19 Trendy and Cute Curly Hairstyles for Women And Men in 2024
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Gone are the days when girls with curly locks need to have their hair relaxed to feel beautiful. Today, people are starting to embrace their natural hair textures.
Yes, it’s no question that curly hair is beautiful. But we also know that it can be hard to manage.
Natural curls can have good days and bad days. That’s why it’s considered both a blessing and a curse by many.
So we totally understand if you keep on looking around for curly hairstyles that you can try.
And you’ve come to the right place!
We listed down easy and pretty curly hairstyles for all hair lengths, plus popular curly hairstyles for men.
Whether you have loose waves or tight springy curls, there’s a style for you.
Table of Contents
Natural Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair
Long, curly hair gives you limitless styling options. From a casual, laid-back look to an elegant date night flair, you can style your lengthy locks any way you want.
Look at some of the best beautiful curly hairstyles for long hair.
1. Slicked Back Ponytail
If you want a polished style, this ponytail is for you. It will highlight your beautiful face and still show off your equally smashing curls.
Top tip: You can use gel to keep flyaways under control and achieve a slicked-back look.
2. Double Buns
Style your hair in a fun way with double buns, aka space buns. This playful look is super easy to do and can also be styled in different ways, according to your mood.
Watch this video to see 3 different ways you can create a double bun on your curly hair.
3. Half Top Knot
If double buns aren’t your thing, here’s another option. You can achieve a similar look with a single bun.
This hairdo emphasizes the length of your hair.
4. Simple Updo
This hairdo looks great with curly or wavy hair. Because the strands are loosely secured, the hair can still move and show off its personality.
The flyaways also make the hair look more relaxed.
You can wear it to work or on a date night.
Steps:
- After washing your hair, let it dry and apply a curl-defining gel or cream.
- Gather your hair into a ponytail mid-height or lower, depending on your mood.
- Twist the ponytail around the base of the hair tie to form the bun.
- Then use a few bobby pins to keep the bun in place.
Popular Curly Hairstyles for Medium Hair
Whether you have large loose waves, little rings, and tight curls, medium length is just right to make your curly hair stylish.
While you can also do the styles we mentioned above for your shoulder-length hair, here are other hairstyles that are perfect for medium hair.
5. Messy Top Knot
Take inspiration from the ’90s with this easy tousled look. You can pair it with a laidback outfit for a casual style or dress it up for a formal event with jewelry.
Simply gather your dry hair on top of your head and tie it up into a bun using an elastic. You can also get some strands from your hairline and just above your ears to frame your face with loose hair.
6. Medium Layered Cut
Layers are a great way to style your curls. This cut makes the hair appear longer and fuller. If you want the illusion of length and volume without too much bulk.
Plus, it shapes your hair and gives it more dimension and movement.
Curly Hairstyles for Short Hair
There are plenty of ideas for hairstyles for short curly hair too. No matter the curl pattern, there’s a way to make your short curly hair amazing.
Choose from our top picks before you head to the salon.
7. Pixie Curls
A pixie cut for curly hair is a short haircut that’s cropped into layers, giving a tousled effect.
It’s incredibly versatile and requires minimal styling because you can just let your curls do their thing, provided that your hair is healthy.
Just style the curls with a curling cream and you’re good to go.
8. Short Hair With Bangs
Who says bangs are just for straight hair? Well, no one. Curls can be styled with bangs too.
And the best bangs you can try with short hair are long 70’s style bangs. The scrunched fringe will definitely add an edge to your facial features.
9. Short Rounded Curly Bob
A rounded bob is an ideal hairstyle for fine curly hair. The shape creates a voluminous look without weighing you down. It also makes you look beautifully carefree!
Curly Hairstyle Ideas for Any Length
Naturally curly hair texture doesn’t have to be hard to style. Stylishly wearing your hair every day can be easy with these curly hairstyles for women.
10. Side Braids
When you want to wear your hair down but you also don’t want it to be too plain-looking, you can do side braids close to your scalp. This will add a little spice to your look.
11. Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are commonly used as a protective hairstyle for type 4 hair. But if you have waves or looser curls, you can also use this to get tight curls without curling wands.
Before you style your hair with a Bantu knot, make sure that your hair is freshly washed. That’s because much of your scalp will be exposed.
Steps:
- Divide your hair into sections. It’s up to you to decide how many knots you want.
- Hydrate the hair with a spray of water or hair oil to make the hair easy to style.
- Twist and roll each section of the hair.
- Once you get to the end of the section, tuck the tips under the Bantu knot to keep it in place.
- If the hair doesn’t hold securely, you can use a bobby pin.
12. Bobby Pin Details
If you feel like your braids or buns need something extra, why don’t you accessorize them with bobby pins?
These pins have come a long way from just being used to hold updos. They now come in different colors so you can have fun using them as embellishments to your hair.
Line them up on your hairline or place them criss-cross. This style will look cute with your bouncy curls.
13. Scarf and Headbands
Two more ways you can use to style your ringlets with minimal effort are scarf and headbands.
You can place your favorite headband over your head for that pop of color. Or you can get a scarf, fold it diagonally, and tie it around your hair.
Here are 10 different ways you can wear a scarf with your naturally textured hair.
Curly Hairstyles for Men
Men have been flaunting their curly locks throughout time. Whether your hair is tightly coiled or more of a soft wave, we have picked styles that can bring out your beautiful hair texture.
14. Slick Back
This classic look works well for men with long curls.
To achieve this hairstyle, simply put a generous amount of hair gel or styling mousse in your hands and run the product through your hair from front to back. Do this until all the strands are away from your face.
15. Curly Tops
If you want to keep your natural texture but don’t want to be bothered with styling it all the time, you can keep your curls short. It will give a softer look to hair and frame your face.
Ask your barber for a clean short haircut or something with fade.
16. Curly Side Part
Styling this one is easy. Apply styling gel on your curly hair and part to the side, almost near your ear. Whether you sport this style on short hair or extra long hair, you are guaranteed to look majestic.
Just use pomade on your curls to keep them defined and shiny.
17. Long Afro
Afro hair comes naturally for coily hair types because they have coils that expand horizontally. To style it, you can sport a long afro look.
Visit your hairstylist and ask to have your afro hair cut to an ideal length that’s easier to manage.
18. Short Afro
If you can’t keep up with a big fro on your head, you can try a shorter version of an afro.
This cut requires minimum styling. You can also add a fade on the sides for a modern approach.
19. Man Bun
This style is perfect for unruly curly hair. We’ve seen A-list celebrities like Jason Momoa sporting this look. The man bun has been a style for a long time now, and it seems it won’t be gone soon.
Why don’t you try it out? Just grow out your natural hair and tie it in a bun at mid-height or at the crown. You can also pair it up with scruffs and you’re good to go.
How to Manage Curly Hair
Curly hair is prone to dryness. That’s because of the hair texture. See, because of the curls, the natural oils from the scalp can’t get to the ends of the hair.
This will result in frizz and a lack of elasticity.
So in achieving gorgeous-looking curls, moisture is key. Let your hair have the moisture it so desperately needs.
Choose hydration-packed hair products for styling your hair. In addition, use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.
Plus, you can also try the LOC or LCO method to keep bad hair days away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should curly hair be layered?
Yes! Layered haircuts for curly hair can do wonders. This cut adds definition to your curls and helps them fall beautifully and frame your frace.
You see, when curly hair has one length, the weight of all that hair can pull the curls down and get it out of shape. With layers, the strands can move more freely.
Does curly hair look better long or short?
Curly hair looks best when it’s shoulder-length or longer, especially when cut in layers. But that doesn’t mean that short curly bobs or pixies don’t look good. They’re also appealing especially when styled well.
Best Hairstyles for Curly Hair
There are plenty of curly hair ideas that you can try based on your hair texture. You can go for a short curly bob, curly bangs, medium curly hair, layered cuts, and more.
You can also put your hair back in a slick style or wear your gorgeous curly hair down.
Don’t be afraid to style your hair the way you want it. After all, confidence paired with curly hair will take you places.
What else should you know about curly hair?
Find out in these posts:
- Rice Water for Curly Hair: How to Guide + Recipes
- What Is the Curly Girl Method? Your Ultimate CGM Guide
- The Fool-Proof Guide to Dyeing Curly Hair Without Damage
- The Max Hydration Method: A Complete Guide for Curly Hair