For years, curly-haired girls have been asked to compress their hair to fit the beauty standards. This has led to a lot of brushing, oiling, tight plaits, and the much dreaded hot ironing. But coiled, voluminous manes are finally getting their time in the limelight as the internet drools over curly girl routines. The possibilities of what one can do with curly hair are endless—especially now that salons are understanding curly haircutting styles even better—- and perhaps, a little overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve created the ultimate curly hair guide that walks you through some of the best haircuts for curly hair women, fun hairstyles and tips for maintenance.
Best haircuts for curly hair:
Good haircuts for curly hair begin with good technique. So before you book an appointment, confirm with the salon that they can cut your hair dry, without wetting it first. Dry cuts ensure that the shrinkage is considered, which is especially important when you have tight curls. Once that’s out of the way, refer to this rundown of haircuts for curly hair:
1. Pixie or undercut hair:
Those who have type 3C or 4A/B/C hair should try a pixie or undercut with a few beautiful sprouts of curls emerging on top. It’s a fun and extremely manageable short haircut for girls who dare to rock it.
2. Shoulder-length with face-framing layers:
Bring a bit of drama to your hair if you grow bored of the uniformity in curl length. Layer it from short hair in the centre to increasingly long as you move out—-this frames your face and brings more structure.
3. U-shaped:
If you have long hair and need a simple cut, we recommend a U-shaped that is an easy to understand haircut for girls and still allows your hair’s personality to shine through.
4. A shaggy bob:
If you have fine hair, a shaggy haircut style can add the volume you crave. This is the short haircut for girls who want to look modern and smart but without the high-maintenance routine.
5. Bangs:
It’s scary, we know, but it’s also a chic haircut style. If you’re feeling adventurous, try bangs. However, this is far from the low-maintenance haircuts for curly hair; be prepared for finger coils on damp hair everyday.
Best hairstyles for curly hair
So your hair is cut and conditioned, what now? Let us walk you through some of the best hairstyles for curly hair:
1. Au naturale:
With proper caretaking, curly hair can turn heads in their natural state. Embrace the volume and style for which many spend hours in the salon.
2. Ponytails:
Pull away your hair from your face with a fresh yet fun low or high ponytail. The volume your hair affords adds an oomph to even simple hairstyles like these. And don’t forget to pick out some face-framing pieces if you go for the messy look.
3. Side-swept:
For a luxurious night look, think old Hollywood Glam. Sweep your hair to one side and embellish it with a pin on the other—-a tame yet wild ladies hairstyle.
4. Updos and buns:
When you need to keep it professional or classy, simply slick back your hair into a bun. Instead of twisting it into a coil, try letting your tendrils fall out.
5. Braids:
Take advantage of the way your hair intertwines with itself. While straight hair struggles to keep shape in braids, curly hair is built for it. French braids, fish tails, dutch braids or the simple plait—-choose any of these simple hairstyles to add to the personality of your hair.
6. A half bun:
When the volume is crazy to handle, a half-up, half-down is a perfect ladies hairstyle to bring a bit of structure to the chaos. With a half bun, you can rock the business on top, party on the bottom vibe.
Tips for curly hair maintenance
Now that you have a haircut and style in mind, don’t forget to add maintenance to your checklist. Here’s how:
Does your hair feel brittle? Lay off large amounts of shampoo and focus on massaging two teaspoons of shampoo on your scalp where the oil builds up. Depending on your curl type, you can choose to wash it once to a few times a week.
Lock in the moisture and protect your curly hair from environmental damage with conditioner, and for particularly rough phases, bust out the hair mask.
Soft curly hair requires a gentle touch. When you scrunch your hair into shape, remember to use a microfibre towel or a t-shirt to avoid abrasion.
Give your hairdryer a rest. Allow your hair to absorb the product in it by slowly air drying it, whenever possible.
Pulling and prodding your hair—-wet or dry— with a brush will contribute to frizz and loss of shape. Opt for a wide-toothed comb instead or even more effective would be detangling your hair with your fingers while conditioning.
A silk bonnet or pillowcase will be your best friend when you toss and turn throughout your sleep as they provide the least friction and minimise frizz.
Sometimes a simple haircutting style is all you need to revive your hair. Visit the salon every six to eight weeks to ensure you’re not fostering any split or dead ends.
