20 Best Short Curly Hair Ideas

May 2024 · 5 minute read
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1

Brie Larson

"Captain Marvel" New York ScreeningJamie McCarthy

We’re huge fans of a side part to accentuate your good side (we all have one). Pair the part with relaxed, beachy curls for an effortless vibe.

Try: Herbivore Sea Mist Coconut + Sea Salt Beach Wave Hair Mist, $20, sephora.com. SHOP

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2

Yara Shahidi

World Premiere Of Warner Bros "The Sun Is Also A Star" - ArrivalsJean Baptiste Lacroix

Part those voluminous natural curls to one side to give your hair more dimension and height, then add a side braid to show off a serious pair of statement earrings.

Try: Form Define. Curl Creme, $29, sephora.com. SHOP

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3

Constance Wu

Steve Granitz

Bobby pins are your summertime MVPs. Use them to pin random layers back and style curls in alternating directions for an edgy look.

Try: Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream, $38, sephora.com. SHOP

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4

Carey Mulligan

Dimitrios Kambouris

Curly bangs are tricky—but so pretty. Style your bangs with a little bit of a bend using a curling iron to match the soft waves you have everywhere else.

Try: T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Clip Curling Iron Set, $275, sephora.com. SHOP

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5

Jourdan Dunn

David M. Benett

We wouldn’t do much to alter shoulder-length voluminous natural curls. We say let them be—just fluff them and use a nourishing oil to make sure they’re hydrated and shiny.

Try: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Conditioning Leave-In Spray, $18, ulta.com. SHOP

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6

Bella Hadid

Gisela Schober//Getty Images

If your hair is long enough to pull into a high bun or ponytail, try this look from Bella Hadid. Slick your hair back as tight as you can, then let your natural ringlets spill over to create a beautiful bun or tail.

Try: R+Co Wall Street Gel, $28, amazon.com. SHOP

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7

Bebe Rexha

gotpap/Bauer-Griffin

Keep curly hair parted deep to one side with styling cream and hairspray (plus a few hidden bobby pins if need be).

Try: O&M Style Guru Styling Cream, $28, sephora.com. SHOP

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8

Viola Davis

Jim Spellman

Viola Davis proves that curly bangs are the prettiest (and easiest) way to change up your natural curls. All you need is a little defining cream to plump them up and add an impossibly glossy shine.

Try: Vernon Francios Light Weight Styling Serum, $28, sephora.com. SHOP

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9

Emma Stone

Taylor Hill

Fluffy curls that have been purposefully brushed-out are perfect for summer.

Try: Kérestase Nutritive Oil Serum For Dry Frizzy Hair, $37, sephora.com. SHOP

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10

Issa Rae

Prince Williams

Nothing says summer quite like a braid—we love how Issa Rae styled hers nestled along her curly bun.

Try: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk, $12, ulta.com. SHOP

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11

Jenna Dewan

Taylor Hill

Jenna Dewan's hair is half curly and half wavy—the perfect style to wear out during the summer and let humidity slowly do its thing.

Try: Ouai Wave Spray, $26, sephora.com. SHOP

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12

Kerry Washington

Bruce Glikas

Comb natural curls forward toward your face to get a gorgeous and voluminous look like Kerry Washington.

Try: Devacurl Ultra Defining Gel Strong Hold No-Crunch Styler, $24, sephora.com. SHOP

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13

Landa Condor

Amanda Edwards

Loosely gather your shorter layers away from your face to add volume to your crown. The messier, the better and cooler your hair will look.

Try: IGK Beach Club Texture Spray, $29, sephora.com. SHOP

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14

Selena Gomez

Michael Loccisano//Getty Images

Have two minutes to spare? Pull your hair back into a low chignon, then pull out two of your curly face-framing layers for the easiest and quickest updo ever.

Try: Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream, $26, sephora.com. SHOP

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15

Vanessa Hudgens

Jeff Kravitz

Touch-up your natural curls with an iron to create perfectly glossy and symmetrical ringlets like Vanessa Hudgens.

Try: GHD Curve 1" Classic Curl Iron, $199, sephora.com. SHOP

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16

Kristen Stewart

Dominique Charriau

There's nothing prettier than curly hair romantically pulled back and secured with a sparkly rhinestone clip.

Try: Kitsch x Justine Marjan Rhinestone Snap Clip, $29, shopbop.com. SHOP

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17

Zoe Kravitz

J. Merritt

Think bedhead only applies to long locks? Use a wax or pomade to give your short curls some texture for that I-woke-up-like-this look.

Try: Amika Got Grit Dry Texture Paste, $25, sephora.com. SHOP

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18

Julianne Hough

Jean Baptiste Lacroix

A sharp side part elevates the wet look from just-showered to red-carpet-ready. The trick is to apply hair oil to dry hair to get the look.

Try: Verb Ghost Dry Oil, $16, sephora.com. SHOP

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19

Charlize Theron

Matt Winkelmeyer

Add a curl or two to the longest layer of an an angled bob for a classic and elegant hairstyle.

Try: Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream, $34, sephora.com. SHOP

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20

Rachel McAdams

Jim Spellman

Short hair is just as capable of being pinned into an updo. Gather and tie all your hair in the back, leaving some wavy front layers down in the front.

Try: Bumble & Bumble Sumotech, $29, sephora.com. SHOP

Headshot of Audrey Noble

Audrey Noble is a freelance writer and reporter. She writes celebrity profiles and does deep-dive features about the ways race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of identity impact society via the beauty industry. Her previous work experience includes editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Refinery29, and Allure. Her writing can also be seen in Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, HelloGiggles, and more. You can keep up with her on Twitter.

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