Do curly hair look good short?

Short curly hairstyles can look beautiful when shorter than most lengths. The key is finding a hairstylist who specializes in cutting naturally curly hair. They should give you a short haircut that works with your unique curl pattern, density, texture, and head shape. A proper curly haircut needs the right products to enhance your natural curls and keep your hair healthy.

According to this StyleCaster poll, 58% of men say short curly hair is attractive and sexy. Because curly-haired women aren’t as common, the natural texture draws more attention.

Naturally curly hair looks shorter because your hair structure naturally coils up and shrinks the length of your hair follicle. It gives the appearance of curly hair being shorter. And it’s why I recommend that you have your hair cut at least one inch longer than what you want your length to appear to be.

Today, the best hairstyle for short curly hair is a lightly layered bob. Adding light layers will prevent it from looking boxy and add more movement to your curls. However, pixie cuts and shags also look beautiful on naturally short curly hair. Below, you’ll find photos of popular short curly hairstyles and haircuts for your inspiration.

#1: Bowl Cut with Defined Curls

A bowl cut with defined curls is your fresh take on naturally curly hair. Short curls with slight graduation around the perimeter and a long top compliment the shape well. The angled sides are a great way to bring out your cheekbones and would be complementary to most face shapes. I recommend that your new cut be trimmed about every 6 weeks, and air drying or diffusing is the best way to execute the defined curls.

#2: Short Curls for Fine Hair

#3: Stunning Brunette Natural Curls

A short brunette natural style for curly hair can bring a youthful touch to your style. Brunettes can range in tones from the warmth of copper to the coolness of violet. Discussing which tone will compliment your overall look will help to personalize your preference. A few photos of inspiration can aid your stylist during your consultation.

#4: Rose Gold Curls

#5: Glossy Curly Bob with Bangs

A curly bob with bangs is a great low-effort choice for curly girls. Curly bobs with bangs require maintenance every 4-8 weeks to keep the structure of your curls and bounce on point. Simply wash, apply your favorite curl-defining product, and let air dry, scrunch dry with a diffuser, or use your microfibre towel to wrap dry.

#6: Messy Curly Bob with Fringe

If you love an undone look, a messy curly bob is a right choice for you! Curly bobs can be styled more rigid with curl-defining gels or left more touchable with the use of curl cream and texture sprays for a more lived-in look. Ask your stylist about how to soften and shape your ends to add effective texture without jeopardizing your curl structure.

#7: Platinum Blonde Short Naturally Curly Hair

To upkeep short naturally curly hair, regular maintenance is important. Curly hair styles do best with frequent trims to maintain the proper shape, and to avoid limp curls. Ask your stylist about how often it’s best for your curls!

#8: Voluminous and Thick Curly Hair

Having thick curly hair can be a nightmare if your stylist is unfamiliar with how to effectively cut curly hair. If you have a lot of hair, you may be tempted to ask your stylist to use a thinning, or texture shear to remove weight. However, this should be avoided as doing so can add unwanted frizz and take the life away from your curls. Be sure to ask your stylist about alternate ways to remove bulk.

#9: Curly Cropped Cut with Blonde Highlights

Here’s a charming curly cropped cut that will give your hair texture the new zest it needs. The brown hue and defined curls create a softer and fresher vibe. When styling your curly hairstyles for short hair, a sea salt spray will enhance your tresses for extra flair.

#10: Cute Short Bob with Natural Brunette Curls

Wear a short curly bob, and feel proud displaying your natural curls. It features a curly fringe, too, for a pop of excitement. When you have a pale skin tone, a dark ginger hair color will be flattering on you. It’s just one of those short hairstyles for curly hair we love!

#11: Modern Short Curly Hair with Brown Highlights

Opt for a modern, short curly hairstyle that adds glamour to your presence. The brown highlights are a great addition to women with black tresses. For a proper care routine, opt for products that offer intense moisture as curls can be prone to dryness.

#12: Voluminous Frizzy Chin-Length Curls

Go for a short haircut that is a chin-length curly bob. Based on your head shape, ask your stylist if you can have a 90-degree haircut that adds lots of texture. Short haircuts for curly hair are great for women that want a fun, low-maintenance, and voluminous style. Curly bobs are perfect for you if you don’t want to spend too much time styling your hair in the morning.

