Curly haircuts for men continue to grow in popularity in 2026, offering natural volume, texture, and strong visual character. From short and controlled styles to longer cuts that allow curls to flow freely, the right haircut enhances curl pattern while keeping shape clean and manageable.
Whether your curls are loose, tight, or somewhere in between, the right cut helps control volume, define shape, and improve how your hair styles day to day.
Below are the most stylish curly haircuts for men in 2026, featuring a wide range of lengths and finishes that highlight natural texture while maintaining sharp, modern shape.
37 Stylish Curly Haircuts for Men in 2026
These curly haircuts for men highlight different ways to shape, control, and showcase natural curls while keeping a clean, modern finish.
Curly Undercut
The curly undercut pairs closely shaved sides with longer curls on top to create strong contrast and visual impact. Keeping the sides tight allows natural texture to stand out while maintaining a clean, controlled shape around the head.
Textured Crew Cut
The textured crew cut keeps the sides short and controlled while using light layering through the top to enhance natural curl pattern and movement. Subtle separation prevents the hair from sitting flat while maintaining the clean structure that defines a classic crew cut.
Tapered Curl
Tapered curls feature gradually shortened sides and back that blend smoothly into fuller curls on top, creating a balanced and modern shape. The soft taper keeps the haircut looking neat and controlled while allowing natural texture to remain the focus through the crown. This variation suits men who want a curly haircut that feels polished without losing movement or requiring heavy daily styling.
Curly Skin Fade
The curly skin fade features tightly faded sides that blend down to the skin, creating sharp contrast against fuller curls on top. Keeping the sides extremely short draws attention upward, allowing natural texture and volume to stand out clearly. This bold variation works especially well for thicker curls, delivering a sharp, modern look that stays controlled and easy to maintain.
Curly Buzz Cut
The curly buzz cut keeps length extremely short while still allowing natural curl texture to show through the surface of the hair. The uniform cut creates a clean, minimal look that highlights head shape and sharp lines without needing any styling. This low-maintenance curly haircut is ideal for men who want simplicity while keeping a subtle touch of natural texture.
Curly High Fade
The curly high fade keeps the sides and back tightly faded while leaving fuller curls through the top for strong contrast and shape. The high fade creates a sharp outline that highlights natural texture while keeping the overall haircut clean and controlled. This variation delivers a modern curly haircut that feels bold without being difficult to style or maintain.
Messy Curly Hair Fade
The messy curly hair fade pairs short, faded sides with a longer, textured top that lets natural curls sit loose and natural. Light layering through the top adds movement while preventing the haircut from looking bulky or uneven. The fade keeps the overall shape sharp, creating contrast that balances relaxed curls with a clean finish.
Modern Curly Mullet
The modern curly mullet keeps length and texture through the back while maintaining tighter sides for structure and contrast. Natural curls add volume and movement, giving the haircut a bold shape without feeling heavy or uncontrolled. This style blends retro influence with modern barbering for a standout curly haircut that still feels sharp and intentional.
Curly Burst Fade
The curly burst fade curves around the ears while blending tightly into the sides and back, creating a rounded fade that frames the curls on top. Keeping volume through the crown allows natural texture to stand out while the burst fade adds shape and contrast around the sides. This modern variation highlights curl pattern while maintaining a sharp, controlled outline.
Crop Curls
Crop curls keep the sides short and controlled while leaving slightly longer curls through the top for natural texture and movement. The compact shape makes the haircut easy to manage while allowing curl pattern to remain defined and full of character.
Curly Pompadour
The curly pompadour builds volume through the front while keeping the sides shorter and controlled for contrast and shape. Lifting the curls upward and slightly back creates height without flattening natural texture, giving the haircut a bold but balanced appearance. This variation works best on medium to thick curls and holds its form well with a strong-hold product and light diffusing.
Curly Mohawk
The curly mohawk keeps longer curls running through the center of the head while the sides are closely faded or shaved for strong contrast. The raised strip of textured curls adds height and definition without losing natural movement. This bold variation works especially well on thicker or coarser curls and only needs a small amount of product to keep the shape controlled.
Curly High Taper
The curly high taper keeps the sides and back tightly blended while leaving the curls fuller and more textured through the top. The higher taper creates clean contrast that sharpens the overall shape without taking attention away from natural curl movement. This curly haircut offers a modern, controlled finish that stays neat while letting texture remain the focus.
