Girls love curls, and this season is no exception! We’ve seen a plethora of looks hit the streets that are both fashionable and flattering, now that everyone is finally starting to embrace their natural texture.
Low-maintenance yet high-impact cropped cuts
Low in upkeep but high in style. Black hair or similarly textured locks look fabulous when cropped close to the head. This hair type stays pretty neat and structured (not to mention super chic) at this length.
Shorter lengths for easy glamour
This length is the epitome of easy glam. Finer, thinner curls can work a finger-waved or Flapper vibe with a curly pixie. This is a low-maintenance length that requires minimal styling.
Fades and bold shaping for kinky curls
Who says fades are just for guys? If you have kinky or tightly coiled curls, your hair has the integrity to totally borrow from the boys with this sharply cut look.
French-girl wash-and-wear bob
French-girl hair alert! This wash-and-wear bob is one of the best hairstyles for curly hair with a bigger ringlet. We are often accustomed to seeing this curl pattern on longer haircuts and styles, but we love the way it looks on a cropped bob.
Soft curls for density and volume
Soft, natural curls give thinning hair the illusion of density and fullness.
The Teeny Weeny Afro and tapered elegance
A tapered length keeps it anchored. The Teeny Weeny Afro has been a knockout favorite in recent seasons due to its more manageable shape and stylish tapered look.
Around the Afro: retro-modern appeal
Retro-modern, if there was such a thing! Although when it comes to the best haircut for curly hair in an Afro style, nothing quite beats the classic sex appeal of a rounded, impeccably shaped ’fro.
Wet-look finishes and products
Serum and gel help give you that gleam. Like a grown-out version of the faded haircut, with a trendy wet-look finish booting.
3A/3B curls with micro fringe
The hairstyle of ingénues and kids at heart alike. 3A and 3B girls can opt for this look, which marries a softly rounded shape with a runway-hot micro fringe.
Leave-in conditioner for hydration and separation
A leave-in conditioner helps hydrate and separate your spirals. Natural hair types can work a sexy, well-shaped bob (ask for some slightly shorter layers near the top to lighten the load).
Balancing a jawline with length and layers
Balance out a small chin with some heft near the lip line. By the same token, those with 3A and 3B curls can also wear a blunt bob with ease, provided your tresses are moisturized and your jawline is softer or rounder.
Wet versus dry cuts and blunt bobs
Equally cool whether wet or dry. Continuing the wet-look craze is another blunt rendition, this time in a shorter length with some killer rockstar bangs.
Coarse curls in ear-length crops
Coarse curls can still retain shape and definition with a super-cute ear-length crop, and the help of some flexi-rods!
Volume and texture: 90s-inspired looks
Bodyguards won’t be able to resist. Thick, full, and slightly messy, this volumized ’do evoke early ’90s sass in the best way.
Baby fringe revival
That baby fringe is giving us all the feels. One of last year’s Greatest Hits continues its run this season, and with good reason: This soft, shaggy look is extremely versatile and fun to style. The great thing about this cut is that it grows out easily into a longer version of the same style.
Shaping for square and inverted-triangle faces
Best for square-shaped and inverted-triangle faces, this quietly layered bob features a classic, balanced silhouette that softens an angular jaw.
Blocky cuts for oval jaws
A blocky haircut evens out an oval jawline. A perfectly symmetrical haircut for a perfectly symmetrical face shape!
Lobs, layers, and celeb-inspired lengths
Somewhat longer layers towards the front make this shiny, picture-perfect lob a hot pick amongst celebs. Boho-chic at its cutest. A soft, wispy fringe gives a romantic touch to this matte-textured lob. This haircut is what air-drying dreams are made of. 3C hair can also lend itself to the most graceful of lobs, provided they’re subtly layered at the ends in a gentle wedged shape.
Primed curls with end layering
These prim-and-proper curls get some spunk with layering at the ends. This curl type and length add so much personality and texture to a look, who wouldn’t want to give this style a try?
Lobs for waves and curls with side parts
A lob gives waves and curls major swing. Side-parted looks are the best curly hairstyles for those with bigger waves and curls, as they provide a delicate, feminine touch.
Androgynous revival and mid-length options
Who wins in the best curls department? This androgynous set, that’s who. This retro-inspired look features curls that get tighter and more textured at the mid-length, making it a great foil for a curtained fringe.
