The Best Short Haircuts for Curly Hair

If you have curly hair and you’re feeling inspired to change up your look, there’s no better time to make the chop than right before a new year. Short hairstyles are a major trend this season, but cutting your hair can be intimidating, especially when you have naturally curly tresses. Contrary to what you may think, a short hairstyle is a great way to make your curls more manageable while showing off your natural volume and gorgeous coils. 

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 cut that lets your face and bone structure shine. Pixie cuts are often associated with ultra-short, straight hair, but you can absolutely sport this cut with curly hair, too. 

At the salon, ask your stylist for a slightly longer pixie cut, that way you can still show off your curls. When your hair is damp, apply a mousse, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse which adds definition and hold to your curls, then let your hair air dry for a beautiful texture. 

3. Curly Pompadour

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 applying a nourishing styling product to enhance your curls like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free.

5. TWA (Teeny Weenie Afro) 

A great short cut for natural hair is a TWA, or teeny weenie Afro, of about one to two inches long. If you’re looking to sport an-ultra short style or you feel like you need a big chop to start fresh with your curly strands, this cut is perfect for you. Simply apply a leave-in curl-defining cream to add definition and hydration to your short tendrils. 

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 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, like the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Sheer Oil, to keep your ends soft.

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 the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Curl Cocoon Creme on your damp bangs to add some definition to your wavy long layers.

8. Curly Mullet

The modern mullet features the classic short in the front, long in the back styling with an edgy look and feel. This haircut 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 looks anything but that.

9. Curly Inverted Bob

The inverted bob is slightly longer in the front with shorter length in the back and the subtle differentiation allows your 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 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.

Style your curls with a leave-in treatment and use the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Refresh & Reshape Leave-in Spray to reshape your curls and maintain moisture on days when you don’t wash your hair.

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. It’s a short style but 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 gives your curls height and volume on the top with cropped sides. It’s edgy and combines the ease of a short style with top volume that shows off your covetable curly tresses.

13. Curly Buzz Cut

A cropped curly ‘do is a wash-and-go style and it makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. Similar to the TWA, the curly buzz is a hit shorter with its length and height. After washing your hair, just apply a curl-enhancing cream like the Everpure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Curl Cocoon Creme throughout your short length to amplify your curls’ natural shape and provide 24-hour frizz control.

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 to complete the look.

15. Curly Bixie Cut

Part pixie, part bob, this short ‘do hails from the ‘90s and works great for curly textures. Since it’s 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

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 the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant to protect your strands from the heat before working a blow dryer through them.

18. Curly Mohawk

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: 20 Stylish Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair

Written by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Production Assistant: Jason Parigian, Digital Tech: Sam Kang, Photo Assistant: Hannah Lewis-Lopes, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Prop Stylist: Katrina Rozeville, Prop Assistant: Zach Molina, Model: Alexandra Cunningham