20 Short Curly Haircuts for Guys & Men With Curly Hair
Short curly haircuts for guys are easiest to get right once you stop fighting the curl and start cutting with it. Whether you've got short curls for men that are loose and wavy or tight, springy coils, the right cut comes down to matching your curl type and density to the shape, not just picking a style off a list.
This guide covers 20 short curly hairstyles for men, grouped by curl type and face shape, plus the exact products and techniques that keep short curly hair looking sharp instead of frizzy.
Related: 11 Best Short Haircuts For Guys
20 Short Curly Haircuts for Guys & Men With Curly Hair
- Short Curly Haircut for Guys: High Fade
- Short Curly Fringe for Men
- Low Taper Fade with Short Tight Curls for Men
- Cropped Short Curls for Men with Mid Fade
- Temple Fade with Mini Afro, Short Curly Hair for Guys
- Short Twist Out for Curly Hair Men
- Curly Ivy League for Men
- Faux Hawk with Short Curls for Men
- Curly Caesar Cut, a Low-Maintenance Short Curly Haircut for Guys
- Buzz Cut with Curly Texture
- Curly Undercut for Thick Curls
- Curly Pompadour for Short Curly Hair
- Curly Quiff, Another Easy Short Curls for Men Option
- Curly Mohawk for Men
- Side Part with Curls, a Smart Short Curly Haircut for Guys
- Curly Crew Cut for Beginners
- Curly Comb Over for Short Curly Hair
- Low Fade with Loose Short Curls Men Love for Casual Days
- Curly Afro Taper for Dense Curls
- Curly Man Bun for Longer Short Curly Hair
Other Sections
- Short Curly Hairstyles by Curl Type and Density
- Face Shape Guide: Short Curly Haircuts for Guys and Men With Curly Hair
- Frequently Asked Questions About Short Curly Haircuts for Men
1. Short Curly Haircut for Guys: High Fade
A sharp high fade removes bulk from the sides completely, pushing all the visual weight to the curls on top. This is one of the sharpest short curly haircuts for guys with medium to thick curl density, since thin curls can look sparse against that much contrast. Ask your barber to leave extra length on top before cutting, since curls shrink once they dry.
Related: Best Curly Hairstyles For Men
2. Short Curly Fringe for Men
The curls drop forward over the forehead instead of being pushed back, giving a relaxed, undone look that still reads as deliberate when the sides stay tapered. Works well with straight-across or side-swept curl patterns. A light curl cream applied to damp hair holds the forward direction without weighing the curls down into a flat, greasy-looking fringe.
3. Low Taper Fade with Short Tight Curls for Men
A gradual, low fade keeps more length at the sides than a skin fade, which suits short tight curls men often struggle to style without looking harsh against a high-contrast cut. The subtle taper lets the curls stay the focal point instead of competing with a sharp fade line. Low maintenance between barber visits since the taper grows out evenly.
Related: Best Taper Fade Haircuts For Men
4. Cropped Short Curls for Men with Mid Fade
Shorter curls on top, cropped close enough to control volume without losing the texture, paired with a mid fade that sits between subtle and bold. This is one of the easier short curls for men styles to pull off across most face shapes and curl types. Minimal product needed, just enough to define rather than slick down.
5. Temple Fade with Mini Afro, Short Curly Hair for Guys
The temple fade cleans up just the hairline and sides near the ears while leaving a rounded, fuller shape on top. This is one of the better short curly hair for guys options with tighter coil patterns that hold an afro shape naturally rather than falling flat. Needs more frequent trims than a fade-heavy cut, since the top grows out noticeably.
6. Short Twist Out for Curly Hair Men
Curls are twisted while damp and allowed to dry before being separated, which creates more defined, individual curl clumps than air-drying alone. This technique is built specifically for short hair for curly hair men with coilier patterns that hold a twist shape well. Requires a twist-out cream or gel with hold, lasting two to three days before needing a refresh.
Related: Top Short Haircuts For Older Guys
7. Curly Ivy League for Men
A side part combed or cut into the curls, with length graduating down from a longer front to shorter sides, similar structure to the classic Ivy League but with visible texture instead of a smooth, combed finish. Suits looser wave and curl patterns better than tight coils, since the part needs enough weight to hold its line.
8. Faux Hawk with Short Curls for Men
Length is left in a central strip while the sides are faded or cropped tight, creating height without a fully shaved mohawk. The curl pattern adds natural texture to the raised section, so less product is needed to create movement than on straight hair. A matte paste worked through damp curls holds the shape through the day.
9. Curly Caesar Cut, a Low-Maintenance Short Curly Haircut for Guys
Short, uniform length all over with a straight, low fringe, adapted here to let the curl texture show rather than lying flat. This ranks among the easiest short curly haircuts for guys to maintain, since there's no directional styling required, curls just need a quick scrunch with cream after washing.
10. Buzz Cut with Curly Texture
Hair is clipped to a uniform short length all over, short enough that the curl pattern shows as texture rather than full curls. This is the lowest-maintenance option for curly hair specifically, since there's nothing to style, and it works regardless of face shape or curl tightness. Best for guys who want curls without any daily routine attached.
