Finding a stylist who understands curly hair isn’t just about finding someone who knows how to cut curls. You’re looking for someone you can actually work with—someone whose skills, communication style, process, and expectations are compatible with yours.
I can’t speak for every curly hair stylist, so I’m going to tell you what creates a healthy stylist-client relationship with me, and how I show up for my clients at The CurlSpa.
I’m Friendly, But We’re Not Friends…Yet
At your first appointment, I am very focused on getting your hair right.
That means I’m probably going to ask you a lot of questions. How do you normally wear your hair? How much time are you willing to spend on it? What have you tried already? What worked? What didn’t? How often do you wash it? Are you actually going to recreate this style at home?
I’m not asking because I expect you to know everything about hair. That’s my job. I’m asking because you know your life better than I do.
One thing I have noticed over the years is that some people approach finding a stylist with a very dependent mindset. They sit in the chair and say:
“Just do whatever you think is best.”
That may sound easygoing, but it actually makes my job harder. Like it legit breaks my brain.
I don't know what you think is cute. I don't know how much hair you're emotionally prepared to lose. I don't know whether you're going to wake up tomorrow and decide those bangs I thought were fabulous are driving you crazy.
And most importantly, I don't think a healthy stylist-client relationship should require you to hand over all your decision-making power to me. I'm not running a curly cult here.
I want us to make those decisions together.
“What Will Look Best With My Face Shape?”
I get this question too.
Here’s the thing: it isn’t my job to decide whether what you want is cute.
I don’t sit around daydreaming about how people could look different. You tell me where you want to go, and my job is to figure out how we can get there safely and realistically.
I also don't perform Vidal Sassoon-style precision cutting, where the haircut is heavily designed around geometric shapes and facial structure. That's simply not the way I approach curly hair.
And frankly, with a big head of curls, sometimes your hair eats your face anyway.
Face shape can matter more when we’re talking about very short cuts or certain silhouettes, but for many curly clients, I’m much more interested in things like your density, texture, shrinkage, styling habits, lifestyle and how you actually want to wear your hair.
Come With an Idea—Not a Blueprint
You don’t need to know exactly what you want before your appointment.
But give me something to work with.
Bring photos. Save screenshots. Show me haircuts you love. Show me haircuts you hate. Tell me what you want your hair to do differently.
Then be flexible.
Inspiration photos are a communication tool, not a guarantee that your hair will become someone else’s hair.
Your density may be different. Your texture may be different. Your starting color may be different. Your previous chemical history may affect what we can safely accomplish.
And sometimes the look you want isn't a one-appointment project.
It may take two or three haircuts for an old shape to completely grow out and rebalance. A major color transformation may require multiple sessions to protect the integrity of your hair.
A good stylist should be willing to tell you that.
Research Your Stylist Before You Book
Don't choose a stylist solely because you saw one beautiful curly haircut on Instagram.
Look at the whole business.
Does the stylist have an actual website? A Google Business profile? Policies? Online booking? Educational information? A portfolio showing different textures, densities and finished styles?
Or are they operating entirely through Instagram or Facebook?
There isn't automatically anything wrong with being social-media-only. The question is whether that business model works for you.
Pay attention to communication, too.
Do you want to be able to call your stylist? Text them? DM them? Do you want lengthy consultations and frequent reassurance? Or would you rather book online, show up, communicate what you want and get on with your appointment?
Neither preference is wrong.
But you're going to be frustrated if you choose a stylist whose business is built around the opposite of what you need.
Understand What Kind of Stylist You're Booking
This is especially important if you're considering working with me.
I'm not the stylist for everyone, and I don't want to be.
I do what I do. I have a process. I'm flexible, but I'm not endlessly accommodating.
For some people, that's a huge turnoff.
You can't call me to schedule an appointment. My scheduling is done online. I write extensively about hair care and my services because I want clients to have access to that information without needing to contact me individually for every question.
I'm also probably not the right stylist for someone who needs a lot of ongoing conversation, feedback and validation before feeling comfortable with their choices.
I work best with the person who is relatively sure about what they want—or at least has a general idea of where we're trying to go.
You don't have to understand hair the way I do.
That's why you're coming to me.
But I need you to understand you.
So, How Do You Find a Good Curly Hair Stylist?
Don't just look for someone who claims to be a “curl specialist.”
Look for evidence that they can provide the kind of services you want. Read their website. Look through their work. Read their policies. Pay attention to how they communicate. Read reviews for patterns rather than expecting every reviewer to have the same priorities you do.
Then ask yourself a different question:
Can I work well with this person?
Because finding a stylist—whether your hair is curly, wavy, coily or straight—is ultimately about finding someone who makes you feel seen and heard while consistently delivering the look and experience you want.
Technical skill matters.
But so do communication, boundaries, expectations and compatibility.
The best stylist for you isn't necessarily the stylist with the biggest social media following or the longest list of curl certifications.
It's the stylist whose work you trust, whose process you understand, and whose chair feels like a good fit for you.