By day three, most curls have gone flat at the crown and frizzy at the ends, which is when a satin scrunchie or claw clip beats a full restyle. These cute curly hairstyles are matched to curl type and length, and upkeep mostly comes down to water, a little gel and a soft brush.
1. Pineapple for Long Curls
Anyone with 3A to 4A curls at shoulder length or longer can do this. It keeps the curl shape safe overnight and doubles as a daytime style, which is why it is one of the cute curly hairstyles I teach first. Pull the long curls to the top of the head with a satin scrunchie so the ends fall forward. A soft brush and edge gel handle the hairline, and water with a little leave-in revives the ends on day three.
2. High Puff for Natural Curls
Medium to thick 3C to 4C hair is the natural fit for this. All the curls go up to the crown and get secured with a stretchy band or satin scrunchie. A gel and soft brush smooth the sides, and a pick opens the puff up. On wash day plus two, it is among the quickest natural curly hairstyles. Trim the ends every 12 weeks and the puff stays round.
3. Half-Up High Puff
3B to 4A curls at any density suit this. The top section goes into a loose puff at the crown while everything else stays down, so the length shows and the curls stay off the face. A soft brush and edge gel finish the front. Second-day hair is when I reach for this one of the cute curly hairstyles. Water and curl cream refresh the lengths.
4. Curly Double Buns
Festivals and concerts call for this, and shoulder-length or longer 3A to 4B curls can manage it. Two high buns sit on either side of a center part: gather each side, twist it loosely and tie it off with a scrunchie so the curls stay fluffy. A few curls at the temples stay out. A light gel at the part keeps the line clean. It is one of the cute curly hairstyles with the most personality.
5. Curly Double Buns, Half-Up
Fine to thick curls at any length past the chin can wear this. Volume and length both show, which is why it is one of the cute curly hairstyles I suggest when someone wants their hair up but not hidden. The top section is parted at the center, and each side is twisted loosely into a small bun while the rest of the curls stay down. Water and a little gel revive the loose curls.
6. Big Claw Clip Curly Updo
Medium to thick 2C to 3C curls hold this best. Hot days are its reason for being, which puts it among the cute curly hairstyles for summer. Long curls are twisted up the back of the head and a large clip, at least four inches wide, closes over the twist with the ends spilling over the top. A few curls pulled out at the face finish it.
7. Medium Claw Clip, Curly Half-Up
2C to 3B curls at any density can do this in under a minute, which puts it among the easy curly hairstyles anyone can manage. The top section is twisted back gently, so the curls do not frizz, and a medium clip holds it. The rest of the curls stay down. A little gel scrunched into the length brings the definition back.
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8. Loose Curly Top Knot
Shoulder-length or longer 3A to 4A curls suit this, and the gym and errands are where it earns its place among the easy curly hairstyles. The curls are gathered at the crown and wrapped loosely into a bun, which gets its volume from the curls rather than teasing. A scrunchie and two U-pins hold it. Curls at the nape and temples stay out.
9. Curly Low Bun at the Nape
Medium to thick 3A to 4B curls carry this, and it moves between work and weddings without a change. The curls are twisted at the nape and pinned into a loose knot, with the front smoothed by gel and a soft brush. Two curls stay out at the face. A light hold spray keeps it in place all day, making it one of the cute curly hairstyles with real staying power.
10. Curly Pony With a Scrunchie
2C to 4A curls suit this everyday option, which is among the easy curly hairstyles I recommend most. The curls are gathered at the crown or mid-head and secured without disturbing the curl pattern. A silk or satin scrunchie frizzes less than an elastic would. A little gel smooths the hairline. Fingers fluff the ponytail out at the end.
11. Curly Pony With Loose Face Curls
Oval and heart faces with 3A to 3C curls suit this. Two or three curls stay out at each temple, and I cut face-framing layers at the cheekbone so those pieces curl tighter. The ponytail goes low or mid-head. A pulled-back look softens considerably, which is why it is one of the cute curly hairstyles for anyone who finds a plain ponytail too severe. Water and a little gel refresh the loose curls.
12. Full Curly Pigtails
Weekends and the beach are where this lives, and chin-length or longer 3A to 4B curls can wear it. The hair is split down the center into two ponytails behind the ears, with the curls left loose and full. Satin scrunchies protect against breakage. Among easy curly hairstyles, it is one of the most playful. A little gel smooths the part and fingers fluff each ponytail.
