The Difference Between Wet and Dry Haircuts | Makeup.com by L'Oréal (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a dry haircut and a wet haircut? ›

If you have curly, wavy, or highly textured hair, a dry cut may be the better option, as it allows the stylist to work with your hair's natural texture and movement. For straight, fine, or moderately textured hair, a wet cut can be a good choice, as it allows for greater precision and control.

Trimming Wet Hair, Especially When It's Textured, May Be Less Efficient. Trimming finished hair, particularly when it's wet, might be considerably less effective than when trimming completely dry hair. Experienced hairdressers and hairstylists like to cut their hair style when it's completely dry.

Wet hair is softer and easier to manage, making it easier to braid and style. Dry hair, on the other hand, is more difficult to work with, as it is more prone to frizz and breakage. Wet hair braiding will result in a smoother, neater finish, while dry hair braiding can result in a more textured, voluminous look.

And here's a little tip from us: when it comes to how to trim your own split ends at home, the best way is when hair is dry (wet hair is stretchier and more prone to damage). This is true for every hair type: straight, wavy, curly, coily.

Should you use thinning shears on wet or dry hair? Generally best used on dry hair but can also be used on wet. If used on wet hair, you need to be extra careful to not over use them. Once the hair is dried you may realise the style/cut has been lost or even ruined!

"For someone with thick, dense, coarse hair, it's easier to start taking weight out when it's wet and then go in with precision and texturizing when it's dry." That said, Pasi asserts that even a wet haircut should have a dry element.

Washing your hair beforehand removes excess oils, product buildup, and any environmental impurities, allowing for a smoother and more precise haircut. Easier Styling: If you have a particular hairstyle in mind, washing your hair before the cut can make styling more manageable.

It couldn't be easier. Just take a strand of your hair and stretch it gently - it can be wet or dry. If it doesn't stretch easily, snaps or feels dry, fragile or rough then you probably need more moisture.

Dry Hair Is Fluffier and More Voluminous

Without the added weight of water, hair is often fluffier, buoyant, and more voluminous. Even if your scalp hair is thick and full of life when it's dry, it's far from uncommon for it to look severely thin when soaked with water.

Wet hair is far weaker than dry hair, being more susceptible to breakage and damage from just about anything – heat and pulling on the hair strands are more likely to damage wet hair than dry.

Do hairdressers prefer to cut hair wet or dry? ›

Cutting your hair wet can help you get clean lines without worrying about the natural movement of the hair adding a level of risk. It's easier to do than dry cutting (which is why it's the more popular method of hair cutting) because it restricts movement of the hair and allows for straight lines.

Split ends result from dry hair, which means a great way to prevent them is to keep your hair as hydrated and nourished as possible. An easy way to do this is by using a deep conditioning treatment once a week along with your regular conditioner and using hair oil on styled, dry hair to lock moisture in.

Wet hair lies flat, allowing the barber to see the natural growth patterns and texture more clearly, which can result in a more precise haircut. Additionally, wetting your hair can remove any product buildup or oils that might interfere with the cutting process.

When you dry cut you really get to see the movement of the hair, where most of the weight is and how much really needs to be cut off, says Ungaro, making it an ideal choice for fine or thin hair as well. One more bonus: You can see split ends more clearly when the hair is dry!

Wet hair is far weaker than dry hair, being more susceptible to breakage and damage from just about anything – heat and pulling on the hair strands are more likely to damage wet hair than dry.

What is a Dry Style? Your stylist will curl, straighten or wave iron your hair in 15-30 mins. No wash, just in and out, with beautiful hair.