50 Gorgeous Black Curly Hair Styles Full of Natural Beauty

#1: Tight Curly Bob with Caramel Face Frame

When I hear people say they want to look cute and polished, but don’t want to spend more than 5 minutes on styling their hair in the morning, I have a pretty unconventional recommendation. And, no, I don’t mean getting a chin-length bob that requires styling. What I do mean is an incredible haircut that works with your naturally tight curls. After this haircut, your curls will do about 90 percent of the styling. The same goes for the color; a nice caramel balayage with face framing highlights is almost like a colorist placed brightness where we want it. It really draws the eye to the face where everybody looks first. It definitely justifies the cost of a good salon visit. Maintaining a good deep conditioning routine is also a testament to how healthy curls look, so I know you have been good to your hair.

#2 Warm-Toned Curly Bob with Bouncy Bangs

To be quite honest, I’ll admit I have some very strong and personal feelings about curly bangs. I get questions about it all the time, so I guess that’s fair. When they really do work however, they do look good. Look at this example. These bangs have been cut to a length that allows the curl to fully spiral without hitting the forehead so they sit softly against the skin and don’t look like they are standing out like they’ve just been surprised. The warm copper brown tones in the bob give it a nice autumn cozy aesthetic and the volume is just right with balanced bob cut and bangs. If you’re planning to get curly bangs, I would recommend cutting them longer than you think because, once it’s done, you can’t take it back, but you can always go shorter.

#3 Curly Tapered Puff with Natural Texture

If you’ve fought with your texture for years and are finally ready to be free, I recommend this cut. The tight, natural curls on top are fantastic and well moisturized and styled curls look even better (that is the highest compliment I can give someone about their styling routine). There’s no tricks and no color. It’s all about embracing your natural curl pattern. I once had a client say she hadn’t seen her real curl pattern since she was twelve because she relaxed, pressed, and flat ironed her hair every single day. When we did a big chop like this, she sat there touching her hair for five minutes and I remembered why I love this job.

#4 Loose Curly Shag with Wispy Fringe

The Shag haircut trend is here and is deservedly taking off. It is likely the most universally flattering haircut for all curly hair types. This shag features classic crown layers and a wispy fringe that breaks up the forehead and essentially creates bangs without going the full bang route. The Shag is stunning with the texture and movement it creates, especially with curl types 3A-3B, like this beauty. The curl layers fall perfectly for that coveted, “I just rolled out of bed look” which also feels slightly retro. Many people fall in love with the Shag for this reason. If you decide to take this style to a stylist, be very clear that you want this look to be messy. Most stylists who aren’t familiar with the haircut will do a more polished version and likely ruin the magic.

#5 Chin-Length Curly Bob with Caramel Dimensions

Curly hair generally works for some chin lengths because the curls brush the jawline and create a certain softening effect that’s easy to see but hard to describe. This is that length! The highlights add just the right amount of visual interest, and the overall shape is nice and full without being too heavy. I love that this looks like a style someone actually lives with and not a style that was done to within an inch of its life for one photo. That’s the test for me on any curly cut–does it look like it could survive a Tuesday afternoon errand run, and still look this good?

#6 Dense Coily Afro Bob in Deep Black

Most people don’t recognize the beauty of natural black hair. It is truly stunning and so much more beautiful than the highlighted and balayaged hair that people seem so fixated on. This rounded bob style is a show stopper. It’s given me so much joy in a way I never thought. The curls are so dense they shadow the other curls and create so much depth. The shape is amazing and it doesn’t need color to look incredible because the overall round shape is perfect and there is just the right amount of extra height at the crown. If your hair is 4A or 4B curls, you do NOT need color to make your hair look interesting.

