Edgy Short Hairstyles for Curly Hair

Short curly hair is a perfect base for endless styling possibilities once you find the right cut. Modern bobs, pixies, sages, and tapers can actually work for your curl pattern all while creating shapes that enhance your natural beauty.

Iconic short cuts that celebrate curl texture

This style frames your face beautifully while challenging outdated rules about bangs on textured hair. Your curls create a flattering halo effect that draws attention to your eyes and facial structure.

You’ll keep your neck clear while maintaining length where it matters most-around your face and crown. The side-parted curly bangs add movement and frame your features asymmetrically.

Your facial features take center stage with this cropped cut. Adding highlights creates dimension that emphasizes your bone structure and makes your eyes pop.

Wearing your curls and waves at shoulder length is flattering on pretty much everyone. It frames the face and really draws attention to the eyes.

edgy-curly-short-cut-face-framing

This style allows your curls the freedom to do and be whatever they want to be.

The tapered cut on tight coils is popular among women who prefer to wear their natural hair on the shorter side. With results like this, it’s easy to see why. The cut is both laid back and edgy.

If you’re on the lookout for short hairstyles that keep your curls off your neck and back but would still like longer bangs, this is the quintessential style for you.

This tapered cut on black shiny curls is definitely a statement.

Fresh cuts breathe new life into your texture.

Classic shapes with a modern twist

Pixie cuts are always classic when it comes to short hair and are always worthy of consideration when deciding on what your next hairstyle should be.

Finding your perfect bangs can be a hair-altering experience. Short haircuts immediately increase fullness and volume, creating bouncy curls, shape and movement. You can customize your bangs to flatter your face shape and brows, making the cut perfect for you.

Short haircuts go a long way towards reducing the fuss and time it can take to style your hair in the mornings.

This messy cut is perfect for oval or round faces. It frames the face well and the layers allow the natural hair texture of your curls to thrive.

Bold color choices let your personality take center stage.

A classic shoulder-length bob allows you to hold on to some length but will definitely save you plenty of time, product and money when it comes to styling and maintenance.

short-curly-bob-shoulder-length

These black and red curls are a perfect example of how color can take a hairstyle from good to great.

These long loose waves add the overall easy breezy vibe to this style. It’s fluffy and soft with a wash and wear appeal that many crave.

This low maintenance cut is great for girls who like to have hair that’s all one length.

The timeless black and gray combination creates a hairstyle that never goes out of style.

Texture, volume, and movement

Natural hair with all its textures and complexities pairs with short curly hairstyles exceptionally well. You should embrace the natural density that comes with textured hair. Very short hairstyles such as this one are all about the face.

Green is not a commonly used color when it comes to hair styling.

This wash-and-go glam is low maintenance and gives off the tousled bedhead vibe.

These well-defined ringlets frame your face with rich, deep color.

This attention-grabbing haircut is bold and beautiful. You’ll love the volume, size of the curls and vibrant color.

well-defined-ringlets-curly-curls-color

Put your stunning ringlets and tight curls on display with a short haircut featuring super-defined ringlets full of volume and movement. The style is all gorgeous bouncy, springy curls. It looks absolutely amazing and is very feminine.

Another easy-to-manage style that doesn’t require curls to be super defined. This stunning afro hairstyle is chic and fresh.

This messy asymmetric cut is fluffy and focuses all the volume on one side of the face with the help of an undercut.

This short bob combines an undercut with asymmetric curls that frame the face. The angular nature of the curls helps to provide structure amid the messiness of the loose curls.

This would be a pretty standard bob cut were it not for the shaved temple.

short-angled-curly-bob-undercut

This trouble-free style features messy waves in a chin-length cut with bangs. Strands are light and wispy and not weighed down by excessive amounts of product.

Keeping the sides and back short while maintaining some length and texture on the top of the head allows you to showcase your curls and texture while keeping a hairstyle that is relatively easy to maintain.

A full head of tight ringlets delivers fun, voluminous results.

The shaggy cut is, like many hairstyles, super easy to maintain on a daily basis. The cute curly pixie cut is carefree, fun and youthful. It totally shows off the face so that your facial features take center stage.

shaggy-curly-pixie-face-frame

Concentrated center curls with low sides create this modern faux hawk interpretation.

Even if you prefer to keep your curls on the longer side of short (i.e. around shoulder length), it is still worth it to give your hair a shape and style. Keeping your sides really short and concentrating your length and curls on the top is common when creating short curly hairstyles.

This tapered pixie features soft-looking curls and bangs. The curls in the bangs are lively and playful and the overall shape of the cut is flattering for all face shapes.

The vibrant hue and long blunt bangs make this a statement hairstyle for the edgy and bold.

tapered-pixie-curly-bangs

This popular tapered cut on tight natural curls showcases your mane at its finest. The black, shiny strands combined with height, density, and volume create stunning results.

This explosion of personality embraces the chaotic beauty of natural texture.

No two curly bobs look identical, which makes this style special. The relaxed, vacation-ready vibe combined with low-maintenance appeal creates a look that feels perpetually effortless.

Seasoned suggestions and practical tips

This chunky, messy bob with bangs is a unique take on a popular style.

Baby blonde creates a soft, feminine aesthetic.

Why limit yourself to one highlight color? The red and blue combination arranged around your face creates playful dimension.

chunky-messy-bob-bangs

These messy ringlets and fringe make such a fun, flirty, feminine haircut. Messy styles work great on short curly hair because curls, by their very nature, want to be a little imperfect.

