45 of the Best Haircuts for Curly Hair of Every Length
The best haircut for curly hair is one that marries style and sustainability.
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. Going with the flow has never been this chic, and we’ve got a whopping gallery featuring the best haircuts for curly hair to prove it. One of the biggest variances curly hair types have to deal with—aside from their actual curl category, of course, something we’ve hopefully helped shed some light on—is their lengths.
The Best Haircuts for Curly Hair
Scroll on for a comprehensive list of pretty haircuts that best handle common issues that curly hair types usually face, such as shape, manageability, and frizz vulnerability (not to mention look cute while doing so!):
1. Cropped
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. This is a great way to show off your curls without having to deal with too much styling that comes with longer strands.
2. Pixie
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. Use a hair gel to lay your curls in this flapper-inspired style and let your vintage curls do all the talking.
3. Faded
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. The great thing about this style is that it allows you to play with two different lengths.
4. Loose Bob
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. This length and texture combination gives you a voluminous finish!
5. Wispy Crop
Soft, natural curls give thinning hair the illusion of density and fullness. If you are worried about thinning hair and you’re looking for a way to give the impression of thicker locks, play up your curls!
6. TWA
The Teeny Weeny Afro has been a knockout favorite in recent seasons due to its more manageable shape and stylish tapered look. Show off your curls and reap the benefits of a low-maintenance cropped style at the same time.
7. Perfect ’Fro
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. This style is chic, and beautiful, and allows you to show off your texture.
8. High Top
Like a grown-out version of the faded haircut, with a trendy wet-look finish booting. Keep your curls in place and looking freshly damp with some Dove Amplified Textures Shine & Moisture Finishing Gel.
9. Rounded with Bangs
3A and 3B girls can opt for this look, which marries a softly rounded shape with a runway-hot micro fringe. Anyone who said curly-haired girls can’t wear bangs was wrong, and this look proves it!
10. Natural Bob
Natural hair types can work a sexy, well-shaped bob (ask for some slightly shorter layers near the top to lighten the load). A leave-in conditioner, such as Emerge My Mane BFF Leave-In Conditioner, helps keep ringlets hydrated and protected from frizz.
11. Chin-Length Bob
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. Use a healthy dose of hair gel to keep your curls intact!
12. Blunt with Bangs
Continuing the wet-look craze is another blunt rendition, this time in a shorter length with some killer rockstar bangs. This overgrown bang length allows you to rock a fringe without running back to the salon every few weeks for a touchup.
13. 4A Crop
Coarse curls can still retain shape and definition with a super-cute ear-length crop, and the help of some flexi-rods! Define your curls and embrace their volume with this super chic cropped style.
14. Moussed
Thick, full, and slightly messy, this volumized ’do evoke early ’90s sass in the best way. The cropped length paired with a full set of fringe creates a super-voluminous style that makes a major statement.
15. Short Shag
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. Minimal upkeep for the win!
16. Triangle Bob
Best for square-shaped and inverted-triangle faces, this quietly layered bob features a classic, balanced silhouette that softens an angular jaw. Loose curls sit perfectly at this length, framing the face and softening your overall style.
17. Square Bob
A perfectly symmetrical haircut for a perfectly symmetrical face shape! Oval faces can rest assured knowing this haircut, which has a straight edge and minimal layering elsewhere does wonders for their features.
18. Curly Lob
Somewhat longer layers towards the front make this shiny, picture-perfect lob a hot pick amongst celebs. This is a great way to make a statement with your haircut without trying something too drastic.
19. Beachy Lob with Bangs
A soft, wispy fringe gives a romantic touch to this matte-textured lob. This haircut is what air-drying dreams are made of. You can just wash and go without any styling products or tools!
20. Natural Lob
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. Layers are key when it comes to curly styles that don’t feel flat and are one-dimensional.
21. Tightly Curled
This curl type and length add so much personality and texture to a look, who wouldn’t want to give this style a try? Easy to style and keep up with, this medium length really is the best of both worlds.
