Curly hair care can feel overwhelming, especially when beauty brands continue to promote endless products and styling hacks. According to Curly Hair Salon Founder Dusty Schlabach, healthy curls have less to do with products and more to do with understanding natural texture.
In the latest episode of Volume Up, Schlabach discusses why curly hair remains one of the most underserved areas of professional beauty, how dry cutting helps stylists work with natural curl patterns, and why education – not perfection – should be the foundation of every curly hair routine.
His mindset challenges decades of beauty messaging that promoted fixing curls instead of encouraging them. Schlabach believes healthy hair starts with self-acceptance and a better understanding of what curly hair actually needs.
Why Is Curly Hair Still Underserved in the Beauty Industry?
Despite growing demand for texture-focused services, the challenge to find stylists who understand curls is still a huge struggle for curly haired clients.
This problem runs much deeper than just a lack of understanding or availability. For decades, the beauty industry has promoted the belief that curls should be corrected through smoothing or straightening. The industry has spent years encouraging individuals to chase unrealistic standards rather than understanding how their natural hair behaves.
“If I can make you hate things about yourself, I can sell you anything that’ll make that not so about you,” Schlabach says.
He hopes to help clients understand that their curls are not the problem; instead, it is unhealthy routines and expectations fostered by the industry.
What Actually Makes Curly Hair Healthy?
Though social media tends to focus on uniform, perfect curls, Schlabach reinforces the idea that healthy hair should be the primary goal.
“I noticed curly hair was very celebrated for exactly what it is, and then entered the beauty industry that sees the market, and all of a sudden you start to see that push for perfection,” he explains.
For Schlabach, healthy curls come from:
- Understanding your natural texture
- Avoiding damaging habits
- Building realistic expectations
- Working with your hair instead of against it
Rather than chasing an unrealistic depiction of perfection, he encourages clients to instead work towards long-term hair health and confidence.
As he says, “great hair is better than perfect hair.”
Do You Need More Products for Better Curls?
A substantial myth Schlabach aims to tear down is the idea that more products leads to better hair; instead of building unnecessarily complicated routines, he advocates for a more minimalist approach.
“I’m all about less is more,” he explains.
When hair is supported by a strong haircut, products become enhancements to the hair, rather than necessities. For Schlabach, the future of curly hair relies on increased transparency, teaching, and opportunities for clients to understand their natural hair, rather than just products.
What Is Dry Cutting for Curly Hair?
Schlabach has become well known for his dry-cutting methodology, but feels as though many people misunderstand what dry cutting actually means.
Because wet hair often appears more uniform than it actually is, dry cutting allows stylists to work with each curl pattern individually. Dry cutting encourages an understanding of the natural movement and behavior of curls before making cutting decisions.
“When you have somebody come in and show their true state, currently, it’s going to be dry,” he says. “Nobody is walking around with their hair sopping wet.”
This procedure ensures that the haircut is designed based on how the hair naturally lives day to day.
Why Is It So Hard to Find a Curly Hair Specialist?
One of the most substantial frustrations for curly-haired clients is finding a stylist who understands textured hair. Through experiencing this challenge firsthand, Schlabach felt inspired to create Curl Maps, a stylist-finder platform designed specifically for people with curly hair.
Its purpose works from both ends: to help clients connect with curl-specialized stylists and to give professionals an opportunity to showcase their education and experience.
Improving access to knowledgeable stylists is one of the most important steps toward improving curly hair care overall.
The Bigger Message
At its core, this conversation is about curly hair, but it’s also about self acceptance and the significant power of confidence. It’s about questioning decades of beauty messaging that encouraged people to fight against the natural beauty that grows out of their heads, and it’s about helping clients to believe that their healthiest and best hair comes naturally – they just need the right resources to see it!
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FAQ: Curly Hair Care
What is the best way to care for curly hair?
According to Dusty Schlabach, healthy curly hair starts with understanding your natural texture and building a routine that supports long-term hair health.
What is dry cutting?
Dry cutting is a technique that allows stylists to cut curly hair in its natural state so they can see how curls actually fall and move.
Do curly hair products make a big difference?
Products can help support healthy hair, but Schlabach believes education and technique often have a greater impact than products alone.
Why is curly hair difficult to cut?
Curly hair contains varying patterns, densities, and movement throughout the head, making specialized training important for achieving consistent results.
How do I find a curl specialist?
Resources like Curl Maps help connect clients with stylists who specialize in curly and textured hair.
