Crimps, coils, waves, and everything in between—curly hair is incredibly versatile, and therefore fun to chop and change. Whether you have 4C hair and want to try out a perfectly round, bouncy ’70s Afro, or are intrigued by gappy side fringes or brow-grazing curly curtain bangs, there’s a wealth of references to choose from: take Chappell Roan’s long ruby main to Tyla’s pixie crop or Beyoncé’s tumbling blonde tresses. One of the best things about curly hair is that it has the grit to hold a style in place, with next to no touch-ups required.
Below, 21 of the best curly hairstyles to try that will make the most of natural texture.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images1/21Tumbling, blonde textured waves
Beyoncé wore her hair down, with shoulder-grazing curls while accepting a Grammy. Perfect for curly hair, start by brushing out your tresses, then add definition by applying a curling mousse to the top and front pieces, leaving the rest free and fluffy.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images2/21A classic bouncy Afro
Viola Davis wore this classic, textured hairstyle at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards. Comb out your natural hair and stretch it with a blow dryer for maximum effect—add some styling cream to keep the look in place.
George Pimentel/Getty Images3/21High bun with face-framing wisps
Tracee Ellis Ross tied her hair up for the Vanity Fair Oscar party, showing off her natural hair texture. Baby hairs come in all textures, shapes, and sizes, so make like Ellis Ross and leave yours out and free for this hairstyle.
Kayla Oaddams4/21Super-short Afro
Rihanna showed off her honey-blonde textured hair at her Fenty Hair Launch Party in LA. A brilliant way to elevate a chic mini-fro is to dress it up with a bold new color.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images5/21Natural side-swept curls
Simone Ashley brought her natural curls to an event in Paris. To emulate her style, create an ever-so-slightly off-center parting and then swoop one side of your hair over. Carefree and chic.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images6/21Super-short, tapered cut with voluminous curls at the top
Tyla styled her natural curls with a wet-look finish for an outing in LA. To do this, highlight the definition in your curls with a curl cream, drawing out the shape at the front by gently twisting your finger around each curl. This effect is universally flattering.
Taylor Hill7/21Bouncy shoulder-length curls
Ella Emhoff showed off her natural curls at the 2022 CFDA Awards. For extra dimension, ask your hairdresser to cut in subtle layers.
Jon Kopaloff8/21A braided pony
Kerry Washington styled her hair into this timeless up-do at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards lunch. Backcomb your hair and combine it all into one sleek braid—adding extensions, if you’d like more length.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images9/21Medieval braids and metal accessories
Chappell Roan wore her hair curly with layered bangs and wispy front pieces at the MTV VMAs. Consider braiding smaller sections of your hair, à la Chappell, threading necklaces and other jewellery throughout the lengths.
Taylor Hill10/21Shoulder-grazing bob with tight curls
Sandra Oh wore her hair down and curly in New York City with a swept over side part. Ensure curl longevity with styling mousse, scrunching it into wet hair until you hear the telltale squelch noise. Then, work with a diffuser or let air dry. Pinning one side back, just above the ear, creates a flattering asymmetric finish, too.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images11/21Curly pinned side-fringe
Taylor Swift wore this hairstyle at the 2022 American Music Awards. Create an exaggerated side-fringe by placing a deep side part on whichever side you prefer. Then, take a section of your hair from the front, gently twisting it around and pinning it at the side of your opposite temple. Gently pull on the faux fringe to tease out more volume.
Michael Tullberg12/21A slicked-back ponytail
To achieve Charli xcx's pinned-back curls, start by detangling your hair, then, starting at the top of the ear or the nape of the neck, gather the hair at the back of the head in line with the crown. Pick up a short-bristle brush and keep smoothing the hair until no bumps or lumps remain, then affix a hair tie or an elastic. To finish, take a smoothing gel or wax stick and smooth back the hair flat on the scalp, fixing flyaways and baby hairs as a final step.
Dave Benett13/21A short Afro with cut out
Lupita Nyong’o wore this hairstyle for a day out in London. Comb out the style with an Afro comb for extra body and bounce.
Gilbert Carrasquillo14/21Crimped curls
Lorde wore her long brown hair down and accessorised with a large crown at the 2021 Met Gala. Either crimp your hair with a heated tool, or prep your look in advance by braiding wet hair.
Steve Granitz15/21Voluminous loc up-do
Lisa Bonet styled her locs up in a tumbling bun in Hollywood. Start by throw your locs up into a bun, securing with pins if needed, and leaving small sections on either side of your centre part out. Add a little product to the front pieces to add definition, avoiding the root.
Steve Granitz16/21Sleek, twisted bun
To emulate Yara Shahidi’s look for the 2023 WIF Honors event in Hollywood, all you need is a good smoothing brush and styling cream or gel. Leave your curls out at the bottom for an effortless, undone effect.
- Maya Dehlin Spach17/21
Curly bangs
Natasha Lyonne's signature look includes loose curls with piecy natural bangs.
- Kevin Mazur/Getty Images18/21
Miley Cyrus
- Amy Sussman/Getty Images19/21
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Zendaya attends Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: No Way Home" Los Angeles Premiere on December 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
- Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images20/21
Beachy texture
This picture of Julia Roberts at the Cesar Film Awards is the perfect example of her signature loose waves. For those with naturally very curly hair, you can create looseness by sleeping with wet hair in heatless curlers, or blowdrying and curling with a large-barrelled tong.
