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21 Short Haircuts And Styles To Make Your Curls Pop

The best curly hair cuts and styles for curly hair

From tight coils to loose waves, curls have absolutely taken over the hair industry. After years of coveting sleek, straight strands, figuring out exactly what to do with your dark brown curls can be a bit daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re still searching for the best haircuts and styles for your short, curly hair, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the hottest haircuts and styles for short curly hair to make sure your hair slays all year long.

Although some have questioned if curly hair looks good short, we think curls looks fabulous at every length. From super short pixies to shoulder-grazing lobs, we love the way short cuts look on curly hair. With so many options, you’re probably wondering what the best haircut for your curly hair is. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all curly haircut.

If you need some help figuring out the best haircut for your curly hair, schedule a consultation at a salon that specializes in curly cuts. There, you and your stylist will discuss your hair concerns, wishes, and your day to day lifestyle to determine the best curly cut for you. If you’re still not sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with a curly lob. The lob is the perfect mid-length style for anyone unsure about the best cut for their hair.

If you don’t want to go too short but want to update your haircut, ask your stylist for layers. Contrary to popular belief, curly hair looks great with layers. Cutting slightly different lengths throughout your mane is a great way to add some much-needed movement to your dense curls.

Ready to find the perfect haircut and style for your short, curly hair? Continue reading for our 21 favorite haircuts and styles.

The Best Haircuts And Styles For Curls

short curly straight edge bob

Straight Edge Bob

A classic blunt bob is always chic and a great way to showcase your gorgeous curl pattern. Whether your natural curl pattern is tightly coiled or loosely waved, the sharp cut will add major style to your tresses.

Angled Bob

If you’re looking for a cut that’s a little edgier, an angled bob is the way to go. If you have textured curls, consider angling the cut towards your face in lieu of the traditional short in the back, long in the front look.

Full Bangs

Adding bangs is the perfect way to freshen up your already killer haircut. The new addition to your ‘do will add tons of style and versatility to your locks.

Asymmetrical Pixie

Itching to go short but don’t want to give up any of the volume of your long locks? An asymmetrical pixie is a perfect compromise. Keep a little length in the front for all of your big hair needs and let your stylist get scissor happy in the back.

short curly big chop

Big Chop

Whether you settle on a buzz cut or a TWA (a teeny weeny Afro, for those not yet in the know), super short cuts are the style of the year and for good reason: The cut is low in maintenance but high on style.

short curly bowl cut

Modern Bowl

This isn’t your mother’s kitchen salon bowl cut. The rounded style has gotten a major upgrade and looks amazing with curls of all textures. As your stylist for short round layers and face framing bangs you can wear straight across your forehead or sweep to the side.

short curly poof

Poof

Once you’ve mastered this simple style, it’ll quickly become your default hairdo.

For this look, you’ll need a brush, a hair pick, a firm hold pomade, and an elastic or shoelace. The key to a flawless poof is to make sure your edges are absolutely laid and your poof is as big as possible. Begin by using a hair pick to create volume all over your head. Then, apply the firm hold pomade to your edges all over and brush through until your hair lay completely flat. Next, gather all of your hair on the top of your head and secure with an elastic. If your hair is super thick, you may want to use a shoelace in lieu of a hair elastic. Once your poof is secure, fluff to make sure it’s even on all sides.

short curly deep side part

Deep Side Part

It seems simple, but switching up your regular middle part for a deep side part instantly elevates your look.

For this look, all you’ll need is a comb and some shine spray. After you’ve washed and dried your hair, use the comb to make a part on the far left or right side of your head. Once your hair is parted, fluff each side for maximum volume and spray with shine spray.

If your hair is cropped really close to your head, you can still rock a deep side part, just add a medium hold styling pomade to the mix. After you’ve washed and dried your hair, create a part on the far right or left side of your head. Then apply the pomade on each side of the part, and brush through to make sure your part stays sharp all-day long.

short curly undefined afro

Undefined Afro

For most curly girls, the thought of combing or brushing their already dried curls is enough to give them nightmares, but trust us on this one. While your defined curls are breathtaking, an undefined afro takes full advantage of your hair’s length and volume, because, who doesn’t love big hair.

For this look you’ll need a comb, a brush, a hair pick, a spray leave-in conditioner, and a few hair clips. This style works best on day three or four hair, when your curls have already begun to become a little frizzy. To prevent tangles, part and clip your hair into a couple of sections and lightly mist with a spray leave-in conditioner to make sure your hair stays moisturized. Then softly begin to brush out your curls until your hair is fluffy and your curl pattern is barely visible. Continue this process section by section until you’ve completed your whole head. For a final touch, use a hair pick to give yourself volume at your roots.

Wet Look

Begin with freshly washed hair or saturate your strands with water from a spray bottle. Once your hair is damp (but not soaking wet), work a light hold gel through your hair to set your texture. Allow your hair to dry before walking out of the door and it’ll look chic and shiny all day long.

Braided Bantu Knots

To begin, section off your hair into your desired number of bantu knots. Once you’ve parted your whole head, create a basic braid in each section. Wrap each braid around itself to form the knot and secure the style with a small clear rubber band. Repeat until you’ve completed your entire head.

Faux Hawk

You may not be ready to shave off half of your hair, but that doesn’t mean you can’t totally rock a mohawk. Opt for this sky-high style next time you hit the town with your friends.

Flat Twist Updo

Part the hair horizontally from one ear, over the crown of your head, to the other ear. Braid or flat twist the front section of hair back in the direction of a high ponytail.

Create medium flat twists with the remaining hair from the back of your head and set hair under a hooded dryer. Release the flat twists from the back section and fluff. Then, pull the twisted front part into a ponytail and secure it with bobby pins. Release only the ends and fluff to build volume. Finish with a medium hold hairspray like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Infinium 3 for flexible hold and shine.

Fiery Red

There is no better way to put your texture on display than by coloring your hair a show-stopping color. Having a hard time finding inspiration? Take this picture of fiery red locks to your next salon appointment and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.

Multicolored

Some curly girls are afraid to experiment with color, but we love to see the latest hair trends beautifully displayed on ringlets. If you can’t settle on one fantastic color, have your stylist expertly blend a few shades for a one-of-a-kind hue.

Cornrows

You don’t need long strands to slay a braided style. Head to the salon and ask for a few straight back cornrows for a style that’s equal parts stylish and straightforward.

Wash And Go

Some may consider a wash-and-go lazy, but we think it’s genius. Apply your favorite leave-in conditioner throughout your strands, (we love L’Oréal Professionnel’s Strengthening Anti-Breakage Leave-In) scrunch your ringlets, and go!

Twist Out

To create this look, begin at the back of your head and work with half-inch sections of damp hair. Split the section in half and twirl both pieces of hair together, creating a two-strand twist. Continue twisting sections of hair until you’ve completed your entire head. Allow your hair to dry completely before removing the twists.

Center Part

If you like your hair to look as voluminous as possible, you’re probably partial to deep side parts as they create extreme height. While we love a full ‘do as much as the next girl, there is something to be said about the way center parts frame your face. Part your hair down the middle, swipe on your favorite highlighter, and don’t be surprised when the compliments start rolling in.

Accessories

You don’t have to do anything to your strands to make your style look extra special, just dress up your ‘do with a few accessories. From flowers to bejeweled bobby pins, there are an endless amount of accessories that look absolutely flawless in curly locks.

Shaved Side

Have you been thinking about a big chop but aren’t ready to take the plunge? Test the waters by shaving just one side of your head.

Interested in personalized advice about styling curly hair? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.

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