#7 Deep Reddish-Brown Shoulder Curls

This color evokes the image of a luxurious glass of red wine which is not easy to achieve as you might imagine. In this case, the hue is a deep reddish-brown and is multi-faceted. The roots have cooler burgundy tones, and as you transition towards the ends there are warmer pieces of copper. This is all possible due to the colorists mastery of how light reflects on curly hair versus straight hair. The shoulder-length bob with soft rounds is a classic design, it a style that will carry you through your 30s and even your 60s and beyond without ever looking dated.

#8 Playful Short Curly Pixie

People are often intimidated by the curly pixie cut because some perceive that shorter lengths are less feminine, if they are feminine at all. When I show someone a photo like this, I can literally see their mind change as I’m talking. The top curls are the perfect length for some bounce and personality while the sides are cut super short. I wish more people would go for this look. Out of all the haircuts on this list, this one is also the most low maintenance. The style is just so easy, you’re almost guaranteed to get it right. The aim here is to look like you’ve just rolled out of bed. It’s a super chill style and all you’re going to need is a bit of fluffing and that’s it.

#9 Copper-Kissed Desert Curly Bob

I appreciate how the right lighting can showcase the artistry behind a brand new color, and this one, in warm outdoor lighting, is just chef’s kiss. The copper tones winding through these dark curls look like sunlight painted them, and the bob shape is sitting at this really flattering mid-neck length that keeps everything compact and structured all while giving the curls full mobility. There’s a lesson I try to teach every one of my color clients and that is the importance of seeing a color in different kinds of lighting before committing to it. What looks like a rich warm color in fluorescent salon lighting is going to be a completely different vibe outside.

#10 Sun-Drenched Long Spiral Curls

I enjoy how the light bounces off the curls! This look is especially beautiful because of the clever color placement. The golden tones start at midshaft and most of the curl light reflects there. Because the roots are dark and rich, there’s no need to go to the salon every 6 weeks to avoid regrowth. This is high-commitment hair with low-maintenance color. If you want to have long curls but want to minimize your time in the salon, then this is the perfect combination. The spiral pattern is incredible, and the overall mass allows the curls to stretch rather than spring up tight, creating a lovely waterfall effect.

#11 Dramatic Long Curls with Center Part

It is impressive to rock long curly hair with a center part. It is a very bold style option. With all that hair, a part down the middle gives it a full and dramatic effect, making all the hair move, shift, and fall like curtains, and really makes an impactful statement. I also like the variation in the curls. There are some really tight curls and some looser waves. I love the warm highlights mixed in with the bottom half of the curls. It gives that “I have had this color for a long time and it grown out beautifully” look which I know takes a while to achieve. With that much hair, if you are a sleeper you are almost required to have some sort of silk pillowcase, or a bun on the top of your head; otherwise, it can get really tangled. It is the kind of mess that would consume your entire morning when it is time to detangle it.

#12 Dark Chocolate Afro-Textured Bob

I want to emphasize the beautiful dark chocolate hue and the texture of these curls. It’s best to keep the colors simple, because with a curl pattern this dense, too many contrasting colors could look busy and distracting. Great use of a single color to really let the curls shine. The cut is a classic rounded bob with very light A-line; longer in the front and shorter in the back. The angle at the back really adds a nice shape, so it doesn’t look like a helmet even with this level of curl density. Also, this is the kind of hair that really suits statement earrings. The richness of the color is a lovely contrast against the accessories.

#13 Rooftop Curly Fringe with Warm Highlights

I have another example of curly bangs and this time I really want to focus on the differences because they are very significant. In comparison to the other examples, these bangs are cut significantly shorter, reaching only as far as the brow bone, and the tight ringlets are a lot more subdued in this area. This gives the bangs a softer more flowing appearance instead of a more rigid and tightly coiled look. There are warm highlights that add some dimension to the hair and the hair falls just below the shoulders. Overall this creates a really well balanced effect. The bangs are a fantastic choice for someone considering a fringe and are on the fence about the commitment since the length is such that they blend into the hair perfectly. Plus, it will be easy to push them back.

