Short curls can shrink an inch or more as they dry, which is why I cut these dry, curl by curl, instead of guessing on wet hair. The short curly hairstyles below cover 2C waves through 4C coils, from a TWA to shoulder length, and each one notes how to dry it and how often to book a trim.
1. The Curly Pixie
Of all the short curly hairstyles, the curly pixie is the shortest and the quickest to style. I cut it dry, one curl at a time, with tight sides and two to three inches of curl left on top. It works on 3B to 4A curls and on oval or heart-shaped faces. Put curl cream and a light gel into soaking-wet hair, then air-dry or diffuse. A reshape every 6–8 weeks holds the height.
2. The Chin-Length Curly Bob
Among short curly haircuts, the chin-length curly bob is one I get asked for most. Cutting it dry lets me see where each curl lands, and I give the perimeter a slight round. It works for 3A to 3C curls of medium density. Work leave-in and gel through wet hair and diffuse with your head tilted, then scrunch out the cast once it is dry. Book a dry cut every 10–12 weeks.
3. The Short Curly Shag
With a short curly shag, the crown layers are short and the nape layers are longer, so the curls build up rather than out. I cut it dry and point-cut the weight out of the sides. It works on 2C to 3C curls of medium to thick density. Style it wash-and-go with curl cream and gel, then diffuse. Because the layers grow out cleanly, most clients can go 8–10 weeks between cuts.
4. Curly Bob With a Curly Fringe
Bangs on a curly bob have to be left longer than you would think, since curls jump up an inch or more as they dry. Both the bangs and the bob get cut dry. It works for 2C to 3B curls on oval or long faces. Diffuse the bangs first with gel so they set where you want them, then dry the rest. The bangs need a trim every 4–6 weeks, the bob every 8–10.
5. Short Wolf Cut on Curls
A short curly wolf cut carries heavy layers through the top and wispy curls at the nape. I cut it dry and point-cut bulk out of the sides. It works on 2C to 3B curls of medium to thick density. Scrunch in curl cream and mousse and let it air-dry. This is one of the more relaxed short curly hairstyles. A trim every 6–8 weeks keeps the layers from merging.
6. The Tapered Curly Cut
In a tapered curly cut, the sides and nape are clippered short and the curls on top stay long. Round and square faces benefit because the height stretches the shape. I shape the top dry. It works on 3C to 4B hair. Work leave-in and gel into wet hair, and finger-coil the top for extra definition. Have the taper cleaned up every 4–6 weeks.
7. Undercut Curly Pixie
With a curly undercut pixie, the sides or nape are clippered close and the curls on top stay longer. Taking the bulk out of thick curls this way keeps the silhouette narrow. It works on thick 3A to 3C curls. Put curl cream and a strong gel through the top and air-dry. The undercut needs cleaning up every 3–4 weeks; the curls get reshaped every 6–8.
8. The Rounded Curly Bob
A rounded curly bob is shaped into a soft circle around the head, which shows off an even curl pattern. I cut it dry and blend the sides and back into a single curve. It works for 3B to 4A curls of medium to thick density and for oval faces. Apply leave-in and gel, then diffuse using a bowl technique. Have it reshaped every 8–10 weeks.
9. The Shoulder-Length Curly Cut
At the longest end of short curly hairstyles, a shoulder-length curly cut gives you the widest range of styling options. I cut the layers dry through the crown to stop the curls forming a triangle. It works on 2C to 3C curls of any density. Wear it loose, in a half-up puff, or pineapple it overnight. A trim every 10–12 weeks is enough.
10. The Curly Mullet
A curly mullet holds the curls short through the front and crown and lets them run longer at the back. I cut it dry and blend the sides so no hard line shows. It works on 2C to 3B curls of medium to thick density. Scrunch in curl cream and air-dry. This is among the edgier short curly hairstyles. Trim every 6–8 weeks so the front stays short.
11. Curtain Bangs on Short Curls
Curly curtain bangs part at the center and frame the face, which takes the hardness out of a short curly cut. I cut them dry so they land at the cheekbones once curled. They work on 2C to 3B curls. Diffuse the bangs first with a light gel, pushing them out to the sides. They pair well with a chin-length or shoulder-length cut. The bangs need a trim every 4–6 weeks.
12. Asymmetric Curly Bob
In an asymmetrical curly bob, one side runs longer than the other, usually by one or two inches. On curls the uneven line reads softer than it does on straight hair. I cut it dry with a deep side part. It works for 3A to 3C curls of medium density. Apply leave-in and gel, then diffuse with the heavier side tilted down. The longer side also helps balance a round or square face. Reshape every 8 weeks.
