Curly hair is a whole different beast. Honestly, if you have curls, you’ve probably spent half your life fighting "the triangle." You know exactly what I mean—that awkward shape where your hair is flat on top and puffs out into a massive, wide base at the bottom. It’s frustrating. People with straight hair just don't get it. They think a haircut is a haircut. But for us, a bad snip can mean six months of hiding under a beanie. This is where the ouidad cut before and after results start looking like actual magic on Instagram.
But is it just clever styling?
No.
The Ouidad technique, often called the "Carve and Slice," was created by Ouidad herself back in the 1980s. She’s often called the "Queen of Curl," and for good reason. While most stylists were still trying to cut curly hair like it was straight hair that just happened to be messy, she realized that curls need space to move. They need to nestle into each other. If you just chop them straight across, they hit each other and push outward. That’s how you get the pyramid.
The Reality of the Ouidad Cut Before and After
When you look at a ouidad cut before and after, the most jarring difference isn't usually the length. It’s the weight.
In the "before" photos, you’ll typically see hair that looks heavy. It’s dense. The curls are struggling to define themselves because the sheer bulk of the hair is pulling the pattern straight. It looks frizzy, but often that "frizz" is just curls that can't find their way.
Then you see the "after."
Suddenly, the hair has internal movement. It looks lighter, even if the person kept all their length. The curls look like actual ringlets instead of a wall of fluff. This happens because the stylist literally goes inside the hair—underneath the top layer—and snips out strategic vertical sections.
They aren't thinning your hair with those scary serrated shears that every curly girl fears. Those thinning shears create "frizz factories" by cutting random hairs at different lengths. Instead, a Ouidad-certified stylist looks at how your curls naturally clump together. They "carve" out small slivers of hair within the curl pattern.
It’s almost like architectural engineering for your head.
By removing that specific bulk, the remaining curls have a place to "sit." They can spiral without bumping into another thick chunk of hair. This eliminates the bulk at the bottom and gives you volume at the roots where you actually want it.
Why This Isn’t Just a DevaCut
People always ask: "Should I get a DevaCut or a Ouidad cut?"
It’s a fair question. They are the two titans of the curly world. But the philosophy is completely opposite.
A DevaCut is done on dry hair. The idea is to cut each curl where it lives. It’s great for people with "fractal" curls or very tight coils who don't plan on ever wearing their hair straight.
The Ouidad technique is done on wet hair.
Some purists hate this. They say you can't see the curl pattern when it’s wet. However, Ouidad stylists argue that by cutting the hair wet and shaken out, they can see the natural "groups" or "ribbons" of curls more clearly. This method is often better for people who want a more consistent, "controlled" look. It’s also much more forgiving if you decide to blow your hair out straight once in a while. Since the hair is cut in a more traditional structural way—just with internal carving—it doesn't look all jagged and uneven when it's flat-ironed.
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If you've seen a ouidad cut before and after where the person has wavy hair (Type 2) or loose curls (Type 3A), you’ll notice the "after" looks much more organized. For tight 4C coils, the DevaCut or a Rezo cut might be more common, but Ouidad’s "Slicing" can still do wonders for managing the massive density that often comes with coily textures.
The "Carve and Slice" Breakdown
Let's get technical for a second, but not too boring.
When a stylist "carves," they are taking a thicker section of hair. This is usually for tighter curls that need more room to breathe. When they "slice," they are taking a thinner section. This is for finer hair or looser waves that just need a little bit of weight removed to prevent that "heavy" look.
The stylist starts at the nape of the neck and works upward. They never, ever cut the top layer.
This is the secret sauce.
By leaving the top layer intact, you don't get those weird, short "sprouts" of hair sticking out through your style. All the layering happens underneath. It’s like a secret support system for your curls. You get the shape without the visible "layers" that can sometimes look dated or choppy.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Process
A lot of people think they can just ask their regular stylist to "thin out" their curls and get the same result.
Please don't do that.
Standard thinning shears are the enemy of the curl. They cut hair at random intervals, which breaks up the curl ribbon. When a curl ribbon is broken, it turns into frizz. That’s it. That’s the science of it.