13. Dutch Braids to Curly Tails
Medium to thick 3A to 4B curls hold this through a workout, which is why it is one of the cute curly hairstyles I suggest for the gym. Each side is braided underhand from the hairline to the nape on damp hair with a light gel, and the ends are left loose so the curls stay fluffy. Budget about ten minutes.
14. Silk Scarf Headband for Curls
Any curl pattern can wear this, and travel and hot days are when I suggest it, which makes it one of the curly hairstyles with no barrier to entry. A square silk scarf is folded into a band and tied at the nape under the curls, keeping them off the face and covering a frizzy hairline. A knot tied to one side softens it. Silk also reduces friction on the curls.
15. Bandana Over Curls
All curl types can wear this, and it hides second-day roots. Festivals and the beach are its home, which makes it one of the cute curly hairstyles for days outside. A cotton square is folded into a triangle and tied at the nape or knotted on top, with the curls left out at the back. Before tying, refresh the curls with water and a little gel.
16. Satin Ribbon Curly Half-Up
2C to 3C curls at any density suit this, and dinners and holidays are its occasions. A satin ribbon ties over a small half-up section at the crown, where it stands out against the curls. The section is gathered gently so the curl shape holds. A velvet or satin ribbon about an inch wide works best. It is one of the cute curly hairstyles that takes a plain evening up a notch.
17. Side Curls Pinned With Barrettes
Round and heart faces with 3A to 3C curls suit this. With a deep side part, one side is pushed behind the ear and held with two barrettes, showing the jawline while the curls fall freely on the other side. A minute is all it takes, which makes it one of the cute curly hairstyles for rushed mornings. Thick curls call for barrettes with a strong snap.
18. Curly Fringe
Oval and long faces with 3A to 3C curls suit a curly fringe, and it is one of the cute curly hairstyles that puts the focus on the eyes. I cut it dry, curl by curl, so I can see where each one springs, and I leave it longer than straight bangs, usually to the eyebrow when wet. Curl cream scrunched in and a diffuser finish it. Trim every 6 weeks.
19. Curly Curtain Fringe
Oval, heart and long faces with 2C to 3B curls suit this. It parts at the center and falls to each side at the cheekbones. I cut it dry and leave extra length for shrinkage. Gel on wet bangs and a diffuser set it. Growing it out is painless, which is why it is one of the cute curly hairstyles I recommend to anyone unsure about bangs. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
20. Shag Cut for Curls
Medium to thick 2C to 3C curls with oval or long faces suit this. Short layers at the crown and around the face let the curls stack on top, and I cut every one of them dry. Curl cream and gel go in before diffusing. For volume at the top, it is one of the cute curly hairstyles that delivers without effort. Trim every 8–10 weeks.
21. Wolf Cut for Curls
Thick 3A to 3C curls with oval or heart faces suit this. Shaggy volume at the crown runs into a tapered, longer back. I cut the top curls short and dry, and point cut the lengths. Diffusing upside down gives root lift. Among cute curly hairstyles it is one of the edgier options. Trim every 6–8 weeks so the crown stays short.
22. Butterfly Cut for Curls
Medium to thick 2C to 3B curls with oval or heart faces suit this. Short layers at the cheekbones stack over long layers, and the curls settle into them with no round brush. I cut it dry. Mousse and a diffuser give it volume. Face-framing is the whole idea, which makes it one of the cute curly hairstyles for anyone who wants softness around the face. Trim every 8 weeks.
23. Round Curly Bob
Oval and heart faces with 3A to 3C curls suit this. I cut it dry at the chin so the shape stays round and never turns into a triangle, taking weight out of the interior while keeping the perimeter soft. Curl cream and gel go onto soaking-wet hair before diffusing. Among short curly hairstyles, it is one of the quickest to dry. Trim every 8 weeks.
24. Pixie Cut for Curls
Oval and heart faces with 3B to 4A curls suit this. The sides and nape stay short, with two to four inches of curl on top, and I cut that top dry so each curl sits right. Curl cream scrunched in and air-drying are all it needs. Among short curly hairstyles, it is one of the five-minute options. Trim every 5–6 weeks.
25. Lob Cut for Curls
Medium to thick 2C to 3B curls suit this, and most face shapes can wear it, which is why it is one of the cute curly hairstyles I cut most often. It sits at the collarbone with long internal layers so the curls do not pile up at the bottom. I cut it dry and round the ends. Curl cream and gel go in before diffusing. Trim every 8–10 weeks.
By day three, most curls have gone flat at the crown and frizzy at the ends, which is exactly when I pin them up and call it cute. FYI, a satin scrunchie hides more than you would think. The oval face haircuts guide runs through the other shapes.
