Most people think that when you get a short curly haircut, there are fewer ways to style it. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! Short hair cuts let the curls be put to work, while long hair weighs them down and makes them all clump together. I’ve heard so many false ideas about curls, and I’ve watched so many clients come into my salon thinking that their curls could only be beautiful at one length. After the cut, they are always amazed at the definition of the curls.
About six years ago, one of my clients came to my salon and wanted a long bob, but I managed to persuade her to do a jaw-length cut. She used to flatiron her hair every day. When her hair dried naturally for the first time in those curls, she was shocked. She didn’t even recognize her own texture! Short curly hair is so freeing. It’s a totally new experience and a totally new relationship with your hair. Out of all the cuts I show clients, I point to these 25 haircuts the most. They translate from photo to real life like nothing else I can say about the haircuts I see online.
#1: Curly Lob with a Gorgeous Frame
I propose this particular cut for clients who wish to go shorter but are not ready to go shorter than collar bone length. The defined curls indicate that this person likely has a naturally consistent curl pattern, or possesses the discipline to adhere to an elaborate styling routine. At this density, shoulder-length curls are able to capture light, creating the movement illusion that longer hair tends to weigh down. The face framing is doing a lot of quiet work here. If you live in a humid climate, make sure to grab an anti-humidity gel, but the shape is forgiving enough that a little frizz adds to the texture.
#2: Silver Curly Bob with Easy Volume
Gray hair is something to be envious of, in addition, curl is something to be envious of. The curls create their own volume, and don’t come from some heavy layering that is easy to look like. This is the type of cut that ends up looking better in a few days as the curls relax and soften around the face. I’d keep this for the person that is happy to be gray and wants to look purposeful instead of in transition, because it certainly does. The layers are subtle enough so you won’t lose fullness as it grows out. This is more important than most people realise when choosing a shape.
#3: Curly Shag That Actually Works in Real Life
Shags get messy fast when there is bad placement of uneven layers, but this one has been well thought out. The soft layers provide movement without that thin, stringy look from over- aggression with a razor. There is a nice subtle color change through the mid-lengths which gives dimension with out screaming “highlights”, which I like. The length sits just right at that sweet spot just above the shoulders which is where the curls tend to spring up the most so it will read a little shorter than it looks in the photos when the humidity picks up. It is a really good cut for someone where texture is the goal.
#4: Defined Curly Crop at the Jawline
I think that cutting curls at jaw length can be hit or miss, but in this case, I believe it hits. The definition here is nice, and the curls are tight enough to hold shape without looking crunchy. I think this works really well for someone whose natural curl pattern is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. I think the cut is more about getting out of the way and letting the texture do its thing. Personally, I would go for a curl defining cream and apply it to super wet hair and that’s it
#5: Textured Crop with Soft, Lived-In Curls
The hair style has lots of volume which makes the look more youthful and fun than most short curly cuts. I suggest you stick with just a few products. A light curl mousse and some very low heat diffusing should do the tick to achieve the fun look. With this length expect to come in every six weeks for a trim. The shape will change as it grows and staying on top of maintenance is very important.
#6: Shoulder-Length Curls with Serious Fullness
Should your hair have this level of natural density, you know you are working with what most people would pay a lot of money to fake. The curls here are thick and well-hydrated, and at a length that maximizes volume without tipping into the territory where the weight starts to stretch things. This is the kind of cut where the right conditioner matters more than any styling product. You want those curls plump and moisturized from the inside, not just coated. For the styling of your hair loose is definitely the best option, but if you want it out of your face, pulling the front pieces back with a clip works quite well.
#7: Tight Curly Crop with Warm Highlights
The highlights are placed where the curl will catch the light so the warmth looks like it belongs rather than sitting on top of the texture. Curls this tight and this short are about as low maintenance as it gets. Moisture is non-negotiable. Weekly deep conditioning will be necessary to keep the curls soft and to avoid the dry, matte look that tight curl patterns can develop. The shape of this style flatters a wide range of face shapes because the volume is evenly distributed rather than concentrated in one area.
