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Katie Holmes haircut: How to get her curly lob look

Katie Holmes' new curly lob has the Internet buzzing. The man behind her mane shares how to get the look.
/ Source: TODAY

Katie Holmes has been making headlines recently for having a particularly, um, fashion-forward commute.

But the actress has long been a trendsetter — remember when she led the "boyfriend jeans" phenomenon? — and so often embodies the definition of a stylish mom on the go.

Now, she has a fabulous new haircut that has the Internet abuzz. While the reason for her new 'do may be mostly for a new role, starring as a struggling single mother in the upcoming film "All We Had," that can't stop her from starting a craze.

RELATED: Got curls? Real-life tips for making them even more gorgeous

Holmes got into character by chopping off her signature brown locks into a curly long bob — otherwise known as a lob. While the plan may have been to transform into character, she happens to look stunning.

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As curly girls know all too well, the words "short," "bob," or even now "lob" can conjure nightmares of the all-dreaded "triangle head." (Aka, that strange occurrence when hair seems to grow outward instead of down). TODAY.com spoke with the man behind Holmes’ new cut, celebrity hairstylist DJ Quintero, to get the foolproof secret on how to tame your curls and rock a shoulder-length cut like the best of them. Here’s the scoop:

Curly hair is a specialty.

Cutting curly hair is completely different than cutting other textures, explained Quintero. For the best results, he advised finding a stylist that has curly-hair expertise and clientele. As for Quintero, he actually prefers cutting curly hair. “It’s more fun because it’s not as technical. It’s more visual,” he told TODAY.com.

Image: 2015 Global Citizen Festival In Central Park To End Extreme Poverty By 2030 - Show
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Actress Katie Holmes speaks on stage at the 2015 Global Citizen Festival to end extreme poverty by 2030 in Central Park on September 26, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen)Theo Wargo / Getty Images

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Dry cutting will be your best friend.

While not all stylists like to cut dry hair, Quintero explained that it’s his method of choice because it’s easier to see how the hair will naturally fall. This goes double for curly hair.

“I would recommend that your stylist cut it dry, so your stylist can see the weight and length being taken out,” Quintero said. With dry cutting, the stylist and client can work together more easily to make sure the end result is what the client envisioned.

Longer is better.

To avoid a case of triangle hair, Quintero advisee leaving the layers long. The added weight from the length of the curl pulls the hair down instead of out. As the hair gets shorter, the chances for triangle hair increase, making it important that the stylist can see how the hair naturally falls as they cut it. With Holmes', Quintero left the bulk of the length at her collarbone and made sure the shortest layer was at the chin. Hurray for the lob trend!

Cut in, not across.

For a naturally messy look, Quintero warned against cutting the hair straight across and then adding in layers as this can create a blunt, geometric look rather than a soft, textured ‘do. By cutting into the hair, the weight and the length are removed simultaneously.

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Now you have the perfect cut, but what happens when you get home and it's time to style it yourself? Hands up if you've ever had fabulous hair leaving the salon, but then lose it immediately after that first wash. Yeah, us too. So, here's what you do:

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Try air drying.

Quintero advised letting the hair air dry and not touching the curl until it’s completely dry to avoid frizz. “If it’s a good style, you should be able to wash and go,” said Quintero.

Don’t skip the products.

To get the perfect, frizz-free curl, you do need some products even if you are just planning on doing a wash-and-go. Quintero advised using a curl cream or leave-in conditioner. His personal choice is mixing a curl cream with a little bit of gel or oil to keep strands moisturized.

Image: 2015 Global Citizen Festival In Central Park To End Extreme Poverty By 2030 - Backstage
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: (Exclusive Coverage) Katie Holmes attends 2015 Global Citizen Festival to end extreme poverty by 2030 in Central Park on September 26, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen)Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

But do skip the wash.

Curly hair tends to be naturally drier than other textures. One of the worst things a curly-haired girl can do is wash her hair every day, Quintero noted. He mentioned that some of his clients go up to a week without washing their hair. The natural oils that build up in the hair help control frizz, so it might be time to join that no-wash club.

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Sometimes you need a little help.

Just because your hair is naturally curly doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t use a curling iron. Quintero explained that particularly for women who color their hair, the shape of the curl can sometimes change. He recommended experimenting with different sized barrels to find the one that matches the desired curl shape you’re trying to achieve.

Short on time? Just focus on the front.

So much to do in so little time! Quintero’s best tip for those with only a few minutes to spare is just to go over the front with an iron or wand. That way, the pieces that frame the face look the best.

RELATED: Makeover magic! Curly girls learn to love their locks with pro tips

Don’t have curly hair? Quintero has tips for you, too.

For wavy hair, he suggests using a curl enhancer and scrunching. To get a more defined curl, he says to try a diffuser and then go over the curls with an iron or wand.

RELATED: 7 things I wish I knew before permanently straightening my hair

Straight-haired gals, you’re not out of luck either! To transform your short locks into a fun, curly 'do, Quintero recommends using a curling iron and setting the hair with pin curls to help secure the look all day.

While Holmes’ is currently channeling the cool, effortless vibe that comes with a curly lob, Quintero already has big plans for her hair this awards season— bigger, fuller curls. We can’t wait to see what he has in store!