Are you nervous about your first curly hair cut? I know I was when Cathy from Merlins Salon in Manchester, NH, cut and highlighted my curls for the fall season. Hiring a curly stylist for the first time can be stressful. However, I have learned that when you trust them, they can do wonders with your hair!
(Disclosure: Some of the product links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. This helps keep my blog running!)
Curly Hairstyle with Layers for winter
It was certainly time for a curly cut. My curls were stringy at the ends and my hair was so heavy it was giving me headaches.
My curl stylist refreshed my locks by trimming the ends and thinning out my hair. I don’t know about you, but my hair is extra thick in the back. It turns wavy fairly quickly and layers are the only thing to bring my 2c 3a curls back to life.

Trust your stylist
Before your stylist cuts your curls, talk to them about your frustrations and goals for your hairstyle. I knew I needed thinning of my hair but did not know how. My stylist had me tilt my head in all directions and trimmed each curl. She shaped my dark brown shoulder length hair into something beautiful. Instead of just hanging around my face, my hairstyle now frames and accentuates the oval shape of my face.
Before and after Layered Curly Hair Cut
As you can see from above, the results were quite dramatic. My stylist doesn’t wash and style the curls after the cut (accept for first timers). I was quite pleased with the shape and could not wait for my next wash day.
First Curly Hair Wash Day Results
Wash day is when you truly see the results from your Deva curl cut. I was blown away! My curls formed beautiful clumps, my hair was soft and had so much volume. I did not realize how much I had missed healthy curls!
Curly Hair Wash Day Products
My curly hair products from wash day are super simplistic. As it is winter, I used a deep conditioner and a thick, creamy leave-in conditioner. My curls looked amazing for days without much refreshing!
Wash Curls with Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Shampoo
Ouidad, The Curl Company, makes incredible products. I’ve been using the Climate Control Shampoo for over one year and have blogged about it multiple times. It is perfect for traveling with curly hair to humid climates but also works great for me in the winter.
Condition curls with Shea Moisture Hydrate and Repair
My low porosity curls, while sensitive to protein, still need it on a regular schedule. I believe this repair product coupled with my leave-in conditioner really made the difference with my curl clumps. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate and Repair Protein Power Treatment has worked wonders for me and it is gluten free!
Squish to Condish Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control
While still in the shower, with curls dripping wet, apply Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control to curls with praying hands. Using a wet styling brush (here is the one I use), comb product through hair. Then, squish those curls.
Scrunch in Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
Kinky-Curly Curling Custard is a styling gel I have used since my curly girl journey started 3 years ago. It has yet to fail me. The Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control product isn’t quite strong enough on its own. I found that when I added a bit of gel to my curls before plopping, the two products combined last much longer.
Curly Hairstyle with Layers Conclusion
What do you think of my medium length curly hairstyle transformation? Would you be willing to trust your stylist to give you the “chop”? My favorite part about my updated curly hairstyle is how it frames the shape of my face. To see all of my curly hair cuts, check out all my beauty blog posts.