Related: 10 Amazing Buzz Haircuts For Men
11. Curly Undercut for Thick Curls
The sides are shaved down close while the top is left untouched, creating hard contrast between bare skin and full curl volume. This works best with medium to thick curls, since thin curls can look thin against that much negative space. The undercut needs touch-ups every two to three weeks to keep the contrast sharp as the sides grow back.
12. Curly Pompadour for Short Curly Hair
Hair is swept up and back rather than forward, with the curl pattern providing natural lift that straight hair usually needs heavy product to fake. This cut suits looser, springier curls better than tight coils, since the style depends on the curls holding height without collapsing. A light-hold mousse applied to damp hair works better here than wax.
13. Curly Quiff, Another Easy Short Curls for Men Option
Shorter and angled more forward than a pompadour, with curls pushed up and slightly to one side. The natural curl does much of the shaping, making this one of the lower-effort short curls for men styles despite how deliberate it looks. Apply curl cream while hair is still damp, since styling dry curls tends to create frizz instead of definition.
14. Curly Mohawk for Men
A raised center strip is left long while the sides are faded or clipped short, and the curl pattern gives the strip natural texture instead of the stiff spikes a mohawk gets on straight hair. This is a statement cut better suited to creative or casual settings than client-facing office work. Holds well with just a curl-defining gel, no heavy wax needed.
15. Side Part with Curls, a Smart Short Curly Haircut for Guys
A defined part is cut or combed into the curls, with short, tidy sides. This brings classic structure to curly hair without flattening the texture, since the curls above the part line still show their natural shape. One of the better short curly haircuts for guys with a conservative office dress code, since it reads more formal than most curly cuts.
16. Curly Crew Cut for Beginners
Hair is kept short and even all over, just long enough that the curl pattern is visible rather than buzzed away entirely. This is the lowest-maintenance styled option on the list, since curls dry into shape with no real styling needed. A solid starting point for anyone new to wearing curly hair short and unsure how much length to keep.
17. Curly Comb Over for Short Curly Hair
Longer curls on top are combed to one side over a faded or tapered edge, the same basic structure as a straight-hair comb over but with visible texture instead of a flat, slicked finish. A light-hold product keeps the curls directed without clumping them into one flat section, the main risk with this style on curly hair.
18. Low Fade with Loose Short Curls Men Love for Casual Days
A barely-there fade pairs with looser, more relaxed curls rather than a tight coil pattern, reading more casual than a high-contrast fade. Good for guys who want the curls to be the focus rather than the fade line. Suits lower curl density and looser wave patterns better than tight, springy curls, which can look uneven against such a subtle taper.
19. Curly Afro Taper for Dense Curls
A rounded, fuller shape on top is left mostly untouched while the sides and back are tapered down rather than faded to skin, keeping more overall volume than a fade allows. This needs the most frequent trims on this list, roughly every two weeks, to hold its shape as curls grow outward rather than down. Works best with tight, dense curl patterns.
20. Curly Man Bun for Longer Short Curly Hair
For curls grown past short-cut length on top, pulled back and tied while the sides stay faded or tapered. The contrast between the tied top and tight sides keeps it from reading as unstyled, despite the longer length. Best suited to thicker curl types that hold a bun shape without strands escaping and frizzing throughout the day.
Short Curly Hairstyles by Curl Type and Density
Not all curls behave the same way, and the right short curly haircut for guys depends more on your curl pattern and density than on your face shape alone. Here's how to match your hair to the cuts above.
Loose Waves and Loose Curls
If your curls are more wave than coil, with a loose S-shape that relaxes under its own weight, you have the most flexibility on this list. Styles like the Curly Pompadour, Curly Ivy League, and Low Fade with Loose Curls work best here, since these cuts rely on the hair holding some shape without needing a tight, springy curl to define the silhouette. Loose curls also air-dry into shape more easily than tighter patterns, so you can get away with less daily product.
Medium Curls
This is the most common curl pattern and the most versatile for short cuts. Cropped Curls with Mid Fade, Curly Quiff, and Curly Caesar Cut all suit medium density and medium curl tightness well, since there's enough curl definition to show texture without the volume control issues that come with denser hair. If you're unsure which curl category you fall into, this is the safest starting range to try first.
Tight Curls and Coils
Tighter, springier curl patterns hold shape and height better than loose waves, which is why styles like the Curly Afro Taper, Temple Fade with Mini Afro, and Short Twist Out work so well for short tight curls men wear on top. The tradeoff is more frequent trims, since tight curls grow outward rather than down, and the shape can lose its definition faster than a looser pattern.
Thick or Dense Curls
High-density curls, meaning a lot of individual curls packed closely together regardless of how tight each one is, benefit from cuts that remove bulk rather than add to it. Curly Undercut and Curly High Fade both work by stripping the sides down hard, which lets the natural volume on top read as intentional instead of overwhelming. Thick curls also tend to shrink more dramatically between wet and dry, so always ask your barber to cut slightly longer than you think you want.
Fine or Thin Curls
Thinner curls can look sparse against high-contrast cuts like a skin fade. Curly Crew Cut and Side Part with Curls work better here, since they keep more length and don't rely on bulk-versus-bare-sides contrast to look finished. A lightweight mousse rather than a heavy cream also helps here, since thick products can weigh fine curls down flat.
