Crossword Genius

Cut off as required, keeping curled hair (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blockade

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cut off' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'required keeping curled hair' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'hair' could be 'lock' (lock is a kind of hair) and 'lock' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bade' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for blockade that I've seen before include "Siege" , "Action taken to prevent entry as of goods" , "Military restriction of access" , "Closure of port to prevent entry or exit" , "Barricade" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Times.
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