29 Best Curly Hairstyles for Men in 2026
The best haircuts for curly hair men in 2026 include the curly taper fade, the modern broccoli cut, and the textured crop. These styles are designed to enhance natural curl definition and manage daily frizz with minimal effort.
This guide covers 29 top styles categorized by their core benefits:
- The Broccoli Cut: Best for trendy, effortless volume.
- The Curly Taper Fade: Best for a clean, professional look.
- The Textured Crop: Best for low-maintenance frizz control.
Pro Tip: Use an AI virtual try-on tool to preview these styles before your barber appointment.
- Top 29 Haircuts for Curly Hair Men
- Styling Tips for Curly Hairstyles Men Love
- How to Try a Haircut for Wavy Hair Men Virtually
- Best App to Preview Any Wavy Hairstyle Men Want
- FAQs on Haircuts for Curly Hair Men
Top 29 Haircuts for Curly Hair Men
- The Modern Curly Mullet
- Textured Crop with Shaggy Fringe
- The "Bro Flow"
- Curly Taper Fade
- Curly Middle Part
- Broccoli Cut
- Curly Wolf Cut
- Classic Curly Undercut
- Short Curly Undercut
- Burst Fade Curly Hair
- Curly Hair Fades
- Short Curly Hair
- Curly Bangs
- Long Curly Hair
- Medium Length Curly Hair
- Curly Bob
- Curly Flow
- Curly Shag
- Curly Mohawk
- Curly Afro
- Curly Top Fade
- Curly Curtain Bangs
- Curly Quiff
- Curly Slick Back
- Curly Bowl Cut
- Curly Crew Cut
- Curly Pompadour
- Short Curly Caesar Cut
- Twists
1. The Modern Curly Mullet
The mullet is back, and it looks exceptionally good with curly hair. The modern curly mullet features shorter hair on the sides and top, while the back flows long with natural, bouncy curls. It's an edgy, high-fashion look that embraces volume and texture at the nape.
2. Textured Crop with Shaggy Fringe
A stylish option where the sides are kept clean (often faded), and the curls are directed forward to create a shaggy fringe across the forehead. This cut highlights the texture of your curls right at the front, offering a youthful and effortlessly cool aesthetic.
3. The "Bro Flow"
Perfect for men with medium-length, wavy, or loose curls. The "Bro Flow" is all about letting the hair naturally sweep back away from the face. It gives off a relaxed, surfer-vibe that is low-maintenance but highly attractive.
4. Curly Taper Fade
A staple in modern men's grooming, this style features sharp, tapered fades on the sides and back, seamlessly blending into defined curls on top. It provides a clean, professional silhouette while still showing off your natural curl pattern.
5. Curly Middle Part
Inspired by 90s trends, the curly middle part (or curtain bangs) allows your curls to fall symmetrically on either side of your face. It works incredibly well for framing the face and highlights the natural bounce of medium-length curls.
6. Broccoli Cut
A massive trend among younger guys, the "Broccoli Cut" pairs closely shaved or faded sides with a heavy, voluminous mop of curls on top. The top is styled to look dense and round, resembling a broccoli floret. It's bold, trendy, and full of volume.
7. Curly Wolf Cut
A hybrid of the shag and the mullet, the curly wolf cut features heavy layers throughout, creating a wild, untamed, and highly textured look. It frames the face beautifully and is ideal for men who want a rockstar edge.
8. Classic Curly Undercut
The classic undercut completely disconnects the sides from the top. The sides are shaved down evenly, while the top retains long, dramatic curls. This high-contrast style makes your curls the absolute center of attention.
9. Short Curly Undercut
For those who love the undercut vibe but want something easier to manage daily, this variation keeps the curls on top slightly shorter. It requires less styling cream and prevents tangling, making it perfect for active lifestyles or the gym.
10. Burst Fade Curly Hair
The burst fade drops around the ear, leaving a thicker line of hair at the nape of the neck and plenty of curls on top. This semi-circular fade adds a unique, modern geometric touch to your natural curls.
