Beautiful, lush curls are often envied by those with straighter locks and yet remain a styling conundrum for those who possess natural curls. There is often a fear of going short with curls because of the concern that they will get wilder the shorter we go. Oftentimes, not having the ability to tie hair up in a ponytail is also a fear for curly-haired women who utilize this method to contain their wild mane.
When thinking about short haircuts, sleek bobs, and crisp swing cuts often come to mind, but many women with curly hair may not believe a short haircut is possible for them. However, going short is not only for those with straight hair. Curly-haired women have plenty of options for short haircuts that will work for their hair and their lifestyle.
Here are six short haircuts for women with curly hair that will work with their natural texture. Curly hair can range from loose waves to spirally ringlets to very tight curls, but here you’ll find something that will flatter anyone.
Curly Pixie Cut
Dare to go bold with the shortest on the list—the pixie cut. You might think of straight hair when you think of a pixie cut, but curls can soften up this look for a more romantic take. This is an eye-catching way to let your curls shine, as they won’t be weighed down by the weight of long hair. Play with lengths and layering techniques to achieve the pixie cut that works best for your curl type.
Curly Layered Bob
Going with a bob cut is a great option for curly hair because it’s short enough to keep your dry time quick and your styling simple. It’s also long enough to play with half up/half down and other styles to vary up the look. Looser curls can achieve an effortlessly tousled look with a bob, while a tighter curl pattern can achieve a well-maintained and polished look at this length. Try adding different lengths of layers to add drama to this cut. Layers will also keep curls from piling on top of each other, which can happen with a one-length cut and lead to too much bulk at the ends.
Curly Bob with Bangs
So many curly girls don’t think they should go for bangs, but a long fringe can work beautifully with natural curls. There is no need to straighten out the bangs; just allow your curls to softly frame your face with this effortlessly chic cut. Experiment with a blunt cut or side-swept look, depending on what suits your face shape. Be careful and talk to your stylist about how much your hair shrinks when you dry it, or you may wind up with bangs that are cut too short. Dry cuts are always recommended for curly-haired women when possible, especially for bangs!
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Curly Side Shave
For the bolder, curly-headed women, a curly side shave cut is an exciting and unique way to show off those curls. Eliminating bulk on one side thins out potentially puffy looks and allows curls to take center stage when draped to one side or the other. This is a fierce look that is also softened by naturally curly hair—a great combination. For those who aren’t ready to go for such a dramatic cut, try shaving smaller sections or talk to your stylist about an undercut, which is a shaved section that can be easily hidden.
Curly Swing Bob
Often, the best curls are in that underlayer of hair that rarely sees the light of day. The curly swing bob can achieve the best of both worlds by stacking and layering in the back while giving length around the face. While the length is flexible, this look is cut in the back while keeping the face-framing length towards the front. A swing bob may feel safe for someone new to shorter ‘dos. The layering in the back will reveal a head full of curls that aren’t hidden under one length, making this a fun and energetic cut — the perfect choice if you want to spice up your look.
Shoulder Length with Deep Part
Some women would prefer a little more length but continue to keep their hair relatively short. A flattering cut at the shoulder – or just above – can work for any curly type. Adding a deep side part varies the look by allowing curls to stack up on one side and bring volume to the root. This is important for women with curly hair because, with a longer length, volume tends to accumulate at the ends instead. A shoulder-length cut will allow for flexibility in styling options that some shorter cuts don’t, making this a very friendly cut for all curly-haired women.
Conclusion
As you can see, anyone can go short! Ditch the old mindset that you need straight hair to pull off a shorter cut. There is no need to break out that flat iron to pull off any of the cuts listed because natural curls are unique and fun to style. Short cuts and curly hair can work well together, after all!
So, embrace your natural curls with a fresh new look by choosing one of these six short haircuts for women with curly hair. When it comes to curly hair, one size never fits all, thanks to a variety of curl patterns. Talk to your stylist about customizing these shortcuts so that they complement your curl type, face shape, and lifestyle, and enjoy your new look!
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