27 Curly Hairstyles for Women to Show Off Every Curl Type

Curly hair has never had more good options. The whole approach now is to work with your texture instead of fighting it, so the softer, lived-in shapes that let your curls do their thing are exactly what's in. What suits you depends on your curl pattern and your length, loose waves want different layers than tight coils, and a good curl-trained stylist who cuts your hair dry will give you far more predictable results. Whether you want a short crop, long layers, a quick updo, or just a fresh way to wear your natural curls, here are 27 ideas across every length and curl type.

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Curly Shag

The most-requested curly cut right now. Layers throughout with volume at the crown, tapered ends, and face-framing bangs.

The layers give a lived-in, effortless shape and cut down bulk while keeping bounce through the lengths.

It suits most curl types, especially loose to medium curls. Scrunch in a curl cream and let it air dry.

Curly Bob

A chin-to-collarbone bob shaped to work with your curls.

The bob keeps curls light and lifted, with soft layers stopping the triangle shape that longer curly hair can fall into.

It flatters most curl types and face shapes. A curl serum and a diffuser define the shape.

Curly Lob

A longer bob grazing the collarbone, worn curly.

The extra length gives you more to work with while the collarbone cutoff keeps the curls from dropping heavy.

A few layers keep it bouncy. Scrunch and diffuse for full, defined curls.

Curly Pixie

A short pixie cut for tighter curls, with a curl-rich top and shorter sides.

The short shape highlights your features and lets tight curls sit full and lifted, low-maintenance and bold.

It suits tighter curl patterns especially. A little defining cream shapes the top.

Curly Bixie

A bob-meets-pixie hybrid with a short layered top and slightly longer piecey ends.

The bixie gives short-cut ease with a bit more length to style, universally flattering and quick.

It suits looser curls well. A texture cream defines the piecey ends.

Long Layered Curls

Long curls cut with medium-to-long layers throughout.

Layering long curly hair keeps the spring without the heaviness, so the curls stay defined instead of dragging.

It suits type 3 curls especially. Keep the ends healthy with regular trims and a leave-in.

Curly Hair With Curtain Bangs

Your curls paired with curtain bangs that part in the middle and frame the face.

The bangs frame your eyes and blend into the layers, and cutting them dry accounts for the spring.

They soften the face and grow out easily. Give them a quick shape with your fingers and a little gel.

Curly Hair With Side-Swept Bangs

Curls worn with soft bangs swept to one side.

The side sweep flatters angular features and adds movement at the front without a heavy fringe.

It works across curl types. Diffuse the bangs with the rest so they blend.

Deep Side Part Short Curls

A short curly cut worn with a clean, deep side part.

The deep part gives a defined, structured look and boosts volume on one side, flattering natural curls and waves.

It suits shorter lengths especially. Set the part while the hair is damp for a crisp line.

Voluminous Layered Curls

Curls cut in lots of layers for maximum volume and bounce.

The layers let the curls fall naturally and full rather than sitting in one heavy shape, the soft, bouncy direction of current trends.

It suits thick, dense curls. Diffuse upside down to build the volume.

Beachy Waves

Loose, tousled waves through longer hair.

Soft beachy waves suit looser curl patterns, giving that just-back-from-the-beach texture.

It's casual and easy. Scrunch in sea salt spray and let it air dry, or use a curling wand.

Curly Hair With a Headband

Your curls worn with a wide fabric headband pushing the volume back.

The headband is a chic, functional accessory that adds controlled volume and frames the face.

It's a quick way to switch up a wash-and-go. Push it back off the forehead and let the curls sit full.

Twist-Out

Curls set in two-strand twists and unravelled for soft, defined, stretched definition.

Twisting and unravelling gives fuller, more uniform curls with a bit of extra length.

It suits tighter curls and coils. Twist on damp hair, dry fully, then unravel with oiled fingers.

Wash-and-Go

Curls defined with product on soaking-wet hair and left to dry into their natural shape.

Letting the curls dry as they are gives a full, natural finish with the least effort.

It works best on defined curl patterns. Apply leave-in and gel to wet hair in sections, then diffuse or air dry.

Defined Ringlets

Bouncy, well-defined ringlet curls worn full.

Enhancing the curl pattern into clean ringlets gives volume and a polished, put-together finish.

It suits naturally curly hair. A curl cream and a diffuser bring out the definition.

Pineapple Updo

A high, loose ponytail gathered at the very top of the head.

The pineapple keeps curls off your face and neck while showing off the pattern, and it protects the curls overnight too.

It works for all curl types. Gather loosely at the crown and let the curls spill forward.

Half-Up Curly

The top section pulled up and volumized while the rest of the curls hang loose.

Lifting the top adds height and keeps hair off your face while the loose curls stay full below.

It suits a casual or dressed-up day. Add a scrunchie or a clip for a retro touch.

Curly Bun

Your curls gathered and coiled into a bun, high or low.

The bun keeps curls tidy and off the neck, easy for a hot day or a polished look.

Leave a few curls loose around the face to soften it. A little gel smooths the base.

Curly Ponytail

Curls gathered into a ponytail, high or low.

The ponytail keeps the curls controlled while showing off their length and bounce.

Wrap a curl around the base to hide the tie. Smooth the edges for a sleek front.

Curly Updo With Tendrils

Curls pinned up into an updo with a few pieces left loose to frame the face.

The updo dresses the curls up for an event while the loose tendrils keep it soft.

It suits weddings and occasions. Pin generously and leave a few curls out at the front.

Curly Bob With a Fringe

A curly bob paired with a curly fringe across the forehead.

The fringe adds another point of texture and frames the face, cutting it dry so the spring is right.

It suits most curl types. A little cream defines the fringe.

Salt and Pepper Curly Bob

A short curly bob worn with natural salt-and-pepper colour.

The bob shows off the unique texture and colour of greying curls, balancing length and volume.

It suits mature curls. Scrunch a curl serum up to the roots and air dry, or diffuse low to fight frizz.

Curly Hair With Balayage

Your curls with hand-painted balayage for soft, blended colour.

The colour adds depth and makes the curls pop, especially with darker roots melting into lighter lengths.

It suits medium-density curls. Keep the curls moisturized to hold the definition. Our hair color ideas section covers picking a tone.

Copper Curls

Curls in a warm copper shade.

Copper warms the complexion and makes curly texture stand out, a bold but wearable colour.

It suits anyone wanting warmth. A rich conditioner keeps the colour vibrant and the curls soft.

Highlighted Curls

Curls with highlights woven through to bring out the texture.

The lighter pieces catch on the curls and add dimension, making each one stand out.

It's a great way to add depth. Ask for placement that follows the curl pattern.

Short Curly Afro

A short natural afro worn full and rounded on tighter coils.

Embracing the natural coil pattern at a short length gives a compact, confident shape.

It celebrates your texture with little effort. A leave-in keeps the coils soft and defined.

Long Curls With Choppy Layers

Long hair just past the shoulders with choppy layers, worn curly or flicked out.

The choppy layers add width and movement, so you get shape without having to define full curls every day.

It suits looser waves and curls. Flick the ends out with a round brush as you dry, or scrunch for more curl. Our curly medium hairstyles post covers this length in more detail.