Term

Shrinkage

Shrinkage is the way curly and coily hair appears shorter once dry because the curl pattern pulls the strand upward. It matters for a shag because layers and face-framing pieces may spring up shorter than they looked when wet, so many curl specialists cut dry or section by section. Before the cut, ask how short each layer will spring up and where the front pieces will end once dry. See also: Texture, Face-framing layers, and the guide Shag Haircuts for Curly, Wavy and Straight Hair.