#14 Deep Burgundy Curly Bob with Side Sweep

The burgundy shade used here is so soft that you might think this picture just has a boring color and scroll past it; however, it is worth looking at! The fullness and roundness of this bob is stunning, and the slight side-sweep not only adds to the polished look, but it also helps the whole cut stay from looking starchy and is the perfect finishing touch for a curly cut. If you’ve wanted to experiment with a fun color but don’t want to commit, then a gloss or semi-permanent color is a great way to dip your toes into color! It’s a beautiful way to ease into color and looks great over natural dark hair.

#15 Ultra-Long Honey-Dripped Cascading Curls

The first thing you notice when someone walks into a room is their hair, especially if it looks like this. It’s hair that goes all the way down to her chest, and the honey-blonde ombre is so perfectly blended from the roots to the ends that it looks like a gradient filter. It’s almost like a computer-generated editable filter, but it’s real hair. The curl definition is amazing all the way to the ends, which shows me this hair is very well kept, and it’s true that damaged hair loses their curl definition at the very bottom. That’s typically where the frizz and stray pieces are if the hair is not in good condition. You can definitely tell the amount of work that goes into keeping curly hair this long and healthy. I’m talking about trimming the ends every three months and making sure to do protein treatments along with the deep conditioning.

#16 Short Curly Pixie with Forehead Curls

I really like this curly pixie since it has a bit more length in front in comparison to the other one we looked at. Those extra curls that spill onto the forehead change the vibe of the cut instantly. It moves from sporty and sleek, to a tad more romantic and intentional. It’s crazy to think that such a small amount of hair can make such a change. The dark chocolate brown is kept simple and natural, no highlights make it look busy, and the form is a little longer at the crown and front while it’s kept short on the sides and back. If you have been going back and forth about a short curly cut and are unsure about how short is too short, this is a really nice in-between cut. It still feels like a big change but isn’t too risky.

#17 Long Center-Part Spirals with Warm Ombre

The center part is making a comeback, and honestly I think it even works better here because the length is making two perfectly symmetrical waterfalls of curls that frame everything from the cheekbones to the chest. The warm ombre starting about halfway down and deepens to a rich auburn at the very ends and the way the spirals catch and release light as they cascade is just one of those things that remind you why curly hair is objectively beautiful. I want to mention something about practicality, which is that with hair this long, your part will widen naturally over time because of the weight of the hair, so you will want to switch it up often or use a root cover spray if the part starts feeling too exposed.

#18 Warm-Toned Curly Bob with Natural Highlights

The last one is definitely the best to sum all this up. I could talk about black curly hair forever, and all my favorite things are in this picture. The curls are 100% natural and the color is a warm brown with some lighter pieces for dimension (not too many). It’s all about healthy hair and this hair is no exception. The length is universally flattering and so healthy. There are no products to weigh it down, no heat damage ruining the curl pattern, and no colors that overstep their boundaries. Hair is so refreshing to see, and I think that is an awesome closing thought. You can have the best hair energy without regard for your curl pattern, length, or even your age. This is the best kind of hair to have, and it’s the kind that really makes you feel great.

#19 Defined Spiral Bob with Subtle Bronze

This is definitely giving “I know exactly who I am and what my hair needs” and I am all for it. The definition of the spiral pattern is impeccable and each curl resembles a perfect little cylinder. The style looks sun-kissed with just the right amount of bronze highlights. My favorite part of this cut is the intentional asymmetry and how the curls fall with one side being heavier than the other. Those are the details that separate a good curly cut from a great one.

#20 Springy Defined Curls with Caramel Tips

This is one of those cuts that makes people think that it would take hours to style every day, but that really isn’t the case. This looks really easy to maintain. The curls have a good amount of caramel on the ends so the ends don’t all blend in together. They also hit the perfect chin to shoulder length, which goes with every face shape. With good prior planning, getting curls this defined, is very simple. It’s all about what you do the night before. With a good satin bonnet and retain spray, the curls will be refreshed and you will be good to go in a matter of a couple minutes.

