23 Barber-Approved Hairstyles for Guys With Curls (2024)

As seen on Miles Teller

If you're gonna cut your curls short, we suggest looking to Miles Teller for style inspiration. His curls are contained to the top of the head with the sides cut short, enhancing the look of the waves at the crown. This low-maintenance look isn't quite a lion's mane, but the curls can't be ignored, either. That's why we're calling it a cub's mane: it may be short now, but you know it has the potential to grow just by looking at it. A lightweight gel is all you need to tame frizz and define the shape of the curls.

As seen on Ryan Phillippe

Instead of keeping hair too short to curl, this longer variation of a classic crew cut allows natural texture to show through, especially on top. Keep the top a medium length to allow for shape, but not so long that your hair fully curls. Style it with a styling cream or cream pomade for a little bit of shine and hold without a greasy look.

Read more: Best Hairstyles for Men With Thinning Hair

As seen on Kit Harrington

Curly hair looks great when there is enough length to really show it’s texture. Case in point, this long ‘do made famous by the King in the North himself. It takes patience to get hair to this length, especially if you’re growing it from a short style, but the payoff is a big one. Whether it’s tucked behind your ears or left to flow, a longer style like this is a showstopper.

As seen on Jamie Dornan

Yes, you can have a beard and curly hair without looking like Grizzly Adams. The key here is the relatively short length on both the haircut and the beard. Keep the beard trimmed neatly so it provides contrast to the natural texture of your hair. Ask your barber to trim the sides of your head, but leave length on top for the natural curl to pop out.

As seen on Timothee Chalamet

All it takes to achieve a look like this is patience; don’t touch it for a few months and resist the urge to get it “shaped” or trimmed by a barber. Once you have enough length to tuck behind your ears, then you can get it cut into a mild wedge shape. A longer length will bring out curls and waves in your hair and using a matte styling cream will help make it look piecey and windblown.

As seen on The Weeknd

Tighter, coily curls tend to grow up instead of down; lean in to it! This is not the perfectly round afros you might be thinking of. Instead, ask your barber to shape it so there is more length on top and with a gentle curve down to your ears. Don’t go for smooth finish—leave it slightly shaggy around the perimeter to allow the texture to make it look cool and casual.

As seen on Matthew McConaughey

You can’t get a cut like this with a hair clipper. Ask your barber or stylist to give you a scissor cut, which allows for a more gentle shape and can bring out your natural texture. This is not a slick, groomed look. When hair is damp, spray on some salt spray to give that just-off-the-beach piecey look, and then let it air dry however it wants.

As seen on Justin Timberlake

Not every style for curly hair has to be long and windswept. If shorter hair is more your vibe, that’s cool. Still ask your barber to avoid clippers and use scissors to create this crop to preserve some of the natural texture even when it’s short. Note that there is little to no fade—you want a uniform length on the sides with only slightly more on top.

As seen on Nick Jonas

Remember when I said curly hair can have volume? Case in point, this style that uses natural curl to its advantage to create height on top. Leave the top long enough that hair can have a few full curls and the sides only slightly shorter. To style, spray a volumizing spray on damp hair and then use a curl cream to create smooth, defined curls.

As seen on Adam Brody

This cut shares a similar shape with the previous style, but isn’t quite as finished. You still want enough length that your hair can fully curl several times (or if you have wavy hair, it has a defined wave). The difference is that this style is way more casual. Use a salt spray or a light styling cream on damp hair and let it air dry naturally for this devil-may-care look.

As seen on Jesse Eisenberg

The the previously mentioned crop, this style only has very slight changes in length between the sides and the top and, in this case, the ears. The shape is similar, but the length is longer to allow for more defined curls to show through. The fringe (bangs) is styled toward the front and cut in a straight line across the forehead to show off more of your texture.

As seen on Henry Cavill

This super look all comes down to styling. You’ll want enough length on top to create a defined swoop, but how much you have on the sides doesn’t matter as much. Use a high-hold product, like a matte-finish pomade, to slick the sides back with your hands, along with a styling cream on the top to give a more natural appearance. Finish the whole thing with hairspray to keep it in place.

As seen on Jason Momoa

The longer the hair, the more curl it shows off, and the beauty of natural curls is that they’re inconsistent. Showcasing the different textures in your hair is what makes this look seem cool and completely effortless. It also depends on length, so be patient and let your hair grow as long as you dare. And then give it a spritz of salt spray to help define the texture.

As seen on Bruno Mars

Unlike a longer fro, this shorter version doesn’t require your curls be super tight and compact. It’s more about the shape than the length. You’re going for a round shape, nearly even on the sides and top, to create a frame of curls around your face. If your curls are looser, keep it on the shorter side to make sure they stay in place. If they’re tighter, feel free to go a little longer.

As seen on Khalid

The impact of this style is height, which helps to elongate and slim your face. Ask your barber to fade the sides of your head tight and continue that line straight up. Leave the length on top long (as long as it can get and still stand up straight.) Keep it modern by not cutting the ends and instead allowing them to create a textured edge and then style with with a pomade or wax for maximum hold.

As seen on Odell Beckham Jr.

A low fade, instead of a high-and-tight, looks great with curly hair because it allows natural texture to really shine. Keep the length on the sides short, with the fade only in the lower half toward the ears and then allow for a somewhat blunt edge between the sides and the top. Keep enough length on top to show off the curls in their full glory.

As seen on Jimmy Butler

This style is the love child between the Flat Top and the Low Fade: taking qualities of both but creating something completely different. Keep the fade just around the ears and instead of a graduation, ask your barber to leave a blunt edge. Then bring the length on top a little lower on the sides so it starts just below where your head curves in. Use a wax or gel to define the curls and give texture.

As seen on Richard Madden

Another slick style that’s all about the volume, this one can’t be done with clippers. Ask your barber to use scissors to cut the sides slightly shorter than the top, but leave enough length that they can be slicked back. Use a volumizing spray on the top as well as a styling cream or curl cream to create hold. Bonus points if you can get even more volume by using a hair dryer.

As seen on Dev Patel

The length on this style isn’t the point—the cut itself is similar to the Royal or Let It Flow. Instead, to get a sleek, shiny (but not overly wet look), it’s all about what products you use. A little bit of high-shine pomade on damp hair could do the trick—smooth it through and then let your hair dry naturally. Or for extra shine, use a little bit of hair gel (not too much or it will get crunchy.)

As seen on Oscar Isaac

The shape of this cut is ideal for curly hair, because the rounded edges mimic the texture of curls and allow them to shine. The sides are cut slightly shorter than the top, but not faded with a clipper. Instead, as the length graduates up, the angle is rounded to seamlessly merge with the longer length on top. Use a styling cream to create shine and texture with only a little hold.