Terror cannot properly express what going to a salon for a haircut feels like to me now that I am a natural. I need a stronger word. Something like petrified or distressed might properly capture my inner most feelings on allowing someone to chop my hair. Sounds painful? Well, it can be if you are in the wrong chair. Fortunately, I was not. 

Allow me to reverse before proceeding. I had been hearing a lot about the famed DevaCut that was created by the Devachan Salon for cutting curly, coily, and wavy tresses. The cut is designed to work with your unique curl pattern and this technique requires special training.  It is a dry cut on curly hair. No straightening and no wetting. Your hair is cut in the manner that we wear it. Every curly girl knows wet curls look and act differently than dry curls and every curl has a mind of its own.

I have had a few bad haircuts while I was relaxed. Who hasn’t? It goes with the territory that if you grow hair on your head you will eventually be on the receiving end of a bad haircut. Well, hair grows back so no worries for most of us, but it seems like a big deal if you are a curly girl and get a bad haircut. Yes, hair grows back but have you seen what a bad haircut can do? Our curls are tricky and if you cannot cut them just right the haircut will reflect that, so I was scared. I knew the DevaCut was a proven technique and even went to the NaturallyCurly Salon Finder to find the right stylist in my area.

I found Tiffany, master stylist and educator, at a local Beauty Brands and was excited about getting the cut by someone with much experience. She sat me down and explained everything she was going to do from start to finish. She also explained she was going to cut first but very conservatively, as she wanted to see how my hair would lay after she washed and styled before cutting more if I wanted it or if the hair needed it. She cut, talked, and appeased my inquisitive sister. My sister could immediately see a difference in my hair, especially in the back because I no longer had fairy knots.

After the cut she shampooed and explained everything she was doing including adding a masque before she shampooed with DevaCurl No-Poo. She applied a gel/cream mix to my hair lightly to allow movement and then put me under the dryer for a less than ten minutes. When I was done she applied the controlling oils to a few strands that were really frizzy and before I knew it I was done. Although the finished look was frizzy due to the products, I was impressed with the shape of my hair and the lack of raggedy ends. My hair was softer and looked better with the new cut.

What she used

What I learned

A consultation is necessary and should be on a different day from the cut

The stylist needs to evaluate the condition of your hair so you are prepared for the visit. I went in completely unprepared with my hair in a state I would not normally wear it. I thought it was better to wear it pretty much naked, but all I did was give her the wrong perception of how I wear my hair.

You can still learn what your hair may like

I would have never thought to use a cream and a gel on my tresses if I had not met Tiffany.  You can even wear them at the same time, because most of us have different patterns in different sections and one product may not be best for all textures.

There is no fancy magic trick with the DevaCut but rather a necessary tool to cut curly hair

I was expecting some magic cutting session, but it was more like her just taking out the time to cut every curl that needed to be trimmed. She also snipped at the top to give me some shape and I loved it!

What I will change

Wear my hair the way I wear it every day

I went to her with my hair naked (no gel and hardly any conditioner”> so it was frizz city. She obviously thought I normally wear it that way and my hair ended up that way when she was done, which was not her fault. I mislead her. The cut was fabulous, which is what mattered despite the style. I will go back with my hair frizz free. I have no doubt she will have me looking the same way I came in, but just with the awesome cut.

The DevaCut will become a regular for me at least twice a year

Call it a glorified dusting if you like but my hair is now shapely without those dreaded ogre-knots and raggedy ends. I am not sure if I need to go in more often than that but this cut is reasonable ($56″> and gives my curls more movement.

Speak to the stylist prior to meeting her/him

I should have talked to her prior to meeting her for the cut and this is just a reiteration of doing the consultation and cut on different days. Getting a feel for your stylist’s experience, knowledge, and personality impacts your experience.

I plan on going back this summer for color and have no doubts Tiffany will do an amazing job. Do your research and find someone who makes you feel comfortable, especially with your curl pattern. I am sold on the DevaCut 100%.

Have you gotten a Deva Cut?

Sabrina Perkins

Sabrina, founder of seriouslynatural.org and contributor to several online publications, is a freelance writer who engages her audiences on the relevance of natural hair, beauty, and style.

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