Curly haircut in Wānaka: what a curl cut with a specialist involves

Updated November 2026. Service prices are from our live price list and are confirmed at your consultation.

Curly hair shrinks as it dries, and every curl sits at its own angle. Cut it wet and straight like any other haircut, and you find out what went wrong a day later: a triangle shape, a puffy middle, one side springing shorter than the other.

A curl cut works the other way round. Here's what one involves at UKIYO, and how to tell if you need one.

What happens in a curl cut?

1. A conversation first. Jack asks about your curl type, your routine, and what's working and what isn't. If you can, come in with your hair the way you normally wear it, so he can see what your routine is producing.
2. The cut, usually dry. Cutting curls dry or in their natural state lets Jack see how each curl sits and shrinks. He'll explain his plan at the start.
3. Shape and weight. Curls are placed so they support each other rather than collapsing or sticking out. Weight comes out where it's dragging, and length stays where it's needed.
4. Cleanse, hydrate, define. The right wash for your hair, then moisture and definition.
5. Drying and a lesson. Diffusing or air-drying, not rough towel-drying, and a run-through of how to do it at home.

A good part of a first appointment is that last step. Leaving with a good cut you can't recreate isn't much use.

Do you need a curly hair specialist, or will any hairdresser do?

If you've had cuts that look fine in the chair and wrong two days later, that's usually the sign. A curl specialist reads your pattern and cuts to it. Wavy and loose-curl hair benefits as much as tight curls do, and Jack works across the full range.

If your waves are loose and you're happy with how a regular cut grows out, a standard cut may be all you need. Ask us when you book and we'll point you to the right one.

Curl cuts aren't only for long hair, either. Short curly cuts and men's curls get the same treatment, and they're often the ones that go most wrong with a wet, straight-hair cut.

Curl cut prices and times at UKIYO

These are "from" prices, confirmed at your appointment.

The full menu is on the price list, and more about curl services is on our curly hair specialist page.

Which curl appointment, and which products, should you choose?

• First time with Jack: curl cut, new client. Allow the full 1 hr 15 min.
• Shape still good, curls look tired: a curl wash & diffuse, 30 minutes.
• You straighten your hair most days: a regular cut and blowwave may suit you better. Ask us.

For home care, there are two ways in, so pick by budget. Kérastase Curl Manifesto is the richer option: Bain Hydratation Douceur ($57.12) to wash and Crème de Jour Fondamentale ($70.56) to define. Sebastian Twisted costs less and does the same job well: Twisted Elastic Curls Shampoo ($50.12) and Curl Magnifier Cream ($49.24).

If your curls run dry, add Curl Manifesto Masque Beurre Haute Nutrition ($91.56) once a week. Our curly hair care guide covers routine, and best shampoo for curly and wavy hair goes through the options.

What it costs, how long it takes and how to book

• Curl cut, new client: from $160, 1 hr 15 min.
• Curl cut, existing client: from $140, 1 hr.
• Curl wash & diffuse: $75, 30 min.
• Rebook every 10 to 12 weeks.

If you're driving in, Lake Hāwea is about 15 minutes away, Cromwell around 50, and Alexandra a bit further. Because curl cuts rebook every 10 to 12 weeks, it's four or five trips a year, not one a month.

Book online at apps.kitomba.com/bookings/ukiyosalon and request Jack, or call 03 443 1040. You can read more about him on Jack's page.

Aftercare: what we'd send you home with

Curl Manifesto if you want the richer option, Sebastian Twisted if you want to spend less.

• Kérastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydration Douceur 250ml, $57.12
• Kérastase Curl Manifesto Creme De Jour Fondamentale 150ml, $70.56
• Kérastase Curl Manifesto Masque Beurre Haute Nutrition 200ml, $91.56
• Kérastase Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolu 190ml, $70.56
• Sebastian Professional Twisted Elastic Curls Shampoo, $50.12
• Sebastian Professional Twisted Elastic Curls Conditioner, $50.12
• Sebastian Professional Twisted Curl Magnifier Styling Cream, $49.24

Why book and buy with UKIYO

We're working stylists at 28 Helwick Street, Wānaka, and the haircare we sell is genuine salon stock bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors. UKIYO is Wella New Zealand's No.1 Sebastian Professional retailer. Free NZ shipping on orders over $75, or pick up in salon. Book online any time, or call 03 443 1040.

Frequently asked questions

Do you cut curly hair dry?

Often, yes. Cutting curls dry or in their natural state lets Jack see exactly how each curl sits and shrinks, so the finished shape is accurate. The approach depends on your hair, and he'll explain his plan at the start of your appointment.

Is a curl cut worth it for wavy hair?

Usually, yes. Wavy and loose-curl hair benefits from a texture-aware cut as much as tight curls. If your waves look good on day one and shapeless by day three, a curl cut is worth trying. Jack works across the full range of wave and curl patterns.

How much is a curly haircut at UKIYO?

A first curl cut with Jack is from $160 and takes 1 hr 15 min. After that, curl cuts are from $140 and take an hour. A curl wash & diffuse on its own is $75. Prices are confirmed at your appointment.

How often should I get a curl cut?

Every 10 to 12 weeks for most people. Curls hide uneven growth for longer than straight hair does, but the shape drifts, and the ends dry out. In between, a curl wash & diffuse can bring tired curls back.

How should I come to my curl appointment?

If you can, come with your hair the way you'd normally wear it, so Jack can see what your routine is producing. Bring the products you use, or photos of them. If it's your first curl appointment with us, allow the full 1 hr 15 min.

Who is the curly hair specialist in Wānaka?

At UKIYO it's Jack, a Master Stylist whose specialisms include curly cuts, extensions and lived-in colour. Request him by name when you book online at apps.kitomba.com/bookings/ukiyosalon, or call 03 443 1040.

Which shampoo should I use on curly hair?

Something gentle that doesn't strip moisture. We'd pick Kérastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Douceur, or Sebastian Twisted Elastic Curls Shampoo if you want to spend less. Our curly shampoo guide compares more options.

Keep reading

• How to Care for Curly Hair: Routine, Curl Cream and Products (NZ)
• Best Shampoo for Curly and Wavy Hair NZ: A Stylist's Picks
• Barber Wānaka or a salon cut? Where to get a men's haircut
• Heatless Curls Overnight: A Stylist's Method That Actually Lasts
• Curly Hair Specialist in Wanaka — UKIYO Salon