Choosing the correct cut for curly hair can be a challenge. The sheer amount of volume and texture makes the blessing become a curse. Luckily, as of September 2026, there are 25 popular haircuts for curly hair trending online. It doesn’t matter if you want a cut that is short, medium, or long. These haircuts are guaranteed to inspire your next trip to the salon.
Walking into a salon and saying “I just want something that works WITH my curls for once” goes to show the frustration from clients towards the way many salons cut curly hair. With the precise haircut and technique, it should feel natural, tailor to your features, and not look like a mass of curls. It’s best to look for a stylist who knows how to shape, layer, and cut curls in a way that flows naturally rather than creating an 80s-style poof. We’re well into the 2020s, and we can do better than that!
I’ve come across 25 of the most trendy curly haistyle for September 2026, and I have to say, there are SO many good ones. Some will certainly be going on my chair tomorrow, some just feel more like a vibe for the right person, and a few made me want to grab my phone and text my curly clients immediately. Let’s jump right in!
#1: Soft Curly Cut with the Cutest Bangs Situation
How about these bangs? They sure have a fun and spunky look to them, and although many tend to steer away from trying them out, once they do the common response they receive from others is \”Why did I wait this long to try these out?/\” This hairstyle is stunning, the combination of soft and bouncy curls falling just below the shoulders, and bangs that add a little more spunk and character to the whole vibe. Those layers create beautiful movement and flow without having to do a ton of maintenance to avoid split ends every 3 weeks. However, are you ready for the commitment that comes with bangs? You can expect to trim them every 4-5 weeks, so factor that into your decision!
#2: Textured Curly Updo That Actually Has Some Life to It
I am fond of a curly updo that maintains the natural texture of the hair rather than smoothing it down. This one does just that as it also elevates the hair at the crown. The volume on the top is key! You’ll get that natural lift if your hair is medium density, which is such a bonus. And those little accessories? They are a nice detail and a good way to go from ‘I just threw my hair up’ to ‘I styled my hair up!’ If you’re doing this for an event, make sure to use a good curl defining product to ensure everything stays neat and intentional instead of looking frizzy.
#3: Long Curly Hair That’s Giving Main Character
Amazing hair like this can take time and work to achieve, and it looks incredible! It looks like those long curls were set using an iron before being bounced, and those face framing curls are like WOW! They soften everything and make your hair appear less structured, while still framing your face and giving curtain bang vibes. If your curls end up drying out and losing definition like by day two, you are going to need a solid routine to keep those long curls looking good. I mean that is gonna take regular deep conditioning, with some curl cream you like, and a restriction on what days you can skip to keep up wash day. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s going to look fabulous!
#4: Bold Curly Afro with Those Golden Highlights Though
I love the highlights in this hairstyle! The golden tones against the rich brown really brighten the hair up. I also think the comment about how highlights look different on straight versus curly hair was a good point. It is true that the light bounces off curls in a way that is different than a straightened effect. The shoulder length, voluminous curls are great for a casual everyday style and the curls around the face look youthful and lively. Just remember to maintain moisture in your curls because highlighted curls can be dry.
#5: Voluminous Bouncy Curls with Smart Layering
The layering on this cut is incredible and it may easily go unnoticed. Each curl is purposely layered so the curls can spring up without creating a triangular look (which is the challenge with thick curly hair). Insufficient layering can cause the hair to look flat at the top and wide at the bottom, and that is something to avoid at all costs. To achieve the desired look without the hair being weighed down a lightweight mousse would work perfectly.
#6: Pink Curly Cut That’s Not Messing Around
THE PINK. I get that bright colors are a commitment, but let me tell you how INCREDIBLE a vibrant pink would look on short bouncy curls! Just imagine how every single curl would be it’s very own little explosion of color! The light and shadow *dimension* along the curl pattern is a look that is super unique to curly hair. You won’t get that with straight hair. If your hair is on the thicker side, this length will give you so much more fullness and body. Most importantly, you *will* be in the salon frequently for color upkeep becasue with all the moisture that curly hair needs, fashion colors are going to fade quickly. If you love a bold statement, this is definitely your time!
#7: Half Up Curly Situation That Just Works
I like this style a lot, and because of that, I recommend this style to a lot of my clients with curly hair. It gives lots of nice height and allows you to showcase your beautiful curls while getting the hair out of your face. You know those styles where it looks like you put in a ton of effort, but in reality, you didn’t? This is one of them. Be mindful of the humidity because this style is going to be influenced by it. The best way to control the curls is a lightweight curl cream.
