Masterful men’s curly hairstyles are stylish and low-maintenance looks that embrace the natural texture, volume and charm that accompany curls. The most attractive curly haircuts offer a versatile and modern approach for guys wanting to confidently wear their curls while streamlining their styling routine and minimizing frizz or unruly strands.

Some of our favorite styles include short curly crew cuts with tapered sides, medium-length brush backs, long flowing curls, voluminous natural strands all over, tousled heavy fringes with low skin fades, burst fade mohawks and messy tops with taper fades.

Many guys with curly hair may feel inclined to cut their curls short to maximize control and simplify their style, but we recommend leaning into your unique look instead of attempting to tame it.

From short to long, we will share the best curly hairstyles for men that will look effortlessly cool and alluring paired with your natural curls.

Stylish Curly Men’s Haircuts

Short Curly Hair

The quintessential short curly hairstyle combines short sides with a longer top, creating a trendy and flattering look for cropped curls. The fade or undercut emphasizes your short curls while keeping the back and sides sleek, low-maintenance and sharp. Some timeless shorter men’s haircuts to create with curly hair include the tight crew cut, messy fringe, textured quiff, modern mullet, burst fade mohawk, layered crop, brush back, side part and fluffed top. To achieve the look, ask a professional barber for faded sides and to leave enough length on the head to flaunt your curls. Experiment with different fades to discover the perfect balance to suit your style.

Voluminous Medium Curls All Over

A medium-length curly hairstyle can be a fashionable, versatile and simple look that will show off your curls and transform your aesthetic. The uniform length offers a balanced style, with the long top giving the style breathtaking volume and height. Start by working a volumizing mousse or spray through damp hair. We recommend grabbing a curl cream to bring shape and definition to individual coils for effortless structure.

Textured Curly Crew Cut with Mid Fade

A curly crew cut is preppy and timeless and pairing it with a mid fade keeps this style modern and edgy. The short top is just long enough to form subtle curls without being a pain to style. The mid fade creates glorious contrast against the textured top that looks balanced with subtle stubble. A small slick of pomade tames the top, adds shine and removes flyaways for a sleek, non-greasy finish.

Beachy Long Curly Hair

Instead of going for tight curls, loosen things up with long curly hair with a beachy vibe. The undefined curls should fall in mussed, unequal clumps from the top to showcase several different textures in a single style. Spritz your hair with sea salt spray to add texture to the lengths and give the top a volume boost with light scrunching. Wear the style loose, twisted into braids or thrown into a relaxed topknot for active days out.

Medium Tousled Curls with Low Skin Fade

Medium tousled curls get impressive structure from a low skin fade, letting volume on top shine with minimal styling. Grow your locks out and use matte styling cream or pomade to create light texture through the top. A shaved line through the temple and eyebrow gives the look a subtle edge without pulling focus from the messy top.

Classic Short Curls with Low Temp Fade and Line Up

Shorter curls can be a great option if you want a style that’s easy to manage and universally professional. A low temp fade and a sleek line up lend this cut light structure that complements the short cropped top. The length is relatively uniform and scissor-cut, highlighting your natural texture.

Thick Curly Top with Undercut Fade

This style requires a naturally thick curly top with a short undercut fade on the sides to emphasize the volume. Once you’ve grown out your locks, create a seamless fade to contrast the fluffy curls. If your hair doesn’t stand up straight, work matte pomade through the top for a defined aesthetic that stays put.

Modern Broccoli

The modern broccoli hairstyle is a fun, fresh and voluminous look that embraces your natural texture, making it a popular choice for Gen Z guys. Tapering or fading the sides pulls attention to bouncy curls, creating a unique style packed with dimension, movement and flair. Use a small amount of pomade or sea salt spray and lightly tousle your curls to bring this exciting style to life.

Messy Textured Curls with Mid Fade

Take advantage of moderate length on top by getting messy, textured curls and a striking mid fade. The top is youthful and relaxed, while the mid fade brings much-needed structure, contrast and lightness to this boyish style. Let your locks air dry or add subtle volume with a blow dryer.

Long Kinky Curls

Men with long, well-defined curls can take advantage of this cool, carefree look. The tight curls offer a distinctive appearance, but keep them moisturized with leave-in conditioner or oils to avoid any crispiness. We recommend asking your barber for a uniform length all over to create a striking, bouncy finish.

Tight Curls with Mid Drop Fade and Line Up

Attractive, low-maintenance defined curls look sleek and sharp with a structured line up and tight sides. The drop fade brings clean lines to this style, adding a professional touch that can be maintained with clippers on a short guard. Twirling your locks with a curl sponge in circular motions will create fresh texture when you’re in the mood for a new look.

Relaxed Swept Curls with Short Sides and Beard

Sweep your cascading mop of curls to the side for a relaxed, bohemian look that gets impressive contrast from short sides and a beard. Muss the top with pomade to loosen tighter ringlets and gently pull the strands to one side. When you need a touch-up, ask your barber to cut the hair dry to prevent shrinkage.

Middle Parted Curls

A middle part naturally creates balance and symmetry, framing the face and drawing attention to your features. Parting your hair down the center also softens angular features while elongating the face, creating a flattering and romantic style for younger guys that oozes confidence.

Messy Curls with Tapered Sides

This superb style blends smart, tapered sides with handsome curls on top for a relaxed and high-volume aesthetic. Work a light, matte-finish pomade through the lengths and gently tousle your locks for an undone appearance that blends effortlessly into a connected trimmed beard. Tapering the sides removes bulk while keeping all eyes on your natural texture.

