curly hair · men
Curly Fringe Haircut for Men: Styles and Howto Ask
Curly fringe haircuts for men, including the best fades to pair with them, how to allow for shrinkage, what to ask your barber, and easy styling for defined curls.
Hairover Team
A curly fringe keeps your curls long on top and brings them forward over your forehead, usually with a fade or taper at the sides. It suits curly and wavy hair, and it covers a tall forehead or a receding hairline. Styling comes down to a curl product on wet hair and very little touching. Just remember that your curls need extra length, as they shrink when dry.
Popular versions
Curly fringe with a low taper. Soft, natural, and easy to grow out. The best first try.
Curly fringe with a mid fade. It has sharper sides, so the curls stand out more. See our low, mid, and high fade guide.
Curly fringe with a drop fade. The fade curves behind the ear for a clean shape. See drop fade vs. burst fade.
Broccoli haircut. A bigger, rounder top with tight sides.
Curly mullet. Keeps the fringe, and adds length at the back. See mullet trends.
Who it suits
Hair type. Curls from 2C to 3C suit it best. Tighter coils tend to grow more upward than forward, so a fringe shape may need different styling. Our hair type chart can help you place your pattern.
Face shape. The forward fringe shortens long faces, and softens square ones. Round faces benefit from height on top and tighter sides. To check your outline, use our free face shape detector.
Hairline. Curls falling forward hide temples well, so it’s a helpful option for a receding hairline.
How to ask your barber
“A curly fringe. Please keep it long enough on top for the curls to fall to my eyebrows when dry, since they shrink. A low taper on the sides. Remove some bulk from the back of the top, without making it thin at the front.”
Ideally, ask your barber to cut the top dry, or at least to check it dry before finishing. See dry cut vs. wet cut. More detail on curly cuts is in haircuts for thick, curly hair.
How to style it
- Wash, and condition well. Curly hair needs moisture.
- While your hair is still wet, work in a curl cream or a light gel.
- Scrunch your curls upward, then bring them forward.
- Air-dry or use a diffuser on low speed. Don’t touch it until dry.
- Scrunch gently to soften any stiffness.
To refresh your hair, mist with water, scrunch in a bit of product, and let it dry again.
What to avoid
- Brushing dry curls. That’s a fast route to frizz.
- Heavy wax or shiny pomade. These can weigh curls down.
- Thinning shears everywhere. They can make curls frizzy.
- Going too short on top. Shrinkage can leave you with far less than you expected.
Upkeep
Taper versions last about four to six weeks. Fade versions need attention at two to three weeks. The top can usually wait, as curls hide growth well.
Related guides
Preview your curls
How far your curls fall depends on their pattern and shrinkage, so a photo of someone else can mislead. Upload a clear photo to Hairover, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
How long does hair need to be for a curly fringe?
Usually around three to five inches on top when stretched, because curls shrink. Ask your barber to check how far your curls fall when dry.
What fade goes best with a curly fringe?
A low or mid taper keeps the look natural and grows out gently. A drop or skin fade adds sharper contrast, but it needs more frequent trips to the barber.
How do I stop my curly fringe from getting frizzy?
Apply a curl cream or light gel to wet hair, then scrunch and leave it alone until dry. Avoid brushing dry curls, and touch it as little as possible.