Face Shape Guide: Short Curly Haircuts for Guys and Men With Curly Hair
Curl pattern matters most, but face shape decides where to put the volume. Here's how to pick between the styles above based on your face shape.
Short Curly Haircuts for Round Faces
Round faces benefit from added height and tighter sides, since the goal is to elongate rather than add width. The Curly High Fade and Curly Pompadour both work well here, pushing volume up rather than out. Avoid cuts that keep curls full and wide on the sides, like a less-tapered Curly Afro Taper, since that adds width exactly where a round face doesn't need it.
Short Curly Hairstyles for Square Faces
Square faces already have strong, defined angles, so the goal is softening rather than sharpening. Curly Quiff and Cropped Curls with Mid Fade both add natural texture on top without introducing more hard lines. A sharp Curly Undercut can work too, but keep the top rounder and softer rather than cut into a severe, structured shape.
Short Curly Haircuts for Oval Faces
Oval is the most forgiving shape for curly hair, and most cuts on this list will work. Curly Ivy League and Side Part with Curls are worth prioritizing here specifically, since they're more dependent on balanced proportions to look right, and an oval face gives them the best canvas.
Short Curly Hairstyles for Long or Oblong Faces
Long faces need width, not height, so avoid anything that builds volume straight up. Curly Caesar Cut and Curly Crew Cut keep things low and even, which helps balance proportions rather than exaggerate the length. A Temple Fade with Mini Afro can also work if the afro shape stays rounder and wider rather than tall.
Short Curly Haircuts for Diamond or Heart-Shaped Faces
These face shapes are narrower at the chin and wider at the cheekbones or forehead, so the goal is adding width lower down to balance things out. Curly Mohawk and Faux Hawk with Curls both draw the eye toward the center rather than the sides, which works in this case since the width issue isn't at the top of the face. Keep the sides closer to the head rather than full, since extra width at the temples only emphasizes the imbalance.
If you're between two shapes or unsure which you are, Cropped Curls with Mid Fade and Curly Quiff are the two safest short curly hairstyles for men on this list, since both work across nearly every face shape without needing adjustment.
Final Word On Easy to Maintain Short Curly Hairstyles For Men
Short curly hair doesn’t need taming, it needs styling that matches your vibe. The right cut takes your natural texture and turns it into a statement. From clean fades to textured crops, these looks prove you can keep it sharp, masculine, and low-maintenance without losing that wild edge.
Pick your style. Show your barber. Walk out looking like the upgraded version of yourself.
Because with the right short curly haircut, you’re not just cleaning up your look ... you’re leveling up your presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Short Curly Haircuts for Men
What's the difference between curly and wavy hair when picking a short haircut
Wavy hair falls in a loose S-shape and relaxes under its own weight, while curly hair holds a tighter, springier shape even when short. Wavy hair suits smoother cuts like the Curly Ivy League, curly hair needs volume-built styles like the Curly Afro Taper. Not sure which you have? Let it air dry untouched: waves hang with gentle bends, curls spring up.
How often should men with short curly hair get a haircut?
Every three to four weeks for most fades and tapers on this list, closer to every two weeks for denser shapes like the Curly Afro Taper. Curly hair grows outward as much as down, so a cut can lose its shape faster than the same style would on straight hair.
Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Dry, ideally, or at least dry-finished. Curls shrink significantly when dry, so cutting while wet risks taking off more length than intended once it springs back up. Many curl specialists cut dry entirely, or cut wet for the bulk and refine dry for the final shape.
How do I know what curl type I have?
Curl types run from 2 (loose waves) to 4 (tight coils), with A, B, and C sub-grades for tightness within each. The easiest way to check is letting freshly washed hair air-dry untouched and comparing the shape to reference charts online, since product and cut choices both depend on getting this right.
Can curly hair handle a skin fade, or is that only for straight hair?
Yes, curly hair works fine with a skin fade, as seen in the Curly High Fade and Curly Undercut. The main risk is contrast: a skin fade can make thin or fine curls look sparse by comparison, so a low taper fade is the safer choice for finer curl types.
What products actually work for short curly hair instead of just adding frizz?
Curl-defining creams and light mousses work with the curl pattern, heavy waxes and pomades tend to clump curls and cause frizz instead. Apply to damp hair, not dry, since curls absorb product more evenly while wet.
I have longer curly hair now. How do I transition to a shorter cut without losing all my length at once?
Ask your barber to cut in stages rather than going straight to the target length in one sitting. Curly hair shrinks noticeably between wet and dry, so two or three shorter visits a few weeks apart gets you there with far less risk of overcutting.
Does a short curly haircut work for thinning hair or a receding hairline?
Yes, often better than longer curls. Keeping the top fuller while tapering the sides, like the Side Part with Curls, draws attention to the texture rather than the hairline. Going very short all over, like a Buzz Cut with Curly Texture, works too if you'd rather minimize contrast altogether.
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Easy To Maintain Haircuts For Men
Amazing Quiff Hairstyles For Men
