Men with straight hair hardly have an issue choosing a hairstyle since managing it takes little effort. Curly-haired individuals must think twice, as their cut will significantly impact their haircare routine. Whether your hair is long or short, below are suggestions for the best curly hairstyles for men to suit different textures and lifestyles.
Some of the best men’s curly hairstyles include Long Curls, Short Afro Tight Cut, The Undercut, Heavy Angular Fringe, Short Choppy Curls, Bowl Cut, Long Afro Cut, The Quiff, The Pompadour, Side Swept Curls, Curly Fringe, Short Afro Temple Fade, Curly Shag, and the Curly Modern Mullet. They vary between hair types and hair lengths, offering options for both subtle and bold looks.
Individuals with curly hair often struggle to find suitable hairstyles and hair care products from a young age. Curly hair requires more consideration before choosing an appropriate and suitable haircut. In this post, we share all things men and curly hairstyles with the best haircut suggestions to make styling and maintenance easier.
15 Best Haircuts for Curly Hair Men
Here is a list of 14 fantastic hairstyles that guys with curly hair can try:
1. Long Curly Hairstyle
This is similar to how a female would keep long, curly hair. You get regular trims or at the ends and keep your hair long. This allows you to style it by leaving it down, putting it up into a ponytail or bun, or braiding it. Check out my blog on Curly Haircare for Men and Boys for routines and products.
2. Short Afro Tight Cut
This is a great option where the sides are short and the top is slightly longer but still short enough to keep your curls tight. The shorter your hair, the less time, effort, and products it takes to maintain it. It also looks neat, doesn’t get in your way, and styling requires only a couple of steps.
3. The Undercut
The undercut is similar to the short afro with the extremely shorter sides, but the top strands are longer and more flowy. It works best on smoother textures, but mixed-race textures can also enjoy it with a little more effort into the haircare and styling process.
4. Heavy Angular Fringe
This haircut is similar to the undercut, but most of its length is focused on the front of the head. It’s a great option for wavy hair men, as the natural texture adds effortless movement and volume to the style. This cut calls for a parting to one side, while the hair on the other side hangs over the forehead in a fringe. The opposite part of the head will require the hair to be cut a little shorter.
5. Short Choppy Curls
Short, choppy curls are a very common haircut that guys tend to favor because styling is easier to maintain as it grows out. This basic haircut is chopped all around your head into shorter strands. It is the short version of the long, curly hairstyle. Some men prefer to cut the sides short.
6. Bowl Cut Curls
A bowl cut gets its name from the idea that it looks like you put a large bowl on your head and cut around it. Then, the bottom half is cut short. It is more visible with straight hair but exists amongst those who like the style in the curly hair community.
7. Long Afro Cut
The long afro cut is the opposite of the short, tight afro version. It can be long throughout your strands, shorter sides, and a longer top. It will require more effort because it is much more hair to care for. However, following the general haircare methods and protective techniques are helpful.
8. The Quiff Cut
The quiff style is another haircut similar to the undercut. The sides are faded, and the top hair is longer and more voluminous. It adds depth to the oval, rectangular, and square face shapes and is styled upwards rather than flowing downwards.
9. The Pompadour
This haircut is often confused with the quiff. And although the cuts are closely similar, the quiff is styled upwards, while the pompadour is styled slightly backward. Visualize the sleek back look of straight hair, but now you have bouncy curls paired with a taper fade curly hair finish for a clean, modern edge.
10. Side Swept Curls
This hairstyle requires a shorter length on one side, a side part, and longer hair on the other. This way, your hairstyle automatically sits in a side-swept manner. It would require caring for your hair the same way you would for any curly hairstyle. This cut can be done with short or long hair.
11. Curly Fringe
This curly cut can be done on all hair types. The style is achieved by fading the sides. The top of the hair is slightly longer but still short, except for the front of the head. The hair near the forehead will be longer, allowing a curly fringe to fall there.
12. Short Fohawk
The fohawk cut can work if you still enjoy the early 2000s mohawk and have curly hair. It works with any hair type. This cut requires short sides and a strip of hair left slightly longer, running down the center of the head from top to bottom.
13. Short Afro Temple Fade
The afro temple blade is particularly common, and many non-afro guys have also incorporated this cut into their hairstyles. It is not cut in any specific manner, but the hair around the temple is edgier, more defined, and square. It is blended into a fade; this can enhance the look of your curls above it.
14. Curly Shag with Highlights
The curly shag is a textured, voluminous cut that enhances the natural curl pattern, with layers adding movement and definition. In this version, adding highlights brings depth and contrast, making the curls pop even more. The length is kept mid-length, giving the curls a soft, bouncy look, while the shaggy layers create an effortless, undone style that frames the face perfectly.
15. Curly Mullet (Modern Mullet for Curly Hair)
If you’re looking to mix edge with versatility, a curly mullet is a bold yet surprisingly wearable option especially for men with textured, wavy, or curly hair. This cut combines shorter, tapered or faded sides with longer length in the back, allowing your natural curls or waves to flex and flow.
Why it works for curly hair
- The contrast between the shorter sides (often faded or tapered) and the longer back gives structure without weighing down curls.
- It gives room for curl definition and movement, especially on 3A–3C textures or looser waves.
- Because the back is longer, it becomes a focal point, allowing for styling variation (e.g., tousled, finger-coiled, or lightly layered).
How to style & maintain
- Fade or taper the sides: Ask your barber for a low or burst fade to keep the sides clean while ensuring seamless blending into the longer back.
- Define the curls: Use a light curl cream or mousse (protein-free if your hair is sensitive) to define the curl pattern without stiffness.
- Dry with care: Diffuse on low heat or air-dry. Scrunch out the crunch once dry to let your curls soften.
- Trim strategically: Keep the mullet shape sharp by trimming just enough to maintain length in the back while shaping layers.
- Night care: Use a satin pillowcase or loose pineapple to preserve curl shape and reduce frizz.
Best for:
- Men who want a statement cut but still want to embrace their natural curl texture.
- Medium to longer hair lengths that can carry curl volume in the back.
- Anyone who doesn’t mind some upkeep but wants to stand out.
In short, the curly mullet is a fearless and directional curly haircut for men. It allows curly or wavy hair to shine at the back while keeping sides clean and sharp — a perfect blend of style and texture.
Can Guys with Curly Hair Have Long Hairstyles?
There is a misconception that guys with straight hair can keep their hair long, and if you have curly hair, you should cut it as short as possible. This idea was created before natural curls became more accepted and embraced.
Guys with curly hair can definitely have long hair and impressive styles, as listed in the many options above. It requires proper routines, frizz management, quality products, and the right haircut that suits your hair type, face shape, requirements, and manageability.
Are Shorter Haircuts Easier for Men with Curly Hair?
Shorter hair is generally more manageable for anyone of any gender and hair type to manage. However, while it might be a little more convenient and quicker to style, shorter curly cuts will still require men to implement effective haircare regimes and proper products.
I have a male friend with 3A curls who keeps his hair short in a tight, choppy cut with even shorter, faded sides. This makes only his top hair curly, but he still needs to use curly hair products for men and follow a styling process to ensure his curls look and feel healthy, defined, and shiny. He also needs to get regular trims.
Conclusion
While unlimited haircuts are available for men with curly hair, finding the right one for you is important to get the best results for your style preference. Sometimes, you must go through a few options to determine which is the most suitable one. With the list above, you will be sure to find one.
