40 Best Curly Hairstyles for Men in 2026: Cuts for Every Curl Type

A low taper keeps weight around the ears and nape while the curls stay full on top — the most conservative, wearable way to fade curly hair. I recommend it to clients who want their curls front-and-center with just a clean finish below. Define the top with a curl cream on damp hair and let it air-dry or diffuse.

Taking the sides to bare skin against full curls on top is the boldest, highest-contrast curly cut there is — and it photographs incredibly. I keep the top long enough to show the curl pattern fully. Use a curl cream on soaking-wet hair, scrunch, and diffuse for definition. Because skin shows regrowth fast, this is a 1–2 week maintenance look.

The burst fade arcs around the ear and tapers into the neck, leaving weight at the back — a dynamic frame that suits curly tops and mullet-leaning shapes brilliantly. It's one of my favorite curly pairings. Keep the curls full and defined above the curved fade. A leave-in plus curl cream keeps them hydrated and springy.

A drop fade curves down behind the ear, elongating the head and giving curly volume a sculpted frame. I steer rounder faces here because the dropped line balances the width curls add. Keep the curls defined on top with a cream and diffuser. The curved fade line is precise, so a 2-week cadence keeps it sharp while the curly top grows longer between cuts.

This version is built to maximise curly height and bounce — a taper that keeps the sides tidy while the top is shaped for full, voluminous lift. I cut into the top to release the curls' natural spring. Diffuse upside-down with a curl mousse for maximum volume, then pick out the roots.

The viral broccoli cut — tight faded sides with a compact dome of tight curls on top resembling the vegetable, hugely popular with younger guys. I keep the curls dense and rounded for that signature shape. A curl sponge defines the coils tightly; a leave-in keeps them hydrated. It's playful and current.

A curly take on the French-crop-adjacent textured crop — short, piecey curls cropped forward over faded sides for a low-effort, modern finish. I texturise the top so the curls fall forward in defined pieces. A matte curl paste through damp hair, scrunched forward, is the routine. It suits looser curl patterns and disguises a high forehead.

The French crop's blunt forward fringe meets curly texture — the curls soften the sharp crop line for a relaxed, European finish over clean faded sides. Brilliant for disguising a receding hairline. I keep the curly fringe forward and the sides tight. A little curl cream defines the front without weighing it down.

Defined curls styled up and out into spiky, separated pieces give an energetic, textured finish over faded sides — a curly twist on the spiky look. I encourage the curls' natural lift rather than forcing gel spikes. A strong curl cream or light gel scrunched and picked up gives the separated, spiky effect.

A curly faux hawk concentrates the curls into a central strip of volume with tapered or faded sides — bold and edgy without committing to a shaved mohawk. I keep curl weight up the center and tighten the sides. Diffuse the middle for height and define with curl cream.

A curly crew cut keeps the curls short and uniform with a tapered finish — clean, low-maintenance, and office-friendly while still showing your texture. I cut it short enough to be tidy but long enough for the curl pattern to read. A light cream defines it; minimal styling otherwise. It suits clients who want curls without commitment.

Curly texture falls forward into a soft, piecey fringe over faded sides — relaxed, youthful, and great for softening a high or square forehead. I keep length at the front so the curls sweep forward naturally. Define with curl cream and let them fall. It's a flattering, low-effort curly shape.

A curly pompadour lifts the curls up and back at the front for dramatic height and flow — vintage shape meets natural texture. It's a striking look I cut for confident clients. Diffuse the front upward and set with a flexible curl product to hold the lift without crunch. It needs length and a daily styling commitment.

Curls build a stunning high top — piled up and defined over tight faded sides for height and bold contrast. I keep the curly top long enough to stand and show its pattern. A curl cream and a pick create the lift and definition; a durag at night protects the shape. It's an iconic, high-impact curly cut.

A curly quiff sweeps the front curls up and back into a soft, voluminous wave — less severe than a pompadour, more dynamic than a flat top. I love it for medium-length curls with good bounce. Diffuse the front up and forward, then set with a light curl product. It needs a bit of daily styling but rewards it with movement.

The curly blowout (or 'taper blowout') diffuses the curls up and out into a full, rounded shape over a clean taper or burst fade — hugely popular and genuinely flattering. I diffuse upside-down for maximum lift. A mousse plus curl cream gives volume and hold. It's a styling-forward look that needs daily diffusing, but the fullness is the payoff.

All about soft, airy volume — the curls are kept loose and fluffy on top over faded sides for a relaxed, touchable finish. I avoid heavy product so the curls stay light and bouncy. A light leave-in, scrunched and air-dried, keeps them soft rather than crunchy. It's an effortless, current curly look that suits looser curl patterns.

For wavy-to-loose-curly hair, this enhances the wave pattern into defined S-shapes over a clean fade — somewhere between waves and curls. I cut to encourage the natural pattern and define it. A wave-enhancing cream and a brush or diffuser set the shape. It's a relaxed, textured look that hides grow-out well.

A full curly afro embraces natural volume in every direction, often paired with a clean taper or line-up to keep it shaped — a proud, voluminous statement. I shape it round and even with scissors and a pick. Hydration is everything: a leave-in and weekly deep conditioning keep it healthy and defined. Pick it out daily for fullness.

