I get a lot of questions regarding short curly styles. When it comes to my salon, the most common misconception I’ve encountered is that clients believe they need to “tame” their curls. What most of them need is a haircut that will honor the natural flow of their curls. I’ve had clients who were so frightened of the thought of short hair that they decided to grow their curls down past their shoulders. And then they would leave my salon crying because they couldn’t believe how beautiful their hair looked.
I don’t think people really understand, and I wish I knew this sooner in my career, how difficult it is to cut wet curly hair. I had a client with beautiful 3B curls, and when I cut her hair, the next day she came back and looked like a mushroom because I cut way too much hair, and her shrinkage was uneven. So I now only cut curly hair when it’s dry. That way, I can see the true shape of the hair without the curls hiding it. This is particularly important when it comes to the nape and crown because, if you don’t cut that bulk out, you can end up with a really triangle shape haircut.
The right hairstyle can simplify your morning routine, and a quality short curly cut can do just that. A good curly cut can also help you to boost your self esteem while still looking professional. As you look through the pictures, pay attention to the haircuts that resonate with you the most because that is often the best option.
#1: Soft Bouncy Crop That Basically Styles Itself
It’s great to have haircuts that require fairly low maintenance because the curls do all the heavy lifting and create some great volume. Not to mention, the curls do not sit in your face and allow for great movement rather than feeling stiff. If you’ve got medium to thick curls and have been battling your hair with a flat iron and so many styling products to try to create that “look”, stop. This will be a great haircut for you and the maintenance is minimal. You will probably only need a trim every six weeks to keep it looking fresh.
#2: Copper Curls That Catch Every Bit of Light
I can understand why you would want to include copper first because it is absolutely gorgeous and makes your skin glow! It also looks good on a wide variety of skin tones. As for the curls, they have a lot of natural bounce and are super tight, bouncy, and springy. The person who cut this did a great job because the shape is really clean, but there is nothing about it that looks forced. If you decide to do this color, make sure to get a sulfate-free shampoo because copper can fade really quickly, especially with washing.
#3: Cropped Ringlets with a Clean Tapered Back
I really like how clean and refined this cut is, but does not lose any of the charm of the curls; this is a difficult balance to achieve. The ringlets are super defined, and the taper in the back helps keep everything light and not too bulky at the nape, which is often where short curly cuts start to lose their shape after a few weeks. This is the kind of hairstyle that is going to look even better on day 2 or 3 post hair wash because the curls will have settled in and softened, and that lived in look is very flattering.
#4: Curly Shag with Layers That Frame Without Hiding
A good shag is always welcome, and this one hits the mark. The pieces that frame the face are soft enough to move with you, but intentional enough to actually do something to your features. The curls have that loose, effortless look that people always ask me for, and I always explain – it’s not about the styling, it’s about the cut. So, humidity will be your enemy with this one, so keep a good anti-frizz serum in your bag, seriously.
#5: Full Defined Crop That Loves Thick Hair
If your curly hair is thick, short hair might seem puffy, but fear not. Because of the density the curls keep their shape and also hold their weight. No internal layers are added to create bulking or triangular shapes. For a lot of people, this is a wash and go hairstyle. Scrunch in some curl cream, let it air dry and you’re out the door.
#6: Curly Bob That Hits Right Above the Shoulders
I find this length a great middle ground for those who want to go shorter, but aren’t quite ready to commit. Honestly, I feel it may be one of the most universally flattering lengths for curly hair. The curls sit with the soft, defined look that is completely effortless, and the layers provide enough movement so it doesn’t sit like a helmet. I would recommend a light, non-crunchy hold product so the hair doesn’t get crunchy or sticky. The point of this cut is to look like you put in very little effort, and a product that provides hold may cause the opposite effect.
#7: Chin-Length Curly Bob with Sneaky Good Layering
This haircut has a lot of layers, and each layer has a role. The curls fall at different lengths, which gives texture and fullness without the bulk. Chin length bobs with curls can go wrong quickly if the weight is not layered properly. This one, however, doesn’t overly weight the cut and sits just right to frame the face without crowding it. This is the kind of cut that would keep me in the chair longer. I love it when people take their time to cut internal layers because that is what makes a style last longer between appointments!