#8: Long Layers on Curls Done RIGHT
An example photo shows how long the layers on curly hair should be. I want to show this photo to every stylist who has taken a pair of scissors and cut straight across on a curly client. These layers work with the curl pattern to create movement and bounce, instead of fighting it. This will look great on medium to thick hair because you get all the volume and the layers will prevent it from feeling too heavy or shapeless. I would suggest getting a diffuser, and if you don’t have one already, drying this with a regular nozzle is going to blow out all the beautiful curl definition.
#9: Shoulder Length Curls with Serious Volume
The volume in this cut is amazing! For me, the shoulder length on this style is the best part. I think it is the sweet spot for curly hair. It’s long enough to provide weight and movement to the curls, but short enough that the curls don’t get stretched out and lose their bounce. The layers are done well and are keeping the bulk in the right place, so you can enjoy fullness without having a mushroom situation. And look at the shine! Healthy, hydrated curls and you can’t fake that. It comes from taking care of your hair. If your curls look dull, regular deep conditioning will change your life.
#10: Soft Mid Length Cut with Really Pretty Face Framing
I love a medium length curl that sits just below the shoulders because it’s the most versatile length for curly hair. Wearing it down, pulling it back, or half up in a bun looks intentional every time. What drew me in the most for this specific style was the face framing detail. It’s not layer-y in an 2008 sort of way, but it does make a difference to the overall style around the face. This is one of those haircuts that you can get it and just live your life, which is the dream.
#11: Full Volume Curls with That Polished Curl Definition at the Ends
The curl definition at the ends stood out to me because ends can look rough and curly cuts can look frayed, but these ends are polished and intentional which elevates the cut in a way that is hard to explain until you see it next to curls that are scraggly at the ends. This layered cut is ideal for medium / thick density hair and something that feels put together but not stiff is perfect. Honestly, it’s one of those styles that looks better in motion than it does in photos.
#12: Curly Ombre That Actually Looks Good on Curls
Curly hair ombres often resemble grown-out roots, which isn’t a great look. However, this one works. The transition from dark roots to light gold is done at the right place so it follows the curl pattern. It helps that the curls are well defined so the color shift is very clear. At this length, the maintenance for both the color and the defined curls is a commitment. You’ll want to have a color safe shampoo and moisturizing products to keep everything in check.
#13: Neon Yellow Curls for When You Really Mean It
Let’s talk about this hair color. It’s not for someone who is weighing all their options. This color is for people who have made a decision, and I love that for them. This color will wow a lot of people, and it definitely is a bold decision. I think yellow will spark a ton of conversations about the owner of the hair, and curly locks are a great example. I think each of the owner’s curls will react differently to the color, which will make it very bright and ever so slightly different, and you know that already. I understand that I have a lot of upkeep to do. Choosing the color is an option, but it may not be the best outlook to have, and if you ask the curator to opt for a vivid process, it probably won’t be great for my curls. That picture you showed better be worth it, because it’s going to involve a lot of winter.
#14: Curly Bob with Highlights That Add the Perfect Amount of Dimension
I always recommend medium curly bobs with highlights to my curly hair clients that want a style that’s not too extreme. It’s a great way to freshen up your look. In this case, the highlights will help create a very modern look, because in the other case, the highlights would create a modern, dated look. And the curls will be more bouncy at this length because they won’t be weighed down as much. For thicker hair, this length will be ideal because the hair will have a nice, full shape to it, which will frame your face beautifully. And don’t forget to book your highlight touch ups too because they will grow out and lose that fresh feeling!
#15: Curly Half Updo with a Fun Accessory Moment
I believe more girls with curly hair should embrace hair accessories! Clips and other accessories show up much better in curls than in straight hair. Because of the way curls reflect light, hair accessories look awesome! With defined curls around the shoulders, this half-up hairdo looks amazing. All the hair is back so you can show off the clips which is such a fun way to upgrade your Tuesday do. There must be some great products behind all that volume in your curls, it looks fantastic!
#16: Textured Crop That Lets Your Curls Be the Star
I value haircuts that are short and curly because they allow the texture to be more natural, and this is a great example. The hair is cut just above the shoulders, and the curls are tight, defined, and bouncing EVERYWHERE. The face framing layers are opening everything up, so you see the person with the hair instead of the hair wearing them. This happens A LOT with curly cuts that are one length. It is a great first short cut because it still feels like you have length while giving you so much shape.
#17: Shoulder Length Curls with the Prettiest Soft Layers
This haircut is super easy to wear and that’s just what you need sometimes, not every haircut has to be a massive change. The soft layers that create movement and the face framing tendrils are just *chef’s kiss* for opening up the space around the eyes and cheekbones. Something like this is definitely going to be a humidity enemy, and if you live somewhere that gets muggy you will want an anti humidity product in your arsenal. What I really like about this haircut is how versatile it is with styling. You can either scrunch it for more definition or let it air dry for something a little more relaxed and either way, it looks great.