13. The Stacked Curly Bob
In a stacked curly bob, the nape is graduated short so the curls gain height at the back. I graduate the back and leave the front longer, at the chin. It works on 3A to 3C curls, and it gives women over 40 a polished short curly cut. Tilt your head forward while diffusing to lift the crown. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
14. The Curly Bixie
Somewhere between a bob and a pixie, a curly bixie sits around ear length with the curls running longer at the front. I cut it dry and point-cut weight out of the sides. It works for 2C to 3B curls of fine to medium density. Scrunch in mousse and diffuse. Of the short curly hairstyles, it is one of the easiest to grow out. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
15. Short Coily Teeny Weeny Afro
The teeny weeny afro, or TWA, is usually the first shape after a big chop. I use shears to cut it evenly around the head, holding one to two inches all over. It works on 4A to 4C hair. Put a leave-in and a curl cream into wet hair and define with a curl sponge or finger coils. As it grows, shape it every 4–6 weeks.
16. Tapered Cut for Coils
A tapered coily cut keeps the nape and sides close and leaves the coils on top fuller, which gives height. I taper with clippers and shape the top with shears. It works on 4A to 4C hair. Define it with leave-in, curl cream and gel, then go over it with a curl sponge. It is among the lowest-maintenance short curly hairstyles. The taper needs cleaning up every 4–6 weeks.
17. Finger Coils on Short Hair
On short coily hair, finger coils give you defined, separate spirals that hold four to five days. I cut the shape dry first so the coils fall evenly. They work on 4A to 4C hair. Apply leave-in and gel to small sections of wet hair and wrap each one around a finger. Leave it alone until it is completely dry. Reshape the cut every 6–8 weeks.
18. The Short Twist-Out
A short twist-out stretches coily hair into soft, defined waves. I cut the shape first so the twists fall evenly once they come down. It works on 4A to 4C hair between two and five inches long. Twist damp hair with a twisting cream, let it dry all the way, then unravel and fluff at the roots. It holds three to five days. Reshape every 8 weeks.
19. Short Wash-and-Go Curls
For curly and coily hair, a short wash-and-go is the simplest routine there is. I cut the shape dry so the curls sit where they land; then clients put leave-in and gel into soaking-wet hair and leave it alone. It works on 3C to 4B hair. Air-dry or diffuse on low. On day two, refresh with water and a little gel. Reshape every 8 weeks.
20. The Curly Frohawk
A curly frohawk holds the length down the center of the head with the sides short or tucked away. I taper the sides and shape the top dry. It works on 3C to 4C hair. Put leave-in and gel through the top and pick it up at the roots. This is among the boldest short curly hairstyles. The sides need cleaning up every 4 weeks.
21. Permed Short Curls
A perm puts curl into straight or wavy hair, which makes short curly hairstyles available to clients with no natural curl. I cut the shape first and then perm on medium rods for loose curls. It works on fine to medium straight hair and for women over 40 who want volume. Scrunch in mousse and diffuse. A perm lasts 3–4 months. Trim every 8 weeks.
22. Curly Pixie for Women Past 50
For women over 50, a curly pixie is one of the most flattering short curly hairstyles. I cut it dry, keep the sides close, and leave the top curls longer for height. It works on 2C to 3B curls, including hair that has turned coarser with age. Use a curl cream and diffuse. Trim every 6 weeks, and refresh the color on the same 6-week schedule.
23. Gray Curly Bob for Women Past 60
Gray curls tend to be coarser and frizzier than they once were. I cut this bob dry to the chin and rely on a moisturizing leave-in to keep the curls defined. It works for women over 60 with 2C to 3B gray curls. Diffuse on low and wash with a purple shampoo once a week. A gray-friendly gloss every 8 weeks softens yellow tones. Trim every 8 weeks.
24. Short Curly Shag for Women Past 50
Layered curls on top of a short curly shag cover thinning at the crown. I cut it dry and add a curly fringe. It works for women over 50 with 2C to 3B curls of fine to medium density. Scrunch in mousse and diffuse with your head tilted forward. Of the short curly hairstyles, this is one of the easiest to do at home. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
25. Short Bob for 2C Hair
2C hair falls between waves and curls, with S-shaped curls that frizz easily. I cut this bob just under the chin with internal layers so the curls form rather than lying flat. It works on fine to medium 2C hair. Scrunch mousse into wet hair, diffuse on low, and scrunch out the cast. A lightweight leave-in keeps the curls from being weighed down. Trim every 8 weeks.
Short curls shrink an inch as they dry, which is why I cut them dry, curl by curl, so each spiral lands where it should. IMO, that is the only way to avoid a too-tight result. For the longer-face takes, the oval face haircuts guide has the rest.
