Since we were no more than toddlers, we have been conditioned to dampen our hair before a haircut. Fast forward a few years later, getting your hair washed in the salon right before the haircut, almost seems like rule set in stone.
You will be surprised to learn (trust us, we were too!) that it is not always necessary to cut your hair wet. It all depends on your particular hair type and texture to determine what type of cut you should get. Read on to find everything you need to know about dry haircuts vs. wet haircuts.
Firstly, what’s the difference between dry and wet hair cutting?
We are sure you’ve already guessed as the difference is pretty self-explanatory. Hair that is cut when it is wet is called wet cutting and if your stylist decides to cut your hair when it is absolutely dry, then it is called dry cutting. We know it’s pretty simple, but the actual difference between the two isn’t as much about the technique, but more about the cut they produce. Which brings us to our next question…
Is it better to cut hair when it’s dry or wet?
As it turns out, there is no correct answer to this question. You need to consider a few factors before you and your hairstylist can decide the best possible haircutting procedure for you. But, to help make things slightly easier for you, here’s a complete breakdown of what you need to keep in mind about each haircutting process:
Wet cutting
Wet cutting is an ideal pick for someone who plans on usually wearing their hair straight and/or is looking for a haircut that’s mostly of one single length think: a blunt lob. This is your best snip strategy because wet cutting allows you to get clean, precise lines, so you know what the cut is going to look like once it’s complete. Also, if you are looking to get pixies, you should go for wet cutting, because any sort of bend at the root during the chop can throw off the design of the cut and end up making it look too short.
Dry cutting
Ask your hairstylist to give you a dry haircut if you plan to wear your hair in natural curls or waves. Dry cutting is particularly useful in this situation because it allows the stylist to pay close attention to your curl patterns and cut in a way that enhances them. This haircutting technique is also great for someone with hair issues (for example, if your hair is thicker on one side than the other), as it provides the stylist the freedom to see how your natural hair 'falls' and help salvage the issue as far as possible.
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Written by Urvi Dalal on 13th Nov 2019
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!