The best haircuts for men with curly hair keep length and shape on top, where curls look best, and control the sides with a taper or fade so the outline stays clean. Here's what you need to know before your next haircut.
Haircuts for curly hair at a glance
- Top: 2 to 5 inches so curls can form
- Sides and back: Taper or fade
- Maintenance: Medium
- Trim every: 3 to 5 weeks
Why it matters
Curly hair shrinks as it dries and each curl pattern behaves differently, so the cut matters more than the product. A barber who cuts curls dry, or at least checks the shape dry, will get a better result.
Who it suits
Wavy, curly and coily hair of any density. Round faces do well with height on top and tight sides; long faces with a lower taper and more width.
Not sure about your face shape? Find it with the free face shape detector, or read our guide to men's face shapes.
What to tell your barber
- Ask to keep length on top and to shape the curls, not thin them out.
- Choose a taper or fade for the sides.
- Mention shrinkage: ask for less off than you think you need.
- Bring a photo. Barbers use these names differently, and a picture removes the guesswork.
How to style it
Apply curl cream or leave-in conditioner to wet hair, scrunch, then air dry or diffuse. Don't brush dry curls; refresh with water and a little product.
Variations
- Low taper fade with curls: the most popular curly cut right now.
- Curly fringe: curls falling forward over the forehead.
- Drop fade with curls: a rounded outline at the back.
- Burst fade with curls: length kept at the nape.
- Curly blowout taper: curls lifted at the root for volume.
Try it before you cut
A haircut takes weeks to grow out. Upload a selfie to the AI hairstyle changer and see different cuts on your own face, next to up to three other styles.
Related haircuts
- Low taper fade
- Drop fade
- Burst fade
- Blowout taper
- Textured fringe
- Korean perm for men
- All men's haircuts
FAQ
What haircut is best for curly hair?
The best haircuts for men with curly hair keep length and shape on top, where curls look best, and control the sides with a taper or fade so the outline stays clean.
Which should I choose?
Wavy, curly and coily hair of any density. Round faces do well with height on top and tight sides; long faces with a lower taper and more width.
How often does it need a trim?
About every 3 to 5 weeks.
