Curly hair offers incredible versatility, allowing for a multitude of stylish transformations. If you're feeling inspired to change your look, a shorter cut might be just the thing you need. Short curly hairstyles are very popular, and contrary to common misconceptions, a short haircut can make your curls more manageable, showcasing your natural volume and beautiful coils. Let's explore some of the best short haircuts for curly hair, from classic bobs to daring mullets, to help you find the perfect style.
Before diving into specific haircuts, it's important to understand your curl type. Curly hair is categorized by numbers and letters to indicate the curl's size (2, 3, 4) and shape (A, B, C). Identifying your curl type after washing and air-drying your hair (without styling products) will help you choose the most flattering cut.
Here are some of the most popular and stylish short haircuts for naturally curly hair:
If you're hesitant about a drastic change, the lob is a fantastic option. Lob haircuts are low maintenance and look amazing with curly hair. A layered lob with curly tresses helps to remove some weight while making your hair look like it’s all the same length. For a short ‘do with an effortless, undone feel, ask your stylist to add trendy wispy bangs to your lob.
The pixie haircut is incredibly easy to style and flatters those looking to highlight their bone structure. While often associated with straight hair, a pixie cut can be stunning with curly hair, too. It’s a flattering short curly hairstyle for women looking to let their bone structure shine.
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This cool, retro-inspired hairstyle elongates the face. It features about five to six inches of length on top and shorter sides, creating a vintage '50s vibe. The curly pompadour is a cool, retro-inspired hairstyle that can help to elongate your face shape.
You can’t go wrong with a classic bob. One of the best things about styling a curly bob haircut is how low maintenance it is. A short, curly bob shows off the different textures and volume of your bouncy coils.
The TWA is a great short cut for natural hair. If you’re looking to sport an ultra-short curly hairstyle or you feel like you need a big chop to start fresh with your curly strands, this one-to-two-inch crop is perfect for you. Simply apply a leave-in curl-defining cream to add definition and hydration to your short tendrils and fend off frizz. It’s also incredibly easy to style.
Shag haircuts, which can be adapted for shorter lengths, feature lots of layers. Layers create movement and dimension, keeping your short curly hair looking bouncy. Shag haircuts typically hit around the shoulders (but can be adapted for shorter lengths), feature lots of layers.
While it might seem like a buzz cut offers limited styling options, think again. You can have a short buzz cut with a curly fringe or incorporate shapes or shading into the buzzed areas for a unique touch. You can have a short buzz cut with a curly fringe or you can even have your barber or stylist incorporate shapes or shading into your buzzed areas to add a unique touch.
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The modern mullet is perfect for an in-between style. It features the classic short in the front, long in the back styling, offering an edgy look and feel. This short curly hairstyle is daring and dramatic, especially with curls. Ask your stylist for a mullet with short layers to keep the volume of your curly tresses.
The inverted bob is slightly longer in the front with shorter length in the back. The subtle differentiation allows short haircuts with curly hair to grow without looking boxy or losing its shape. Curls can look and feel heavy if they’re all the same length and the inverted cut helps to avoid this.
An asymmetrical haircut is off-skewed to give your style a modern, chic look. It does a great job of framing your features and playing up your bountiful curls. An asymmetrical haircut is off-skewed to give your style a modern, chic look.
A curly bowl cut, also known as the mushroom cut, has a round shape that hugs your head with lots of volume. A curly bowl cut, also known as the mushroom cut, has a round shape that hugs your head with lots of volume.
A curly quiff is one of our favorite short hairstyles on curly hair with a tight curl pattern. The edgy cut features cropped sides and more length on top to show off your covetable curls, coils, and spirals. Just work a curl-enhancing cream throughout your longer tresses to help define your curls before heading out the door. Styling the cut is super easy, too.
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A cropped curly ‘do is a wash-and-go style that makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. While similar to the TWA, this short, naturally curly haircut tends to feature a bit less length, so the curls lay tighter against the head. As a bonus, it looks great as it grows out, seamlessly transitioning from a cropped buzz to a voluminous, bouncy Afro. A cropped curly ‘do is a wash-and-go style and it makes getting ready in the morning a breeze.