High Skin Fade Curly Hair
The high skin fade curly haircut features a clean fade down to the skin on the sides and back, paired with fuller curls on top for strong contrast. The sharp fade highlights the natural texture while keeping the overall shape crisp and modern. This style delivers a bold, low-maintenance finish that keeps curls defined and controlled as they grow out.
Long Brushed Back Curls
Long brushed back curls keep length through the top and sides while pushing natural texture away from the face for a fuller, open shape. The swept-back flow highlights curl movement while creating a smooth, controlled profile that still feels relaxed. This style blends volume and structure, giving longer curls a confident, modern finish.
Messy Curls
Messy curls keep medium length through the top, allowing natural texture to fall freely for a relaxed, natural finish. Light layering helps control bulk while maintaining movement and volume throughout the haircut.
Curly Quiff
The curly quiff lifts the front section of the hair upward while keeping the sides shorter and controlled for balance. The added height creates structure without flattening natural curls, allowing texture to remain the focal point of the style.
Thick Curls with Low Fade
Thick curls with a low fade keep natural volume through the top while blending the sides subtly for a clean, balanced finish. The low fade starts closer to the ear, creating a softer contrast that still maintains structure and control. This style highlights curl density while keeping the haircut sharp and easy to manage.
Brushed Back Curls
Brushed back curls keep length through the top while guiding natural texture away from the face for a clean, open finish. The backward flow adds shape and control while allowing curls to maintain volume and movement. This style works especially well with light styling cream or mousse to hold direction without flattening natural curl pattern.
Curly Faux Hawk Mullet
The curly faux hawk mullet keeps longer curls through the center and back while the sides are faded or closely cropped for contrast. The added length creates movement and texture without the sharp structure of a full mohawk.
Curly Undercut with Design
The curly undercut with design features closely shaved or faded sides with etched patterns that add visual detail and contrast. Keeping fuller curls on top allows natural texture to remain the main focus while the designs create a sharp, personalized edge around the sides. This variation blends bold structure with creative styling, making it a standout choice for men who want a unique curly haircut.
Textured Short Curls with Fade
Textured short curls with a fade keep the sides tight and clean while allowing natural curl pattern to stand out through the top. Light layering adds separation and shape, preventing the haircut from looking flat or bulky. The faded sides create contrast that keeps the overall style sharp, modern, and easy to maintain.
Curly Perm
The curly perm creates consistent, well-formed curls throughout the top while keeping the sides neatly tapered for a clean, balanced finish. The uniform curl pattern adds strong texture and volume, giving the haircut a full, structured appearance without looking messy. This style works well for men who want long-lasting curls that hold shape with minimal daily styling.
Heavy Curly Fringe with Taper Fade
The heavy curly fringe with a taper fade keeps thick curls forward through the front while gradually blending the sides and back for a smooth, clean finish. The fuller fringe adds shape and texture, giving the haircut strong presence without looking bulky. The taper fade keeps everything controlled, making this a bold yet well-balanced curly haircut for men.
Short Tousled Curls
Short tousled curls keep the length compact while allowing natural texture to create a soft, relaxed finish through the top. Light layering adds movement and prevents the curls from sitting flat, giving the haircut a natural, lived-in look. This style stays easy to manage with a small amount of curl cream or leave-in conditioner to maintain shape without stiffness.
Sponge Twists
Sponge twists use a curl sponge to create tight, defined coils across the top while keeping the sides neatly faded or tapered. This style is especially popular among Black men, as it works perfectly with coily hair textures to add strong volume and separation. The textured finish stays sharp with light moisturizing product to maintain definition and softness.
Messy Curly Shag
The messy curly shag features layered curls throughout the top and sides, creating natural movement and a relaxed, textured finish. Uneven layering adds volume and shape while keeping the haircut loose and effortless. The overall look feels soft, full, and naturally tousled without appearing heavy or structured.
Shoulder-Length Curly Layers
Medium length curly layers use longer, blended sections to shape curls while reducing excess bulk through the ends. The layered structure allows natural texture to flow freely while keeping the overall haircut balanced and easy to manage.