#8: Soft Crop with Airy, Delicate Curls
This method tends to work best for those with finer curls wanting to look like they have more hair. The curls will give the hair a nice loose airy look which will create a nice illusion to give you more volume. The right cut will be important to make sure it doesn’t look heavy. Try not to touch it too much once dry, because touching finer curls too much breaks the pattern and then you’re just wrestling your hair for the rest of the day. Once it’s styled, leave it alone.
#9: Curly Shag with a Subtle Balayage
This balayage looks very subtle, which is how balayage on curls should look. It adds warmth through the mid-lengths and depth that makes the whole cut look more expensive than it probably was. The shag shape gives this natural movement that you really can’t get with a blunt cut with this hair type. With trims, I’d keep the layers longer so you don’t lose that soft drape around the face. It reads as effortless and slightly bohemian. It would look just as good running errands as it would at a dinner.
#10: Silver Crop with Beautiful Curl Definition
The silver hair alongside the curl definition showcased in the pictures is great, but in reality, it’s even more amazing. The ear-length haircut is very neat, and the curls bring all the fun you could ask for. I think this is one of those styles where the real life compliments will far outnumber the on-screen ones because of the movement in the defind silver curls. To refresh those curls that have flattened out and avoid wetting the whole head, a lightweight curl refresher spray works really well!
#11: Curly Crop with Volume and Clean Lines
This hairstyle exudes confidence due to the contrast of the neat, short sides compared to the fuller curls on top. It is able to achieve an architectural feel without being too structured, which is no easy feat. For this look, curls of medium density are ideal as they hold form without being too heavy (or too sparse) at the crown. I wouldn’t change the styling here too much, as it seems like it’s being left to dry on its own, which is a good thing. A good curl cream applied to damp hair and diffused should get you to this result.
#12: Tightly Structured Curls in a Close Crop
This is a very exact cut where every curl is very order. It is so clean that it seems sculpted. I wouldn’t recommend this cut for someone who wouldn’t want to maintain it because once it starts growing out, tighter curls at this length will lose their shape a lot quicker than looser patterns. But when it’s fresh, there is nothing like it. The volume to length ratio is perfect.
#13: Bold Color on a Short Curly Crop
I appreciate the dedication to color on close curls. The density shows off the color wonderfully, and each individual curl refracts light in a unique way, resulting in a kaleidoscope of color that a looser texture would not be able to create. The upkeep for a color this bold and vibrant will be a challenge. Curls require more maintenance due to porosity, and irregular fading is common. A color depositing conditioner will be essential starting on day one. Regardless of the maintenance, the color will still be a great addition to the style.
#14: Bouncy Crop with Sun-Kissed Highlights
The highlights make the effect you want in certain areas on your face and in the top layers where the curls reflect the light the most. For hair that is medium to thick, this cut has just the right amount of volume without being too much. I like that the curls looks bouncy and not crunchy or overdone, which shows me the styling was very soft. Not every curl cut needs to look sharp. Sometimes the best version is the one that has a lot of movement.
#15 Tousled Curly Pixie with Personality
I enjoy cutting curly pixie styles because thick hair does a lot of the work for us. When cutting this type of hair, the right approach is to add to the shape and volume instead of trying to control it. Gradually growing out a pixie cut shows more quickly than with most other haircuts. You’ll want to come in for trims every 4-5 weeks. But the good thing is, on a daily basis, styling time will be almost non-existent. This style is best for those who want to have the appearance of looking like they put in time on their hair, but actually find themselves getting little to no effort.
#16: Curly Pixie with Clean Sides and Defined Top
The shorter side of this pixie style create contrast against the top curls, achieving a modern look that is not too severe. Because volume is added to the top, which gives the look added height, and shorter sides keep the overall look well proportioned, this style is very flattering for oval and heart shaped faces. Maintenance mainly involves keeping the top curls hydrated and defined, while you can go a bit longer between trims on the sides. A well executed curly pixie really portrays that the person wearing it is purposeful about this style.
