All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Contrary to popular belief, your options when you have short curly hair aren’t limited. In fact, working with a shorter length provides you with the opportunity to flex those creative styling muscles.
“Short curly hair is fun, which makes it one of my favorites to style,” says celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway. “You can really mold things in place and create sharp lines with products. You can play with shapes that add volume or are sleek to contour the head.”
The key to any hairstyle for your short natural curls is hydration. “Short curly hair may be low in length, but it’s high-maintenance when it comes to moisture,” explains Redway. “You want to cleanse gently, condition deeply, and style with purpose.”
Michelle O’Connor, a global artistic director at Matrix, agrees and recommends a layered shampoo and treatment approach. Opt for a sulfate-free shampoo and a nourishing conditioner weekly, rotating in a deep treatment mask every seven to 10 days. A leave-in treatment can also help and O’connor says you’ll want to find one that has bond-building benefits and can reinforce your curls. And go lightweight with the styling creams or foams so you won’t cause buildup followed up by a serum or oil to lock in moisture.
With that, the experts break down the 19 best ways to style short curly hair. Check out their favorites below.
Pin Curls
The classic ‘40s hairstyle is a great way to elevate short curly hair and add volume. Simply pin damp curls to the desired shape with a bobby pin. If you want to get those voluminous waves, simply set the pinned curls, remove pins, and them out. Curly hair is the perfect canvas for achieving such a timeless look. “I like these styles on all short hair, but [I like it] the most on short curly hair because this texture is so malleable and does exactly what you tell it,” says Redway.
Finger Waves
Redway also loves this retro style for short curly hair. Similar to how pin curls are malleable, finger waves are easy to work with your short curls.
Brushed-Out Curls
Giving ethereal vibes, soft brushed-out curls are a favorite for celebrity hairstylist Kellon Deryck for short curly hair. Deryck recommends using a light mousse or curl foam on wet hair before using a diffuser (his pick is the T3 AireLuxe Dryer with a diffuser attachment) to dry. Then you’ll grab a one-inch curling iron to give your curls some definition before brushing through gently with a paddle brush for volume.
Twist-Outs
O’Connor loves twist-outs for short natural hair for added definition (and they’re simple to style). Section damp hair and use a styling cream or butter throughout. Then in much smaller pieces, twist hair tightly before unraveling.
Coily Pixie
Instagram content
According to Redway, your focus when stying a coily pixie should be on its shape and shine. “It’s all about enhancing your natural curl pattern and keeping the cut crisp,” she says. She recommends using a curl cream like the Dove Amino Curl Define Curl Cream to add definition to your natural coils. You can also add light edge control to clean up the hairline if needed, she adds.
Tucked Side With a Deep Part
Ideal for thin curls, Redway says that a deep part helps create the illusion of fullness. Deeply part your short curly hair to one side, and slick the sides back behind your ears using a bit of styling gel for a cool-girl way to elevate your look.
Short Afro
“The beauty of a short afro lies in its shape and softness,” says Redway. “You want it to feel touchable and defined, not crunchy or dry.” She recommends a curl cream to enhance your curl pattern (Deryck likes Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Stimulator or the SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie). Then with a sponge brush or your fingers, coil sections to give your afro some lift. Then fluff with an afro pick for shape and volume.
Sculpted Afro
Looking to give your afro more structure? Give it a sculpted look. O’Connor says to use your pick to give it the shape you want. Another pro tip: Deryck says to lightly spritz hair with rose water or aloe mist for a daily refresh.
Thick Curls
Redway calls thick curls a dream, but says they can be a lot to manage if you don’t have the right routine. She recommends using a mask weekly to reset and replenish your hair. We like Pattern Transition Mask and Cécred Reconstruction Treatment Mask to nourish curls and keep hair hydrated and strong.
Slicked Sides Curly Top
Deryck and O’Connor like this combo for short curly hair. Deryck says you’ll want to apply edge control or gel at the sides, using a boar bristle brush to slick them back. Leave your curls on top, using a mousse or curl cream for added definition, says O’Connor.
Half-Up Half-Down
A half-up half-down look is an easy way to make any look extra chic. Looking to elevate it? For short curly hairstyles specifically, O’Connor likes to add a top bun. Simply section hair and secure the bun at the crown of your head.
Delicate Bow
Lately, we’re living for hair accessories. O’Connor loves adding your accessory of choice (ours will always be a bow) and finishing with a shine spray like the Matrix Instacure Anti-Breakage Porosity Spray to revive curls.
Sparkle Shine
Speaking of accessories, adding some jeweled pieces or metallic foil throughout your curls is just super fun. We love something like the Jennifer Behr Kira Hair Magnet Set to add some really pretty sparkle.
Wash Go
Instagram content
Both Redway and Deryck also recommend a wash-and-go for short curly hair, especially if you have thick curls. “I love seeing really voluminous wash-and-gos with thick curls because you’ve already got that gorgeous density to play with,” says Redway. Deryck says to use a volumizing mousse like Design Essentials Almond Avocado Mousse before letting hair air dry. You can use a diffuser on a very low setting if need be.
Layered Pixie
A short curly pixie is a sleek and cool style on its own, but Deryck recommends opting for one with layers. Especially if you happen to have thin curls, layering your short curls will give hair lift.
Faux Hawks
Perfect for thick curly hair, Deryck loves a curly faux or fro-hawks. He likes to use a rich curl cream like the Camille Rose Curl Love and lock in moisture with castor oil or shea butter. Shape hair to get that faux hawk shape you desire.
Layered Curls
Instagram content
Another pick for thick curly hair, Deryck loves short curly hair with layers (bonus points if they re sculpted curls). Pro tip: He says to deep condition weekly and stretch hair with braids or twists at night to reduce any tangling.
Flat-Twists
Fat twists are one Deryck’s favorite protective styles for short curly hair. If you’re wanting to put a unique spin, he suggests shaping twists into a crown.
Tapered Silhouette
Structured and geometric, a tapered silhouette will add crown height definition to short curly hair, says O’Connor. You’ll want to use a curl-defining cream on damp hair and then a light gel to sculpt where needed. Then she says to finger style or use a sponge for the tight curls at the top.