Textured Surfer Curls
Textured surfer curls keep medium to longer length through the top, allowing natural curls to flow freely with a relaxed, beach-inspired finish. Light layering adds movement and prevents the hair from feeling heavy while maintaining a natural, effortless shape. This style works best with a small amount of curl cream or sea salt spray to enhance texture and control frizz without stiffness.
Long Curly Shag
The curly shag features uneven, layered lengths that create natural movement and a slightly rugged finish. The layered structure adds volume while preventing curls from sitting too heavy or bulky through the sides and crown.
Long Curly Hair with Middle Part
Long curly hair with a middle part keeps length through the sides and top while allowing curls to fall evenly on both sides of the face. The center part creates balance and natural flow, highlighting texture without adding heaviness or bulk.
Tousled Curly Fringe
Tousled Curly Fringe keeps longer curls falling naturally across the forehead while the sides remain shorter and controlled for balance. The loose, uneven texture creates movement and depth, giving the haircut a relaxed yet intentional finish. This style highlights natural curl pattern while maintaining a sharp overall shape that feels modern and effortless.
Curly Man Bun
The curly man bun gathers longer curls back while keeping the sides and front clean and controlled. Tying the hair up allows natural texture to remain visible while preventing curls from falling into the face.
Frosted Curly Top with High Fade
This style keeps tight, defined curls full through the top while the sides are faded high for sharp contrast and clean shape. The lighter tips add depth and texture, making the curls stand out while keeping the haircut modern and fresh. It works best with curl cream or light mousse to maintain definition and control frizz throughout the day.
Medium Messy Curls
Medium Messy Curls feature loose, naturally shaped curls with uneven texture that creates volume and movement throughout the haircut. The medium length allows the curls to sit freely while still holding a clear, balanced shape around the head. This style highlights natural curl pattern with a relaxed finish that feels modern without looking overworked.
Long Natural Curls
Long natural curls keep the hair grown out with minimal shaping, allowing full texture and volume to develop naturally. The length highlights curl pattern and movement without relying on heavy layering or structured cutting.
Curly Flow with Full Beard
Curly flow with a full beard keeps medium to longer length through the top and sides, allowing natural curls to fall freely with strong movement and volume. The layered shape prevents bulk while creating a balanced, relaxed silhouette that frames the face naturally. Paired with a full beard, the look feels rugged yet controlled, giving curls a bold, masculine finish.
These curly haircuts for men show how different lengths and shaping techniques enhance natural texture while keeping a clean, modern finish. From short curly haircuts to longer flowing styles, the right curly haircut makes curls easier to manage and sharper in appearance.
How to Choose the Right Curly Haircut for Men
Choosing the right men’s curly hairstyle starts with understanding how much structure your curls need. Short curly haircuts with fades or tapers help control volume and keep the shape sharp, while medium and long curly hairstyles allow natural movement while relying on layering to prevent bulk and heaviness.
Hair thickness also plays a major role in how curly haircuts sit throughout the day. Thicker curls usually benefit from cleaner sides and textured tops to balance volume, while finer curls often look fuller with slightly longer lengths that add body. The best curly haircuts for men enhance natural curl pattern while keeping the overall look clean, balanced, and easy to maintain.
Styling & Maintenance Tips for Curly Haircuts
Curly haircuts for men work best with light styling rather than heavy products. A small amount of curl cream or leave-in conditioner helps define curls, reduce frizz, and keep hair soft without weighing it down. For styles that need more shape or lift, a light mousse or flexible hold gel can add structure while preserving natural movement.
Keeping curls healthy is just as important as styling. Regular trims every two to three weeks help maintain fades, layers, and clean edges, while moisturizing shampoos and conditioners prevent dryness. Air drying or using a diffuser on low heat protects curl pattern and keeps texture looking natural.
Beard Beasts Verdict
Curly haircuts for men remain one of the strongest hairstyle trends in 2026 because they combine natural texture with modern barbering precision. From short curly fades to longer layered styles, today’s curly haircuts offer flexibility, shape, and standout character without demanding heavy styling routines.
The best curly hairstyles work with curl pattern rather than forcing it into stiff forms. With the right cut and simple upkeep, curly hair becomes a defining feature that looks sharp, confident, and effortlessly stylish every day.
