Have you ever noticed that many of the popular hairstyles revolve around straight or wavy manes? Angled bob, French girl bangs, slicked back buns, these are All tend to look best on straight hair. So what about girls (and guys too!) with curls? We spoke with several hairstylists to determine the most popular hair trends for curly hair.
From long, loose curls like Beyoncé to pinback curls, take a closer look at 17 curly hair trends.
Long, loose, flowing curls
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Beyoncé wowed the crowd at Atlantis The Royal Grand Reveal in January 2023. It wasn’t just their first full concert in four years. Her gorgeous, moisturized cascading curls also grabbed attention. “We love this look, which is all about hydration, starting with nourishing products that celebrate shine and movement,” says celebrity hairstylist Aviva Jansen Perea. “Anyone can wear this style, but I think it looks best with a center part.”
Celebrity hairstylist Valerie Joseph is also a fan of the long, loose, flowing curl trend. “Mermaid is the perfect beach style for people with long, curly hair,” he says, with a nod to Beyoncé. “This can be achieved by simply letting your hair air dry and finishing with your favorite hair oil.”
curly top knot
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If you’re limited on time, celebrity hairstylist Valerie Joseph recommends opting for a top knot to keep your curls under control and presentable. “The top knot is a quick and easy style that anyone can pull off,” he says, pointing to Ciara’s take on style as a great example. “Simply gather your hair at the top of your head and secure with an elastic. Pull out some of the face-framing pieces and tie everything together.”
curly high pony
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Looking to remove texture from your face while still showing off texture? Joseph says to opt for high ponytails and half-up ponies like Jennifer Lopez above. “Curly high ponytails are perfect for people who want to keep their hair out of their face while looking sophisticated and chic,” he says. For a particularly stylish look, twist several strands around the base of the pony and pin the ends down to hide the elastic.
deep side part
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For the past few years, the middle division has reigned supreme. But Joseph says the deep side is making a big comeback. “There you go, the middle part. The side part is back,” he exclaimed, noting that Rihanna often rocks the look. “I love a deep, defined side part paired with old Hollywood-style curls for an elegant and sophisticated look.” A deep side part works well with natural curls or a faux frizz. It’s effective. You really can’t go wrong.
big bouncy curl
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For very coily hair that can really maintain tension and bounce, Joseph says to work with your hair instead of against it. “When I think of curls, I think of big, bouncy curls,” he explained, nodding to Zendaya’s Dune premiere for reference. “The ’70s was a time full of big hair to match big personalities. ’70s hair always comes back for a reason.” When working to achieve this level of bounce, use your hands Do not leave the hair or brush away from your hair. The only thing you should use is a hairdryer with a diffuser combined with curl-strengthening products such as mousse and shine serum.
The Elevated Shag
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Another retro hairstyle that has been gaining attention in recent years is the shag. This style pairs especially well with natural textures. “The high shag incorporates choppy layers and short bangs for a modern take on a classic cut,” says Joseph, adding that Natasha Lyonne loves this look. He pointed out that there was. “We especially like it on people with curly hair because the curls add volume.” To really make this style shine, add texturing products like dry volumizing sprays and powders to your styling routine.
Coiled pixie
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Curly hair looks beautiful at any length, so there’s no need to be shy about using scissors if you want to cut it short. “Short styles like the pixie are great for people with defined curls, as they can create a nice shape around the face,” says Joseph, and Julia Garner’s platinum pixie proves that. I pointed out that “We recommend styling with a voluminous mousse or gel.”
Curly pixies are also trending because they are easy to style. “The curly pixie is a bold, short cut that shows off your natural curl pattern and requires less maintenance for daily styling,” says Devin Graciano, hairstylist and chief product officer at Goldilocks.
curly bangs
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Those who say you can’t cut bangs on curly hair have never seen how stunning Zendaya, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and many other A-listers look with this cut. “Bangs aren’t just for straight hair,” says Joseph. “Curly bangs cut just above the eyebrows can add more personality to any style.” That said, Joseph notes that curly bangs tend to look best on longer face shapes. It is pointed out that there is.
curly bob
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Kerry Washington is the queen of the curly bob. According to Joseph, this style is on-trend for its timeless elegance. “I love cutting my curly bob diagonally to add dimension and highlight facial features,” he reveals.
