Curly Hairstyles for Men: 15 Haircuts for Curly Hair

Curly hair looks its best when your haircut works with your natural curl pattern instead of fighting it. The basics are simple: leave enough length on top for the curls to form, keep the sides shorter so your head doesn’t look too wide, and rely on moisture rather than heavy hold. Below, we cover 15 popular curly hairstyles for men, how to ask your barber for them, and what to do if your curls are starting to thin on top.

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Know Your Curl Type First

Your curl size determines how much length you need and how a haircut will sit:

Κυματιστά μαλλιά forms loose S-shapes. It needs a bit of length to show movement and can easily look flat if cut too short.
Σγουρά μαλλιά forms clear spirals. It shrinks as it dries, meaning it will look noticeably shorter dry than it does when wet.
Coily hair forms tight coils and experiences the most shrinkage. It works well with shapes cut close to the head as well as fuller styles on top.

Always judge your length when the hair is dry. A curl that looks long in the chair when wet can spring up much shorter once it dries.

15 Curly Haircuts for Men

1. Curly Fringe with a Taper

Longer curls on top are pushed forward and paired with a low taper on the sides. It’s the most popular curly cut for a reason: easy, modern, and low-maintenance.

2. Curly Top with a Skin Fade

Built for higher contrast, this style pairs very short sides with a full, curly top. Ask your barber to start the fade low if you prefer a softer look.

3. Textured Curly Crop

A short crop that leaves just enough length on top for your natural curls to show. It’s a great choice for guys who want a neat shape with minimal daily styling.

4. Medium-Length Curls

Curls are left around chin length—or slightly shorter—and cut in layers so they don’t stack into a triangle shape. This cut works especially well for loose curls and waves.

5. Curly Undercut

Long curls on top sit over a disconnected, short undercut. That extra length lets you sweep the curls back or wear them to the side.

6. Wavy Side Part

A classic side part with waves left free to move on top. It’s a clean, office-ready option for men with wavy hair.

7. Curly Quiff

The front is pushed up and back while keeping the curls loose. Aim for a soft, natural finish rather than a slicked-back look.

8. Curly Mullet

Cut shorter at the front and sides while left longer in the back. It’s a bold, current style that suits loose to medium curls.

9. Shoulder-Length Curls

Long, layered curls that frame the face. You’ll need regular trims to maintain the overall shape.

10. High Top

Coily hair is grown upward and paired with tightly faded sides—a classic silhouette for coily textures.

11. Twists

Short or medium twists on top paired with a clean fade. It delivers a sharp, defined look that’s easy to maintain day to day.

12. Curly Man Bun

Long curls gathered and tied back. Leave a few curls loose around the front for a softer look.

13. Short Curly Buzz with a Fade

Curls are clipped very short on top and blended into a fade. It’s the lowest-effort option that still shows off your natural texture.

14. Messy Wavy Flow

Wavy hair grown out to collar length and pushed back loosely with your fingers.

15. Curly Fringe with a Beard

A textured curly fringe on top balanced out by a short, full beard. It’s great for adding structure and angles to a rounder face.

How to Ask Your Barber

Ask for your hair to be cut dry or checked dry, ensuring the final length is right after the curls shrink.
Tell your barber how much curl you want to keep on top in inches or centimeters, rather than just saying "short."
Ask for layers on longer styles so your curls don’t stack into a bulky triangle shape.
Bring a reference photo showing the cut on someone with a curl pattern similar to yours.

Styling and Care for Curly Hair

Wash your hair less often, and use a moisturizing conditioner every time you do.
Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to wet hair and scrunch it in upward.
Let your hair air-dry, or dry it with a diffuser on low heat.
Avoid brushing dry curls—doing so breaks up the curl pattern and creates frizz.
Refresh second-day curls with a light mist of water and a touch of product.

Curly Hair That Is Thinning

Curly texture can hide thinning hair for a long time, but once your scalp starts showing through on top, holding a clean shape gets much harder. Shorter haircuts with a tight fade often look fuller than longer curls. If the top continues to thin, a hair system with a matching curl pattern can bring back your natural density:

Match the curl first. ο Curl & Wave Sample Ring comes with 13 tagged samples ranging from a tight 4mm curl to a loose 40mm wave, so you can hold them right up against your own hair and request the exact size you need.
Curly and coily systems. ο afro hair systems collection features 4–15mm curl patterns, braids, cornrows, twists, and dreadlocks on either lace or skin bases.
Other curl sizes. ΕΝΑ προσαρμοσμένο σύστημα μαλλιών can be crafted using the exact curl size you select from the sample ring.

Συχνές Ερωτήσεις

What is the best haircut for curly hair men?
A curly fringe with a taper works well for most men. It keeps the volume and curls on top where they look best while keeping the sides clean and neat.

Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Dry—or at least checked once dry. Because curls shrink as they dry, a wet cut can easily end up much shorter than you planned.

How do I stop my curly hair from looking like a triangle?
Ask your barber to add layers to longer hair, and keep the sides noticeably shorter than the top.

Can I get a hair system with curly hair?
Yes. Hair systems are made in a wide range of curl and wave patterns, and the curl & wave sample ring makes it easy to find your closest match.