Natural curls at Elevate Salon + Spa, Charlottesville VA

Reviewed by Anna, owner and educator at Elevate Salon + Spa, who trains every stylist through Elevation Training. Updated September 2026.

Built for waves, not fought against them

Wavy hair often gets cut like straight hair, then puffs or goes flat once it dries. Your hair is clarified to clear buildup, conditioned, and cut wet with your wave pattern in mind, so the shape is planned around how each section bends and lifts.

The finish is part of the lesson. You choose air dry styling, a diffused finish, or a soft blow dry, and your stylist shows you the product and technique as it happens.

This is the right cut if your hair bends and loosely curls but stays fairly close to its wet length. If your curls spring up a lot when dry, or you wear them curly most days, the Curly Haircut is the better choice. If you switch between straight and curly, book a Silk Press with a haircut add on.

Nearly the whole team offers this cut. Madison lists wavy cuts as a specialty, and Hannah, Angie and Averee all work with curls, alongside Jessica and others on the team.

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  • Cut wet, for your pattern

    Unlike the dry, curl by curl Curly Haircut, this is a wet cut. That suits waves and loose curls, which change less from wet to dry, and lets your stylist build soft shape and movement.

  • Clarify and condition first

    A clarifying cleanse lifts product and buildup that weigh waves down, then a conditioning treatment adds softness, so your stylist is cutting your real pattern rather than a flattened version of it.

  • Your choice of finish

    Pick air dry styling, a diffused finish, or a soft blow dry when you book. Your stylist styles it that way in the chair so you leave seeing how the cut behaves.

  • Tips you take home

    Wavy hair is easy to overwork. Your stylist talks you through how much product to use, how to scrunch and when to leave it alone, so good days stop being random.

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More about wavy + Loose Curls Haircut

What to expect at your appointment

Come with your hair styled the way you usually wear it, if you can. After a consultation about frizz, volume and shape, you get a clarifying cleanse and a conditioning treatment at the shampoo bowl. The cut happens while your hair is wet, following the way your waves form. Then your stylist finishes it with your chosen style: air dry, diffused, or a soft blow dry, explaining each step.

Aftercare and maintenance

Treat waves gently between visits. Skip rough towel drying, use a lightweight styler, and let hair set before you touch it. The retail wall has the Signature Elevate line, sodium chloride free and sulfate free, if you want a routine to start with. Your stylist will plan the timing of your next cut around how your shape grows out.

How pricing works

Price depends on hair length, short or medium versus long, and on your styling preference, since a soft blow dry adds time compared with an air dry or diffused finish. Prices also vary by which stylist you book. Visit the Service Menu for current pricing.

From a Google review

“This was my first time visiting Elevate Salon, and it was truly the best salon experience I’ve ever had! Hannah is absolutely amazing. She took the time to teach me so many helpful tips for caring for and styling my wavy hair, and I left feeling so happy with my experience. I will definitely be coming back!”

Google review, 5 stars. Elevate Salon + Spa holds a 4.9 rating from 900 Google reviews. See recent work on Instagram

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I should book this or the Curly Haircut?

If your hair bends into waves or loose curls and stays close to its wet length, book this one. If your curls spring up a lot when dry, or you wear them curly most days, the Curly Haircut is designed for you.

Why is it cut wet?

Waves and loose curls change less between wet and dry than tighter curls do, so a wet cut gives your stylist clean control over shape while still working with your pattern. Tighter curls are cut dry in the Curly Haircut for that reason.

Should I arrive with my hair washed?

No need. The service includes a clarifying cleanse and conditioning treatment. If you can, come in wearing your hair the way you usually style it.

I wear my hair straight sometimes. Is this still right?

If you switch between straight and curly often, a Silk Press with a haircut add on may suit you better. Text the salon if you are unsure.

Will you show me how to style it?

Yes. Styling guidance is part of the appointment. Your stylist explains the products and steps for your chosen finish, whether air dry or diffused, so you can get the same result at home.

Book a cut that works with your waves

See current pricing on the Service Menu, and if your pattern is tighter or you wear it smooth, compare the curly haircut and our women's haircuts.