The Best Short Haircuts for Curly Hair

If you have curly hair and you’re feeling inspired to change up your look, embracing a shorter cut may be just what you need. Short curly hairstyles are a major trend this season, but cutting your hair can be intimidating, especially when you have naturally curly tresses. But contrary to what you may think, a curly short haircut can be a great way to make your curls more manageable while showing off your natural volume and gorgeous coils.

If you're not sure which cut will suit you best, we're here to help. Ahead, we’re sharing 18 of our favorite short haircuts for curly hair, from classic lobs to edgy mullets and more. Plus, we’ll clue you in on the best styling product to use to help ensure your short curly hair looks (and feels) its very best.

1. Curly Lob

If you’re hesitant about making a drastic change and losing most of your length, the lob (long bob) is for you. Lob haircuts are super-low maintenance and look amazing when paired with curly hair. To style your shoulder-length cut, apply the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner to towel-dried hair and gently scrunch your curly tendrils to enhance their shape.

2. Curly Pixie

Not only is the pixie haircut incredibly easy to style when you’re rushing to get out the door, but it’s also a flattering short curly hairstyle for women looking to let their bone structure shine. Pixie cuts are often associated with ultra-short, straight hair, but you can absolutely sport this cut with curly hair, too.

3. Curly Pompadour

The curly pompadour is a cool, retro-inspired hairstyle that can help to elongate your face shape. It features about five to six inches of length on top and shorter sides for an eye-catching look with a vintage ‘50s vibe. To style this voluminous cut and let your natural curls shine, use a leave-in conditioner to add moisture and shape your curls.

4. Curly Bob

You can’t go wrong with a classic bob, and that also applies to curly hair. One of the best things about styling a curly bob haircut is how low maintenance it is. Let your natural texture shine by misting your hair with a hydrating leave-in treatment, such as the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free, and letting your hair air-dry naturally.

5. TWA (Teeny Weenie Afro)

The TWA—or teeny weenie Afro—is a great short cut for natural hair. If you’re looking to sport an ultra-short curly hairstyle or you feel like you need a big chop to start fresh with your curly strands, this one-to-two-inch crop is perfect for you. It’s also incredibly easy to style: Simply apply a leave-in curl-defining cream to add definition and hydration to your short tendrils and fend off frizz.

6. Short Shag

Shag haircuts, which typically hit around the shoulders (but can be adapted for shorter lengths), feature lots of layers. Layers help create movement and dimension which is great for keeping your short curly hair looking bouncy. To style a curly shag, apply a leave-in hair cream or mousse to define your curls and finish off with a few drops of a hydrating hair oil.

7. Long Bangs with a Buzz Cut

While you might be thinking that a buzz cut will leave you with incredibly limited styling options, think again. You can have a short buzz cut with a curly fringe or you can even have your barber or stylist incorporate shapes or shading into your buzzed areas to add a unique touch. Use a dime-sized amount of conditioning cream to damp bangs to add some definition to those longer wavy layers.

8. Curly Mullet

When you have curly hair, short hairstyles can sometimes feel intimidating—you don’t want to lose all that natural texture. For a perfect in-between style, try the modern mullet. It features the classic short in the front, long in the back styling with an edgy look and feel. This short curly hairstyle is daring and dramatic, especially with curls, so it’s all you need on the styling front. Ask your stylist for a mullet with short layers to keep the volume of your curly tresses. After washing your hair, apply a leave-in and let your strands air dry for an easy, quick hairstyle that lets your ringlets and spirals shine.

9. Curly Inverted Bob

The inverted bob is slightly longer in the front with shorter length in the back. The subtle differentiation allows short haircuts with curly hair to grow without looking boxy or losing its shape. Curls can look and feel heavy if they’re all the same length and the inverted cut helps to avoid this. Since curls are often prone to frizz, use a few pumps of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In as needed. The bonus: It doubles as a heat protectant if you ever decide to straighten your strands.

10. Curly Asymmetrical Bob

An asymmetrical haircut is off-skewed to give your style a modern, chic look. It does a great job of framing your features and playing up your bountiful curls. For max volume, wash your asymmetrical cut with a curl-enhancing shampoo and conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner.

11. Curly Bowl Cut

A curly bowl cut, also known as the mushroom cut, has a round shape that hugs your head with lots of volume. This short curly hairstyle is great because it’s bouncy, playful, and keeps your styling routine quick and easy with the help of a leave-in treatment and some air drying.

12. Curly Quiff

A curly quiff is one of our favorite short hairstyles on curly hair with a tight curl pattern. The edgy cut features cropped sides and more length on top to show off your covetable curls, coils, and spirals. Styling the cut is super easy, too—just work a curl-enhancing cream throughout your longer tresses to help define your curls before heading out the door.

13. Curly Buzz Cut

A cropped curly ‘do is a wash-and-go style and it makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. While similar to the TWA, this short, naturally curly haircut tends to feature a bit less length, so the curls lay tighter against the head. As a bonus, it looks great as it grows out, seamlessly transitioning from a cropped buzz to a voluminous, bouncy Afro.

14. Curly Wolf Cut

A wolf cut combines the modern mullet with shaggy, short layers and the end result does a wonderful job of enhancing the shape and bounce of your curly style. Ask your stylist to cut short, choppy layers throughout the length of your hair and add some longer, face-framing layers around the sides to complete the look.

15. Curly Bixie Cut

Part pixie, part bob, this short curly hairstyle hails from the ‘90s and works great for curly textures. Since bixie haircuts are a little longer than a pixie, the maintenance and styling is a bit less trying, plus, the choppy texture and layers make your curls look full and healthy.

16. Curly Bob With Micro Bangs

A short, curly bob shows off the different textures and volume of your bouncy coils. When paired with statement micro bangs, this short curly hairstyle gets an instant on-trend upgrade. Use a curl cream to style your length and keep the micro bangs fresh in between washes.

17. Layered Curly Lob With Wispy Bangs

A layered lob with curly tresses helps to remove some weight while making your hair look like it’s all the same length. Ask your stylist to add trendy wispy bangs to your lob for a short ‘do with an effortless, undone feel. Use a curl cream to bring out your natural texture, and prime your wispy bangs with a heat protectant to shield your strands from the heat before working a blow dryer through them.

18. Curly Mohawk

One of our favorite styles for short curly hair, a curly mohawk showcases volume on the top of your head that cascades down to the nape of your neck, paired with cropped sides. It’s an edgy style that no doubt makes a bold statement. To dial up the look, ask your barber or stylist to add some texture with buzzed lines and shapes on the cropped sides, and a V shape at the nape of your neck.

Next: Our Favorite Protective Hairstyles for Shielding Your Strands From Damage

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris