What is the difference between the Mizani Air Cut and a DevaCut?
Technically there is no way to patent a technique or a haircut. Shampoo companies sell classes to stylists at high rates to encourage trends and sales of retail. When a stylist attends a class we are often times presented with non disclosure agreements. We are taught the method and sworn to keep our trade secrets offline. Then not only are we exclusive, we are also pumped full of product knowledge to recreate the awesome experience at home for our clients.
Lorraine Massey created the “Waterfall” cut. This is the classic DevaCut look. The cut is achieved with blunt shears. The management of layers does not transfer well into a straight blowout or flat-ironed look. There is not a lot of sectioning or disturbance to the curls pre cut.
Mizani is a brand that was aquired by Loreal’. A celebrity stylist named Tippy Shorter had previously worked with Deva. She had the opportunity to create a new forum and curriculum for a curly cut and she developed the “Mizani AirCut!”
The AirCut approaches the perimeter separately from the interior sections of the cut. This is the only section that a blunt blade is used. The rest of the cut is premeditated into a form using sections and glide techniques. These techniques are used to produce a more customized and diffused look to the edges of the shape. The interior sections are cut with a curved blade. This allows for a softer impact when the curls are cut. Where the traditional deva cut looks one dimensional and blunt with very clean edges, the AirCut’s leave some space between the curls. That is what Mizani refers to as air pockets. The execution of the AirCut can be recreated and transcribed by the formula taught in the class. It is more predictable outcome and can be styled in a straight blowout and flat iron.
Mizani products have their own curl chart and porosity guide. I feel the Mizani products are more for low porosity in general and DevaCurl are more geared towards porous hair. It all depends on what the inspo pictures energy is as to what cut I lean towards. Honestly these days I kinda low key do a hybrid of skill set and draw on both philosophy to obtain my desired result.
Shampoo companies make a basic schematic and the licensed hair stylist incorporates that knowledge into their artistry. I’m only as good as my last haircut. Amen!
