Hair Care

13 Best Haircuts for Curly Hair

Put down the flat iron. Follow these expert tips for getting a great curly haircut that will work for — not against — your waves

by Sharon J. Yi, Jessica Amaris

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Best Haircuts for Curly Hair: Au Naturel Why the cut works: If you have thick, very tight curls that tend to swell up more than you'd like, go with this shoulder-length style with long layers at the ends. It's not quite a lob (long bob), but the cut is a length that sits right on your shoulders, which makes Kerry Washington's beautiful curls short enough to maintain but long enough to prevent her hair from getting too big. This particular look is for the ladies who actually "woke up like this." To steal the style:

Step 1: Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair. We like Motions Nourish Leave-In Conditioner, $6.54.

Step 2: To emphasize your naturally tight ringlets, scrunch your damp hair before blow-drying hair with a diffuser.

Step 3: Once dry, spritz a little dry shampoo at your roots to absorb any excess oil, and to get some added volume (we like Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Biotin+ Volume & Texture Luxe Fresh Dry Shampoo, $6.97). And voilà! Who knew that's all it took to spice up your natural 'do?

Image via Walter McBride/Getty

SEE NEXT PAGE: Best Haircuts for Curly Hair: Sassy Pixie

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Older comments

I have to find my diffuser..

by talecon Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 06:01PM Report as inappropriate

Love it... very helpful

by Candice11 Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 01:00AM Report as inappropriate

nice

by aishak55 Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 07:40PM Report as inappropriate

Most of these women don't even have curly hair...it's just wavy or has obviously been heat styled and isn't naturally curly. The cuts are good suggestions though.

by amber.flute Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 03:31PM Report as inappropriate

Great advice. My hair's a mix of curly and wavy, as well as medium and coarse textures. It can be complicated, but once I learned how to style it, it's become my best asset!

by luckygal79 Monday, December 31, 2012 at 01:24PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the tips. I have wavy hair and love it.

by toddfan Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 03:25PM Report as inappropriate

My daughter has a challenge with her curley hair.

by EricaC123 Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 01:41PM Report as inappropriate

The women in photos do not do their hair. Stylists have told me it is hard for most people to to blow dry hair to make it look great. Ones has curly hair and to do it straight takes her long time. Wonder what they look like on their days off. When their hair is not professionally styled.

by geewhiz44 Monday, December 24, 2012 at 08:23PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for tips for us Curly Girls.

by Sari Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 11:24AM Report as inappropriate

I love AnnaLynne McCord's hair. I have curly/wavy hair and my hair is in layers. It gives volume and it's more manageable

by yestfl Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 09:27AM Report as inappropriate