curly hair · haircuts
Curly Hairstylesfor 2027
Curly hairstyles for 2027, from curly shags and rounded bobs to tapered curly tops and defined long layers, with who each suits and how to ask.
Hairover Team
The curly hairstyles 2027 is bringing to the front are cuts that work with natural texture rather than against it: curly shags, rounded curly bobs, curly curtain bangs, long curls with face-framing layers, and tapered curly tops for men. The common thread is shape. Instead of one length that turns triangular, each of these cuts is built so curls stack and spread evenly around the head.
Below are the main curly cuts for 2027, who each suits, how much upkeep they need, and what to say to your stylist. Most of these work across wavy, curly, and coily patterns, with small adjustments noted where they matter.
Before you book: finding a curly stylist
The single biggest factor in a good curly cut is the stylist. Look for someone who shows curly cuts in their portfolio and who talks about cutting dry, or at least checking the shape dry. Curls shrink as they dry, sometimes a lot, so a cut that looks right when wet can end up much shorter. Ask at booking how they cut curls, and arrive with your hair styled the way you usually wear it, so they can see your pattern. Bring the products you use, too. A stylist who sees how your curls behave on a normal day can cut for that, not for a blow-dried version you never wear.
Curly shag
The curly shag is the defining curly cut of the moment. It has lots of layers through the crown, shorter pieces around the face, and a lighter perimeter, so curls have room to spring up instead of being weighed down.
It suits loose to medium curls best, and most face shapes, especially oval, oblong, and heart. On tight coils, the same idea works with fewer, longer layers so the shape does not become too short at the crown. Upkeep is low to moderate, since it is meant to look a little undone, and it grows out without losing its shape for a couple of months. Ask for “a curly shag, cut dry, with crown layers and curly curtain bangs.” For straighter versions, see our shag haircut ideas.
Rounded curly bob
A chin- to jaw-length bob shaped so curls form a rounded, even silhouette. It avoids the triangle shape that blunt curly bobs can take on, where curls collect at the bottom and the top lies flat. It suits medium to tight curls and oval or oblong faces. If your curls shrink a lot, start at shoulder length so the dry result lands near the jaw. Trims every six to eight weeks keep the shape. Ask for “a rounded curly bob, cut dry, with internal layers to remove weight from the bottom.”
Curly lob with face-framing layers
A collarbone-length cut with layers that start at the cheekbones. It is an easy, versatile length for loose curls and waves. It suits most face shapes and is a good choice if you want to grow out a shorter cut. Because it is long enough to tie back, it is also practical for the gym or for work, while still showing off the curl pattern when worn down. Ask for “a curly lob at the collarbone, with face-framing curls starting at the cheekbone.”
Long curly layers
Long curls with layers cut throughout so volume is spread from the crown to the ends. Without layers, long curly hair can look flat on top and heavy at the bottom, and the weight can stretch curls out so they lose definition near the roots. It suits all curl types and most face shapes. Upkeep is low, with a trim every ten to twelve weeks. Ask for “long, curly layers to spread volume evenly, keep my length.”
Curly bangs and fringes
Curly curtain bangs and a full curly fringe are both popular. Curtain bangs part in the middle and frame the face. A full fringe sits across the forehead and creates a rounded shape that frames the eyes.
Both suit oval, oblong, and heart faces. Cut them dry, and leave them longer than you expect, since curls spring up. Trims every four to six weeks. Ask for “curly curtain bangs, cut dry, longer than my reference photo.” Our curtain bangs ideas for 2027 guide has more detail.
Short curly cuts and tapered tops
Curly pixie. Short sides with curls left on top. It suits curly and coily hair and oval or heart faces. Trims every four to six weeks. Ask for “a curly pixie, cut dry, with curls left two to three inches on top.”
Tapered curly top for men. Low taper on the sides with curls left long on top. It is one of the most popular men’s cuts for curly hair. Ask for “a low taper with curls left long enough to form on top.” Our guide to haircuts for thick, curly hair has more men’s options.
Tapered afro. A rounded afro shape with a taper at the sides and neckline, defined edges, and even volume. It suits coily hair and looks sharp with minimal daily styling. Expect an edge-up every two to three weeks. Ask for “a tapered afro, rounded shape, clean edge-up.”
Curly undercut. Shaved or very short hair at the nape or one side, with longer curls on top falling over it. It removes bulk for very thick curls and works for any gender. Ask for “an undercut at the nape, curls left long on top to cover it when worn down.”
Styling curly hair at home
A good cut helps, but styling decides how curls look day to day.
- Apply product to wet hair. Curl cream or gel works best on soaking-wet hair, which helps curls clump.
- Do not brush dry curls. Brushing breaks up curl clumps and creates frizz. Use fingers or a wide-tooth comb in the shower.
- Diffuse or air-dry. A diffuser on low heat adds volume. Air-drying gives more definition.
- Scrunch out the crunch. If you use gel, scrunch it out once it is completely dry for soft curls.
- Protect at night. A silk or satin pillowcase or bonnet reduces frizz.
- Refresh with water. Mist with water and a little leave-in on the second or third day.
Curly hairstyles and face shape
Curly hair is forgiving because the texture adds movement around the face. Still, a few general patterns help. Round faces often suit curls with height at the crown and longer lengths. Square faces suit curls with volume starting at the cheekbones. Oblong faces suit width at the sides, like a rounded bob. Oval faces wear most curly shapes.
Curl pattern often matters more than face shape. Loose waves can wear almost any cut, from a shag to a lob. Tight coils hold a sculpted shape, like a tapered afro or a rounded bob, better than heavily layered cuts. If your pattern is mixed, which is common, ask your stylist to cut for the curls around your face, since those are the ones people see first.
These are starting points. If you are unsure of your face shape, the face shape guides explain each outline.
Related guides
Try a curly cut on your own photo
Curly cuts can be hard to picture, because the same shape behaves differently on every curl pattern. Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis that looks at texture and length, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio. Save the cuts you like and bring them to your curly stylist.
FAQ
What curly hairstyles are trending for 2027?
Curly shags, rounded curly bobs, curly curtain bangs, long curls with face-framing layers, and tapered curly tops for men are among the most saved curly styles on Pinterest and Instagram.
Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Many curly specialists cut dry, curl by curl, because curls shrink as they dry and each one sits differently. Some cut wet and refine dry. Ask your stylist how they approach curls before booking.
How do I stop curly hair from looking triangular?
Ask for layers that remove weight from the sides and lower lengths, so volume is spread more evenly instead of collecting at the bottom.
How often should curly hair be trimmed?
Every eight to twelve weeks is common for longer curls. Shorter, shaped curly cuts may need a trim every six to eight weeks to keep their silhouette.