soft curl
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Graciano says less prep, more brushed-in curly styles are trending on social media. Think about it. Consider Taylor Swift’s fluffy blowout performance at the 2024 Golden Globes. “While your curls still look intact, you’ll see your curls brushed out slightly for a more tactile or just-touched end result,” says Graciano. To get this look, try using a wide comb to detangle your curls and a boar bristle brush to lightly smooth them.
blonde curls
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Another popular curly hair trend has less to do with style and more to do with color. “Blonde or pre-lightened curls are always appreciated,” says Graciano. “Adding blonde highlights or a full head of blonde creates incredible dimension and highlights your natural curls.” Look at Rihanna’s platinum curls above. Isn’t it wonderful?
natural curls
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However, don’t think you need a special trendy haircut or color to make your curls look their best. According to celebrity hairstylist Jerome Rohde, requesting a “curly cut” that matches your natural texture may be the most appealing option.
“Don’t fight your natural texture in the heat and humidity. Natural hair and big, long waves (which we saw a lot at the Met Gala) are on trend. Instead, cut your curls, In other words, start your summer with a point cut.” Adjust each to the desired length (it doesn’t matter if it’s a trim or a chop, the emphasis is on texture), then a good curl cream and waves that suit you. Find sprays, shine sprays and serums. It’s dry shampoo,” he says. “A curl cream is great for shaping stubborn areas into the right shape, and you can press in a wave spray to maintain the overall texture. If you’re prone to frizz, use an oil or serum from the middle of your hair to the ends. , reduce frizz and add shine. If your curls are perfectly set one day, don’t wash them for a few days using dry shampoo, as they tend to dry out in the heat, so skip another day. Then you can stay healthy.”
soft ombre balayage
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Sure, full-body blonde curls are gorgeous, but there’s also something to be said for the variation in tone along each hair. That’s why Laudette is a big fan of ombre balayage coloring on her curls. “If you have natural curls, adding ombre balayage will blend into your hair shape and add depth and texture,” he explains. “It’s perfect for summer because it’s low-maintenance. And if you’re planning on traveling or can’t get to your stylist, you don’t have to worry about needing a root touch-up.”
pinback curls
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If you want to keep your hair out of your face but don’t want to wear it up, Laudette says hair accessories are a great way to put them to good use. “In the summer, bring back some or all of your natural curls with interesting accessories,” he suggests. “Claw clips have obviously been a trend for a while, but unique hair accessories are becoming more exciting, as seen at events like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrity weddings, and recent runways. All the rage, try pearlescent, opalescent, or metallic clips or bands this summer to keep your curls from falling off your neck.
bouncy speech bubble
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While we’re all for embracing natural textures, there may be times when you need to change things up. “If you usually wear your curls naturally, a summer event like a wedding can be an excuse to switch it up to a big, voluminous hairstyle,” says Laudette, who shares the style of Sabrina Carpenter. He points out that this is a representative example. “Natural curls help add volume, but you can add even more volume by using a volumizing spray. Start by spraying damp hair with an anti-frizz spray, then use a round brush to tame small areas and add volume to each section. Finish with a little bit of light hairspray to keep your hair in shape. Sleeping with your hair loosely curled will help preserve the curl and extend the life of your hair for an extra day. .”
pineapple pony
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The pineapple prop is a curly-haired girl’s favorite! “It’s an easy updo (often used as a protective sleep style), but it can also be styled for a fun and chic summer look. ,” says Laudette, noting that it works best with medium-length curls. “Cut your curls in a pony on the top of your head, letting the curls spill into your bangs (if you don’t have bangs, use the ends of your hair to disguise them). Using a curl cream will help contour your face. You can highlight the curls you draw and make sure they fit perfectly on your face.”
french bob
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French bob is also a style that goes well with curly hair. Combine some of the aforementioned trends like bob, side part, and brushed-out curls for an effortlessly chic end look. “The French bob is characterized by a chin-length blunt cut with layers of soft, broken hair, often in either full or curtain bangs,” says Perea. “This style looks great on everyone because it’s really the style cut. It’s timeless, super chic, and can be worn with many different types of curls (even super straight hair),” says Perea. We created the 2024 Oscars look by blowing out America Ferrera’s natural texture and adding subtle bends with a flat iron and curling iron. “The key to this style is to balance blunt ends with mid-length movement, so a texturizing spray is key, and you should choose your spray based on your hair’s moisture needs.” Perea adds.
