10 Short Curly Hairstyles That Will Make You Rethink Your Long Hair

In case you didn’t get the memo, when it comes to the latest hair trends, the shorter the cut the better. Lobs, bobs, and blunt cuts are seeing a lot of love lately, and many fashion influencers have been reaching for the scissors (or, you know, booking a hair appointment). For curly hair, the short-cut trend has a lot of potential when it comes to revamping your style. 

A shorter length, cut above the chin, can give curly textures extra body and volume. The cut can be carefree and, if you fancy, give off "sexy-bedhead” vibes. But as most curly haired folks know, it can take some work to make your curls do as they’re told. Can short curly hair be low-maintenance? 

No matter your curl pattern, density, face shape, or whether you have loose waves or tight coils, short curly hair can work on everyone with a little effort.

"A style that is short and curly is easy to style and manage, but it is one that requires maintenance," says Daniele de Angelis, international artistic director of Toni&Guy.

The HJ British Hairdressing Awards 2020 London Hairdresser of the Year recipient explains how the short curly cut can be achieved.

"You should be sure to make regular visits to your hairdresser, especially if the length is above jaw level, in order to keep its shape," de Angelis tells Who What Wear.

"A short hairstyle can absolutely suit multiple curl textures, but your stylist must adopt the correct cutting technique for the required texture," he adds. "For example, tight curls shrink a lot, so you need to be careful when deciding how much you want them to take off. Curls are also heavy, so weigh the shape down. If you’ve got a longer length, you may find the top of your hair becomes flat and wide and forms a triangular shape like a Christmas tree! Layers will help solve this and add bounce back into your hair."

For inspo, we've listed women who have completely inspired our next hair appointments.

"For looser curls, a mid-length shape works really well," explains de Angelis. 

Marianne Smyth's loose waves—cut just above her collarbone—are a really great alternative to the short-curl trend. 

Amy Lefévre's curly cut with a full fringe has become her signature hairstyle, and many have followed suit.

"Something we are seeing a lot of at the moment and is very on-trend is a collarbone length with a soft, undone wave and loose fringe to give a 'shaggy' element," says de Angelis.

We can't help but envy Renia Jaz's beautiful defined ringlets, but how easy are they to style?

De Angelis explains that curly hair tends to be much drier than hair that is straight due to its lack of protein, so it’s very important to look after its condition. "It’s equally as important to use a good-quality shampoo and conditioner," he says.

Tight curls respond well to regular trims, which help to add volume and definition. Freddie Harrel's gorgeous head of hair makes a statement and frames her face. De Angelis recommends making sure your hairstylist adopts the correct cutting technique for the required hair texture. 

Chloe's bouncy, carefree curls are her signature and flatter her face shape. When it comes to styling a short curly 'do, de Angelis recommends a curl cream, which is great for definition and achieving that soft, '80s curl. Always style when wet.

Alyssa Coscarelli, the queen of short curly hairstyles, debuted a pixie crop recently, and we're huge fans. Do we dare go this short, too?

The face-framing possibilities are endless with soft waves like Tia Ward's. 

Like we said, the shorter the better. Ellie Delphine's natural curls are tapered on the sides and left thicker and voluminous on top, creating a fresh and stylish shape. 

If your hair is wavier than it is curly, you can still pull off this trend, as Aida Badji Sané proves.

Next up: How to Avoid That Post-Workout Hair Look, According to Pros Who Sweat Daily