#8: Red-Accented Curly Crop with Real Personality
I believe that people feel hesitant to add color to their curly hair due to the myth that color services ruin your curl pattern. It is true that careless bleach application can ruin curl patterns, but meant to be there red accents are totally possible and transform the whole look. These curls are so nicely defined and the added red really offers warmth and dimension that single process colors just do not offer. Maintenance will be required. Red is infamous for being high maintenance and that is no myth.
#9: Curly Bob with Frosted Contrast at the Ends
The combination of dark roots and light tips is great. It adds more dimension to the curls regardless of whether the color is darker or lighter so that it doesn’t appear to be one solid color. I also think it horizontally elongates the face, which is more flattering for the face. The curls are really defined so it seems like the stylist used the right products and probably low heat on the diffuser or air dried it since it doesn’t look crunchy at all. For this color at home, I’d suggest not. Go to someone who really understands how to cut curly hair because the color placement becomes more important when the hair coils.
#10: Soft Layered Cut That Wears Well All Week
If you don’t want to spend time doing your hair every day, I think this would be great for you. The way the cut looks like experts have done it. It is very intentional, even as the curls change during the week. It looks really nice without a lot of extra work. Anything an inch or two above your shoulders will dry really quickly, and you won’t have to deal with a bunch of layers to avoid that weigh-down. On the other hand, if you have really thin hair, I would not recommend this cut because the sparse look will definitely outnumber the full look.
#11: Curly Top with Faded Sides for an Edge
This cut is absolutely incredible. Not only does it work well with different types of face shapes, it looks so unique. The soft curls on top with faded sides make such a great contrast. The combination of different textures is very clean and modern, yet understated. This style is one of the better low maintenance options. It is very easy to style, just some mousse will do. The only thing you should know is that the fade goes out very quickly. If you want to keep it looking clean, you will need to spend money to get trims every three to four weeks.
#12: Wavy Bob That Feels Light and Easy
I love how fresh this haircut looks. It looks like the type of person who does their hair in ten minutes. The hair waves look soft and loose, not tightly coiled. This means the style is more suited for wavy girls than for true curly girls and that makes a big difference because the maintenance is different. A lightweight mousse is all you need to keep these waves looking nice without making it heavy. Also, you should avoid touching your hair before it dries because that causes frizz.
#13: Short Natural Curls with Effortless Fullness
The volume in this cut is based on the natural curl pattern and not from a ton of product or blow drying. You can tell, because it has that softness and touchable quality, that overly styled hair is devoid of. The curls sit close to the head, but they aren’t flat. The lift and body are in all the right places, and the shape is clean without looking like it was sculpted with a ruler. I think this looks best on people with naturally dense curls, who want to allow their texture to do its thing without fighting it every morning.
#14: Chin-Length Curly Bob That Frames Everything Right
With chin length curly hair, it can be easy to create an unflattering shape, making the face look slimmer than it is due to added bulk. The haircut completely avoids that issue. The defined curls fall perfectly to accentuate the cheekbones and helps soften the jawline, which is what a good bob is meant to achieve. If you live in a humid climate, it’s best to keep an anti-frizz product on hand, as defined curls tend to puff up easily in bad weather.
#15: Green-Highlighted Curly Crop That’s Actually Wearable
I understand your concerns about adding green highlights to your hair, but you shouldn’t worry. The green highlights will look great as they will be placed to reflect inside the curls a costume-like color. In addition, the deeper base color will look more like jewel tones as opposed to childish colors. The cut will be short and will sit right at your nape, meaning no morning styling will be needed, and the layers will be bouncy instead of clumpy and wooly like a mammoth. The color will likely require more maintenance than a more neutral shade because it’s so fun, but it will balance out if you like to change up your hair!
#16: Elegant Short Crop with Natural Curl Texture
I would offer this cut to someone who wants their look to be clean, and effortless. The design and the style is clean and unforced. Curls are well shaped, and not product heavy, plus the back has layers for nice movement when you turn your head. I recommend this to clients with fine to medium curls who want a classy look with a bit of length. This cut does that very well.