22. Side-Swept and Shiny
Side-parted looks are the best curly hairstyles for those with bigger waves and curls, as they provide a delicate, feminine touch. This style allows you to focus your texture on the ends of your style and leave the top straight.
23. Middle-Parted Shag
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. Trendy, edgy, and perfect for curly hair, this is easily one of the coolest styles in the collection.
24. Center-Parted Natural Lob
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! All one length and ultra-chic, this style is definitely worth trying.
25. Permed Lob
A shaggy long bob gets some definition from root to tip with a curling mousse, such as Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse. This mousse will add lasting definition to your curls!
26. Wedged
The clean edges of this textbook wedge provide a flattering symmetry to a strong chin. This length highlights your curls and frames your face with your perfectly unique texture.
27. Short Lob
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. Ideal for those in-between textures, this length will let your built-in curls be lightweight enough to really bounce.
28. Silky Natural Lob
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! Try this hack for hair that won’t stay frizz-free no matter what you try.
29. Chunky Lob
Zig-zagged curls provide just the right touch of visual interest to a minimal aesthetic. This is a great way to play with texture in your style while still maintaining a more sleek and minimal aesthetic.
30. Lightly Layered
Delicate shorter layers at the sides and ends keep this adorable middle-parted sheath from looking too heavy. The middle part is all the rage these days and it will keep your style modern and on-trend.
31. ’70s
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. Try this throwback look if you’re inspired to pay an ode to the ’70s.
32. Dual-Textured
This two-tone look—straight bangs, curly lengths—are also another way to switch up one of the best haircuts for curly hair. This dual-textured style allows you to embrace your curls while also incorporating a straighter texture into your look.
33. Fresh and Natural
Look closer, and you’ll see that this is actually 3B hair that’s been optimally cut and moisturized to maximize length without the weigh-down. This haircut highlights how important it is to find a stylist who is well-versed in curly hair and can give you a cut that works for your curls!
34. Airy
Looser curls get a light, airy feel with a somewhat shaggy shape. This texture keeps the classic shag shape from looking outdated and instead grounds it cleanly in modern times.
35. Big Triangle
The best haircuts for curly hair work on longer lengths too and look particularly flattering with an off-center part. Why choose between a center part and side part when you can land squarely in the middle?
36. Grown-Out Afro
Visit your stylist for regular trims to maintain a rounder shape. This style is all about ensuring that you hit that perfect length. Otherwise, the entire shape of the haircut will be thrown off!
37. Elbow-Length
A longer length gives curls opportunity to stretch, making for a wavier appearance. Stretched out curls will fall a little looser instantly and will change up your natural texture in no time at all.
38. Easy Waves
Low-key glam with a low-maintenance haircut. We love this cut and style combination! Easy-to-wear, on trend, and an ideal way to show off your curls, this look hits all the right notes.
39. Beachy Layers
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! The blunt edges offer and edgier and more modern feel to a curly look.
40. Uneven Spirals
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. By playing with color and playing up your texture, you are guaranteed to love your super personal and unique-to-you look.
41. Blown Out
Evoke old school Italian glam with volumized, blowdried curls (look at all that lift at the root!). The blowout has made a comeback in recent years, and this style isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!
42. Braided
A loose, open weave on the hairline/fringe area gives a side-swept curl more viral appeal. By playing with shorter layers, you give your curls the opportunity to bounce and show off their texture!
43. Pixie with a Clean Side Shave
Create more depth and texture by adding a side shave to your pixie cut. This style is clean, fresh, and always looks good. Not only that, but it’s also super easy to keep up with and style!
44. Curly Bangs
If you want to create ultimate volume while framing your face in a new way, go for some bangs. We adore how bangs look on curly hair, it’s perfect for switching up your style.
45. Medium Length Cut
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. It’s especially great for those who need frequent trims to remove dead and split ends.
Those are some of the best haircuts for curly hair. There are so many ways to style this beautiful hair type, so if you’re in need of a change there’s sure to be some inspo for your next cut.
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