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Updated on March 25, 2023
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Wavy hair? A blessing or a curse? If your hair is naturally straight, you certainly envy all those curly beauties, while they are breaking their heads over how to style wavy hair, that is, by the way, not always so neat and fun as it may seem on photos. Another question is whether short haircuts are compatible with wavy hair. Many women are tempted to cut their naturally curly hair shorter for summer but hesitate, wondering if they are going to have issues with styling. We have gathered the best examples of short hairstyles, recommended by stylists for wavy hair. View the pictures below, enjoy and get inspired!

How to Style Short Naturally Wavy Hair?

When your hair gets proper care, it’s much easier to style. Use shampoos, masks and conditioners for curly hair. These products nourish and moisturize your locks, help to handle the frizz and make your hair more obedient. Hairstyles for naturally curly and wavy hair normally last long. The only thing that can impair your ‘do is moisture. However, if you apply a special serum for curly hair after a wash, you may not afraid of moisture. Such serums are present in the product lines of all the top hair product brands.

Popular Types of Hairstyles for Curly Hair

  1. If you want to achieve ideal curls, you need first to blow dry your locks, smoothing them slightly with a round bristle brush, and then shape the curls with a curling iron.
  2. In case you want to wear straight hair today, you would use a smoothing balm for damp hair and blow dry your locks with a round bristle brush. Next apply a flat iron.
  3. Slightly messy hairstyles for curly hair are the easiest in styling. You simply blow dry your wet hair with a diffuser attachment.
  4. Curly hair is usually very porous. That’s why when you buy mousses and hair sprays for styling at home, opt for light hold products which won’t weigh your locks down.

Haircuts and Hairstyles for Short Wavy Hair

Speaking of basic haircuts for short hairstyles, contemporary ladies with wavy hair prefer short bobs and pixie haircuts. They both offer layering options, which are advantageous for curly hair. The thicker is your hair the less layering you normally can afford, unless your haircut is extremely short.

Larger curls or loose waves look very showy and trendy in short hairstyles. These can be bouncy curls, maintaining shape, or chaotic waves with an effect of a “bedhead”. Color accents in short hairstyles is one of the most chic tendencies nowadays. These can be either nuance or contrasting highlights throughout the head or on the bangs. It’s better if you trust the delicate dying job to a professional stylist, because it takes skillful hands and experience to succeed in complicated matters like this one.

Anyway, you can’t lie all the job and responsibility for your new image on your stylist’s shoulders. You will have to do the most responsible part of the work – to choose the look you feel is yours. Here we are happy to assist you with creative ideas and inspiration.

1. Shaggy Curly Brunette Bob

Short-To-Medium Cut for Natural Wavy Hair

Instagram / @soraverly

Short-to-medium cuts are very popular nowadays. Long, shaggy tendrils parted in the center are a great way to rock your natural, wavy hair. This wash-and-wear cut with its tousled chocolate brown curls looks effortless and summer-ready all year round.

2. Curly Pixie with V-Cut Nape

It’s not often that natural curly-haired girls opt for pixie cuts. The trick is to make sure that your strands stay hydrated and frizz-free. You accomplish this using water-based leave-in products and sealing with a dry serum containing argan, coconut, or macadamia oil.

Brown Curly Pixie Hairstyle

Instagram / @cheyhair

3. Sexy Tousled Wavy Bob for Brunettes

A tousled beach wave is an iconic trend for short curly hair that will never go out of style. When paired with a short bob, it gives hair a bouncy, voluminous look. Utilizing a tapered wand to add more definition rejuvenates two- or three-day-old hair. Loosening waves with fingers makes hair more relaxed.

Rounded Messy Curly Bob

Instagram / @soraverly

4. Jaw-Length Curly Messy Bob

A jaw-length cut helps to delineate round and oval shaped faces by creating the halo that continues the lines of the face. Tight curls easily add height and/or width where necessary,without extra product or manipulation due to the curls’ inherent voluminous nature.

Voluminous Short Curly Bob

Instagram / @tatumneill

5. Messy Curly Pixie Hairstyle

Curly-haired women can rock longer pixie cuts beautifully. The style is ideal for women with looser waves that are manageable. Cut cute side bangs which will help your thick, curly locks flow nicely, without any annoying frizz.

6. Voluminous Short Curly Bob

Your short, naturally curly hair will look incredible with a poofy jaw-length bob. Part your thick, wide curls to the side or in the middle to create a nice rounded shape that looks great on petite women. Subtle highlights will bring even more depth to your luscious curls.

Short Bob For Naturally Curly Hair

Instagram / @thebestofnjbeauty

7. Nape-Length Curly Balayage Bob

One of the great things about curly hair is a lovely texture with minimum effort and an opportunity to showcase color variation with balayage. Any highlights look more natural with curly hair since the lighter pieces are intertwined and blended with the darker base.

Brown Curly Bob With Highlights

Instagram / @curllovemiriam

8. Brown Curly Hair with Highlights

This throwback 1980s hairstyle is here for another round as more and more women are chopping their long locks and opting for short, thick wavy styles instead. Those with naturally curly hair will have the most success with this, as it can be easily styled with a quality hair product. For those who aren’t blessed with a natural kink to their hair, a perm would be a low maintenance solution.

9. Cute Pixie with Curly Bangs

Try shaping your thin tresses into one of these sophisticated short haircuts for curly hair and you’ll be amazed at how thick and healthy your natural waves can be. The pixie cut that has a lot of height on top and closely-cropped sides looks chic and modern. Add some long, side-swept curly bangs for a special feminine touch.

Short Haircut With Bangs For Curly Hair

Instagram / @allthingsneena

10. Curly Pixie with Shaved Nape

Women with curly hair try to find styles that will stand the humidity and temperature fluctuations throughout the day. A short curly pixie with sideburns and some extra height will never disappoint you. The nape with shaved geometric designs is a snazzy and unexpected detail.

Pixie For Women With Curly Hair

Instagram / @tatumneill

11. Short Bob with Whipped Curls and Babylights

A light highlighting job accentuates each individual ringlet, as monotone colors tend to mask texture. Boosting the texture with a sea-salt spray and light-hold hair mist makes a hairstyle more interesting.

Short Curly Hairstyle With Subtle Highlights

Instagram / @hair.by.elvira

12. Angled Brunette Bob with Messy Curls

Layers and angles work really well with naturally curly hair, so if you’re thinking of making the switch to a shorter cut, give the angled bob a try! The shape of this hairstyle keeps the messy wild curls in order and under control.

Curly Slanted Bob

Instagram / @ashleypagestylist

13. Jaw-length Curly Brown Bob with Highlights

A well-shaped short bob will look fantastic on women with thick and thin curly hair. If your hair is dark brown, it will look more dimensional with highlights. Add some subtle copper highlights for extra shine and eye appeal.

Short Curly Brown Bob

Instagram / @mista.willis

14. Lob-to-Bob Transformation

An outgrown bob can be so easily transformed into a versatile short, wavy hairstyle. By taking off a little length, just enough to get rid of the damaged ends, your curly hair will spring back immediately. The slightly inverted shape and combover bangs have a subtle sexy appeal.

Short Wavy Inverted Bob Hairstyle

Instagram / @tutyhair

15. Jaw-Length Curly Brown Bob

When you’re looking for an easy-to-style haircut for your wavy, curly hair, go for a classic, jaw-length bob with layered ringlets. The side part helps control the volume, and a sweet tiny barrette placed strategically in the front will keep the long bangs out of your eyes.

Jaw-Length Bob For Wavy Curly Hair

Instagram / @arcscissors

16. Wavy Sassy Bob

Curly hairstyles are sublime for showing off cute modern cuts and salon dye jobs. The highlights and lowlights are like elegant swirls. The key to this look is an angled cut, elongated towards the front, so be clear when describing to your stylist exactly how you expect the hair to frame your face.

17. Soft Brown and Caramel Wavy Bob

There’s so much you can do when you have short wavy hair. The relaxed texture of your waves looks great when cut into a bob. Add in caramel highlights to really accent your curls and bring life to the cut. If you wish, you can add side bangs that frame your face nicely.

Short Textured Curly Bob

Instagram / @littlehair22

18. Short Curly Hairstyle with Long Face-Framing Pieces

In this pretty cut, wildness borders with accuracy, and the natural brown color is brightened by copper highlights. The elongated sideburns are an extra detail that can help you make the hairstyle one of a kind.

19. Black Curly Inverted Bob for Thick Hair

The angled haircut has an elegant yet spunky vibe. It slightly lifts the nape section for a more geometric shape of the cut that’s still softened by curls. Short wavy hairstyles have never been more feminine and classy.

20. Dark-Blonde Short Curly Hairstyle

Bronde hair colors are great in-between shades that don’t require too much commitment or maintenance. Pairing this hairdo with bangs and “wet” styling for wavy hair is sure to turn heads.

21. Inverted Bob for Black Curly Hair

A favorite choice of short, curly haircuts is an inverted bob that can also be blown out and worn straight. The jaw-length cut is subtly angled and parted on the side, and the long, bouncy side bangs add a sassy flair to your look.

22. Simple Short Hairstyle with Scrunched Curls

Not everyone has time in the morning to spend 20 minutes styling their hair to perfection. Those who live on-the-go will appreciate a simple cut that allows to air dry hair and get a cute hairstyle. You can use a special air-dry product, simply scrunch to shape your ringlets and then be on your way.

Messy Hairstyle For Short Curly Hair

Instagram / @hair_by_marlo

23. Black Tapered Pixie for Wavy Hair

If you’re looking for short, wavy haircuts for women with thick, hard-to-tame hair, try a short, tapered pixie with a voluminous top. The closely cropped nape helps control volume, and the outgrown bangs and side sections work with the fluffy waves to celebrate their volume and unruly nature.

24. Nape-Length Blonde Curly Bob

Blonde curls have dimension and definition like no other color. However, blondeis also the first color to exhibit signs of damage. Deep condition once a week to upkeep the health of your hair.

Short Curly Bob For Blondes

Instagram / @hojojojo

25. Short Bob with Long Edgy Layers

You should always try to put a little bit of your personality into your hairstyle, so if you like to live on the edgier side of things, opt for long uneven layers with a pixie cut. If your hair is naturally wavy, it’s a beautiful and low-maintenance cut for you to try on your next salon appointment.

Black Pixie Bob

Instagram / @publichairhouse

26. Bouncy Curly Black Bob

Bouncy curls signify moisturized and pampered locks. To achieve this hairstyle for short curly hair, scrunch in a lightweight leave-in conditioner with aloe vera or glycerin while hair is still damp. After, lightly diffuse with a blow-dryer on a low heat.

Voluminous Naturally Curly Bob Hairstyle

Instagram / @hairbyjackieb

27. Curly Rusty Red Lob

If you have decided to embrace your wavy, curly hair by letting it grow out long and full, you might still want to keep an overall defined shape. A center-parted inverted lob will stay slightly weighed down if you let the curls grow long enough. The inverted angle gives you that sense of freedom and confidence that curly-haired girls thrive on.

Inverted Lob For Wavy Curly Hair

Instagram / @silva.hairdresser

28. Soft Curly Inverted Bob for Shorter Hair

Subtle caramel highlights cascading over a chocolate-brown base bring a summery feel to any season. Accompanied by soft curls, this look is feminine and gentle. Sprinkle a salt spray and tousle with fingers for a beach-ready vibe.

Short Curly Caramel Brown Bob

Instagram / @bloomasheville

29. Golden-Brown Thick Curly Bob

Maintenance and styling manipulations for thick curly hair can be difficult to repeat on a daily basis. To increase manageability, ask your stylist fora short naturally curly haircut made with thinning shears. This look is aesthetically pleasing in pictures and real life.

Nape-Length Curly Bob

Instagram / @karenzoee

30. Casual Scrunched Hairstyle for Short Curly Hair

Because it is so easy to wake up with beautiful hair, short haircuts for curly hair are naturally more laid back. With the right products, you won’t have to use any hot tools when styling your locks. Simply scrunch for definition and you are ready!

31. Scrunched Curly Brunette Bob Hairstyle

The wet-hair look was popular in the nineties and has resurfaced with a modern twist. Hydrated ringlets finished by scrunching with a medium-hold gel result in a messy yet polished hairstyle.

32. Short Black Hairstyle with Tousled Curls

Frizzy hair can be done in a manner that is wearable and chic without seeming like bedhead. To accomplish this, manipulate hair in a dry state so you maintain the strand-by-strand separation.

Curly Black Pixie

Instagram / @davidyubeauty

33. Pretty Curly Brown Pixie Bob

Athletic women with short, curly hair will appreciate a haircut that´s easy and fast to style right out of a locker-room shower. Something between a pixie and a bob will give you a convenient and pretty look to fit into your active lifestyle.

Short Pixie Bob For Curly Hair

Instagram / @rodrigovizu

34. Short Messy Curly Hairstyle

With curls, super short hair can seem daunting, and at times, impossible. However, the right haircut allows you to do more than you would have ever imagined, which means you don’t need to shy away from a cropped style. Choose a short bob and let your naturally curly hair fall loosely in a messy way.