A wolf cut combines the modern mullet with shaggy, short layers, enhancing the shape and bounce of your curly style. A wolf cut combines the modern mullet with shaggy, short layers and the end result does a wonderful job of enhancing the shape and bounce of your curly style.
Part pixie, part bob, this short curly hairstyle hails from the ‘90s and works great for curly textures. Part pixie, part bob, this short curly hairstyle hails from the ‘90s and works great for curly textures.
When paired with statement micro bangs, this short curly hairstyle gets an instant on-trend upgrade. A short, curly bob shows off the different textures and volume of your bouncy coils.
Ask your stylist to add trendy wispy bangs to your lob for a short ‘do with an effortless, undone feel. Layered curls create a weightless shape while lending volume and movement to hair.
A curly mohawk showcases volume on the top of your head that cascades down to the nape of your neck, paired with cropped sides. It’s an edgy style that makes a bold statement. One of our favorite styles for short curly hair, a curly mohawk showcases volume on the top of your head that cascades down to the nape of your neck, paired with cropped sides.
If you have thicker or denser curls, the shoulder cut will allow your locks to beautifully frame the face. Keep it simple without any bangs or fringes and ensure each curl is well trimmed so it doesn’t sit on the one below it.
Ideal for short hair, a bob cut plays with the natural texture of your hair to create a power statement look. The hair is cut just above the shoulder, and it can be shaped to partially embrace the forehead.
If you don’t want to compromise on the volume, opt for a medium cut. Highlighting the curls that fall over your shoulder will add life to dull locks. Use a volumizing spray or backcomb the hair on your crown area to keep it from looking flat.
If you are aiming for the girl next door look, don’t think twice before opting for the long hair with fringes look. The front has a hint of long curls that will frame your cheeks and allow you to be playful with your curls.
Show off your short curls with a side partition. It slightly opens up the face and draws attention to the eyes while making your other facial features more prominent and defined.
Stacked curls can give you the perfect runway-ready look. The hair is cut to create graduated layers which creates the illusion of full-bodied and voluminous hair. When cut at the perfect angles, it allows room for more movement and looks uber-chic.
Centre-parted cuts are ideal for highlighting facial features and framing the face. Short or long, it works with any hair length and texture as well while still demanding low maintenance.
Developed by Lorraine Massey, the Deva cut addresses the unique challenges of curly hair by offering a personalized approach that respects and enhances the natural curl pattern. Known for its precision in treating each curl individually, the Deva Cut showcases your hair’s natural dry state. This cutting method is designed to minimize frizz and accentuate each curl, ensuring your hair remains bouncy and healthy-looking.
Similar to the Deva cut, the Rezo cut is typically performed on dry hair. However, instead of cutting each curl individually, the Rezo cut focuses on creating a uniform length all around to enhance overall volume and balance without compromising the natural pattern of the curls. It is designed to work with any hair texture, making it an excellent option for a wide range of clients who desire a boost in volume and an enhancement of their natural curls without sacrificing length.
The Diametrix cut is usually done on wet hair to take advantage of the hair’s elongated state, which is crucial for achieving the specific angles and layers required for optimal volume and curl definition. The strategic layering and diagonal cuts help distribute the hair’s natural volume more evenly, preventing it from becoming too bulky or unmanageable at the ends.
The Ouidad haircut, also known as the Carve and Slice technique, is a specialized cutting method that focuses on creating volume, shape, and definition while eliminating the dreaded triangular or pyramid shape. It is often done on wet hair. Thicker sections of hair are carved to reduce volume and define tighter curls, while thinner sections are sliced to add volume and shape to looser curls.
The Mona cut is another curly hair-cutting technique designed to create an angled bob hairstyle that exudes sophistication and modernity. The cut involves precise shaping and layering to achieve unique silhouettes and moving shapes that complement the individual’s facial features and personal style.
The Dry Cut Curly is performed on dry hair, allowing the stylist to see the true texture, curl pattern, and volume of the hair, enabling them to make precise adjustments that enhance the curls’ natural shape and movement. The stylist can strategically shape and sculpt the curls to create a hairstyle that maximizes bounce and movement while minimizing frizz and shrinkage.
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