#21 Long Curly Layers with Golden Balayage

When I see a healthy head of hair, I love to stop what I am doing. This is a special kind of hair to stop for. The amount of natural volume is to die for and is very controlled. This is all about how the layers are cut. Proper layers in curly hair lead to a wide variety of lengths. When done correctly, this results in a cascading effect versus one curl awkwardly sitting on top of another. The golden balayage through the midshaft and ends achieves what color should do on curly hair, flatten the color, and highlight the movement of the hair. The curly bangs are going to nice and frame the whole face and add that finishing touch, but I have to be honest. Bangs on curly hair do take more faith in the stylist. That’s because once they go, they go. If the bangs are cut too short, there is no going back.

#22 Rounded Short Curly Bob with Warm Undertones

In my opinion, the most underrated length of curly hair is right here, and I’ll defend that until the day I die. This length lies perfectly between a pixie and a bob and creates a gorgeous rounded shape that, I don’t know, makes it look like people have somewhere to be. The warm auburn highlights peeking from the dark base add a richness to the look that is not overdone. If you have been trying to grow your hair out and it never seems to feel right, perhaps it isn’t about the length. It may be about the shape and a cut like this is probably what you’ve meant to get to all along.

#23 Silver and Black Cropped Curly Crown

WHAT ABOUT GRAY CURLY HAIR? It’s a shame to see women coming in and wanting to completely cover their silvers. This look is STUNNING and people pay to cover it? This close-cropped look lets the salt and pepper do all the lifting. The way the silver and darker curls play with light and dark contrasts created a depth that no colorist could replicate. The tapered sides keep the look clean and the volume on top is just enough to give it personality without too much fuss. This is a wash and go in the truest sense of the term. Perhaps a little curl defining cream to finish and that’s it!

#24 Bouncy Ombre Curls with Copper Fade

This ombre looks nice, and it could be due to the sun. The roots are dark and blend to a warm copper. There are no harsh lines anywhere because of how natural and bouncy the curls are. I also appreciate this length. It’s the perfect length to be able to tie it back and also short enough that it dries in a reasonable time. If you have curly hair, you’ll understand how much of a factor that is. This curl pattern is springy enough to shrink about 2 inches when dry. Keep that in mind when you show your stylist a picture like this.

#25 Textured Collarbone Curls in Dark Espresso

A single hair color enhances its natural curl and texture. The espresso brown coloring adds warmth and highlights to the curls under natural light, contrasting the almost black appearance the color has under artificial light. Every curl and color variation becomes visible and sculptural. The collarbone length allows the hair to move freely and creates lots of movement in the curls. The style is rounded and full. Although it appears like a trim is needed, it really isn’t. The beauty of this style is in its simplicity, and I believe this is one of those cases.

#26 Soft Caramel Swirl Shoulder-Length Curls

This hairstyle appeals to me for a specific reason. It looks as if a person could say about this style, “she just woke up like that”. It also looks like more effort was put in to choose the colors that are highlighted. With the highlights, the brightness draws the eye up to the outer curls and the face framing pieces so it seems like every curl was touched. The cut is also perfect for the weight as it gives the ends that bluntness so that it doesn’t collapse into a triangle shape. This is my number one complaint as a stylist for clients with curls who are trying to grow their hair out. If all your curls are puffing out at the sides during that awkward range, the solution is to add some layering through the crown.

#27 Full Volume Curly Bob with Honey Ringlets

I’m going to take a moment to appreciate the creativity behind this cut! It’s not every day you see curls this round! I know first hand how difficult this is to achieve and how much practice is needed to understand how curls will shrink, stack and create volume. I imagine when the owner of this head of hair did the cut, it was pulled straight down as it was done wet for sure and just when it dried it formed this beautiful sphere of curls. The honey tones are also good work and gives each individual curl a personality of its own. The even distribution of the curls all around the head gives an overall lighter feel and not one side being heavier tells me this was done with a dry cut technique, or at the very least adjusted dry curls, and that’s what I always recommend for cuts like this. If your stylist does not cut your curls wet and then does not check the overall shape after the curls have dried, find another stylist.

