PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Personal Care and Style
Hair Care
Haircuts
How to Do a Layered Curly Cut at Home Download Article The best tips and tricks to get beautiful layers in your natural curls (without the salon price) Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Wash, condition, and detangle your hair. 2 Dry your hair. 3 Divide your hair into 3 sections. 4 Angle your hair up while grasping it between 2 fingers. 5 Cut the hair off above your fingers. 6 Snip 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) off of a back section. 7 Lift and cut the last section in the same way. 8 Finish your cut by trimming any areas that stick out. + Show 5 more... - Show less... Other Sections Video Things You'll Need Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jasmin Todd and Hannah Madden
Last Updated: March 14, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Jasmin Todd and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jasmin Todd is a Master Stylist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 777,278 times.
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!
How to Layer Curly Hair at Home
Wash and detangle your hair, then let it air dry. Section your hair into 3 sections, 1 up front and 2 in the back. Pull each section forward over your forehead and trim it with hair cutting scissors. Hair stylist Jasmin Todd warns that you should only cut a little at a time, since it's easy to over-trim curly hair.
Steps
1
Wash, condition, and detangle your hair.
Download Article
Make sure your hair is knot-free so your cut is even. 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]XResearch source
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.
Advertisement 2
Dry your hair.
Download Article
Cutting curly hair is much easier when it’s dry. 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]XResearch source
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.
Download Article
Section your hair to make it easier to trim. 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]XResearch source
Use a comb to part your hair to make sure each section is even.
EXPERT TIP
Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist 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 Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
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.
Advertisement 4
Angle your hair up while grasping it between 2 fingers.
Download Article
Start with your front section, angling it in front of you. 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]XResearch source
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.
Download Article
Use hair cutting scissors to carefully snip off the end of your hair. 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]XResearch source
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.
Advertisement 6
Snip 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) off of a back section.
Download Article
Unclip one of the back sections, then trim the end. 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]XResearch source
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.
Download Article
Unclip the final section of hair and give it a trim. 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]XResearch source
Advertisement 8
Finish your cut by trimming any areas that stick out.
Download Article
Use your scissors to cut any curls that look uneven. 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]XResearch source
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
Search Add New Question 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
Sharp shears
Wide-toothed comb
Tips
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 26 Not Helpful 6
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 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
At-Home Guide for Cutting Your Hair into LayersHow to Cut or Trim Curly Hair: Tips & TricksHow toCut Curly HairHow toCut Wavy Hair YourselfHow toDo a Layered HaircutHow toCut Long Hair ShortA Step-By-Step Guide to Cutting a Girl’s Hair Like a ProHow toCut Men's Long HairHow toCut Face Framing LayersHow toCut a Layered BobHow to Trim Split Ends at Home: A Step-by-Step GuideHow toCut Hair in Layers9 Ways to Cut Your Long Hair At HomeHow to Cut Permed Hair (and Have it Look Good) Advertisement
Co-authored by: Jasmin Todd Master Hair Stylist This article was co-authored by Jasmin Todd and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jasmin Todd is a Master Stylist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair. This article has been viewed 777,278 times. 55 votes - 72% Co-authors: 11Updated: March 14, 2025 Views: 777,278 Categories: Featured Articles | Haircuts | Curly HairArticle SummaryX
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?YesNo
In other languages Dutch Hindi Spanish German French Italian Czech Japanese
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 777,278 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 an easier way to do it. I am going to cut my hair using this method tonight."..." 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?
Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jasmin Todd Master Hair Stylist 55 votes - 72% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 11Updated: March 14, 2025 Views: 777,278
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 an easier way to do it. I am going to cut my hair using this method tonight."..." more
Elise Austin
Feb 19, 2019
"Had good results with the twist-strands-to-cut method, followed by snips parallel to the strand to remove the cutting evidence. Blended the layers beautifully! Thanks."..." more
Patty
Oct 10, 2019
"I have very curly, dry, long hair. This article was very informative!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
Quizzes & Games
Hair Curl Type QuizTake QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake QuizWhat’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizWhat Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Face Shape QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
At-Home Guide for Cutting Your Hair into LayersHow to Cut or Trim Curly Hair: Tips & TricksHow toCut Curly HairHow toCut Wavy Hair Yourself
Featured Articles
What 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends Better40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & MoreHow toMake Friends
Trending Articles
How to Read Face Moles: Lucky and Unlucky PlacementsWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouDo You Agree with These Hygiene Hot Takes?
Featured Articles
The Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupAn Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?From Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male Personalities
Featured Articles
7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in MinutesHow to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHow toHypnotize SomeoneThe Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try?How to Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesHow toWhistle with Two Fingers
Watch Articles
How toGrow Out Your BangsHow toDress PunkHow toEnd a Long Distance RelationshipHow toDo E Girl EyelinerHow toRespond to the Fire EmojiHow to Stop Your Glasses from Making Your Eyes Look Small
Trending Articles
Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Introvert or Extrovert QuizWhat JJK Character Am I QuizFinish the Lyrics QuizWhat Is My Animagus Form?Can Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?
Quizzes & Games
What Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat Do I Look Like QuizTake QuizWhich Diet Is Right for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Type of Hands Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat Color Should I Dye My Hair QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Personal Care and Style
Hair Care
Haircuts
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article The best tips and tricks to get beautiful layers in your natural curls (without the salon price) Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Wash, condition, and detangle your hair. 2 Dry your hair. 3 Divide your hair into 3 sections. 4 Angle your hair up while grasping it between 2 fingers. 5 Cut the hair off above your fingers. 6 Snip 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) off of a back section. 7 Lift and cut the last section in the same way. 8 Finish your cut by trimming any areas that stick out. + Show 5 more... - Show less... Other Sections Video Things You'll Need Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jasmin Todd and Hannah Madden 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Jasmin Todd Master Hair Stylist This article was co-authored by Jasmin Todd and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jasmin Todd is a Master Stylist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair. This article has been viewed 777,278 times. 55 votes - 72% Co-authors: 11 Updated: March 14, 2025 Views: 777,278 Categories: Featured Articles | Haircuts | Curly Hair Article SummaryX
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
560 
Make sure your hair is knot-free so your cut is even. 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] 
Cutting curly hair is much easier when it’s dry. 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] 
Section your hair to make it easier to trim. 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] 
Start with your front section, angling it in front of you. 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] 
Use hair cutting scissors to carefully snip off the end of your hair. 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] 
Unclip one of the back sections, then trim the end. 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] 
Unclip the final section of hair and give it a trim. 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] Advertisement 
Use your scissors to cut any curls that look uneven. 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] 
Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.