Medium Bedhead Curls All Over

Get the just-rolled-out-of-bed look by wearing your curls loose and letting them flop over the forehead. The extra weight you get from the length gives the hair natural structure. The carefree, bedhead texture lets you embrace imperfections and minimize trims.

Curly Mullet Fade

A modern fade paired with a classic mullet can showcase curly hair for a visually-interesting style. If you’re dealing with looser curls, crop the length and allow them to hold their shape without handfuls of pomade. Fading the sides close to the scalp creates serious contrast for a daredevil vibe.

Textured Medium Wavy Middle Part

Medium-length waves are a more relaxed alternative to tighter styles, creating an effortless, casual style that lets your natural texture shine. A lightweight gel is excellent for taming frizz and defining your curls without weighing them down. Try out sea salt spray when you’re short on time, as it offers a piecey appearance that looks textured when air-dried.

Long Kinky Hair with High Skin Fade

Embrace your kinky hair by rocking stylish twists with a trendy high skin fade for a modern touch. The contrast between the extreme fade pulls focus to the height on top. Feel free to boost this even further with an afro pick. Throw in a few shaved lines at the nape for a badass finish.

Curly Mohawk with Burst Taper Fade

Switch up your style by rocking a central strip of hair and shaving your sides into a stylish burst fade. The tapered sides keep the back and sides tidy, allowing you to fluff the top with pomade to create striking texture and flow with your curls.

Long Curly Flow

Sleek and shiny, a classic flow combines long locks and a slicked-back style for a relaxed, carefree approach with excellent styling versatility. Push the front back with a strong-hold gel to add shine and allow the uniform curls at the side hang down for an undone feel.

Fluffy Curls with Tapered Sides

Your fluffy curls will take center stage with a clean taper that removes weight and bulk from the sides. When blessed with natural volume, muss your curls with pomade or sea salt spray to create extra texture. Gently manipulate your curls using heat and a brush for extra lift at the crown and front.

Long Layered Curls

Layering adds dimension and texture to longer locks, instantly enhancing the natural volume in your curls to create a full, dynamic look packed with movement. The layers promote definition and give your locks bounce with minimal styling. Add texture around the front by styling your curls into a relaxed fringe.

Modern Curly Hair Fade with Angular Fringe

An angular fringe can be tricky to maintain, but it’s a flattering choice for men who want a face-framing style with dramatic flair. The romantic, soft curls contrast with the edgy fade, bringing instant balance to your look that you can style in minutes with a simple curl crème. Keep your fringe bouncy with regular trims.

Full Curls with Cropped Sides

This cut highlights impressive, full curls with comfortable cropped sides that remove unsightly bulk from your style. Leave enough length on top to texturize with a styling cream or sea salt spray for a look that air dries with effortless volume.

Casually Cool Curls with Temp Fade

Pairing full curls on top with cropped sides creates stylish contrast that showcases your locks’ natural texture and volume. Ask your barber to fade the sides from the temple and leave plenty of length on top for a seamless transition between sections. Work pomade through the hair with your fingers to lightly separate each curl.

Short Permed Curls with Mid Fade

Permed curls exude a laid-back and casual vibe, making them an excellent choice for guys not blessed with natural texture. You’ll want enough length on top to form defined curls and create effortless contrast against the sharp, faded sides. A high-hold, matte-finish pomade will keep your perm looking sleek and locked in place.

Side Parted Curls

If you’re dealing with longer locks, pull them into a high-volume side part style to balance your face shape and highlight the cheekbones. Wear the curls loose and relaxed or styled with a light wax or clay for a defined, structured appearance. A connected, trimmed beard will add definition around the face without distracting from the impressive mop of curls on top.

Short Curly Mohawk Fade

The mohawk fade is perfect for curly hair as your textured locks will give the style instant volume boost that contrasts the clean sides. Lift the curls upward and back into the mohawk shape before finishing the look with a diffuser on low-medium heat for super-defined curls. Keep the nape closely buzzed and throw in a couple of shaved lines for an edgy, personalized take on this rebellious cut.

Brushed Forward Curls with Undercut Fade

Brushed forward curls let guys get up and go in the morning, requiring minimal styling to look tousled, sexy and playful. Brushing the hair forward accentuates its texture, adding volume to the look and creating a focal point. The undercut fade draws the eye upward while keeping the back and sides neat enough for professional settings. Let your locks air dry for a looser result or grab a blow dryer for lift and definition around the front.

Short Curls with Off-Center Part and Low Fade

Instead of parting your hair straight down the middle, create visual interest around the front with an off-center part and low fade. Keep the top short and cropped to lightly shape the hair and tighten the sides for a sleek, wearable look. A small amount of styling cream or pomade should add shine and structure to the hair without any crispiness.

Long Loose Curls

Loose curly hair looks best when it’s long enough to showcase striking, natural texture. Start by gently towel drying your hair to remove excess water before applying a curl cream, salt spray or mousse to define your curls. Scrunch lightly with your fingers once the hair is dry for an effortlessly tousled look with minimal frizz.

Popular Men’s Haircuts For Curly Hair

The most popular men’s haircuts for curly hair involve voluminous and textured longer curls on top balanced with a shorter cut on the sides and back, generally a fade or undercut. These curly hairstyles embrace the charm, bounce and fullness that comes with natural curls, allowing men to experiment with several handsome and trendy looks. Guys with curly hair looking to tame or cut their locks short should highlight their unique texture.