Most people are not aware of the confusing information that is given to curly girls. A lot of people try to give advice without experience with curly hair. Just a few days ago a woman sat in my chair and I had to convince her to let me do something with her hair. She had been straightening her hair for years because years ago someone told her that her hair looked “messy”. After some convincing I got to do a curly cut and she was very emotional about it. I hear similar stories all the time.
People with long curly hair are often disappointed because they do not realize how much a good haircut can impact their hair. People get very frustrated at their hair and end up buying lots of expensive products because of it. The answer is almost never in the products. If someone wants to work with their curls instead of fight against them, they need to prioritize the right products and the right hair cut to go with it. I have collected 15 photos of long curly hair that I like and I am going to discuss each of them and explain why I like them. Most of these are styles that I would be most excited to do on a client.
#1: That Warm Tawny Color with the Perfectly Soft Bounce
She certainly woke up blessed, and this look is a result of a fortunate morning. While the statement is playful, the hair speaks to the effort. It is a well-executed cut, permitting the hair to exist in its natural state while avoiding excessive bulk at the ends. The tawny shade has soft variances in tones to provide depth to the hair without the cost of a million highlights. If you have thicker hair, this is the look for you. It strikes a balance between polished and relaxed. The side part provides the finishing touch, framing the face gently without being overdone.
#2: That Bold Red with ALL the Volume
The effort put into this color choice is phenomenal! I love this color! It’s a wonderfully, richly, deep, and dark red that looks gorgeous on camera. Definitely do not plan on keeping this color out for an extended period of time, because it will be a consistent trip to the salon to keep this color bright. On top of that, you have to use a special color, sulfate free shampoo to protect the color on wash days. The curls look great! They look so nice and thick and help create a deep and velvety richness that you won’t be able to get with red if you have lighter, finer hair. If you are a naturally curly person who has been toying with the idea of having red hair, do it! Just make sure you are prepared to keep it up!
#3: Deep Espresso Spirals That Just Keep Going
I really like the look of deep brown, curly hair. The way light bounces off and reflects off the curls creates an effect that straight hair cannot do. The depth and reflectivity of the light at different angles can give it a 3D look. The cut is very nice, as it directs the curls to fall around the face without making a triangle, and by that I mean that the hair isn’t flat at the top and giant at the bottom. There is none of that with this curly cut, and I appreciate the stylist for it. Using a good moisturizing curl cream will help maintain the look of the curls, as tight spiral curls tend to dry out.
#4: Curly Bob with Bangs and a Whole Lot of Personality
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the fun that this style brings! A curly bob with bangs is a hairstyle that can be risky, but the outcome can be very rewarding. These bangs will be soft enough to not be a nightmare on humid days — this is my main concern when people ask for curly bangs. And the volume in this photo is natural! It hasn’t been styled within an inch of its life, which is what leaves it that effortless, cool factor. I will say that deeper colors will need touch ups sooner than you’d expect to keep it from looking too washed out, but the actual cut is pretty low maintenance! If you are a curly girl, this is a hairstyle you need to try. And if you’ve been wanting to go shorter but you’re scared, show your stylist this photo!
#5: Those Golden Blonde Curls with the Effortless Energy
I’m getting some really specific ‘I grew up surfing and my hair just does this’ vibe and I love it. The golden highlights are so gorgeous on warmer skin tones but let’s be real, going this blonde from naturally dark curly hair is a process. We are talking multiple sessions, possible damage, and a purple shampoo is going to be a necessity to keep the brass at bay. But if you’re only going a few shades lighter or this is your natural color? Then this volume and curl pattern is just chef’s kiss. The way the curls fan out and soften around her face is really doing something special.
#6: Caramel-Toned Curls with So Much Dimension
Caramel color dimensional on curls is one of my favorites. I love the way each of the ringlets is going to reflect light. That is something that you do not get when the hair is straight. Being a curly girl has its benefits! This blended caramel color is gorgeous! I thought it was sun-kissed. You need a master colorist for that kind of coloring. PLEASE do not go to a bargain shop and let them ruin it. I can see the curls are defined all the way through so she probably using a good hold product, like a curl defining gel, because those spirals are there to the very ends and they are not frizzing out. Very pretty for transitioning into warmer months as well.
#7: Rich Chestnut Spirals with That Effortless Volume
When you have thick, curly hair, and you choose to let it be free, you get this kind of hair that causes people to stop you to ask if that is all your hair, which of course, is all yours. Chestnut brown is my favorite because it looks good on everyone, and it’s a richer color, but with a less maintenance compared to other colors. If you live in a super humid area, you’re definitely gonna have to add an anti-frizz product to your hair care routine. Moisture in the air makes hair have opinions, and with this much hair, it’s gonna be a problem. A little frizz on curls like this, honestly, adds to the overall vibe, and not everything has to be Instagram perfect.
