Cutting curly hair is a whole different game. Anyone with curls knows the heartbreak of sitting in a salon chair, requesting a “tiny trim,” and walking out with half their length gone.
Curls behave differently, and the scissors you use can either make them shine or send them straight into frizz territory. The right pair will not tug or chew, they will glide, leaving your curls springy, healthy, and defined.
We asked the experts, Coolblades, for their advice – you can check out the Coolblades blog for more great tips
The reason curly hair is its own beast
Curly hair doesn’t play by straight hair’s rules. First off, there’s shrinkage. Stretch out a curl and it might look three inches long, but the second you let go, it bounces back to half that size. Cut too much while it’s pulled straight and you’ll lose way more length than you bargained for.
Then there’s the inconsistency: no two curls are the same. Tight coils can sit right next to lazy waves, which means a “one size fits all” cut never really works. Add in curly hair’s tendency to be porous (aka prone to dryness and frizz), and you’ve got strands that demand sharper, cleaner scissors than usual. A blunt blade won’t just cut – it’ll tear, leaving ends looking frazzled.
I learned that lesson the hard way when I once tried trimming a friend’s curls with the only pair of scissors I had on hand: kitchen shears. Let’s just say the uneven spirals haunted us both for weeks.
What makes a good pair of scissors for curls?
Think of scissors for curly hair the way you’d think about a good chef’s knife: they need to be sharp, balanced, and made from quality material. Sharpness is the number one factor—you want blades that glide through thick curls without resistance. Convex-edged scissors, often made from Japanese steel, are especially good at this.
The size is important too. Somewhere between 5.5 and 6 inches is the sweet spot: long enough to manage dense curls, but still nimble enough for detail work. And don’t forget comfort—offset or swivel handles can save your wrists during longer cutting sessions. High-quality steel is worth the investment, because cheap blades dull quickly and end up snagging hair. An adjustable tension screw is the finishing touch—it lets you fine-tune the feel so the scissors work with you, not against you.
How to cut curls effectively
Even with the right scissors, technique makes all the difference. Most curl specialists agree that cutting dry (or at least damp, not dripping wet) is best. That way, you can see the true shape of the curl instead of guessing.
Work in smaller sections compared to if you work with straight hair. Consider going curl by curl. Avoid pulling the curl straight before cutting – it’ll just spring back shorter and throw off the shape. Soft, rounded layers usually work better than blunt lines, which can give curls a blocky, pyramid look. And if you need to reduce bulk, use proper thinning shears designed for hair, not the cheap “texturizing” scissors you find in discount kits.
A few scissors worth checking out
There are plenty of solid options out there, but a few stand out:
- Joewell Classic Series– A lightweight, reliable choice that works for beginners and pros.
- Miraki Crystal Offset– Comfortable to use and nice to look at; a bit of a splurge but built to last.
- Yasaka Convex Edge – Japanese steel, razor-sharp, great for precision curl-by-curl cutting.
- Jaguar Shears– Perfect if your curls are super thick and need careful thinning.
Keeping your scissors sharp (literally)
If you’re going to invest in good scissors, treat them like the professional tools they are. Wipe them down after every cut so product residue doesn’t build up. A drop of oil at the pivot screw keeps them moving smoothly. Get them sharpened once or twice a year depending on how much you use them, and always store them in a case instead of tossing them in a drawer.
Final thoughts
Curly hair isn’t just “straight hair with bounce” – it’s its own world, with its own set of rules. It needs sharper scissors, a gentler approach, and a bit of patience. The right pair of scissors won’t just cut your curls, they’ll respect them. And once you’ve felt the difference, you’ll never go back to the cheap, dull blades that leave your hair frizzy and uneven.
Disclaimer
Power Your Curls Pty Ltd. and all of its content are for informational purposes only. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of posting and should NOT be taken as professional medical advice. Please seek a medical professional in the event of pain or injury.
