Most curlies, wavies, and naturals are terrified of getting their hair cut because there are so many horror stories. Even if you don’t have one, you have heard tear-filled testimonies describing the disastrous cuts they have received under the care of some stylist who is not-so-qualified or inexperienced with curly hair. Curly hair is not like straight hair, so when stylists try to use the same techniques, the result is uneven, chopped up, unnatural cuts that look like your 4-year-old niece took matters into her own hands. Cutting wet curly hair does not allow the stylist to see where your curls will naturally fall, so having your curls cut in this state will not allow you or the stylist to see the true desired shape.
The Relationship Between Curlies + Haircuts
An alternative to stylists who prefer to or primarily style straight hair is the curly salons that chop into your hair using carving and slicing techniques that are supposed to debulk or thin out your hair. These high-priced techniques deform the curl structure and make your ends frizzy and ripped. You end up with fishhook strands, and it grows out horrible! This is the main reason many natural, curlies, and wavies have begun doing their trims and cuts, and although we do a great job, it’s nothing like going to a professional and getting the royal treatment and the perfect cut. If you are dying for a new style and have no clue what to do, you may want to try the DevaCut.
Image Source: @kait_touch_this
What is a Devacut?
The DevaCut was created by the Devachan Salon and is a special technique for cutting curly, wavy or coily hair. The cut is more about making each curl look its best and not just a way to “tame” the curls. The cut is created on dry hair so the stylist sees how each curl will fall and how each curl is shaped. You determined your style after you consulted with your stylist before the cutting process. Don’t fret if you aren’t in NYC, where the Devachan Salon is, because you can find salons and the DevaCut throughout the US through My Deva Curl. You can use our Salon Finder if you want to read reviews of certain stylists and salons from other curlies.
The cut is primarily for women who have a some sort of curl definition and wear wash and go’s
Image Source: @wandamulzac
Women seeking a DevaCut are strongly advised to consider that the cut is primarily for women with some curl definition and wear wash-and-gos. Because the average curly has more than one texture, cutting the hair in a dry, wash-and-go state allows the stylist to see how the various textures naturally fall and mold the desired shape. If you frequently wear your hair in stretched styles (e.g., twist outs, braid out, flat iron), then this method may not be the best option because there is a likelihood that your shape will be uneven in a stretched state. If you are a wash and go curly or coily, straightening before cutting may not be the best option because when the hair shrinks, the integrity of the shape may be compromised.
If you feel that a DevaCut is not for Type 4 hair, this is not true for all Type 4 textures. Erica showcases a transformation for a client at CrosscoSalon in Plano, Texas, where she defined her Type 4 or Z-pattern texture.
Image Source: @crosscosalon
If you are newly natural or new to being a wash and go curly or natural, I highly suggest mastering your technique before receiving a DevaCut. For some people, wash and go’s do not wash and go, so mastering the technique where you are satisfied with the results is a great base before receiving a cut.
Are you considering a DevaCut? Have you received a DevaCut? What was your experience?