11. Curly Hair Fades
A broad category that blends short sides with a textured top. Whether you choose a low, mid, or high fade, the contrast between the skin-tight sides and the curly top makes your hair look instantly thicker and styled.
12. Short Curly Hair
Keeping your curls cropped close to the head is the ultimate low-maintenance move. It requires very little product and keeps you looking neat and sharp while still showing off your hair's natural wave.
13. Curly Bangs
Letting your curls fall naturally over your forehead is a fantastic way to frame your face and mask a larger forehead. Curly bangs give off a relaxed, artistic vibe that pairs well with a messy, textured cut.
14. Long Curly Hair
For the brave and patient, growing your curls out long results in a majestic, powerful look. It requires a dedicated hair care routine with plenty of deep conditioning, but the final cascading curls are undeniably striking.
15. Medium Length Curly Hair
Falling right around the ears or jawline, medium-length curls strike the perfect balance between the wildness of long hair and the neatness of a short crop. It’s highly versatile and easy to tie back into a small bun.
16. Curly Bob
A chin-length cut that is uniform all around. The curly bob offers a highly stylized, fashion-forward aesthetic that looks fantastic on men with well-defined, ringlet-style curls.
17. Curly Flow
Similar to the Bro Flow, but specifically tailored to tighter curls. The hair is trained to sweep backward, creating an aerodynamic shape that perfectly balances casual ease with elegant movement.
18. Curly Shag
A throwback to the 70s, the curly shag uses heavy, choppy layers to create a messy, voluminous crown that tapers slightly towards the neck. It’s the ultimate "I woke up like this" hairstyle.
19. Curly Mohawk
For a bold statement, shave the sides completely and leave a strip of bouncing curls running from the forehead to the nape of the neck. The natural volume of curly hair makes the mohawk stand up effortlessly.
20. Curly Afro
Celebrate natural tight curls and coils by shaping them into a classic, rounded afro. This look is all about maintaining moisture, using a pick for volume, and embracing maximum texture and height.
21. Curly Top Fade
A modern twist on a 90s classic. The sides are faded down to the skin, while the tight curls on top are shaped straight up to create a high, vertical block of texture.
22. Curly Curtain Bangs
A softer take on the middle part, curtain bangs sweep outwards to frame the eyes and cheekbones. The natural curl adds body and bounce to the bangs, making them look thicker and more dynamic.
23. Curly Quiff
The quiff brushes the hair upward and backward at the front of the head. Doing this with curly hair adds incredible height and texture, making for a sophisticated yet playful look.
24. Curly Slick Back
Using a strong-hold pomade or gel, the curls are pulled tightly back against the scalp. While the roots sit flat, the ends retain their wave, creating a stylish, gentlemanly appearance.
25. Curly Bowl Cut
A high-fashion update to a retro style. The heavy weight line of the bowl cut looks surprisingly good when broken up by the messy, organic texture of natural curls over a sharp undercut.
26. Curly Crew Cut
If you want minimal styling but refuse to go for a full buzz cut, the curly crew cut leaves just enough length on top for your natural texture to show slightly, paired with faded sides for a clean finish.
27. Curly Pompadour
A vintage rockabilly look enhanced by curls. The hair is swept high up and back off the forehead. The curls provide natural structural volume, making the pompadour look massive and textured.
28. Short Curly Caesar Cut
Characterized by a short, horizontally straight fringe. When applied to curly hair, the fringe has a softer, textured edge, making it a very flattering and modern low-maintenance option.
29. Twists
Ideal for men with tight curls or coily hair (type 3 or 4). Two-strand twists or sponge twists clump the curls together into defined sections, creating a neat, highly stylized look that protects the hair from breakage.
Styling Tips for Curly Hairstyles Men Love
Managing and cutting curly hair requires a different approach than straight hair. Because curls have natural spring and volume, achieving the right shape is all about hydration and proper cutting techniques. Here’s what you need to know:
- Find a Curl Specialist: Curly hair shrinks when it dries. Ask your barber to cut your hair while it's dry (or slightly damp) so they can see your natural curl pattern and avoid cutting it too short.
