Curly Hairstyle Ideas for Men, Women and Wavy Hair
15 looks By hair type and face shape Updated 8 Oct 2026
The right curly hairstyle starts with a cut that works with your curl, not against it. Curly hair shrinks when it dries, puffs up in humidity and sits differently on each side, so the cut and the routine matter more than with straight hair.
This page has 15 ideas for curly and wavy hair: curly fades and crops for men and boys, defined curls and layers for women, wavy cuts, and afro and coily shapes. Each picture tells you the hair it needs, who it suits and what to say to your barber or stylist.
Short on length? See short hairstyles for men. Growing it out? Try long hairstyles for men.
Curly Hairstyle for Men and Boys
Short sides and curls on top is the easiest curly hair hairstyle men can manage. The fade keeps the shape neat while the curls do the styling.
- Hair
- Curly, thick
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 3 weeks
A mid skin fade with 5 cm of tight curls on top. It is the most popular men's curly hairstyle and needs just curl cream.
Stylist note: Mid skin fade from #0 to #2, 5 cm of curl on top, shape the top with scissors, never thinning shears.
- Hair
- Curly, medium
- Best for
- Long, oval faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 4 weeks
Curls pushed forward into a loose fringe. A low taper keeps it soft, and the fringe suits a long face.
Stylist note: Low taper with a #2, 6 cm on top, leave the front curls longer so they fall over the forehead.
- Hair
- Curly, medium to long
- Best for
- Square, oval faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 6 weeks
No clippers at all, just a rounded scissor cut that lets the curls sit evenly. Good if you want a softer look.
Stylist note: Ask for a dry curl cut, 4 cm at the sides, 8 cm on top, rounded so it does not go triangle shaped.
- Hair
- Curly or wavy, short
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 3 to 4 wks
A short curly crop with a drop fade behind the ear. Wash and go, so it suits busy school and college mornings.
Stylist note: Drop fade from #1 to #3, 3 to 4 cm of curl on top, fringe left just above the brows.
Curly Hair Hairstyle for Women
Women with curls do best with layers that remove weight. From a soft curls hairstyle for college to half up curls for functions, these work every day.
- Hair
- Long, curly
- Best for
- Square, round faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 8 to 10 wks
Long layers stop curls from turning into a triangle. Open defined curls look full and suit evenings and parties.
Stylist note: Ask for long curly layers cut dry, the shortest at the chin, and no thinning scissors.
- Hair
- Medium to long, curly
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 3 min, 1 soft scrunchie
Curls gathered loosely at the top of the head. It keeps the neck cool on hot days and protects curls overnight.
Stylist note: Flip your head forward, gather curls at the crown and tie once with a soft scrunchie, not tight.
- Hair
- Medium to long, curly
- Best for
- Weddings, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 12 min, 6 bobby pins
Half up curls with small white flowers pinned at the back. It shows off curls with a saree without loose frizz near the face.
Stylist note: Take the top section back without brushing, twist it once and pin, then tuck small flowers along the twist.
- Hair
- Short, curly
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 6 to 8 wks
A chin length curly bob dries in half the time. Keep it slightly longer than you think, because curls shrink.
Stylist note: Ask for a rounded curly bob cut dry at chin length, with light layers at the back.
Wavy Hairstyle for Men and Women
Wavy hair sits between straight and curly. It needs a little texture on top and very little product.
- Hair
- Wavy, medium thick
- Best for
- Round, square faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 4 to 5 wks
Medium waves swept back with fingers, not a comb. A mid taper keeps the sides tidy for work.
Stylist note: Mid taper with a #2, 8 cm on top, light layering. Finish with cream and push back with fingers.
- Hair
- Thick, wavy
- Best for
- Oval, round faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 4 to 6 wks
Thick waves swept to one side with soft layers. Good for wedding functions and formal days.
Stylist note: Scissor cut sides at 3 cm, 9 cm on top, remove bulk and blow dry to one side on low heat.
- Hair
- Long, wavy
- Best for
- Long, oval faces
- Upkeep
- Trim ends every 8 wks
Shoulder length waves with a loose middle part. Takes patience to grow but needs only trims for the ends.
Stylist note: Grow it out with light layers from the ears down, trim only the ends and keep the middle part loose.
- Hair
- Medium to long, wavy
- Best for
- Round, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 8 min, 2 bobby pins
Natural waves left open with a thin braid across the crown. It keeps frizzy front pieces off the face.
Stylist note: Scrunch damp waves with cream, then braid a thin section from one temple across the crown and pin.
Afro Hairstyle and Coily Styles
Coily hair has the tightest curl and the most shrinkage. These shapes keep it neat, healthy and easy to manage.
- Hair
- Coily, thick
- Best for
- Long, oval faces
- Upkeep
- Shape every 4 to 6 wks
A rounded afro shaped with scissors and a low taper at the neck. It suits men who want full volume.
Stylist note: Ask for a rounded afro shape cut dry, with a low taper at the ears and neck using a #2.
- Hair
- Coily, short
- Best for
- Oval, square faces
- Upkeep
- Trim every 2 to 3 wks
Short twists on top made with a sponge brush and a high fade. Neat, cool in the heat and low effort.
Stylist note: High fade from #0 to #2, 3 cm on top, then rub a twist sponge in circles to form the coils.
- Hair
- Coily or kinky, medium
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 10 min, 1 band, cream
A high afro puff held with a wide fabric band. It shows off volume and keeps edges smooth.
Stylist note: Moisturise the coils, gather them loosely at the crown with a wide band and shape the puff with fingers.
What to Tell Your Barber or Stylist About Curly Hair
- Ask for a dry cut or a dry check. Curls can shrink by half when they dry. A cut done wet can end up far shorter than you wanted.
- Say no to thinning scissors on curls. They cause frizz. Ask for weight to be removed with layers or point cutting.
- Give the top length in centimetres. Short curly tops need 3 to 5 cm, medium 6 to 8 cm.
- For fades: say the height and clipper number. Low fades begin right above the ear. Mid fades begin at the temple. #1 is 3 mm and #2 is 6 mm.
Curl specialist cuts, dry cutting by a senior stylist and treatments cost more than a regular trim. Trim curly fades every 2 to 4 weeks and layered women's cuts every 6 to 10 weeks.
Daily Routine for Curly and Frizzy Hair
- Wash 2 or 3 times a week. Curls dry out if washed daily.
- Use conditioner and detangle with fingers or a wide tooth comb in the shower, never a brush on dry curls.
- Apply curl cream or a light gel on soaking wet hair and scrunch upward.
- Air dry or use a diffuser on low heat with heat protectant.
- Once dry, scrunch out any crunch. Do not touch it again.
For humidity, a light gel gives more hold than cream. Sleep on a cotton or satin pillow cover or tie curls in a loose pineapple. For the best cut for your face, see face shape hairstyles for men and face shape hairstyles for women. If you see heavy hair fall or a flaky scalp, see a dermatologist.
Curly Cuts by Face Shape
| Face shape | Best curly or wavy style |
|---|---|
| Round | Curly top with mid fade, side swept waves |
| Long | Curly fringe, rounded afro, curls at the sides |
| Square | Long curly layers, soft scissor cut curls |
| Oval | Almost any curly cut |
| Heart | Chin length curly bob, waves with a crown braid |
Common hairstyle questions
What is the best hairstyle for curly hair men can manage in humidity?
A curly top with a mid or low fade is the easiest. The short sides stay neat in sweat, and the curls on top look better with a little frizz. Use a light gel instead of cream for extra hold.
Which hairstyle for wavy hair men should choose for office?
A mid taper with 7 to 8 cm of waves swept back or to the side looks smart and needs only a little cream. Trim it every 4 to 5 weeks so the sides do not puff out.
What is a good curly hairstyle for men with short hair?
Try a short curly crop with 3 to 4 cm on top and a drop fade, or simply keep the curls short all over with a #3 on the sides. Both need just curl cream and no blow dry.
How do I stop my curly hairstyle from going frizzy?
Apply product on soaking wet hair, not damp hair, and do not brush or touch the curls once they dry. Avoid thinning scissors at the salon. Sleep on a smooth pillow cover to protect the curl shape.
Can Indian men wear an afro hairstyle?
Yes, if your hair is naturally coily or very tightly curled. Grow the top to 6 to 10 cm and ask for a rounded shape cut dry. Keep the neck and ears tapered so it looks neat.
Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Dry is safer, or at least checked dry. Curls shrink when they dry, so a wet cut can come out much shorter. Tell your stylist how short you want it once dry. More tips are on our hairstyle names guide.
