If you are reading this article, then you probably know the struggles that come with having curly hair. It seems to be the most coveted of hairstyles — for everyone that does not have to deal with it, that is.
For those of us born with curly locks, though, it can be a challenge to know what works and what does not work with our hair in terms of hairstyles. Trial and error can be a disastrous misadventure that ends in missing or stuck bobby pins and epic sticky curls clumping together.
So, for anyone looking for ways to tame the mane or even just find some creative ways to style those twisty strands, we have found hairstyles you will want to try. They showcase what curly hair really has to offer: texture and body.
FAQ | Cute Curly Styles
Photo by averie woodard on Unsplash
When looking at different hairstyles that can be formed from curly hair, there are some things to keep in mind. We have pointed these out as we answer some frequently asked questions about how to style curly hair fashionably without needing to straighten it first.
1. What Are Curly Hairstyles?
2. What Do We Need for the Styles?
3. What Else Do We Need to Know?
How We Came Up with This List
Photo by Philipe Cavalcante on Unsplash
There were a few things we were looking for in curly hairstyles as we set out to make this list of recommendations. We wanted styles that showed off diversity of hair textures, offered a variety of occasion-appropriate options and came with easy-to-understand directions.
We took our time studying what was available in current top styles, and we sorted through some classics, as well, to find the variety we felt would meet your needs the best. What we came up with was 10 top hairstyles for people like you who are cursed/blessed with curly hair.
We will describe each style and list the benefits and disadvantages of each to help you get a realistic sense of how to wear these styles and what they can offer to you (depending on the texture and length of your hair.)
What Do These Styles Take?
Photo by Jaroslav Devia on Unsplash
This is the best part! Doing your own hair comes with no price tag. You just need some creativity and hair ties, then you are good to go. However, if you want to add something to elevate a simple style into a dressed-up look, then bring in a cuff, dazzling pins or ornamental pieces. They are always fun and add just that extra spark.
What We Reviewed
Messed-up Topknot
Features
The messed-up topknot is perfect for casual settings where you still want to show some personality in your look without drawing too much attention to it. This style only takes seconds and works best with hair that is 100% curly without big waves, so it needs to be heavily textured.
All you need to do is put your hair into a bun. Leave a few curls untucked so they splay out of the bun and add serious texture and personality to whatever look you are wearing.
Pros
Cons
Corset with French Braid
Features
This style works well for those with full-bodied hair, and it also will help keep the hair out of your face. This look is somewhat versatile and, while it may look slightly more complex, it does not take a lot of skill to complete.
Simply section out your hair so you can make a low mohawk style pony tail. This should leave side sections free for you to make a French braid starting above the hair tie, working down to cover it, and then wrapping under the pony tail and securing it with bobby pins.
Of the hairstyles, this one is suited to both casual environments and more professional ones, and can easily be dressed up or down depending on your needs or desires.
Pros
Cons
French Braided Low Pony Tail
Features
This hairstyle is simple in design, but works well in both casual and professional settings. It utilizes a braid to control the curls but also showcase the lovely texture and body they can bring to any look.
All you need to do is braid a French braid, starting at one side of the head and curving to end at the nape of your neck around the other side. Secure it with a hair tie and then wrap strands of hair around the tie to conceal it. That is all there is to it! It keeps everything tucked in place and out of your face without compromising style or personality.
Pros
Cons
Short Hair with Half Bun
Features
This simple style has really been trending recently. It adds a little spark to the half-up look and can be worn anywhere.
To achieve this look, pull a top layer of your hair back into a bun and secure it. It will take away some of the shape of your hair, so if the curls are just pushing their boundaries a little, this can help even out the weight or "fluff" of the hair. Also, it helps keep your hair out of your face without needing to put everything up. This can be great for those days when the top layer of curls fell flat but everything else is on-point.
Pros
Cons
Half a Lob
Features
This style delves more into the "classy" side of curly hair. Long curly hair can be a pain to manage sometimes — especially on long nights when poise and class are required for you to maintain an elegant look. This style aids in that battle by pulling one side of hair to the other using bobby pins and hair spray. It also shortens the length by pulling hair into a lob style.
Pros
Cons
Relax Your Pony
Features
This is perhaps the simplest of the hairstyles listed here, but it works really well for curly hair. Instead of a high or low pony tail, putting one in the mid-range accentuates the texture and volume of your beautiful curls. Though it is just a pony tail, curly hair brings a punch of personality to the look, and this placement draws focus to that in just the right way.
Pros
Cons
Side-Swept Low Pony Tail
Features
This style looks complicated and classy, but is actually a simple "do" to do.
Starting from one side of the head, start a loose zig-zag pattern and secure the strands with bobby pins. You can control how much or how little body there is by how tight you weave your zig-zag, though we recommend going loose and dramatic as that makes for a truly classic style. Once you reach the nape of the neck on the other side of the head, tie it in a pony tail. Play with hair placement on this one. It is meant to appear classically playful.
Pros
Cons
Maiden Braids with a Twist
Features
This easy-to-perform quick style utilizes twisted sections of hair from the front of the face being pulled back and secured with bobby pins. This style only takes seconds, but adds some texture to curly hair and seems to be a natural look. You can even add texture by pulling hair out of the twist lightly to make it appear loose and big - this will also draw attention to the twists.
Pros
Cons
High Cuffed Pony Tail
Features
For those who have short, curly hair, this is a style to really look at. There are lots of hairstyles we recommend, but this one is not only simple, it is versatile. All you need to do is gather your hair into a high pony tail, and then place a cuff over the hair tie. It adds that personal touch to take a casual look straight into a professional environment, as well.
Pros
Cons
Inside-Out Updo Pony Tail
Features
This style fits more into the "classy" bracket, although it is very simple to execute. The Inside-Out Updo Pony Tail builds off of three stacked pony tails that are flipped and folded into each other. Add some bobby pins and hair spray and you are all set!
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash
Obviously, we cannot tell you how to wear your hair every day, and even if we could, curly hair does what it wants. That is something most of us born with curly locks have already learned through battles of will.
So, instead of trying to push you toward a certain style, we invite you to try one or all these recommended hairstyles. Play around with each one. Make tweaks, add some personal touches and style to it. Find out which of these hairstyles really sits well with your look or, better yet, use these to jump into creating some of your own that better express your individuality.
If you're short on time, though, and want a versatile hairstyle that will be suitable for work and a casual dinner after, then we recommend the Maiden Braids with a Twist. It strikes the perfect balance between easy and quick to do and the versatility that'll carry you from morning to night.
Many of these hairstyles are classic and simple, however we found that it was the simple styles that really drew out the texture especially of curly hair. Those of us with curls know there is no need for complicated knots or braids or updos for our hair to add to our style. Curls create their own body and texture — all we need to do it show it off.
Featured Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash