31 Stylish Curly Hairstyles
If you have curly hair, you likely know the struggles that come with it. Tangles galore and frizz without warning. But what you don’t see is how many people are envious of you! Natural curls are gorgeous and voluminous when taken care of, and there are many curly hairstyles that can make your hair manageable and chic.
The best hairstyle for curly hair will depend on what your hair texture is. If you have straight hair, some of these hairstyles can create the illusion of natural curls.
1. Middle Part with Loose Curls
Photo source: Erica Nodzo, a women’s haircuts Pro in Matthews, NC
A middle part with loose curls is a classy curly hairstyle. This medium-length cut is just long enough to keep your curls from tangling. You can also put your hair up in a ponytail at this length or experiment with double buns or a French braid.
2. Braided Ponytail
Photo source: Jazitup, a women’s haircut Pro from Mableton, GA
Braided hairstyles are great for curly hair because they’ll protect your curls from breakage and allow the hair to grow. This braided ponytail is the best of both worlds. You can customize the braids on top of your hair and show off the beautiful curls as they hang loose in your ponytail.
3. Pin Curls
Photo source: Alicia Slaughter, a women’s haircut Pro in Dolton, IL
There are a few ways to get ringlet curls without using heat. Pin curls are one of the best options since they can last for a week or more once you put them in. Pin curls involve wrapping the hair into small ringlets and then pinning each section of hair down overnight. With the help of a stylist, you can master this technique.
4. Curly Messy Bun
Whether you have tight ringlet curls or loose waves, you can’t go wrong with a messy bun when you’re looking for a quick and easy curly hairstyle. You can make your messy bun less casual by carefully pulling your bangs out, puffing out your bun, and adding some hairspray to keep all your strands in place.
5. Small Box Braids with High Ponytail
If you want to keep your hair away from your face and neck, then box braids can do the trick. As long as your braids aren’t too tight, this curly hairstyle can be a healthy way to style the hair and protect it from breakage. You can keep box braids in for up to seven weeks at a time, and adding a high ponytail to this style will let you show off your curls.
6. Curly Updo
When you need a polished hairstyle for a special occasion, you can try a curly updo. There are many updo styles to choose from, and the curls will add volume while keeping everything in place. Curly updos are great styles to complete your wedding or prom look.
7. Afro with Middle Part
Photo source: Kaori Nik Studios, a women’s haircut Pro from North Hollywood, CA
If you have tight ringlets, try wearing your hair naturally curly. Natural hair is often healthiest when you don’t manipulate it too much. This Afro with a middle part takes little effort to create. Just add a hair serum to your curls to keep them shiny and then trim your hair to the right length.
8. Stacked Curly Bob
Photo source: Rimmy Sparkles, a women’s haircut Pro from Philadelphia, PA
If you have short curly hair and are looking for a curly hairstyle that adds volume, then this stacked bob will work wonders. Your hairstylist will create a stacked bob by adding layers to the backside of your hair. You can create this look with your natural curls or add ringlet curls to your hair with heatless curling options, like flexi rod curls.
9. Long and Loose Curls with Curtain Bangs
Photo source: Whitney Porter, a women’s haircut Pro from Houston, TX
Another way to bring attention to your face is to part your hair in the middle and add curtain bangs. Curtain bangs frame the face on both sides and are a great hairstyle for round face shapes. These bangs also had volume to the hair because they curl out on both sides.
10. Short Finger Coils
Photo source: Step the Barber, a barber from Atlanta, GA
You can create finger coils by taking small sections of hair and wrapping the sections around your fingers while your hair is wet. Allow hair to air-dry or dry overnight so that when you release the coils, they stay curled. With short curly hair, these coils add texture and personality.
11. Curly Pineapple
A curly pineapple is a straightforward style that you can create by gathering your curls and throwing them high on top of your head. What makes a curly pineapple unique is pulling the high ponytail to the front of the head so the curls can hang in front of the face. This keeps the curls off the back of your head and protects them while you sleep.
12. Curly Locs
Photo source: Davianna Holland, a women’s haircut Pro from Philadelphia, PA
When you want a more interesting way to show off your locs, you can try curling them. This bob made up of curly locs is not a style you’ll see every day, and it’s both bold and playful. Even with textured hair, you’ll need help creating these perfect spirals, so once you’ve fully established your loc hairstyle, simply place your hair in heatless curlers overnight.
13. Beachy Waves with Middle-Part
Photo source: Oanh Truong, a women’s haircut Pro from San Dimas, CA
Beachy waves look loose and effortless. To achieve this texture, you can use a large-barreled curling iron and some mousse. If you have a naturally curlier texture, you may need to straighten it before attempting the loose waves.
14. Highlights and Loose Waves
Photo source: Valerie McCloskey, a women’s haircut Pro from Orange, CA
When your hair has a loose and wavy texture instead of a full curl, you may want to enhance your look by adding some color. With the right hairstylist, you can get your color and cut just right for your skin tone and face shape. Highlights can add a glow to darker hair and will also make your wavy hair stand out.
15. Half-up, Half-Down
Photo source: Valentina Zargaryan, a women’s haircut Pro in Glendale, CA
The half-up, half-down hairstyle is a favorite for all lengths and hair textures. With this hairstyle, you can show off your curls by letting them hang freely without the hassle of them getting in your face. You can also get creative with the half of your hair that you put up. You can braid this half, twist it, or use your favorite accessories to clip it up.
