10 Chic and Easy Hairstyle Ideas for Short Curly Hair

Woman with short, curly hair in front of a green background — Photo:
alvarez/Getty Images

When it comes to curly hair, just getting those curls and kinks to behave the way you want them to can feel like a feat. Add in a shorter cut, and styling options can feel seriously limited. After all, there’s simply not a lot of hair to work with. And the hair that is there isn’t exactly low key. But embracing those curls and rocking a close crop don’t have to be mutually exclusive—and with a little bit of creativity and know-how, there’s a bevy of chic hairstyles you can achieve. Even with the curliest of curls or shortest of cuts, there are countless ways to switch up your style, whether emphasizing natural texture or opting for a sleek, slicked-back option. Ahead, find 10 short curly hairstyles that prove short curls are as versatile as they are stylish.

01 of 10

Full-Out ‘Fro

A beautiful bouncy afro never goes out of style—and it’s one of our favorite ways to embrace those natural curls. Be sure to tell your hairstylist you want a voluminous, coiffed shape with lots of layers to recreate.

02 of 10

Headscarf and Go

A great headscarf can be styled countless ways—though a classic bandana cover is as easy as it is chic. Simply fold your scarf in half at a diagonal to make a triangle and gently drape it around your head with the point of the triangle aimed down your back, before tying the corners around the back of your head. Leave hair down or style in a low bun. For extra staying power, use a few bobby pins along the edges of the scarf to hold it in place.

03 of 10

Mini Pigtails

When summer rolls around, we’re all about low-effort styles that keep the hair out of our face—but you can only rock a ponytail so many times. That’s why we love these nostalgic high pigtails. Brush out your curls to get a space bun-like effect, and finish off by braiding those face-framing strands of hair, before adding some sort of embellishment for a little extra oomph. Try hair beads or some brightly colored clips, like these cute Mini Pony Tail Flower Hair Clips from Scunci ($8).

04 of 10

Sleek Side-Part Pony

Elevate a traditional low ponytail with a deep side part and teased out curls. To really amp up the contrast between the sleek base and the voluminous pony, use a strong-hold gel and boar bristle smoothing brush to slick back the crown—look for something non-flaking with a glassy finish, like the Bread Beauty Supply Long-Wear Curl Capturing Gloss Gel ($26).

05 of 10

Baby Top Knot

Updos can be difficult for shorter styles to achieve, but this baby top knot is the perfect middle ground. It hits at the perfect spot—just above the tips of the ears—to give the illusion of an ultra-high style while maintaining enough length to actually create a functional bun. It’s great for everyday wear but can easily be elevated for nights out and more formal events by styling those face-framing pieces with a curling iron and laying them down.

06 of 10

Easy Black Headband

Greasy, four-day-old hair, meet your new best friend: the humble stretchy black headband. Fueled by ‘90s nostalgia and a desire for fuss-free styling, elastic headbands are having a major comeback moment, and we’re jumping right back on the bandwagon. In addition to being curl-friendly and surprisingly comfortable, they leave hair crease-free and eliminate friction on the edges, keeping them safe from pulling or breakage. We suggest opting for a soft, stretchy elastic one like this Emi Jay Heart Headband ($16)—bonus points for the adorable but subtle rhinestone decal.

07 of 10

Chic Chignon

A great option for the office or date night, a sleek low bun feels sophisticated and breezy. To recreate, work a high-shine gel like the Bumble and bumble Bb. Sumogel ($35) through the hair from root to end. Gather at the nape of the neck and braid the lengths, before wrapping the braid around itself to create a bun and pinning into place.

08 of 10

Cross-Cross Half-Up

While it’s shown on wavy hair in the picture, this style works just as well on curls. Use a flexible styling gel to define the curls beforehand before crossing pieces just below the crown of the head and setting into place, hiding the pins within those voluminous curls to create a seamless effect.

09 of 10

High(ish) Pony

Listen, we get it—not all lengths of hair can rock a high ponytail. Here’s where those voluminous curls come in handy again. Gather hair below the crown of the head and secure before really fluffing and teasing out those curls to create as much height and width as you can.

10 of 10

Cascading Side Braid

A subtle side braid is a great way to add visual interest to simple, unstyled hair. Separate the top section of hair behind the ear and create a cascading braid, tucking the ends within the hair and pinning. Gently pull out strands within the braid to create a more exaggerated effect, as seen above.

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