7 Best Haircuts for Curly Hair

Put down the flat iron. Follow these expert tips for getting a great curly haircut that will work for -- not against -- your waves

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We know -- you've pressed, chemically straightened, and probably even begged your curly hair to please, for the love of all that is right in the world, just cooperate. And when it doesn't, you curse it -- and all those straight-haired girls who don't know how easy they have it.

But what if we told you it's time to stand up and be proud of your coarse, sometimes unruly mane?

Before you start cursing us, here's the good part. We're not suggesting you let your curly hair run amok. Rather, we'll give you the secret to getting the most flattering curly haircut for your specific type of curls.

See the 7 best curly haircuts now.

Cutting curly hair is tricky business. If the cut's too heavy on top, you lose density at the ends; if there's too much weight at the bottom, you look like the Sphinx. And, if it's all one length or the layers are wrong, you're stuck with a lifeless, shapeless mess. That's why we went to Ursula Stephens, a celebrity stylist, and Kevin Mancuso, creative director of Nexxus Salon.

Most curly-haired girls live in fear of their hair exploding into a frizzy mess. So we got Stephens and Mancuso to share tips that'll help you style your curly hair no matter what kind of cut you have:

• Use a moisturizing conditioner when showering. To have the most flexibility when styling your hair, you want to inject as much moisture into your curly hair as possible, which will help soften the curls. "It's what you start with that's going to set you up for a successful style," says Mancuso.

• Look for products that have olive oil, coconut oil, and other hydrating ingredients in them. "When you hydrate the hair, it adds weight. Weight defines curls and makes it easier to manipulate them, while preventing them from exploding into frizz," says Mancuso.

• Apply product when hair is damp, right out of the shower, so that the product can dry with the hair and help neutralize the curls, says Stephens.

• Blow dry your roots without the diffuser, then attach the diffuser for your ends, so that it doesn't take hours to dry your hair, says Mancuso.

Now that you know how to prep your curly hair, here's how to find the perfect cut and style for you.

By Sharon J. Yi

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