#28 Warm Honey-Highlighted Curly Bob

I think people really underestimate how good warm highlights on curly hair can look. They create more of an illusion of depth because with each curl reflecting light at varying angles, the highlights end up looking more dimensional. I mean just look at this beautiful shoulder length bob! The warm caramel and honey highlights blended in with the dark brown is so nice! Warm highlights really enhance the curl pattern of the hair so much. A couple of months ago, I had a very nervous client because her previous colorist actually burned her ends with bleach, so she was very protective of her hair. We did a balayage with lightener that kept the lightener away from her roots. She came back to me six weeks after and told me that she received several compliments from people at the grocery store. That feedback is everything!

#29 Warm Chestnut Curly Lob with Side Part

The side part here offers way more complexity than it really gets credit for. When you deep part curly hair like this, you instantly get more volume on one side, and a sleeker, more polished to-the-head look on the other. It creates this really pretty asymmetry with slightly elongated effect on the face. The chestnut brown and auburn pieces are warm without being too loud, and for darker skin tones it rich enough to compliment the warmth well. This great lob length is perfect for anyone wanting to feel like they have ‘long’ hair without the commitment of the maintenance chest length curls would require (totally valid, by the way).

#30 Silver Coils Cropped Close

If I’m being honest, I am not sure what else I can say to take this up a notch. The silver is all in, the coils are tight, healthy, and shaped into a gorgeous perfect round circle that is beautiful on the head. The look radiates a confidence that no hairstyle can match. I recall a woman who came in once who, after decades of dyeing her hair, wanted to go fully gray. It took about eight months of careful growing and cutting to get there, and when we finally got there, she said for the first time she felt she could look at herself in the mirror. That has stuck with me. If you are considering growing out your gray I would say go for it, and this short curly crop is the neatest way to get through the awkward stage of the transition.

#31 Waist-Length Caramel Highlighted Curls

Let me be real with you about long curly hair like this one. It’s breathtaking, and I would definitely stare at that picture all day, but keeping it looking nice is a serious commitment. You can expect to spend some solid time detangling it after every wash, and plan on doing a deep conditioning treatment at least bi-weekly. You will also require a ridiculous amount of patience. The caramel highlights provide good movement and dimension to the length of hair, and the layering is done so that it doesn’t all clump together. As for the end result… it is definitely worth it. A good wide tooth comb and some leave in conditioner will be essential.

#32 Tapered Curly Crop with Copper Peekaboo

With this style, the design of the cut is literally the majority of the work. The tapers are super clean, and the curls on top are coily enough to stack without flopping over. The copper highlights under the dark brown are just enough to keep it from looking too plain. I have had versions of this cut on women working corporate jobs, and were nervous about going that short, but every single one of them came back saying they wished they had done it years earlier. The morning routine is actually pretty sad because of how little effort you have to put in. Literally just wet your hair and scrunch in your product and you are done.

#33 Shoulder-Grazing Curls with Subtle Highlights

The first thing that stuck out to me about this hairstyle was how perfectly imperfect it is. I love how messy it looks— in the best possible way. The curls look so natural instead of looking super styled for a photoshoot. All of the curls being different in size is super cool and adds to the look. The warmth from her highlights adds dimension to her darker base and keeps it from looking flat. The curls perfectly graze her shoulders and give her that energetic hair movement that longer styles or shorter styles definitely won’t give her. I am obsessed with this shoulder grazing look!

#34 Deep Plum-Tinted Medium Curly Layers

This brown color is not one-note. If you look closely, there is some plum hiding in the mid-lengths of the hair, and it may not show on camera, but it shows in the right kind of light, and I am living for it. This color choice is secretly the best; a lot of people won’t be able to describe what’s different and people will think you look great for no reason.

