Curly hair offers a unique charm, and finding the perfect haircut can help bring out its beauty in a bold and flattering way. Whether your curls are tight and voluminous or loose and wavy, there’s a cut that complements your natural texture. From timeless bobs to trendy shaggy styles, these 27+ curly haircut ideas offer a variety of looks that work for all curl types and lifestyles. You’ll find a fresh perspective on classic cuts, combined with a modern touch that brings out the best in your hair. Keep reading to discover the curly haircuts that will inspire your next salon visit, and let your natural texture shine through
1. Curly Bob
Short Description: A curly bob brings out the bounce and volume of your curls while framing your face beautifully.
Best For: Women with medium to thick curls who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look.
2. Long Layered Curls
Short Description: Long layers soften the curls, adding movement and reducing bulk while maintaining length.
Best For: Those with long, voluminous curls looking for a natural, flowing style.
3. Shaggy Curly Cut
Short Description: The shaggy curly cut gives a messy, edgy feel by incorporating layers and texture.
Best For: Women with thick, voluminous curls who want a rock-chic vibe.
4. Curly Pixie Cut
Short Description: A pixie cut for curly hair is a bold, refreshing style that defines the face and brings out your curls’ natural shape.
Best For: Women with tight curls who want a short, manageable look with plenty of personality.
5. Curly Lob (Long Bob)
Short Description: A lob is a versatile, chic option that hits just above the shoulders, offering a more refined yet casual style for curly hair.
Best For: Those with medium to large curls who want a blend of elegance and fun.
6. Afro Curls
Short Description: A timeless style, the Afro enhances the fullness of curls, creating a bold and statement-making look.
Best For: Women with thick, tightly coiled curls who want a high-volume, defined hairstyle.
7. Curly Shag with Fringes
Short Description: Combining the shaggy cut with a fringe brings a modern and playful twist to curly hair, adding fullness around the face.
Best For: Those with medium curls who want extra face-framing layers and texture.
8. Curly Undercut
Short Description: The undercut with curly hair gives contrast by shaving one part of the hair and leaving curls on the top.
Best For: Women who like daring styles and want to keep their curls defined while adding a bit of edge.
9. Curly Bowl Cut
Short Description: A quirky yet trendy bowl cut for curly hair adds structure while maintaining a youthful and playful vibe.
Best For: Those with fine to medium curls who want a unique, retro-inspired look.
10. Textured Curly Layers
Short Description: A cut with textured layers helps in defining each curl, giving your hair volume and shape without too much bulk.
Best For: Women with medium curls who prefer a more controlled yet voluminous style.
11. Curly Side Part
Short Description: A side part in curly hair helps add symmetry and makes curls fall in a more controlled, styled way.
Best For: Women looking to give their curls more shape while keeping a casual, effortless appearance.
12. Voluminous Curls with Soft Layers
Short Description: Soft layers mixed with voluminous curls create a balanced look that’s not too heavy or flat.
Best For: Women with thick curls who want to tone down volume while maintaining body.
13. Curly Half-Up, Half-Down
Short Description: Combining the best of both worlds, a half-up, half-down style keeps curls in place while showcasing volume.
Best For: Those who want to show off their curls while keeping some hair away from the face.
14. Layered Bob with Curly Texture
Short Description: A layered bob with curly texture adds movement and volume, while still being easy to manage.
Best For: Women with medium curly hair who want a style that’s low-maintenance yet trendy.
15. Curly Blowout
Short Description: A curly blowout creates a fuller, bouncy look by lifting curls at the roots.
Best For: Those who prefer a voluminous, smooth style but still want to keep their curls.
16. Tight Curls with Defined Layers
Short Description: Defined layers bring out the sharpness of tight curls, adding dimension and shape to the hair.
Best For: Women with tightly coiled curls who want a sharp, structured look.
17. Curly Long Fringe
Short Description: Adding a long fringe to curly hair brings a dramatic touch and helps to frame the face beautifully.