A real Ouidad cut requires certification. Stylists have to go to the Ouidad flagship salons in New York or Santa Monica (or other regional training centers) to learn exactly where to carve. They learn how to read the "pull" of the curl. If you go to someone who isn't trained, you might end up with "holes" in your hair.
Honestly, I’ve seen some "hack jobs" where people tried to DIY this at home after watching a three-minute YouTube video. It’s a disaster. Because you’re cutting hair from the inside, you can’t easily see the mistakes until your hair dries. And by then? It’s too late. You’re waiting months for that internal bulk to grow back.
Managing Your Expectations
While the ouidad cut before and after photos are impressive, you have to be realistic about your own hair's DNA.
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If you have fine, thin hair, carving out more hair might actually make your hair look limp. A good Ouidad stylist will tell you if you aren't a candidate for the heavy carving. Sometimes, you just need a "slice" here and there to give the hair some pep.
Also, the cut is only half the battle.
Ouidad is big on the "Rake and Shake" styling method. If you get the cut but then go home and just scrunch your hair with a cheap gel, it’s not going to look like the "after" photo.
The Rake and Shake involves:
- Sectioning the hair while it's soaking wet.
- Applying a generous amount of leave-in and gel to each section.
- Raking your fingers through to create "ribbons."
- Holding the ends and shaking the hair to let the natural curl pattern snap back into place.
It takes time. It’s a workout for your arms. But when combined with the Carve and Slice cut, it’s how you get those defined, frizz-free curls that look like they belong in a commercial.
The Cost Factor (Is it a Scam?)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price.
A Ouidad cut is expensive. You’re usually looking at anywhere from $125 to $450 depending on the stylist’s level and the city you’re in. Is it worth triple the price of a standard cut?
Think about it this way. Most curly girls only need a Ouidad cut twice a year.
Because the cut is designed to work with your natural growth pattern, it grows out beautifully. You don't get that "shaggy" look after six weeks. Many people find that they actually save money in the long run because they aren't running to the salon every two months to fix their shape.
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Plus, the confidence boost of not having "pyramid head" is worth its weight in gold.
Spotting a Real Ouidad Transformation
When you are scrolling through portfolios looking for the right stylist, look for these specific things in their ouidad cut before and after shots:
- The Crown: In the "after" photo, does the hair have lift at the roots, or is it still plastered to the skull?
- The Ends: Do the ends look "hollow," or do they look like healthy, defined curls? If they look transparent or stringy, the stylist might have carved out too much.
- The Silhouette: Look for a rounded or oval shape. The Ouidad cut is all about soft edges.
- The Shine: Proper carving allows light to hit the curl ribbons more evenly, which usually results in a much shinier appearance in the "after" photo.
Actionable Steps for Your First Appointment
If you’re ready to take the plunge, don’t just book the first person you find on Google.
First, go to the official Ouidad website and use their "Salon Locator." This is the only way to verify that a stylist is actually certified in the technique. There are different levels: Certified, Advanced, and Master. If you have particularly "difficult" hair or a very tight curl pattern, try to find an Advanced or Master stylist.
Second, show up to your appointment with your hair in its natural state.
Don't put it in a ponytail. Don't braid it. Don't load it with five different waxes and oils. The stylist needs to see how your curls behave in the wild.
Third, be vocal about your routine. If you are a "wash and go" person who only has five minutes in the morning, tell them. They can adjust how much they carve based on how you actually live your life.
Lastly, ask them to teach you the "Rake and Shake" while you're in the chair. Most of the cost of a Ouidad cut is the education. Don't just sit there and scroll on your phone. Watch how they handle the sections. Ask which products they are using and why. A great "after" photo starts in the salon, but it stays great because of what you do in your own shower.
Curls are a journey, not a destination. The Ouidad cut is just a very, very effective map to help you get where you're going without the frizz-induced breakdowns. Focus on finding a stylist who listens to your "curl history" and understands that your hair isn't a problem to be solved, but a texture to be unlocked.