#18: Textured Curls with Warm Highlights That Make Everything Glow
The warm highlights in this make me want to call all my brunette curly clients and say, “let’s add some warmth.” LOOK how it makes the texture pop! Every curl seems illuminated from within. You don’t get this with a single solid color and it’s especially beautiful at this shoulder length because the curls have room to move. Once you have the shape established, this is a low maintenance curly cut, but I recommend getting a trim every couple months to prevent the ends from getting heavy. That’s when curly cuts start to lose shape and it can go a little blah on you!
#19: Defined Layers and Rich Highlights Working Together
It’s wonderful to see how great the cut and the color came out. Each curl will spring perfectly with the layering and highlighting to bring out the dimensional bounce. For medium-length hair, that color effect is stunning. You have the perfect amount of length to allow the color to shift and not so much that the layers disappear. This is the haircut that you leave the salon and for the next three days you can’t stop looking at yourself in every mirror and honestly, it should be.
#20: Copper Curls That Are Giving Me LIFE
I’ll admit copper hair and curly hair is an elite combination and I will die on this hill. The combination of warm copper tones and bouncy curls is fall sunshine incarnate and I am being completely serious. This shoulder length hairstyle lets the copper curls move and she’s got great curl definition! Now the thing about copper (as a hair color) is that it tends to fade quite quickly, especially if you are a frequent hair washer. You’ll want to really stretch those hair wash days and get a color depositing conditioner to last in between salon visits. It really is worth it!
#21: Bouncy Curly Cut with the Best Movement
Just check out the movement on this one! You can see how the layers are cut correctly just by how the curl structure is. This is a mid length style with defined curls that are bouncy and springy. People will want to reach out and touch your hair (please don’t though, we all know that is a thing and it’s weird). The face framing curls are doing a beautiful job of softening everything without being overly styled or too “done.” If your curl pattern gives you this kind of natural definition you honestly don’t need much, maybe just a leave in conditioner on wet hair and let it do its thing.
#22: Curly Shag with Face Framing Layers I’m Obsessed With
Curly shag haircuts have been perceived in many ways by people, whether they are ready to get a curly shag haircut or completely scared of getting one because they think it will look like a haircut from 1974. But I can assure you that modern versions of curly shag haircuts are completeIy different. For instance, the face framing layers in this photo do an exceptional job of creating nice angles around the cheekbones and jaw, while also giving an overall shape to the haircut that makes it look really great. The shape along with the layers provide an effortless cool vibe that, in my opinion, is not possible to achieve with other styles like rounded layers in curly hair. This precise haircut suggests to me that this individual has a good relationship with their stylist because the curls are well-defined, but also soft. If you are considering getting shag haircut, make sure you go to a stylist who specializes in cutting curly hair dry, because it makes a world of a difference.
#23: Voluminous Curly Shag with Modern Edge
You guessed it! Another curly shag because I’m obsessed! This one has more volume and the defind curls in the layers add a playful and youthful vibe. The length is perfect because it frames the face without closing in too much from the sides which happens with longer curly cuts. I think the best part of this one is the contrast of the soft layers and the defined curls. It feels modern and effortless. If you have looser curls though, you might need a bit more definition with a curling gel to really encourage the curls. But that’s an easy fix!
#24: Teal and Magenta Curly Lob That I Can’t Stop Staring At
THE COLOR IN THIS! The deep teal and bright magenta are giving me mermaid rockstar vibes and I am here for it! What I think is extra special about creative color on curls is how every curl captures the different colors in a unique way. It creates this mesmerizing effect as the hair moves. The length of the lob is perfect too because it’s long enough to see the color transitions but short enough to keep it bouncy. And, I’m gonna be real with you, maintaining two fashion colors is really a part-time job. You will need sulfate-free everything, cold water rinses, and regular salon visits. But if you looked at this picture and your heart sped up? You might as well do it.
#25: Elegant Curly Updo with a Gorgeous Hairpin Detail
We understand the importance of showcasing curly hair on updos by smoothening them out and transforming them into something unrecognizable, so I’ll finish with this one. This updo is fully textured so the curl pattern can be shown and the hairpin is just the right amount of class without crossing into too formal territory. The curls will provide an updo with a much more organic feel and without them, it will look a lot more rigid and straight. If your hair is medium to thick, it will be easier to create and maintain this volume and structure. A leave in conditioner will help define the curls and keep everything soft and fluffy throughout the day or night. A few bobby pins can be placed to hold everything in place and keep your texture from flattening.
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