The medium-length cut, with layers starting around the chin, creates a look where the curls expand to have a really wide silhouette, so the finished look is polished without any straightening or other styling.

#35 Full Bodied Curly Bob with Warm Highlights

This shape is very clever. The curls are cut for maximum fullness at the sides and taper slightly toward the bottom. This creates a stunning almost-mushroom shape, and while that may sound strange, it’s incredible in real life. The warm highlights are in the front, and in the outer layer of curls so that the color really pops in the front. From the back, it is quite dark and moody. I appreciate that it gives the versatility of two different styles, whether that was done on purpose or not.

#36 Sleek Tight Curls with Volume Reduction

If you’ve sat in my chair and said “I love my curls but I just want LESS of them,” I’ve been thinking about this cut. The before picture screams lion’s mane and while that is gorgeous, not everyone wants to make that hair commitment every morning. The after picture still has all of her curl definition, but looks much more balanced and controlled to her face. This is one of those haircuts that people won’t be able to put their finger on what is different, and that’s the best kind of haircut! If you have thick curls and have been spending more time on your hair than you would like, go for it.

#37 Lush Shoulder-Length Curly Bob

I really love this one. It’s incredible how the design does everything without seeming to try too hard, which is the goal. The curls sit at shoulder length and create soft but intentional framing of the face. It’s soft like someone who looks amazing but didn’t wake up an hour early to get ready. The volume is there but not overly so. My only real talk is humidity will definitely try to ruin this for you so get yourself a good anti humidity gel and keep it in your bag like it’s your wallet. It’s not negotiable.

#38 Natural Volume Curly Bob with Defined Spirals

The specialness in this style comes from the layering, and it’s not often that I say this about a layered style, because more often than not, layering in curly hair just ends up in a triangle head situation. But, not here. This person knows how to take volume out without destroying the shape around the head, and every curl is perfectly placed. This type of haircut makes me want to do some face framing highlighted because the dimension is already there and a little warmth in the front would take it from great to unreal.

#39 Effortless Radiant Short Curly Taper

People who said that they would never go shoulder length or shorter will get this cut and turn into short hair people. The taper accentuates the jawline and the natural volume on top keeps it from looking too severe. This haircut is really playful but also mature and it’s really hard to come by, but this haircut achieves it. Have a good moisturizing curl cream ready to go because they will dry sooner than you think and once they lose the bouncy curl they will look a lot different.

#40 Chic Tapered Natural Curly Cut

I proposed this cut to about thirty clients this year. All of them came back and thanked me. So there’s that. The taper removes unwanted bulk and the top keeps those well-defined curls. And those lovely curls remain in the spotlight. It’s a rare talent that most face shapes can pull that off. Regular deep conditioning is the only real requirement. If you’re already doing that, then congrats! You’re winning and this cut is waiting for you.

#41 Bouncy Shoulder-Length Curls with Face-Framing Layers

These layers are a little sneaky, but I love how they are adding volume in all the right spots while still keeping a lightweight look that won’t be overpowering when you walk into a room. The gentle layers that frame the face are softening, and the natural black color with a curl texture is a richness that no dye can replicate. I will say though that you need to be realistic about the upkeep. Once those layers start to grow out uneven, the magic will be gone. But just how fresh are we talking? That’s everything.

#42 Charming Jaw-Length Curly Bob with Glasses

The accomplishment of finding that hairstyle to suit those glasses is exceptional. One can see that this person recognizes the connection between hair and accessories. The bob reaches the jaw line and permits the curls to function without competing with the frames. The gentle layering keeps the helmet look at bay. This is a great wash-and-go case for anyone with eleven minutes in the morning and who won’t take twelve. You’ll only be required to use a leave-in conditioner and you’re set.

