The Hidden Cost of the Razor: Why Your Curls Might Be Losing Their Soul
If you have curly or coily hair, you have likely been told that the only way to get "shape" is to "thin it out" or "de-bulk" the weight. Often, this is done with a razor.
Now, don't get us wrong - in the right hands and on the right hair type, the razor is a brilliant tool for creating effortless, lived-in shapes. But when it comes to the delicate architecture of a curl, there is a fine line between a great shape and a structural disaster. At Anthony Talbot London, we often see the results of "too much razor" at our Neutral Bay salon: frayed ends, unexplained frizz, and a loss of that natural, bouncy volume that makes curly hair so beautiful.
Here is why over-razoring might be the enemy of your curl integrity, and why we choose a different path.
The Razor Effect: Shaping vs Shredding
A razor works by slicing the hair at a steep diagonal angle. While this is fantastic for creating soft edges on straight or wavy hair, on curly or coily hair, it can go the opposite way very quickly.
Think of your hair cuticle like the scales on a fish or shingles on a roof. A sharp pair of scissors cuts cleanly across, leaving the "shingles" intact. A razor, however, slices through those shingles. If used too aggressively or too often, this leaves the internal structure of the hair exposed.
The result?
Loss of Integrity: The hair becomes "hollow" at the ends. Without the weight of a solid tip, the curl loses its "spring" and simply goes limp.
The Frizz Trap: Because the cuticle is shredded, it cannot lay flat. Moisture from the Sydney humidity enters the hair shaft instantly, leading to chronic frizz that no amount of product can fix.
Thinning vs Shaping: While razoring is great for shape initially, too much of it thins the hair randomly. After several razor cuts, you will notice your hair looks "see-through" at the bottom while remaining heavy at the top.
The Anthony Talbot Alternative: The Precision Point Cut
We believe curly hair should be sculpted, not shredded. While there is a time and place for the razor, our specialists generally favour precision point cutting for curls and coils.
By using the tips of our scissors to cut into the hair at a vertical angle, we can remove weight and create "space" for your curls to sit into each other without compromising the hair's thickness or health.
Why Point Cutting is better for your curls:
Blunt Strength: The ends of your hair remain thick and strong, allowing the curl to "rebound" and hold its shape.
Visual Architecture: We cut the hair as it lives. By point cutting, we can see exactly how each curl will "step" into the next, ensuring your volume is balanced, not just "thinned out."
Long-term Health: A clean scissor cut seals the ends. Your hair stays healthier for longer, meaning you can actually enjoy your length rather than constantly cutting off "whispy" ends.
Knowledge Over Filters
Don't let a "quick fix" razor cut rob you of your hair’s natural volume. Curls are a science, and they require a technical hand that respects the integrity of the fibre.
If your curls have lost their bounce or feel thin and frizzy despite your best efforts, it might not be your products - it might be your last haircut.