A better cut starts here.

Tapered curly crop

Keeps the full curl on top and removes the bulk at the sides. The forehead opens, the brows and eyes show, and the jaw reads more clearly.

Tell your barber

Sides and back: taper from about 6 mm at the neckline to 20 to 25 mm at the temples, with the ears cleaned out. Top: leave 7 to 9 cm and point-cut to remove weight. Do not thin heavily. Fringe: cut just above the brows. Blend with scissors over the curls, not clippers. Neckline: tapered, not squared. Ask the barber to match the beard to a 3 mm guard.

Style it at home

Apply a pea-size amount of curl cream or leave-in conditioner to damp hair. Scrunch upward, push the front back and to the side, and air-dry or diffuse on low. Do not brush dry curls. About 3 minutes.

Keep it looking right

Trim every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the taper. Wash 2 to 3 times a week with a gentle shampoo.

A visual idea to discuss with your barber. Growth, texture and density affect what’s possible.