#43 Stunning Spiraled Curls in Ombre Mocha

This is how you add color to curly hair without looking like a kindergarten craft project. The ombre effect from deep mocha, fading into lighter ends is stunning. The way it captures the curl pattern is so mesmerizing, it looks sun-kissed, which I consider to be the best compliment for color work. I love the chin-length cut because it allows the spirals to have just the right amount of weight to hold their shape while still keeping a lot of bounce. If you want color but are nervous about the commitment or the potential for damage, this is the approach I would recommend every time. Make sure to invest in color-safe shampoo because that mocha will wash out faster than you think.

#44 Twist-Out Perfection on Mid-Length Curls

I love well-done twist outs! They honor the integrity of the hair which as a stylist I appreciate immensely. nnThere was no heat or excessive manipulation. Just good technique and a tremendous amount of patience. The end result speaks for itself. nnThe curls have an excellent definition and nice twist out quality. Each section of curls is separated, but the overall look is very cohesive. The volume is also on point. Not too much, and not too little. nnHere’s the truth that no one tells you. If you skip the nighttime re-twist and the satin bonnet, day two will be a completely different look from day one. But that’s just the truth of the matter, and it’s not a deal breaker.

#45 Exquisite Medium-Length Curly Cascade

Many stylists are hesitant to layer curly hair, but this stylist embraced the challenge. This is what gives the airiness that is typically absent in medium-length curly cuts. The layers provide that airiness. For curly hair, shoulder length is ideal as it provides you with the option to let it fall loose or tie it up. This is a flexibility that most people do not consider when selecting a length. The natural color is warm and rich which means it will be complimentary to a wide variety of skin tones without the need to add anything to it.

#46 Vibrant Short Natural Coiled Top

I love the vibe with this cut. It’s got so much confidence and self assurance and the coils are so defined. The construction looks intentional 360 degrees and short styles like this are among my top favorites. The style gives me the impression of having a lot of self confidence, assurance, and personality. There is not a lot of room for error because each cut is so defined and leaves nothing to be desired. Expect to come in for trims more frequently than with longer styles, every 3 – 4 weeks would be good. The daily effort will be very minimal so the frequent trims are more than worth it.

#47 Timeless Mid-Length Dense Curly Cut

The impressive length of your natural hair deserves applause, but the curls are a whole other level of skill! The layering is also very well done, makes the volume look quite effortless. With hair like this, you glance at it and are immediately ready to go bungee jumping into all that fun shape. The cut looks high maintenance, but the shape is super easy to maintain and that’s the skill we all want! A curl defining gel on wash day and you’re good to go!

#48 Delicate Twisted Curls on Shoulder-Length Hair

The warmth of the brown tones highlights the style and adds dimension without taking away from the gorgeous curls. Setting the curls takes time, but the good part is that they maintanin their shape after a casual lunch to a classy dinner. Curls that appear effortless require some work at the start, but they excel the most at the end.

#49 Playful Honeycomb Defined Curls

How beautiful the light plays with the coils! Each curl looks as if it was put in by hand! These tight coils are perfect at shoulder length because they’re long enough to show their curl pattern but not so long that the weight stretches the coils out and loses their bounce. I know that it’s important for some of you to look good in photos because this style looks really good in them and I don’t want to judge. Just remember to keep your hair moisturized because defined coils get thirsty really fast and we don’t want dry and frizzy coils after everything we’ve done.

#50 Elegant Cascading Curly Layers with Subtle Highlights

For me, the most impressive thing is the commitment to growing out their hair to their mid-back. This is especially impressive with the amount of curl density and how amazing it looks. The lighter colored highlights blend into the darker strands of hair and provide a more 3D appearance. The layers also contribute to the hair looking more alive instead of just a heavy mass. There is a lot of work that goes into this style, but the payoff is worth it. Deep conditioning and other protective measures during the night are a must and if you skip them it will show. If you want a lot of strangers to come up to you while you’re out shopping, then this is the type of curly hair that will get that kind of attention!