How to Do a Layered Curly Cut at Home

PDF download Download Article
The best tips and tricks to get beautiful layers in your natural curls (without the salon price)
PDF download Download Article

Is your naturally curly hair looking a little flat or undefined lately? Adding layers to your ‘do will not only make your curls more defined, but can give you the volume and bounce that you’re looking for. If you want to save money by not going to the salon, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ll walk you through every step of the way so you can give yourself a curly cut that looks professional. Grab your scissors and let’s get started!

Things You Should Know

  • Wash and detangle your hair, then let it dry. Don’t use any products to make sure your curls dry in their natural state.
  • Section your hair into 3 sections, 1 up front and 2 in the back.
  • Pull the front section forward over your forehead and use hair cutting scissors to snip off 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) of hair.
  • Trim the other sections the same way, pulling them over your forehead, then let your hair down. Snip off any pieces that look uneven or out of place.
1

Wash, condition, and detangle your hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Before setting up, hop into the shower and shampoo and condition your hair. Use either your fingers or a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair so it’s smooth and frizz-free. [1]
    • If you typically put product in your hair, don’t apply it just yet. It’s better to cut your hair without product in it so you can see how the curls naturally lay.
    2. Advertisement
2

Dry your hair.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. It’s important to cut curly hair while it’s dry, not while it’s wet, since you can immediately see what the final cut will look like. Plus, dry hair tends to be shorter than wet hair. [2]
    • You may notice that some hair stylist professionals will cut curly hair wet instead of dry. This is a personal preference, as some find it easier to keep the cut even when the hair is wet. However, if you’re not a professional, it’s easier to cut layers while your hair is dry.
3

Divide your hair into 3 sections.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Section the top half of your hair from the ears up, then pull that hair into a ponytail above your forehead. Then, part the rest of your hair down the middle into 2 separate sections. [3]
    • Use a comb to part your hair to make sure each section is even.
    EXPERT TIP

    Christine George

    Professional Hair Stylist
    Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.
    Christine George
    Professional Hair Stylist

    Cutting layers into curly hair helps balance it. When you add layers to curly hair, it will remove a lot of the weight from the length. That helps keep the top of your hair from flattening out, and your curls will be lighter and bouncier.

    2. Advertisement
4

Angle your hair up while grasping it between 2 fingers.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Using your first 2 fingers, grab your front section of hair at its base. Then, slide your fingers up the length of your hair, angling your hair upward and slightly in front of you. Stop sliding your fingers when you reach the point where you want to make the cut. [4]
    • Pull your hair out straight so that all your curls are the same length. This will make it easier to get an even cut.
    • The amount you trim off is up to you. For subtle layers, start with about 1 in (2.5 cm) of hair. For more noticeable layers, try cutting 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) off.
    • Look for damage at the ends of your hair. If you see frizz or breakage, try to remove all of it when you cut your layers.
    • Trim only a small amount of hair at first. You can always go back later and take more off, but it can be tough to fix a haircut if you cut too much off.
5

Cut the hair off above your fingers.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Always use sharp hair cutting scissors to avoid any raggedy ends. Keeping your fingers in place, use your free hand to gently snip the hair above your fingers. Then, angle your scissors so they're nearly parallel to your hair, and cut a few times into your hair to thin the ends out slightly. [5]
    • That angled cutting is also called “point cutting,” and it helps remove some of the weight from the ends of your hair. This helps your curls form and gives your overall style more volume.
    2. Advertisement
6

Snip 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) off of a back section.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pull the hair straight up, or at the same outward angle that you used when you cut the first section. Use the first section as a guide to determine how much hair to trim—hold up both pieces of hair next to each other, and cut off the new section to be the same length as the first. [6]
    • When pulling sections upwards to trim them, use the same amount of tension to pull your curls mostly straight. That way, one section won't be shorter than the others.
7

Lift and cut the last section in the same way.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Bring each section up and forward to the same imaginary point above your head before making the cut. Because the hair on the bottom of your head has further to travel when it is lifted up above your head, it will end up being longer than the hair on top of your head. [7]
    2. Advertisement
8

Finish your cut by trimming any areas that stick out.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Cut-Curly-Hair-in-Layers-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you are done cutting the basic layers, let your hair fall naturally around your head, like you would normally wear it. If there are pieces that look too long or that stick out too far away from the rest of your hair, give them a quick trim . [8]
    • The overall shape of your hair should be fairly even and symmetrical. If the curls on one side of your head are sticking out a lot farther than they are on the other side, resection the longer hair and trim each of these sections to be a little shorter.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Things You'll Need

      Tips

      • Get a friend to look at the hair in the back of your head to see if it's even. Have them point out curls that are too long.
        Thanks
        Helpful 24 Not Helpful 6
      • Trim your hair every 3-6 months. It's important to regularly cut off dead or damaged hair to keep your overall hair looking and growing healthy. Trim it more often if you're treating your hair with chemicals or if you regularly expose your hair to heat.
        Thanks
        Helpful 25 Not Helpful 6
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Revitalize Your Curls with the Curly Girl Method
      How to
      Make Wavy Hair Curlier
      How to
      See if You Have Curly Hair
      How to
      Plop Your Hair: The Right Way to Define Your Curls or Waves
      How to
      Get Curly Hair to Turn Into Wavy Hair
      How to
      Make Naturally Straight Hair Curly
      How to
      Style Curly Hair for Volume
      How to
      Style Curly Hair (for Men)
      How to
      Weigh Curly Hair Down
      How to
      Sleep with a Perm (for Guys)
      How to
      Cut Your Own Curly Hair
      How to
      Make Frizzy or Curly Hair Into Straight Hair
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBlWAI8BaMk&t=165s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBlWAI8BaMk&t=165s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz_LFaTtGTU&t=12s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8X7fYARXI&t=446s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goal2VJ8F-c&t=376s
      6. ↑ https://behindthechair.com/articles/long-layers-new-approach/
      7. ↑ https://behindthechair.com/articles/long-layers-new-approach/
      8. ↑ https://behindthechair.com/articles/need-help-cutting-styling-curls/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cut curly hair into layers, first part the back of your hair and divide it into 2 sections. Put hair ties on each section at the length you want to trim it. Then, use scissors to cut each section just below the hair tie. After you’ve cut off this length, undo your hair ties and divide your hair into 4 sections for layering, with 2 sections at the top of your head and 2 at the bottom. Pull one of the top sections forward over the top of your head then grasp the ends of your hair with your index and middle fingers, about an inch from the ends. Make sure to angle your fingers so the layers will be shorter in front and longer in the back. Cut just above your fingers, examine the length, then cut more if necessary. Continue this process with each section of hair until you have the shape and length you want. For tips on choosing the right haircut equipment, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 721,022 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Marguerite Wagner

        Oct 17, 2022

        "I have been cutting my own naturally curly hair for several years now and this article has helped me by showing me ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement