Having naturally curly hair means that you have likely suffered not only frizzy days, but a few bad haircuts. Whats more, you’ve likely tried to straighten your hair with a flat iron or attempted to go short, and you wished you hadn’t. All this to say is that curly hair can seem tricky to deal with, but with the right tips, products, and style, anyone can embrace gorgeous curls. So if you have curly hair, you’re probably wondering where to begin? It all starts with a great haircut. We reached out to experts to learn more about the best curly hair haircuts. Keep reading for expert tips from hairstylist and Sachajuan Education Director Colin Ford and hair stylist and Invisible Bead Extensions founder McKenzie Turley.

What Is the Best Haircut for Curly Hair?

According to Sachajuan Education Director Colin Ford, the right curly haircut for you will primarily focus on your natural texture while taking into account current hair trends. This means curly hair haircuts are not one-size-fits-all. Here are some he recommends:

Curly Shag Cuts: The ’70s shag cut is mega popular right now, and if you have curly hair, you should definitely consider it. “Shag cuts with lots of layers are popular as they add volume and movement, making curls look more dynamic,” says Ford. They can also to remove bulk, which can be really helpful for those with curly hair looking to avoid a pyramid shape.

Pixie Cuts: “For a bold, low-maintenance style, curly pixie cuts are in, showcasing texture while being easy to manage.”

Bobs: From the French bob to the bubble bob, short haircuts are all the rage right now. “Both short and long bobs are in style. They work well with curls, especially when paired with layers to reduce bulk and add shape,” he explains. “A longer bob with some layers can enhance curls, adding movement and preventing a triangle shape.”

Undercut and Tapered Cuts: “These styles are favored for their edgy, modern look, particularly for those with thicker curls who want to remove some weight.”

Extensions and longer styles: Having curls doesn’t mean you can’t wear extensions or long, billowy hairstyles. “If you have curly hair and opt to add length or volume with hair extensions, you need to make sure you’re choosing a haircut that blends your natural hair and extensions seamlessly and maintains a natural look,” says Invisible Bead Extensions founder McKenzie Turley.

“Ask your stylist for a layered cut to ensure your natural curls and extensions blend well together. Adding soft layers will help create movement and volume, while face framing layers can highlight your natural features and provide a polished look. Scissors are the best way of cutting curly extensions, and your stylist should avoid using a razor for better control and more realistic results.”

Should Curly Hair Be Layered or Not?

“Adding layers helps distribute volume, giving curls more definition and preventing them from becoming too heavy or weighed down,” says Ford. If you have thick curly hair, than layers are probably going to be really beneficial for you. If you have thin and fine curly hair, layers can make your hair look sparse and even stringy.

To avoid this, it’s really important to find a stylist that specializes in curly hair that can help you decide what’s best for your hair type and texture. Another really helpful tip is too keep your hair type and texture in mind when searching for inspo pictures. Luckily Instagram is great for this.

If you’re opting for curly extensions, layers are especially important to achieve the perfect and natural-looking blend.

What to Ask Your Stylist For

Curly hair almost universally tends to behave better if it’s allowed to grow longer. That’s because longer hair weighs down the curls resulting in less “pouf.” But curly hair can actually look amazing short, provided you get the right cut.

If you wear your hair curly and let it air dry, you should inform your stylist so she can keep the layers on top of your head longer. This is because curly hair air dries tighter than it would if you blow dry it daily using a diffuser. This small adaptation to your hairstyle can make a big impact.

Ford recommends trying a round cut, which provides “a rounded shape that keeps curls even all around, helping to enhance the curl pattern and create a balanced look.” Or a deva cut, which is a “technique where curls are cut dry, allowing the stylist to shape each curl individually. This method enhances the natural curl pattern and reduces frizz.”

It’s a common misconception that when you have curls, you can’t also enjoy bangs. With few exceptions, almost anyone can wear bangs. While short curly bangs may look a bit dated, a few face-framing bangs can’t hurt. Layers can also make a huge difference with curly hair. Stylist Nick Arrojo suggests cutting in long layers to allow your curls to move. “You want the curls to be full of spring and life,” he says.

What to Avoid

As for what to avoid in order you save yourself from a haircut catastrophe, Ford recommends staying away from short layers and razor cuts. “Although there is now the trend of razor cutting for more texture in hair, avoid this when you have curly hair. Razor cuts can cause additional frizz and split ends, especially for thicker curls, as they can roughen up the cuticle.”

As for short layers, he says those can lead to frizz and excessive volume that’s difficult to manage. Another one to be wary of, depending on your hair type, is blunt cuts. “Avoid any haircuts that are straight, blunt cuts as they can create a boxy, unflattering shape in curly hair.”

Turley agrees, adding “A blunt cut with straight-across ends will make it difficult for extensions to blend with curly hair.”

Post-Cut Styling

With the right cut, styling curly hair can be easy. If you dry your hair, be sure to use a diffuser. But still, keep in mind that the best thing you can do is to let those curls air dry. Simply cup and squeeze curls in the palm of your hand every 15 minutes until your hair has dried. While you’re doing this, remember that all curly hair needs intense moisturizing. Avoid products that contain alcohol, which can dry out your curls, and deep condition once a week. Ford recommends investing in a good curl cream like Sachajuan’s Curl Treatment, which minimizes frizz and repairs damaged ends.