#17: Curly Crop with a Soft, Flattering Fringe
A curly fringe is often underrated. When people see them, they tend to be put off by the idea of having a fringe that will look weird or childish once it starts to shrink up because they don’t think about the potential that it could have. When done right, with consideration for curl shrinkage & without it being cut too short, a curly fringe can look beautiful. In this case, the density is finer which works to this cut’s advantage because it keeps the curl light and movable rather than heavy and stagnant. While the rest is air dried, you may just have to diffuse the fringe to get it to sit nicely and that’s just thirty seconds more to your morning routine.
#18: Curly Bob with Dense, Bouncy Texture
This curly bob is done well. There is good density and definition, good flattering shape without looking dated. The weight is managed beautifully by the layers so nothing is looking bottom heavy, which is the biggest mistake I see with curly bobs out in the wild. If your curls have this kind of defined, natural bounce, this cut is just clearing the path for what your hair already wants to do. That’s always the goal.
#19: Textured Crop with an Edgy Tapered Nape
The straightened nape changes the cut from being an ordinary curly crop to something with a point of view. It refines the neckline and gives some objective to the entire cut, which I think is something curly styles miss sometimes when the silhouette is too uniform all round. With the curls up top having sufficient volume and movement, the tapered back feels more like a styling choice than just having a shorter cut growing out. This one really shines from the side.
#20: Layered Curly Bob with Natural Movement
This layered bob is perfect for thick wavy and curly hair. It offers the perfect balance between removing bulk and keeping volume. The curls look natural which is a great look. It looks like someone added a little product and ran out the door. When the length is just above the shoulders, that is where thicker, curlier hair functions the best. It’s short enough to spring up and not enough weight to stretch out.
#21 Auburn Spiral Curls with Gorgeous Lift
Sunlight brings out the beauty of natural auburn highlights on curly hair. The layered cut creates extra volume at the top and helps fine curly hair achieve the fullness it usually lacks. I’ve used this technique on numerous clients and it’s always resulted in a transformative change. The cut was never too extreme, but it gave the curls space to move. This look will come with lots of frizz, so be sure to invest in a good anti-frizz serum and use it daily.
#22 Copper Curly Bob with Face-Framing Bangs
Copper creates a beautiful warm tone that mixes harmoniously with many curls. Each spiral shines with a different warm hue and adds richness to the whole head of hair. The side swept bangs create good balance to the overall style by softening the forehead, and drawing the attention to the cheekbones in a subtle way. I would recommend keeping the bangs long and side swept instead of trying to create a true curly bang which is a completely different situation. A light hold gel will keep it all defined without any stiffness.
#23 Espresso Curls with a Tapered Back
People usually tend to underestimate the color dimension on curls because the highlight and shadow details of the curl pattern show up all of the different colors in the curls. The tapered nape is also really flattering in an elongating the neck way, especially for shorter face shapes. The curls here show really good elasticity, which is a sign of moisture and health. Whatever wash routine this person is doing, they should continue to do it, because it looks really good. This is a polished practical cut, which is a blend I wish more people asked for.
#24 Chestnut Bob with Relaxed, Touchable Curls
The chestnut color is warm without being red, so it is a happy medium that will go with many different skin tones. I also think it is nice that the curls are soft and relaxed rather than stiff and tight. It makes the hair look inviting and touchable in a way that overly styled hair can’t. For this texture, shoulder length is ideal because the curl formation is relaxed enough that it could use a bit more length to sit well. Your morning routine is about to get incredibly easy because all you will have to do is scrunch in some water and maybe a bit of leave in to get the curls looking all right and that is literally all you will have to do.
#25 Brunette Bob with Natural Spiral Definition
The dark brown shade intensifies the spiral curls more than a lighter one would. The curls seem more dimensional, and there are more of them, with a dark shade under the curls. The bob is the perfect length because it creates volume without being heavy and thickens the look of the hair even if it is actually fine. A curly haircut looking polished and effortless is the highest compliment you can give it. Natural curls that are this uniform will find that this style requires almost no work.
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