Curly hair can be difficult to control, but the best curly hairstyles for men can give you an unique look other hair types or textures can’t. In fact, wavy and curly hair can be downright sexy and cool when cut and styled properly. But with endless styling possibilities, the challenge for guys with curly and wavy hair is finding the right haircuts for their face shape, desired length, and personal style.
Below, we’ll show you the latest men’s curly hairstyles to get right now. Whether you want long curly hair for volume and movement or short curls for an easy, low-maintenance look, these styles will have you looking stylish. If you’re not sure what do with your curly wavy hair, check out our comprehensive guide to the top haircuts for men with curly hair.
Curly Haircut Styles For Men
Curly Hair Undercut
The curly undercut is beautiful in its versatility. As part of the popular short sides, long top trend, the curly hair undercut is a flattering choice that leverages high-contrast for a masculine look.
With the back and sides of your hair buzzed super short with clippers, the curly hair on top of your head is let loose to add volume and height. Easily one of the coolest haircuts, the undercut can be paired with any number of styles, textures, and hair types for an awesome modern look.
Another benefit is that wavy hair becomes easy to manage in this style, as most of it is clipped away from the sides and back. If you’re not into styling your hair, simply leaving your curls natural and messy can look fashionable due to the structure of the style.
In contrast, adding some lift and sleekness with pomade creates a hairstyle that is appropriate for work and formal events.
Curly Hair Fade
The curly hair fade is much like the undercut, but with some slight differences. For starters, both provide a low-maintenance haircut that doesn’t require the backs and sides of your head to be styled. However, the primary difference is that the undercut is generally cut high and all one-length whereas a fade gradually gets longer the higher up you go.
Additionally, guys can choose between many different types of fades – low, mid, high, drop or skin. This will determine where the fade starts and how short it will be cut.
For example, you may want a low fade with curls for a more conservative look.
On another trip to the barbershop, you could choose a high fade with your curly hair.
With so many different types kinds of taper fade haircuts, you can customize your cut any way you want. Ultimately, the curly fade is extremely versatile and pairs nicely with a beard and variety of face shapes.
Curly High Top Fade
The curly high top fade is specifically worth noting as a cool hairstyle for black men. Most black guys with curly hair have very tight curls that make it hard to style. However, once they start growing out their kinky hair, the curls loosen up and allow them to get this stylish look.
A high top fade with curls has many variations. For instance, some black men like to style long twists at the end, while others opt for something closer to a short curly afro. Regardless of which version you prefer, mixing a high top fade with curly hair is an excellent choice.
Curly Comb Over
Traditionally, we imagine the comb over on a guy with straight, thick hair as a neat, classy haircut. But that image doesn’t mean the curly comb over doesn’t work or look hot. With the volume and texture from your thick curly hair, a comb over or side part hairstyle takes on a more interesting and natural look.
To get a curly comb over fade or side part, you can ask your barber for a fade on the sides and back, while leaving more length on top to comb to the side. This fade with a part works well with both curly and wavy hairstyles and adds a sweet texture unmatched by other looks.
Guys with curly hair love the comb over fade because they can easily train and style their hair to part. To get the look, simply add a dollop of strong-hold pomade or hair wax and comb your hair to the side along your natural part line.
You can even ask your barber to shave in a hard part if you want to save on styling time and make your curly comb over stand out.
Wavy Fringe
The wavy fringe is an edgy, new haircut for men with curly wavy hair. The distinguishing feature of the fringe hairstyle is the longer hair at the front of the head, which forms a waves on your forehead. That wavy fringe can be textured and styled with light hair wax products for a natural, matte finish.
Guys can even sweep their short wavy hair to the side for an angular fringe. mousse or gel to create a range of looks. The more texture, the better. The wavy fringe is perfect for men with defined curls, but also works for gentler waves.
Curly Quiff
The modern curly quiff is a version of the classic men’s hairstyle that maximizes natural volume and flow. Popularized by James Dean in the 1960’s, the quiff haircut is well-known and sexy whether it’s tousled and messy or brushed back and structured.
By creating a quiff with curly, textured hair, the voluminous style takes on a sophisticated look. The quiff can be cut in many ways. You can get a taper fade or undercut on the sides with clippers or ask your barber for a scissor cut for a longer look. Since the hair on top is likely to be medium-length, the short sides creates a better aesthetic due to the contrast.
Styling a curly hair quiff can take time, and involves blow drying your hair up and back and then applying a men’s hair product to hold the strands in place.
Slicked Back
The curly slicked back hairstyle offers a controlled and sleek way to manage your curly or wavy hair. When combined with an undercut or fade on the sides, slicked back hair is the perfect way to tame your waves and create a classy style for work and formal events.
To get a haircut that works with a slick back, ask your barber to fade the sides, thin your hair out on top, and add in some layers to make your curls easier to manage. When styling a slick back, you’ll want to use a strong-hold pomade, especially if your hair is particularly unruly. You can apply it with your fingers and hands, and then work the product in with a comb.
Medium Length Curly Hair
Medium curly hair is an attractive look for guys who appreciate their length and want to stand out. While curls can be unruly and high-maintenance, these longer curly haircut styles truly make the process of growing out your hair worthwhile.
These styles are ideal if you want a haircut that doesn’t involve clippers or detract from the length of your hair. This look is relaxed, pulled back and free flowing, as the style is designed to showcase both the length and texture of your hair.
To properly cut medium-length styles, your barber will trim your hair’s ends with scissors, thinning out some of the curls and adding in a few layers for structure.
Since the style is meant to be natural and allow movement, all you need to style your hair is a light-hold wax or pomade to prevent frizz and strays. You can even choose to pull your locks back and tie them up or do a man bun.
Long Curly Hair
Long curly hair is a fashionable approach that allows guys to experiment with several cool styles. Sometimes, guys with long curly hair seem to only focus on the burden of managing and styling their curls. Luckily, these longer hairstyles are trending strong this year as new styles skew towards longer, textured looks.
To wear these lustrous long hairstyles well, you simply need to grow your hair out and let the curls and waves flow naturally. A good shampoo and conditioner can help the process, keeping your scalp and hair moisturized and hydrated. The occasional trim will also remove split-ends and stimulate continued hair growth.
Not much is required to style long curly hair. Most guys prefer to apply a lightweight hair wax, clay or pomade product to minimize frizz and keep the hair soft and full of texture.
Ultimately, the final hairstyle flows freely in an understated yet sexy way to wear your curls. Whether you have tight, dense curly hair or loose wavy hair, this look will showcase your natural texture and give you the option of styling many hairstyles, including the hipster man bun.