Round layers that fall around the face are a flattering short cut to consider for your short natural curls. This type of cut is great regardless of your face shape or your curl type. The styling options for short curly hair are nearly endless. You can shape it into a textured bob or throw in some layers for extra movement. No matter which you choose, your unique curls and personality are sure to make the look your own.

Short curly hairstyles are an excellent option for textured hair. They can enhance curl definition beautifully, enhancing volume and making it more manageable. With a shorter length, curls can spring up and showcase their natural shape, resulting in a more defined and voluminous appearance. Short, curly haircuts such as pixies, bobs and lobs offer diverse volume and shape options due to the way that they interact with different curl patterns and face shapes.

short-curlypro-bob-pixie-illustration

1. A curly mohawk is a hairstyle where the hair in the centre of the head is styled into a mohawk shape with curly or textured hair. The sides of the head are typically shaved or very short, creating a striking contrast with the longer, curly section on top. This style combines the boldness of a traditional mohawk with the natural beauty of curly hair.

2. A curly lob, or long bob, is a medium-length hairstyle that combines the sleekness of a bob with the length of a long bob. It typically sits between the shoulder and collarbone, and features curls or waves to enhance the natural texture of the hair. The curly lob is a versatile style that can be easily adapted to different face shapes and hair types.

Styling Tips: Focus on hydrating and defining curls, drying with a diffuser for volume, and separating and fluffing for definition.

curly-mohawk-definition

3. A curly pompadour is a hairstyle where the top section of the hair is styled into a voluminous, rounded shape, similar to a traditional pompadour, but with the added texture and definition of curls. The sides and back are typically kept shorter, often faded or tapered, creating a strong contrast with the voluminous top.

Styling Tips: Use a hair dryer for extra volume.

curly-pompadour-volume

4. A curly pixie is a short hairstyle that is typically cut close to the head, embracing and showcasing natural curls and coils. It combines the edginess of a pixie with the versatility and texture of curly hair.

5. A curly asymmetrical bob is a short to medium-length hairstyle where the hair is cut shorter on one side than the other, creating a diagonal line, and styled with curls.

The asymmetrical cut adds visual interest and can be customised to suit different hair types and face shapes.

curly-asymmetrical-bob

6. A curly quiff is a hairstyle that combines volume and an upwards sweep of a classic quiff with the natural texture of curly hair.

Sides can be tapered or faded for a more modern look.

7. A curly bowl cut is a short, rounded hairstyle where the hair is cut evenly around the head, with the top length left long enough to showcase natural curls or waves.

This style is typically low maintenance, allowing curls to form naturally with minimal styling.

curly-bowl-cut

8. A curly bixie cut blends the best features of a pixie and a bob, specifically tailored for curly or wavy hair. Short choppy layers add volume and texture, with length around the ears or chin.

9. A short shag is a layered, textured style that falls around the chin with a fringe. It offers a stylish, low-maintenance look with an effortless vibe.

curly-bixie-shag

11. A curly bob is a short haircut designed to enhance and showcase natural curls or waves with careful layering for fall and movement.

12. A side-parted bob creates volume and movement with a deep or subtle side part.

13. An undercut with curls involves shaving the sides and back while leaving the top long enough to showcase curls.

undercut-curly-top

14. An asymmetrical dry cut uses dry-cutting to maximize the hair’s natural texture and movement.

Maintenance, technique, and experimentation

Regular trims every 6-8 weeks help curls retain their defined shape and prevent split ends. Hydrating products, sulfate-free shampoos, and lightweight curl creams or gels maintain softness and curl definition. Use a diffuser to dry and shape curls without excessive heat. Nighttime care with satin or silk pillowcases helps preserve curl pattern.

Washing curly hair less frequently and incorporating co-washing can preserve natural oils and reduce frizz.

Air drying short, curly hair encourages natural curl patterns and minimizes heat damage.

curl-hair-care-diffuser

Face shapes and cut recommendations

  • Round faces benefit from cuts that elongate the face, such as curly pixies or layered bobs.
  • Oval faces are versatile and can wear many curly short cuts with proper layering and length balance.
  • Square faces can gain softening layers and volume around the crown to balance angles.

In short, the styling options for short curly hair are nearly endless. You can shape it into a textured bob or add layers for extra movement, always tailoring to your curl pattern and face shape.

HOW TO STYLE LAYERED, SHORT NATURAL CURLY HAIR | Dominique Sachse

Practical quick-start guide

  1. Choose a cut that keeps volume where you want it: face-framing layers or crown lift.
  2. Use hydrating products designed for curly hair to maintain softness and definition.
  3. Incorporate a diffuser into your styling routine to enhance curl pattern without frizz.
  4. Schedule regular trims to maintain shape and prevent frizz from split ends.
StyleBest forMaintenanceNotes
Curly pixieTighter curls, bold lookEvery 6-8 weeksFace-framing, high cheekbones
Curly bobMost face shapesEvery 6-8 weeksLayered for volume
Curly lobMedium to long face shapesEvery 8-12 weeksVersatile, low maintenance
curly-hair-care-diffuser-guide

Ready to find the perfect curly hairstyle for your hair type and lifestyle? The best short haircut depends on your hair type and personal preferences, but popular options include the curly bob, pixie cut and layered cuts that help define curls and reduce bulk.

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