#17: Rich Burgundy Curls in a Short Bob
I love that suggestion for the burgundy color! It gives enough of a pop to feel like a change without being jarring when it grows out since it’s so close to natural tones. It creates such beautiful depth on curly hair too! Every curl is going to catch the light a little differently, so it’s going to look amazing. Regarding the cut, it’s a short bob and it’ll be textured enough to move with the hair so it’ll be super soft and approachable. If this is the route you decide to go, I recommend getting a color depositing conditioner and using it every week. Your color will thank you!
#18: Layered Curly Cut with Natural Movement
The layers in this style are staggered so that each curl sits independently and avoids clumping. This creates movement, even in the photo. I’d say this is a low-effort, high-reward cut. The shape just does most of the work. All you need is a decent curl cream and maybe a diffuser if you’re in a rush. It looks great! If your hair is finer, you might want to ask your stylist to go easy on the layering. Too many layers on fine curls can make things look more wispy.
#19: Curly Pixie That Makes Short Hair Look Soft
Many people with curly hair believe that a pixie cut may look too harsh and masculine. Look at cuts like this; there is nothing harsh here. The curls soften the short sides, the short neck area, all of it. The slightly longer layers on top provide some variety to work with without giving you too much to fight against. This is an amazing haircut for an active person, or just someone who hates spending time on their hair. With a pixie, you will need to get trims more often though, probably every 4-5 weeks, to maintain the shape.
#20: Short Curls with Soft Volume and Easy Definition
Everything looks really soft, and I like that a lot. The curls are sitting nicely and not too loose or too defined. It’s super effortless and really pretty. It really shows your stylist cut the hair to fit the natural curl pattern instead of forcing a shape. Also, during the first weeks, you will start to get used to the hair and this cut will get better. On days you want to add a little more definition, just scrunch some product while your hair is damp. But to be honest, this hairstyle is great as it is.
#21: Modern Curly Pixie with a Tapered Back
What makes this pixie cut so stylish is the taper at the back. Without the taper, the hair would just look like a short curly hairstyle and look shapeless. The taper also gives a nice clean back to modernizes the entire style. Bouncy curls are a bonus along with the healthy and defined hair, and overall healthy hair is what matters more than any haircut or color. Curls are still beautiful, but when they are not cut well, they just end up being puffy. If you like this cut, you need to see a good curly haired pixie cut stylist, because the difference is huge.
#22: Textured Bob with Tight Curls and Subtle Highlights
This bob has some subtle highlights that might be missed depending on lighting. When the highlights are hit by the sun, they add lovely dimension to the curls, making them come alive instead of looking flat. The chin-length is really nice here and the curls are tight and well-defined. The fact that they don’t look gelled means the styling was done well. Curly hair at this length can be dry, particularly the ends, but with those healthy curls, my guess is that a deep conditioner is used weekly or every two weeks.
#23: Curly Bob with a Micro Fringe for the Bold
I mainly like micro fringes and curly hair because they add an artsy eccentric touch to the whole cut that a regular bob simply lacks. Defined curls and bangs that are short enough to avoid eye obstruction and weird curl-up bangs do pose risk with curly hair bangs. Gray highlights can age you, but paired with the playful nature of the cut, they give a nice modern dimension that will not age you. If this speaks to you, chances are you can pull it off. Not everyone can pull this off.
#24: Ringlet Bob with Great Bounce
You can literally see how bouncy and lively the hair is because of the springy appearance of the ringlets in the haircut. Each individual ringlet is getting layered in such a way where each curl is free to fully coil without being held down by the curl next to it. That is what a lot of stylists miss when creating a curly cut that retains shape versus one that just falls flat after a single day. If your natural curls form ringlets like the ones in the image, you just need to find a good stylist, and actually get out of the way because you are almost done with your hair.
#25: Curly Lob with Warmth and Dimension
When a client sits in my chair and says she wants something short, I recommend this length because a lob on curly hair looks much shorter due to the significant shrinkage. This length also gives the option to pull it back or wear it down, depending on your mood. These highlights are warm and subtle and add a rich and interesting look to the curls in the sunlight. They aren’t obvious or stripey like traditional highlights. I think the polish of this cut really sells it, but I also think it’s the personality that makes it work so well.
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