#8: Copper Curly Shag with Bangs, Yes PLEASE
You can see that I LOVE curly shag haircuts, and I love to recommend them! I especially love this look on thick hair because it creates a lot of texture and shape while still keeping a lot of volume. The bangs are absolutely ethereal. They are so perfectly retro in a good way, and the style is so on-trend without looking too costumey. I think the copper color is a huge winner. It is so much better than flat, solid brown, and it really warms up the whole look. Because of the way this cut is designed, it actually looks good as it grows out, which is great because who wants to come back to the salon every 6 weeks? With shaggy layers, you will definitely want to keep up with deep conditioning treatments because they can get dry at the ends. I think it’ll be worth it!
#9 Golden Caramel Ringlets That Are Giving EVERYTHING
The warm golden caramel color of the hair is softening and very fresh looking. It really goes to show how much care was put into the hair. And I love it! The curl definition from root to tip is consistent and so stunning. To style and achieve these types of curls can take a lot of work, including a solid curl enhancing mousse, sectioning the hair, a good amount of patience, and an air dry (or diffuse). If you enjoy the process, then the payoff is definitely worth it.
#10: Ash Blonde Tousled Curls with That Lived-In Look
I consider this “fancy messy,” and I mean that as the biggest compliment possible, considering how hard this is to pull off! The color is more ashy and cooler in tone than the majority of blondes, which is why I think it feels so fresh. Plus, it is nice to see something that isn’t the warm, beachy blonde that is super basic and everyone and their mother has been asking for since 2016. The curls are super flattering and give off that I just woke up like this vibe, which look good on pretty much everyone because they aren’t too puffy in one area. This particular style will look really good if your hair is medium to thick. If it’s fine hair and you want more body, you may want a volumizing spray but the curls will definitely hold well regardless. If you go for this, you need to keep up with your blonde maintenance, because ashy tones can quickly warm up if you don’t stay on top of it.
#11: Amber Waves with That Freckle-Friendly Softness
While I have yet to see anyone mention this, I believe that the interaction between a person’s features, skin tone, hair color, and *even more so than hair color* the color of skin with spotting/markings on it can be important as well. The way this natural amber color meets her skin with slightly darker spots seems almost like it was deliberately designed that way. I love the way the curls are a mix of tighter ringlets and looser waves, that texture variety is what makes it interesting, if all of the curls were the same they’d look like they were all made by a curling iron. It’s nice to see more of her NATURAL PATTERN being celebrated, and I really like the way it was done. The romance that the length gives is that shorter curls can’t capture. Keeping your hair well hydrated will leave the curls to basically style themselves.
#12: Platinum Blonde Curly Layers That Mean Business
Your platinum color is stunning! I imagine how complex all the maintenance and lightening is to create those beautiful curls and how time-consuming it must all be. Especially, with the treatments to keep the bonds intact, the regular toning to keep it from getting too brassy, and all those tricks to preserve the integrity of the bonds. If you have thick, naturally curly hair and desire platinum curls, it will likely be a long and intricate process. I recommend finding a colorist who specializes in curly hair to do the job!
#13 Deep Mahogany Curls with That Mirror Shine
The most noticeable feature in the image is the shine on the curls. In photos, curls often lack shine, so seeing shiny curls means the hair has been taken care of and is healthy. Girls with warm undertones should definitely consider this rich deep mahogany color because it is rich enough to elevate everything. It’s great to see curls that are shoulder-length because that’s the ideal length for thick, dense curls; long enough to create drama but not to the point where the weight stretches the curls. Whoever’s keeping this color up is doing it RIGHT. Mahogany can fade to a muddy color pretty quickly, especially if you aren’t careful with your washing routine and products.
#14 Chestnut Curls with Those Sweet Little Undercurls
As I was scrolling, I saw the undercurls, although I think many people will miss the small details. But those are what give the look its personality, almost like these curls have little curls of their own, and the added detail is really cute. The chestnut shade is nice and rich without being one note, and the medium long locks give you the option to wear it down, up, half up, or whatever you’re feeling for the day. I will say though, to keep this definition without frizz, you will need to be super strict with your routine. You just can’t skip steps in your wash day routine and expect to achieve this state of frizz free hair. The versatility here is really good, especially when you have to live with your hair every day and not just for Instagram photos.
#15 Brunette Ringlets with That Natural Healthy Glow
It is fitting to end on this note, as it captures how well natural curls can be maintained. There are no wild colors or dramatic cuts, just beautiful brunette ringlets with layers that allow for movement. The gloss indicates this person is serious about moisture. The uniform texture of the curls will make styling hair so much easier. You won’t have to deal with rude and wild textures. The movement that layers provide is ideal; they help the curls from feeling too heavy, stiff, or flat. This hairstyle encompasses everything we desire for everyday curly hairstyles. Walking out the door and feeling good and confident is the main goal. It is not about the drama. Not every look needs to be extreme and over the top. Sometimes, it is about walking out the door with good hair and little drama.
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