Best For: Those with medium to large curls who want a chic and modern update to their curls.
18. Curly Mullet
Short Description: A daring style that brings the vintage mullet into the modern age, with curls framing the face in the front and length at the back.
Best For: Women who love bold, edgy styles and aren’t afraid to stand out.
19. Curly Shag with Tapered Sides
Short Description: This look combines a shaggy cut with tapered sides for a flattering silhouette that still holds volume.
Best For: Those with thick curls who want a more tailored yet stylish look.
20. Curly With Highlights
Short Description: Adding highlights to curly hair gives depth and texture, making the curls appear more lively and dimensional.
Best For: Those who want a fresh, sun-kissed look that brings out their natural curls.
21. Curly Fauxhawk
Short Description: A curly fauxhawk brings a bold edge to your curls, with volume concentrated at the top and shaved sides.
Best For: Women who love punk-inspired looks and want to show off their curls in a fierce way.
22. Beachy Curly Waves
Short Description: Loose, beachy waves make curls look effortlessly natural, offering a relaxed yet stylish vibe.
Best For: Those with wavy curls who want a relaxed, vacation-ready hairstyle.
23. Curly Updo with Twists
Short Description: Twisting sections of curly hair into an updo creates a sophisticated, polished look while showcasing the curls’ texture.
Best For: Women who want to keep curls out of their face for special events or work.
24. Short Curly Cut with a Side Sweep
Short Description: A short curly cut paired with a side-swept style gives volume and a softer, rounder look to your face.
Best For: Women with finer curls who want a cute and flattering style.
25. Curly Mohawk
Short Description: The curly mohawk gives an edgy, bold look by creating height at the crown and leaving curls at the sides.
Best For: Women who want an alternative style that brings a unique flair to curly hair.
26. Curly Bangs
Short Description: Adding bangs to curly hair creates a youthful, playful look while framing the face beautifully.
Best For: Those with medium to large curls who want to update their style with a fun twist.
27. Curly V-Cut
Short Description: A V-cut for curly hair creates a sleek and elongated shape, emphasizing the curls’ natural texture.
Best For: Women with long curly hair who want a modern cut that’s easy to maintain.
Each of these styles offers a unique way to embrace and enhance your natural curls, giving you the flexibility to choose the look that best suits your personality and lifestyle!
Styling curly hair to achieve a gorgeous look involves embracing its natural texture while keeping it healthy, defined, and frizz-free. Here are practical, expert-backed tips to help you create stunning curly hairstyles, tailored to various curl types (wavy, curly, coily) and lengths:
- 1. Understand Your Curl Type
- Identify your curl type (2A–2C for wavy, 3A–3C for curly, 4A–4C for coily) to choose the right products and techniques. For example, looser waves (2A) need lightweight products, while tighter coils (4C) benefit from richer creams.
- Take a curl quiz (like those offered by Curlsmith) to pinpoint your hair’s needs, such as moisture, definition, or volume.
- 2. Prep with Proper Hair Care
- Use Sulfate-Free Products: Sulfates strip natural oils, causing dryness and frizz. Opt for a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to retain moisture.
- Deep Condition Weekly: Apply a deep-conditioning mask (e.g., Pure by Made Beautiful Detox Mask) for 30 minutes to hydrate and strengthen curls.
- Detangle Wet Hair: Comb curls with a wide-tooth comb while wet and coated with conditioner, starting from the ends to the roots to minimize breakage.
- 3. Apply Products on Wet Hair
- Layer Products for Definition: Use the LOC method (Liquid, Oil, Cream) for hydration and hold. Start with a leave-in conditioner, seal with an oil (like argan or coconut), then apply a curl cream or gel.
- Praying Hands Technique: Smooth products over wet hair with flat hands to distribute evenly without disrupting the curl pattern. This reduces frizz and enhances definition.
- Scrunch for Bounce: After applying products, scrunch curls upward to encourage their natural shape.