#13: Angled Curly Bob with Pops of Blonde

A fresh angled curly bob cut and pops of blonde highlights—this is how you enhance your natural hair. The perimeter follows the neckline to preserve the shape and fullness of your mane. Embrace a few grey strands visible on your dark tresses as they also add texture to your final curly bob hairstyle.

#14: Messy Fresh Stacked Bob

A fresh stacked haircut on naturally curly hair will leave you feeling breezy and lightweight all day long! A short curly stacked bob so easy to style and maintain – just a little product to scrunch your dashing curls with, and you’re ready to go.

#15: Gorgeous Tight Curls for Black Women

These tight ringlets are known as a sculpting dry cut. Look at your hair as a whole to create a round shape that gives it that volume at the top of your head and falls more into flattering round layers that frame your face. Avoid pulling, brushing, and combing your hairstyles for short curly hair. Ask your stylist to cut each curl where it wants to sit to create that shape. The technique also works on shoulder-length hair that has tight curls or coils.

Style short curly hair by cleansing your hair with a non-lathering curl cleanser, and condition it with a clean water-soluble conditioner. Lastly, keep your dryer in a low, warm setting. Frizzy, dull hair is hair begging for moisture. NYC Curls by Carlos Flores and Curly World by Lorraine Massey are great products for short curly hairstyles. A curly cut suits all face shapes, and tight curls or coils carry this cut very well because of their fluffiness and bounciness.

#16: Glamorous and Lovely Curly Bangs

When it comes to short curly hairstyles, flaunt your natural hair texture and embellish it with lovely curly bangs. Notice how the movement and volume both accent the highlights on these golden bronde locks? Jaw-length curly hair requires a trim every 8-10 weeks to maintain the shape.

A curly cut with fringe suits women who want an intentional disheveled look by maintaining length to play with, without cropping down to the length of pixie cuts. Since the curly bangs and overall haircut were approached technically, you’ll have the freedom to make minor variations day-to-day based on your naturally curly texture.

#17: Disheveled Curly Pixie

Here’s a curly pixie cut to celebrate curly-haired girls! It’s a chop that creates a stunning payoff on natural curls. When styling short curly hairstyles, use a diffuser to enhance your cut, adding more volume and definition.

#18: Curly Side-Swept Bangs with a Tapered Back

When searching for short curly hairstyles, consider a mod curly pixie with side bangs. It’s left short with longer wavy tendrils on the sides. It’s a wash and wear style which we love, and it’s easy to take care of it. Any hair type can be cut into this shape from thin, thick, curly, or wavy. The beauty of a short curly haircut is that you can alter the length on the sides to detract or complement your face shape.

#19: Modern Short and Curly Grey Hair

Modern short and curly hair is for women who are proud to show off their natural texture. It’s also the best style to add emphasis to fresh highlights. In total, it’s a short curly hairstyle that offers a bolder edge. For a proper care routine, opt for products that offer intense moisture as your curls can be prone to dryness.

#20: The Face-Framing Curly Lob

Curly bob cuts are for women with all hair types and textures! Create inspiration with a curly lob. Strands at the front are touching the shoulders for a subtle framing effect around your face. A curl mousse at your root, curl cream, and style cream on the ends all do magic. Apply these products, and finish your short curly hairstyle with a softer and touchable result.

#21: Naturally Curly Slightly Angled Bob

Show off your naturally short curly hair with a chop that will make your tresses fuller-looking. The luscious blonde color also suits you and your cool skin tone. Use a styling cream to add tons of volume and definition to your locks.

#22: The Playful Curly Inverted Bob

Wear the curly inverted bob when wanting something bold and alluring. This short haircut takes minimal effort and time to make it look good. It’s carefree, playful, and low-maintenance. Short curly haircuts like this work best on oval-ish or longer face shapes.

#23: 50s-Inspired Pretty Curly Hair with Bangs

This pretty curly hair with bangs is a 50s-inspired bob. Opt for short curly hair to enhance your natural texture. When drying your tresses, use a diffuser to secure more volume and definition. Be mindful that to maintain its rounded shape, regular trims are a must.

#24: Disconnected Curly Pixie Cut with Shaved Designs

This is a disconnected pixie. This style of short curly hair with bangs requires little styling to look fabulous. It’s one of our favorite short curly hairstyles. Women with naturally curly hair see the best results, but women with straight hair can achieve this using a product that has texture and hold. Use a curl cream or curl gel-like Oribe’s Curl Control Silkening Creme or Oribe’s Curl Gloss. Short natural curly hair is best air-dried, but can also be diffused on high heat/low intensity.