16. TWA
A TWA is a teeny weeny Afro, and this curly hairstyle is both trendy and easy to manage. A TWA takes very little styling expertise to keep in check. It’s also a versatile hairstyle since you can change up the length of your TWA and add color to your hair.
17. Senegalese Twists
Senegalese twists are a great way to protect your curly hair. To get this style, section off your hair and divide the sections into two pieces. You’ll then twist the two pieces together, adding in silkier braiding extensions. You can leave your twists in for weeks at a time, which can save you time when getting ready.
18. Natural Volume
Sometimes your natural volume creates a beautiful curly hairstyle all on its own. Curly hair, however, differs from straight hair and may need a curl defining gel or a moisturizing spray to keep it looking and feeling its best. If you like the look of your hair but want tips on how to care for it, you can talk to a stylist.
19. Silk Press and Curl
Photo source: Parker, a women’s haircut pro in Charlotte, NC
If you want to change the texture of your hair, you can go to a hairstylist that has experience in silk pressing. A silk press is a hairstyling technique that uses a blow-dryer and flat iron to straighten your hair without a chemical relaxer. A silk press can make your hair very smooth, and then the stylist can customize your curl. Double-check how much silk a press costs so you can plan ahead.
20. Curly Ponytail
Photo source: JaCovie Mcclair, a women’s haircut Pro from Chicago, IL
This curly ponytail is the perfect hairstyle for a night on the town or a special event. To get this look, you’ll need some styling gel and a good brush. The tricky part about this hairstyle is smoothing down the hair on your scalp so that your ponytail is nice and tight. Once you have it smooth, you can let your curls flow freely beyond the ponytail holder.
21. Fishtail Braids and Curls
Adding braids to your curly hair can give you a more exciting look to show off. Fishtail braids have an interesting pattern and can be easy to put in once you learn the technique. You can also try adding French braids to your hair if you’re more familiar with that technique.
22. Brushed-Out Curls
Changing up the texture of your hair can add some variety to your everyday style. If your natural curls are tight ringlets, you can try brushing out your curls for something different. Your hair will stand up straighter once it’s brushed out, and you can add accessories or a headband.
23. Goddess Braids
Photo source: Jazitup, a women’s haircut Pro from Mableton, GA
Goddess braids are like cornrows, except they are larger braids that sit on top of the hair. You can customize your goddess braids with the help of an experienced stylist. Goddess braids are a protective style that will keep your curls in check and while giving you an interesting look.
24. Curly Ombré
The ombré hair coloring technique involves highlighting the hair toward the bottom while keeping the top of the hair dark. When you have curly hair, the ombré looks especially beautiful because it helps your curly ends stand out. An experienced stylist can ensure you get the perfect ombré color for your hair color and skin tone.
25. Long Waves with Side Cornrows
Photo source: Whitney Porter, a women’s haircut Pro from Houston, TX
If you have long curly hair or long waves, you can give your hair some structure by adding a few cornrows to one side of your hair and a side-swept bang on the other side. With this hairstyle, you’ll feel put together at all times. You can also easily throw your hair into a ponytail or bun at a moment’s notice.
26. High Puff
Similar to a curly pineapple, a high puff is a hairstyle that will keep your curls off the back of your neck and protect the hair from damage while you sleep. Instead of pushing the hair to the very front of your head, this style keeps your curls right on top of your head.
27. Passion Twists
Photo source: Talysha Pope, a women’s haircut Pro from Drexel Hill, PA
Passion twists are a versatile braided hairstyle that will look great on almost any hair texture and length. The springy coils give the hair depth. The best thing about passion twists is that they protect the hair and you can throw them up in a ponytail or high bun when you want to get the braids off your neck.
28. Faux Hawk
A faux hawk is a trendy cut for women who want a little less length with their curls. Instead of shaving the sides of your head and committing to a mohawk, you can slick down or braid the sides of your hair and let your curls flow from your forehead to the back of your neck.
29. Tapered Cut
Photo source: Hstylze, a women’s haircut Pro from Philadelphia, PA
If you have short curly hair, then the tapered cut may work well for you. This cut keeps the hair slightly long on top and tapers off on the edges. You can add geometric designs or a deep part to the sides of the hair if you want to create a custom look. You can go to a hairstylist or a barber to get a professional tapered cut.
30. Colored Tips
Coloring just the tips of your curly hair is a simple way to make an old hairstyle feel new again. This technique looks best on short hairstyles because the tips of your hair will stand out on top of your head. As your hair grows out, you can eventually trim your colored tips and try out a new color!
31. Pixie Cut with Finger Waves
Photo source: Tiffany Carelock, a women’s haircut pro in Charlotte, NC
The pixie cut is a beautiful and feminine hairstyle that can give your curls the attention they deserve. Many people think long hairstyles are the best way to show off the hair, but a pixie cut is a bold choice that brings attention to your hair and your face. You can use styling gel to add finger waves to your pixie cut, which will give your curls a more uniform and vintage feel.
Curly hair is a blessing in disguise. Although it sometimes takes extra time to style, the natural beauty and volume of curly hair is unmatched. Knowing how to style your curly hair can increase your confidence. Reach out to the stylists in our community if you want to get advice when styling your hair.
