Why This One Dry Cutting Technique Changes Everything for Curly Hair

I came across a video from James where he walks through a dry cut curly bob with curtain bangs—and while there’s a lot of solid education in there, one specific part really stood out to me.

It’s the way he approaches the perimeter.

Not just cutting a baseline and moving on—but actually teasing into the perimeter line first, then cutting over top of that.

That little shift changes everything.

The Detail That Matters

What James is doing here is subtle, but it’s powerful.

Instead of creating a heavy, solid perimeter, he lightly disrupts it before cutting. Then when he goes in and cuts over top, you’re left with something that feels softer, lighter, and way more natural.

For curly hair, this is huge.

Because curls don’t want to sit in a hard line. They expand. They move. They live.

By breaking up that perimeter slightly, you’re allowing:

• More air to flow through the shape

• Less bulk sitting at the bottom

• A softer, more diffused edge instead of a shelf

And the end result? The haircut moves the way curls are supposed to move.

Why This Isn’t Just for Curly Hair

This is where it gets interesting.

Watching this, I couldn’t help but think about how this technique translates beyond curls.

You could absolutely use this on straight hair too.

If you’ve ever struggled with a baseline feeling too blunt or too “wiggy,” this approach gives you a way to:

• Lighten up the perimeter without over-layering

• Create a slightly shattered, more modern edge

• Keep the structure while removing that heavy, static feel

It’s not about destroying the line—it’s about softening it just enough to bring it to life.

Working With the Hair, Not Against It

Another thing James touches on throughout the video is using the hair’s natural behavior—especially elasticity in curls—to guide your shape.

That idea ties directly into this perimeter technique.

Instead of forcing a shape onto the hair, you’re:

• Letting curls spring and settle naturally

• Removing the pieces that fall out of place

• Building a shape that works with the texture

That’s the difference between a haircut that looks good in the chair… and one that actually lives well after the client leaves.

One Thing to Know About the Video

Quick heads up—the video does cut off before the full haircut is complete. To see the entire process, James directs viewers to his YouTube membership (around $1.99/month).

But honestly, even just this portion is worth watching for that perimeter approach alone.

What I Want You to Watch For

If you check out the video, don’t just watch the whole thing passively.

Zero in on this:

• How he preps the perimeter before cutting it

• How the line looks before vs after

• How it affects the movement and weight at the bottom

That’s the takeaway.

Because sometimes it’s not about learning 10 new techniques—it’s about seeing one small adjustment that completely changes how you approach your haircuts.

Give James a follow