- Moisture is Key: Curly hair is naturally prone to dryness and frizz. Ditch the heavy pomades and opt for leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and sea salt sprays to define your curls without making them crunchy.
- Don't Over-Wash: Shampooing every day strips natural oils, leaving curls dry and frizzy. Try washing your hair 2-3 times a week, and use a hydrating conditioner.
- Embrace the Fade: If you struggle with untamable volume on the sides, incorporating a mid or high skin fade is the easiest way to keep your look clean while letting the curls thrive on top.
- Pat, Don't Rub: When drying your hair after a shower, gently pat it with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt. Vigorously rubbing with a standard towel will break the curl clumps and cause immediate frizz.
How to Try a Haircut for Wavy Hair Men Virtually
Trying a bold new curly style doesn’t have to mean a risky trip to the barber. Virtual try-on tools, like PhotoDirector, allow you to upload a photo and preview dozens of curly and wavy hairstyles instantly. This helps you figure out if a wolf cut, bro flow, or a broccoli cut suits your face shape before the clippers even turn on.
Try On with AI Prompts
- Step 1: Open the PhotoDirector app and tap “AI Creative Studio.”
- Step 2: Select “Custom” and upload your photo.
- Step 3: Type a specific prompt into the text box, such as “Change the hairstyle to a curly taper fade” or “Give me a messy curly mullet.”
- Step 4: Tap “Generate” and preview your results.
Try On with AI Face Swap Tool
- Step 1: Open the PhotoDirector app and tap “AI Face Swap.”
- Step 2: Upload a reference image of a model or celebrity rocking the curly haircut you want.
- Step 3: Upload your own photo.
- Step 4: Instantly generate a realistic preview.
Best App to Preview Any Wavy Hairstyle Men Want
Thinking about updating your look but not sure if you can pull off a curly mullet or a textured crop? PhotoDirector makes it incredibly easy to preview any curly hairstyle virtually, saving you from a potentially bad haircut.
Key Features:
- AI Replace (Custom Prompts) - Simply brush over your hair and type exactly what you want (e.g., “Broccoli cut with faded sides” or “Long bro flow”). The AI will generate it flawlessly.
- AI Hairstyle - Tap through preset popular styles to instantly see yourself with different lengths and textures.
- AI Face Swap - Found a cool curly haircut on Pinterest or Instagram? Swap your face onto the photo to see how that specific cut and texture works for you.
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FAQs on Haircuts for Curly Hair Men
Currently, the Curly Taper Fade and the "Broccoli Cut" are the most popular choices. They both keep the sides clean and tight while maximizing the texture and volume of the curls on top, creating a stylish, high-contrast look.
You can try on hairstyles virtually using AI-powered apps like PhotoDirector. Simply upload your photo and use the AI Creative Studio tool to type in the exact curly style you want. You can also use AI Face Swap to put your face onto reference photos of curly hairstyles you find online.
To reduce frizz, avoid washing your hair every day and stop using standard bath towels to dry your hair. Instead, use a hydrating curl cream or leave-in conditioner while your hair is still damp, and let it air dry. If you must use a hair dryer, always attach a diffuser.
If you have a round face, you want to create the illusion of length. Styles with tight, faded sides and height on top—like a Curly Undercut or a high Textured Crop—are ideal. Avoid styles that add width to the sides of your head.
For thick curly hair, the goal is to manage volume and prevent the hair from looking too round or "helmet-like." A Curly Undercut or a High Taper Fade is excellent because it removes excess bulk from the sides and back. If you prefer longer hair, a Curly Shag or Wolf Cut works perfectly by using heavy layers to distribute the weight evenly.
PhotoDirector is the ultimate app for trying on men's hairstyles. It offers three distinct ways to test a look: AI Hairstyle for quick presets, AI Creative Studio for custom text prompts, and AI Face Swap for testing reference photos from the internet.
The Cyberlink Editorial Team creates in-depth articles on video editing, multimedia innovation, and AI-powered creative tools. Our mission is to provide practical, easy-to-follow tutorials across video and photo editing, while showcasing AI features, product insights, and industry trends that empower creators around the world.
