them verbally (and with photos/shout-outs), as well as with appropriate gratuity .⁣
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At the end of the day, I think a haircut is as personal as choosing an outfit. You have to do what's best for you and what best represents your personality and the appearance you want to put out into the world. I know it can be more challenging for curly-haired people to select or retain a stylist compared to their straight-haired counterparts.I am very grateful that, both in California and now that I live in Florida, I have been blessed to have two incredibly talented, capable and kind stylists who have learned to work with my curls. I know that process can be long and grueling for others. But I do think that it's possible for most of us to eventually find a salon professional who will use their craft and passion to help us put our best curls forward.⁣
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/ J / #CurlyCurvyPassion⁣
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