Featuring ARC™ Scissors artist Justin Toves-Vincilione (@ahappyjustin)

Cutting thick hair is all about control: If you balance the weight wrong, the shape can collapse, create holes or unwanted disconnection. This year’s haircut trends demand movement with structure, which requires expert knowledge of removing internal bulk without losing perimeter strength, and refining where density actually lives. For this level of precision, the ARC™ Scissors PARAGON II glides cleanly through dense textures without push or drag, allowing stylists to shape and refine without disturbing natural flow. It’s the ultimate tool for dry cutting—combining the unmatched durability of the ARC™ collection with the razor-sharp precision of a dry cutter, without the added bulk.

Below, viral cutting expert and ARC™ Scissors Team Member Justin Toves-Vincilione breaks down three cutting techniques built around control, weight distribution and effortless movement for thick-haired clients.

1. Airy Long Layers With Internal Balance

Long layers on thick hair require control—removing just enough weight for movement while preserving structure. Most pros cut this shape dry to see where the hair expands and how it naturally falls. Justin often works in larger sections to read weight distribution and maintain flow, avoiding choppy disconnection.

Photo Credit: @ahappyjustin

The PARAGON II glides through dense textures without push or drag, letting stylists lift and slice exactly where bulk lives. It's even tension makes point-and-slide-cutting effortless, diffusing internal weight while keeping the surface clean. Justin loves how the PARAGON II stays precise through every pass, giving him control even on dense, dry textures.

Technique notes:

• Elevate from the crown with vertical parallel sections to maintain balance through the mids.

• Use wide vertical subsections to control interior weight without disrupting the perimeter.

• Work palm-to-palm through the back to preserve fullness and reduce expansion.

Photo Credit: @ahappyjustin

Shop the PARAGON II—crafted for dry-cutting perfection.

2. Seamless Face-Framing & Curtain Fringe

Cuts like curtain bangs, bottleneck fringe, butterfly layers and blowout frames all rely on clean, face-framing movement. Justin works dry with the PARAGON II, using diagonal-forward sections and low tension to maintain weight through the cheekbone and jawline. The PARAGON II’s narrow tip lets him carve controlled angles that blend into longer layers without removing too much bulk.

Technique notes:

• Work diagonally forward with low elevation to open the face.

• Keep tension light to prevent over-shortening near the fringe.

• Use shallow slicing to connect the fringe into mids without collapsing density.

Photo Credit: @ahappyjustin

When the foundation is set, Justin uses the PARAGON II’s smooth glide to taper mids and connect the frame to the perimeter. The result is a soft, wearable outline that pairs easily with curtain fringe, butterfly layers or blowout finishes—keeping thick hair light, balanced and responsive to styling.

Photo Credit: @ahappyjustin

3. Structured Perimeter With Soft Internal Weight Removal

Thick hair needs structure without stiffness. Justin establishes a clean perimeter, then dry-cuts inside the shape using the PARAGON II to release hidden bulk and create invisible layers. Its smooth, even glide through dense hair removes weight just under the surface, keeping the outline crisp and the interior mobile.

Photo Credit: @ahappyjustin

Technique notes:

• Hold sections slightly off the scalp and slice parallel to the surface to diffuse heaviness.

• Keep the perimeter dry to monitor balance and movement in real time.

• Use open-and-close motions for controlled removal instead of deep texturizing.

Photo Credit: @ahappyjustin

The Thick Hair Essential

Balance, control and movement—every thick-hair cut depends on it. The PARAGON II is crafted for that balance, gliding through dense textures without push or drag so you can refine shape, not fight weight.

Cut with control. Experience the ARC™ Scissors PARAGON II.