#25: Blonde Short Curly Bob for Women Over 50

This is a short curly bob for women over 50. It’s gorgeous and won’t allow your hair to appear lifeless. This short curly cut is ideal for a lady with thick locks and a lot of texture. To style, use Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam by DevaCurl to boost its texture.

#26: Gorgeous Neck-Length Short Tight Curls

These curls look soft and bouncy! You can’t deny how fun and exciting it is to try short tight curls. Curly hair with bangs works great on dark tresses with hints of a light brown shade that brings out an added brightness. Don’t forget to only dry your curls with a diffuser to keep them intact.

#27: Choppy Curls with Long Bangs for Round Face Shapes

These choppy curls with long bangs for round face shapes are whimsical! The chop is the perfect short wavy haircut for women with chubby or round faces. The long bangs frame your face, giving it a narrower appearance. Talk to your stylist about cutting each curl without tension, so it looks effortless.

#28: Sexy Short-to-Medium Curly Cut

This is a short-to-medium curly cut that will show off your natural hair texture. Get this chop, and it’ll look sexy on your shiny, black locks.

#29: Messy Short Curly Cut with an Undercut

This short curly haircut features a customized asymmetrical style with a detailed messy undercut. It has versatility due to the undercut and the customized sideburn curl on the right side. This cut is for women that have thick and curly hair and enjoy a slightly more edgy and versatile look. This messy undercut is also for women who are able to execute a four to six-week haircut maintenance regime.

#30: Jaw-Length Curly Layered Bob

The key to shaping bouncy-looking hair lies in the layers. Notice how this jaw-length curly layered bob creates a great hairstyle that’s full of life. With light blonde highlights, your texture is sure to be emphasized even more.

#31: Powerful Curly TWA for Black Women

Feel the breeze on your neck and opt for a freeing haircut. This black curly TWA for African-American women gives off a dazzling and powerful impression that’s inspiring. Knowing that this curly cut is easy to maintain and style, you gotta love wearing it for some months.

#32: Beautiful Curly Ringlets Shag

You can pull off a short curly hairstyle at casual and formal events! Class up your beautiful curly ringlets shag with painted highlights for added shimmer. By using the best hydrating hair products, your curls will keep looking shiny and healthy.

#33: Sweet Ginger Short Haircut for Curly Hair

This sweet short haircut for curly hair has a classy, modern finish. This cut is perfect for women who want a gorgeous short hairstyle for curly hair that offers sophistication with an edge. Feel free to use a wave foam to plump up your rockin’ curls.

#34: Defined Short and Curled for Thin Hair

If you have thin hair, stir up a style that screams elegance with short curls. It grows out beautifully and is easy to jazz up. The super short length of the cut can make your fine tresses appear fuller and thicker. Keep your short curls moisturized for a more defined outcome.

#35: Effortless Short Shaggy Curls

Short shaggy curls are perfect for tresses that have effortless texture and movement. The shag cut is one thing that can boost your hair’s natural shape. This short curly hairstyle is very stylish, especially with blonde highlights for added brightness.

#36: Bold Blonde Short Thick Curls

These short thick curls are great to show off your hair’s fullness and volume. The short curly hairstyle looks alluring and creates a bolder effect.

#37: Cute Tight Ringlets on Short Hair

Redefine the word springy with a crown of lovely coils. Perfectly partnered with a pixie cut, twirled tresses can be of various lengths to create a fuller short curly hairstyle. Cute tight ringlets look great on women with a round face.

#38: Gorgeous Soft Curls for Shorter Hair

Embrace your natural texture with soft curls on shorter hair. Layers and shorter lengths will amplify your waves and create volume in all the right places. Start with wet hair and work in a lightweight curl-enhancing product like DevaCurl Wave Maker. Air dry or gently use a diffuser for a low-maintenance but gorgeous curly style.

#39: Easy Short Curly Thin Hair for Older Women

Older women with thin, curly hair should definitely rock a short cut. This cut is low-maintenance and takes almost no time at all to style. Use Redken Curvaceous Curl cream to define your curls before diffusing.

#40: Ginger Short Curly Hair with a Center Part

If you’re looking to enhance your natural curl, try short curly hair with a center part. Taking length off and going for a shorter look will help to enhance your curls by reducing the weight on your red hair color. The center part works very well on women with oblong faces, as it helps to create a more rounded look to your face.

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