Sponge-twisted coils give tightly coiled hair defined, uniform twists over faded sides — one of the best low-cost ways to define type 4 curls. I keep length on top for the twists to set. Use a twist sponge on damp, moisturized hair, then maintain with a leave-in and a durag at night. The defined twists against a clean fade look excellent.

Locs are a long-term commitment with huge styling range — worn up, down, or tied, often with faded or undercut sides for a modern finish. I help clients start and maintain them properly. Keep the scalp clean and the locs retwisted on schedule; hydration prevents breakage. Faded sides keep them looking sharp and contemporary.

Pairing curly hair with a shaped, often curly beard balances the volume on top with weight on the jaw — a strong, cohesive look. I connect the beard's shape to the haircut and keep both defined. Use curl cream on the beard too if it's curly, and oil daily. The combination adds maturity and frames the face.

The lowest-effort curly style there is — define wet curls with product and let them dry as they fall, no heat, no fuss. I cut it to fall into shape naturally so the wash-and-go actually works. Apply a curl cream or gel to soaking-wet hair, scrunch, and air-dry. It's perfect for busy clients who want defined curls in minutes.

Grown long, curly hair ties into a relaxed man bun — versatile enough to wear down in defined curls or up off the face. I cut to keep the length healthy and the bun full. A leave-in keeps the curls hydrated and frizz-free, and a soft tie avoids breakage. Undercut or faded sides keep both looks sharp. Patience through the grow-out is the only real cost.

A curly mullet pairs business-up-front with party-in-the-back curls and two-block or faded sides — bold, retro, and having a real moment. I cut heavy layers through the curly back for movement. Define with curl cream and diffuse.

Curls brushed up and back from the face give a clean, swept silhouette with natural volume — relaxed but put-together over faded sides. I cut length so the curls sweep back without springing forward. A flexible curl cream and a brush set the direction while damp. It suits looser curl patterns best.

For looser, wavier curl patterns, this keeps the locks long and free-flowing with minimal shaping — an effortless, surfer-adjacent finish. I cut subtle layers so the loose curls move without bulking. A light leave-in scrunched in keeps them defined and soft. It's a low-maintenance, relaxed look that flatters most faces.

Mid-length curly 'flow' lets the curls reach the ears and nape for a relaxed, voluminous, slightly grown-out finish — the curly version of the flow trend. I layer it so the curls have movement and shape. A curl cream and diffuser define the flow. It's a popular, easy-going look that suits looser-to-medium curls.

Curly curtain bangs part down the middle and frame the face on each side — a soft, 90s-revival take on curly hair. I grow the front long enough for the curls to fall into curtains. Diffuse each side away from the center and define with a light cream. It flatters oval and round faces.

Long, flowing curls are a real commitment but a striking one — full length, defined, and worn loose for maximum movement and impact. I layer to remove bulk so the length flows rather than triangles out. Hydration is critical: leave-in, weekly masks, and minimal heat keep the length healthy. It's a high-impact, lower-styling look once grown.

A curly undercut keeps the curls full and long on top with disconnected or shaved sides for maximum contrast — bold and versatile. I keep the curly top weighty so it falls over the clean sides. Define with curl cream and diffuse. The disconnection makes the curls pop.

A curly shag layers the curls heavily for a tousled, rock-leaning, voluminous finish — all movement and texture. I cut feathered layers and a curly fringe for that lived-in shape. Scrunch in a curl cream and diffuse, or air-dry for grit. It's a high-personality, low-fuss look that suits looser curls.

A razor-shaved hard part adds a sharp, deliberate line to curly hair where the top meets the faded side — precision against natural texture. I shave it cleanly so the curls fall off the line. It's a striking contrast of structured and organic.

A hard disconnection between full curls and short sides creates the boldest, most editorial curly cut — the curls sit like a separate layer with no blend. I cut a clean disconnected line and keep the curly top substantial. Define with cream and diffuse.

A shaved line or design in the faded side turns curly hair into a personal statement — subtle from front, eye-catching in profile. I etch anything from a single line to a pattern beneath the curls. It pairs well with the natural texture above.

A center part splits curly hair into two falling sections — soft, symmetrical, and flattering on oval and heart faces. I grow the top long enough for the curls to part and fall each side. Diffuse away from the center and define with a light cream. It's a current, styling-forward look that softens as it grows.

A polished, professional curly cut — controlled curls, a conservative taper, and a clean finish that looks sharp in any boardroom. I keep the curls neat and defined rather than wild. A curl cream tames frizz and adds definition without volume overload. It flatters mature faces and reads authoritative.

A kid-friendly curly cut — the curls kept healthy, defined, and easy to manage for school mornings. I keep it a wearable length so it doesn't need daily styling, with a soft taper rather than a harsh fade. A little kid-safe curl cream tames it on busy days. It grows out neatly and embraces their natural texture, needing only a trim every 5–6 weeks.

The do-it-all curly cut — medium length with a taper, so the curls can be worn up, forward, back, or tied depending on the day. This is what I recommend when a client can't decide. One curl cream covers every option, scrunched and diffused or air-dried. It flatters most faces and curl types, grows out gracefully, and genuinely earns 'versatile'.