- 4. Drying Techniques
- Air Dry or Diffuse: Air drying preserves curl shape, while a diffuser on low heat adds volume without frizz. Flip your head upside down while diffusing for extra lift.
- Plop with a T-Shirt: After applying products, plop hair into a cotton T-shirt to reduce frizz and set curls while drying.
- Avoid Touching While Drying: Let curls dry undisturbed to prevent frizz.
- 5. Styling Tips for Gorgeous Looks
- Enhance with Accessories: Add headbands, scarves, or clips for flair. For example, a velvet ribbon in a French braid or a headband à la Ruth Negga adds elegance.
- Try Protective Styles: Braids (French, Dutch, or cornrows) lock in moisture and create low-maintenance styles. For a chic bun, braid a section and wrap it around a topknot.
- Refresh Second-Day Curls: Mist hair with a DIY curl refresher (water + leave-in conditioner) or a curl spray, then scrunch to revive definition.
- Use a Curling Iron Sparingly: For sagging curls, use a curling iron or wand with a barrel size matching your curl pattern to reshape specific sections. Always apply a heat protectant.
- Experiment with Parts: A deep side part (like Andie MacDowell’s) adds volume, while a middle part softens features. Use a comb for precision and hairspray to hold.
- 6. Cut and Maintain for Shape
- Get Regular Trims: Trim every 6–8 weeks to prevent split ends and maintain shape. Ask for layers to add bounce and volume, especially for medium to long hair.
- Choose the Right Cut: A layered shag, curly bob, or pixie (like Halle Berry’s) enhances curls. For volume, avoid blunt cuts that create a triangle shape.
- Dust Dry Hair: Snip rough ends curl by curl while dry to maintain length and shape without salon visits.
- 7. Protect Curls Overnight
- Pineapple Trick: Gather hair into a loose, high ponytail with a soft scrunchie to preserve curls while sleeping.
- Sleep on Satin: Use a satin pillowcase or bonnet to reduce friction and frizz compared to cotton.
- 8. Fight Frizz and Boost Shine
- Use Lightweight Oils: Apply a dime-sized amount of argan oil or hair serum to ends for shine and frizz control. Avoid heavy products on fine curls.
- Mist with Hairspray: A light spritz of strong-hold hairspray (e.g., Kevin.Murphy Session.Spray) keeps styles like braids or ponytails in place.
- Avoid Overwashing: Shampoo 1–3 times a week to retain natural oils. Use a cleansing conditioner for co-washes to cleanse without drying.
- 9. Quick Hairstyle Ideas
- Sleek Ponytail: Smooth the crown with gel, secure a high or low ponytail, and fluff curls at the back for volume. Add a bow for flair.
- Topknot: Gather curls into a high bun, secure with bobby pins, and tug gently for a messy, full look.
- Half-Up, Half-Down: Pull half your curls into a ponytail or braid, leaving the rest loose for a romantic vibe.
- Braided Headband: Braid a small section from behind your ear across your head for a charming, face-framing style.
- 10. Product Recommendations
- Curl Cream: BBLUNT High Definition Curl or Schwarzkopf Osis+ Curl Honey for definition.
- Gel: Curlsmith Styling Gel or Sebastian Liquigel for hold without crunch.
- Leave-In Conditioner: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump or Fable & Mane MahaMane for hydration.
- Diffuser: Use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment for even drying.
- 11. Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t Brush Dry Hair: Brushing dry curls causes frizz and disrupts the curl pattern. Use fingers or a wide-tooth comb on wet hair.
- Skip Silicones: Silicones block moisture, leading to buildup. Choose silicone-free products.
- Limit Heat Styling: Excessive heat damages curls. If needed, use low heat with a protectant.
By following these tips, you can achieve gorgeous, defined curls that suit your style, whether you’re rocking a wash-and-go, an updo, or a bold braid. Experiment with products and techniques to find what works best for your unique curls, and don’t shy away from professional advice for cuts or complex styles like cornrows. Embrace your curls’ versatility and let them shine.