Breaking Up with the Devacut: A Curl’s Perspective

After months of thinking and watching Deva cut videos on YouTube, I finally decided not to get one. Deva cuts are subject to the individual. Over the past year, my goal was to regrow my hair and follow it up with a Deva cut, aiming to achieve a perfect shape.

However, I then realized how simple it is to do a wash-and-go. I can part my hair whichever way I please.

Uneven Growth and Shrinkage Patterns

At the beginning of the year, I grew and measured my hair. I realized that the hair on the right side of my head grows longer than the hair on the left.

As pictured above, my shrinkage on the shorter side is much tighter due to the different lengths. Some pieces shrink differently from the ones next to them. This is because my curl pattern varies throughout my head.

My main issue is that my hair is wavy on the back of my neck, which is the sole reason for my tangles.

As my hair continues to grow, my curls are getting looser. This change is due to the length of time they are weighed down.

I had the most volume when my hair was shorter, and now that it’s longer, it dries to its natural shape. For example, my most recent haircut was a semi-V shape. When my hair is dry, it retains its shape but with added volume.

Experimenting with Trimming

I spent a couple of months doing the curl-by-curl trimming method and dusting. This was before I got my haircut back in August of this year. This was inefficient because the shorter I cut each curl, the more it shrank.

Of course, if someone else cut my hair, they would know how to fix it. However, the issue arises when my hair curls differently depending on the weather. Why get a haircut, according to all these changes?

For me, haircuts are either meant to change your look or cut away damage.

At the time of my haircut, my hair was falling a lot and not curling. I went to my mother’s salon, got a wash and set, and saw all the damage. After a couple of days, I did a wash and go, and my hair returned to normal.

The Deva Cut Decision

My number one rule for the past seven years has been never to use a flat iron. This rule will always be.

I have seen many Deva cut videos. The way they cut the hair complements the way they style it in the Devachan salon. This wouldn’t work for me; I only use two products to style my hair and then air-dry it.

Devachan salons once offered specialized curly haircuts known as DevaCuts, which were tailored curl-by-curl. However, following a wave of lawsuits against DevaCurl products starting around 2019, alleging hair loss and scalp damage, consumer trust declined dramatically. While DevaCurl later reformulated and rebranded, all Devachan salon locations have since closed.

A DevaCut’s prices ranged widely depending on the stylist and location. As the archived image below shows, cuts at the now-closed Devachan Soho salon could start around $80 and go well over $200. Some new clients on the Upper West Side could even receive a free cut, but that was rare. I’ve met people who chose other curly hair salons and paid as little as $40–$60 instead. The higher prices were often justified by the stylist’s experience and the time-intensive nature of curl-by-curl cutting, though many of us felt the markup was also tied to hair texture.

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Keep in mind, the cost didn’t end with the initial cut. Clients were usually encouraged to return every six months for maintenance, and if you committed to using DevaCurl products for styling, services could climb to $300 or more.

Although Devachan salons have since closed following the DevaCurl controversy, some independent stylists trained in the DevaCut technique still use it. But for me personally, that whole experience—the cost, the upkeep, and everything that’s come out since—isn’t worth it.

The DevaCurl Lawsuit and Its Aftermath

In 2019, DevaCurl faced multiple class-action lawsuits alleging that some of its products caused hair loss, scalp irritation, and changes in curl patterns. These claims led to widespread concern among the curly hair community. DevaCurl conducted independent testing in response and stated that their products were safe. However, the company agreed to a $5.2 million settlement in 2021 to resolve the lawsuits without admitting wrongdoing.

Following the controversy, DevaCurl underwent significant changes. In 2019, the brand was acquired by Henkel, and the new ownership led to a reformulation and rebranding of its product line. Despite these efforts, the brand’s popularity declined, and all Devachan salons eventually closed.

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FAQs about the Devacut and Devacurl

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Final Thoughts

While the curly hair movement has grown tremendously recently, not every trend is worth the hype. For me, the DevaCut doesn’t make sense — especially with the closures of Devachan salons and everything that’s come to light since.

If you like switching between curly and straight styles, this cut can leave your hair uneven and difficult to manage. And between the cost, the upkeep, and the product push, it’s a no for me.

Curious how I’m showing up for myself instead? Read how I lost 11 pounds without dieting — part of my bigger journey of reclaiming my body and confidence.

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