Precise parting with a fishbone touch
Use a fishtail comb for a more precise parting. The perfect alignment of these shiny waves gives oval faces a bit of textural interest. This style may be the one exception to the layered haircut rule when it comes to curly textures!
Shaggy long bob and styling products
A shaggy long bob gets some definition from root to tip with a curling mousse, such as Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse.
Playful wedges and clean edges
That playful (and super stylish) flip! The clean edges of this textbook wedge provide a flattering symmetry to a strong chin.
Not-quite-a-bob and not-quite-wavy
This hairstyle is another win in the androgynous department. We see your not-quite-wavy, not-totally-curly hair and raise you a not-quite-a-bob for a look that’s totally wearable and haute couture.
Moisturized 3B/3C textures and length management
Well-moisturized 3B/3C hair can look polished and frizz-free too, with a slightly longer length. Using length to slightly weigh down your curls will keep them from frizzing up!
Z-shaped and zig-zag curls
Z-shaped curls are a quirky and unusual take on regular spirals. Zig-zagged curls provide just the right touch of visual interest to a minimal aesthetic.
Depth with color and center parts
That ash blonde root also provides some visual depth. Delicate shorter layers at the sides and ends keep this adorable middle-parted sheath from looking too heavy. We totes envision this center-parted red hairstyle-which has a bang that acts as a palate cleanser for all that hair-as being all the rage during the groovy 1970s. That semi-wet finish is also a great twist. This two-tone look-straight bangs, curly lengths-is also another way to switch up one of the best haircuts for curly hair. Look closer, and you’ll see that this is actually 3B hair that’s been optimally cut and moisturized to maximize length without the weight-down. Looser curls get a light, airy feel with a somewhat shaggy shape. A flawless balayage never hurts too. The best haircuts for curly hair work on longer lengths too and look particularly flattering with an off-center part.
Maintaining fullness and shape
We’re loving this full and fluffy hairstyle so hard. Visit your stylist for regular trims to maintain a rounder shape. This style is all about ensuring that you hit that perfect length. A longer length gives curls the opportunity to stretch, making for a wavier appearance. Perfect for wavy girls too. Low-key glam with a low-maintenance haircut. We love this cut and style combination!
Practical styling: stretching, layering, and definitions
Pull your fingers through your hair to stretch out those spirals. These subtly layered waves are precisely cut to a blunt edge to minimize frizz. As we mentioned above, many curly haircuts depend on layers to fall just right, so this blunt style is certainly a departure from the usual!
Color, texture, and asymmetry
Because a look-at-me color isn’t enough. Inject more personality into your look with one of the best haircuts for curly hair: a hairdo that features an ombré and an asymmetrical edge.
Old-school glamour and modern lift
Evoke old-school Italian glam with volumized, blow-dried curls (look at all that lift at the root!).
Embellishments and updos
An unfinished braid stitch near the hairline is a cute and clever touch. A loose, open weave on the hairline/fringe area gives a side-swept curl more viral appeal.
Go for a clean and bold style. Create more depth and texture by adding a side shave to your pixie cut. This style is clean, fresh, and always looks good. Curly bangs create more volume and add to the look. If you want to create ultimate volume while framing your face in a new way, go for some bangs.
Mid-length versatility and health-focused approach
For those who aren’t feeling a short chop or incredibly long locks, make the compromise of a mid-length cut. This length is perfect for those who want all the styling that comes with a longer length without committing to that growth. Those are some of the best haircuts for curly hair.
As hairdressers are re-opening, here’s my top tips and advice for how to get the best haircut for curly hair. This is something I get asked about all the time! There’s a huge gap in hairdressing education around wavy, curly and natural, textured hair. Hair stylists have to spend a lot of money on extra training and education on how to cut, shape and style curly hair. Which in my opinion, should be included in all standard hair education courses. But in the mean time, what I can do is empower you on how to communicate with your stylist, with confidence. So you are both on the same page of the length and shape you want for your hair. Wearing your hair down and natural is key on cut day, and bringing images of looks you like helps, but remember density, texture, and curl pattern matter. If you’re in Ireland or elsewhere, there are skilled stylists who cut curly hair well, whether they label themselves curl specialists or not. When cutting, you can choose wet or dry cuts depending on curl type, but the looser the curl pattern, the less essential a dry curl-by-curl cut is. Layers remain a powerful tool for volume, shape, and definition across many curl types. Diffusing and careful layering help keep density balanced with length. And above all, health of the hair should be your priority to maintain curl pattern, shine, and growth.