Short Curly Bob

Instagram / @mahrithemaven

35. Curly Dark Chocolate Brown Pixie

The long bangs and face-framing tendrils keep the tomboyish silhouette of the hairstyle feminine and soft. The short, layered haircut is a great option for women with thick or thin hair because the closely-cropped sides work well with any hair type.

Short Layered Pixie Haircut

Instagram / @silva.hairdresser

36. Curly Combover Bob

A light brown bob with blonde highlights will make your natural curls look healthy and shiny. A combover is an ideal pick for women with full faces, as it builds the necessary height on top and balances out a chubby face.

Curly Brown Bob With Blonde Highlights

Instagram / @brunodantte

37. Edgy Brunette Bob with Glossy Waves

Dynamic layers and razored ends are the perfect combination for an edgy bob. A dramatic dark brown, almost black, color will top off the punk vibe of the haircut. Ask you stylist for a hair gloss treatment that gives your hair an enviable shine and a touch of glamour.

Choppy Disconnected Bob

Instagram / @headrushdesigns

38. Metallic Blonde Jaw-Length Bob

For women who have difficulty finding styles to make their thin hair look thicker, we suggest a wedge bob with tousled, sassy waves. Wearing your short, wavy hair in a jaw-length bob gives you a youthful appearance, and a bright blonde color with slightly darker roots creates the illusion of thicker and more voluminous curls.

Jaw-Length Bob For Blonde Wavy Hair

Instagram / @arcanasalon

39. Short Shattered Curly Bob

The shattered short bob in a dark color has a dramatic Hollywood flair. The hairstyle is best for women who have naturally wavy hair and who don’t mind the spontaneity of it looking slightly different each time it’s washed and styled.

Short Bob For Curly Hair

Instagram / @parloursalondc

40. Nape-Length Brown Bob with Messy Curls

Hairstyles for short curly hair will naturally hold a lot of volume, so it’s best to use it to your advantage. In order to give some structure to a messy hairstyle, get a neatly trimmed nape that frames the scrunched tousled curls above.

Short Messy Hairstyle With Highlights

Instagram / @thefactoryhair

41. Side-Parted Wavy Curly Bob

Thin chestnut brown hair doesn’t have to be plain; add a subtle splash of light brown highlights to liven it up. Use your natural, wavy textures to your advantage and try an inverted style. Scrunch your wet hair with a bit of curl cream to define the curls and tousle them a few times while they are air-drying.

42. Short Curly Brown Bob

Short, curly hairstyles can be as fun and feminine as longer hairdos. This short bob is eye candy from every angle! It’s a great choice for a long face or a triangular face shape because it covers a big forehead and gives enough fullness on the sides.

Short Curly Bob Hairstyle For A Long Face

Instagram / @rodrigovizu

43. Undercut for Curly Hair

A little bit Tinker Bell, a little bit sexy vamp – this undercut is an excellent option of short curly haircuts there are to choose from. Add in some subtle highlights to brighten the look and keep your thick wavy hair lovely all day long.

44. Stacked Curly Bob

Go for a curly bob when you’re looking for a hairstyle that is all glam without a ton of effort. If you have an unusual hair color like red, flaunt it instead of conceal it. Try some brightening highlights or a henna wash to make your fiery locks really stand out from the crowd.

45. Curly Q Haircut

The choice between a curly bob with bangs and a curly pixie is the choice of length. Want something in between? Opt for a long pixie. Gorgeous curls of girlhood are revived for this grown up hairstyle. Curls appear everywhere in this long pixie, including sideburns and neck line.

46. Curly Black Tapered Pixie

Short tapered cuts are boyish; however, soft waves add a flair of delicate femininity. Long earrings exemplify elegance and grace while emphasizing the neckline and chest, balancing masculinity.

Naturally Curly Pixie Hairstyle

Instagram / @alizaquefez

47. Shorter Black Messy Hairstyle

When picking a short haircut for curly hair, make it your own with customized layers, length, and color. A more layered cutleans toward the messier side, whereas a longer one with fewer layers looks more womanly and polished.

Short Blue-Black Tousled Curly Hairstyle

Instagram / @thecurlorista

48. Naturally Curly Beauty

Short haircuts for curly hair are fun, low-maintenance and chic. Natural curls are gorgeous, and if you happen to have straight hair you’re not out of luck. Today’s curly hairstyles are often made with hot roller sets and curling irons that are gentler on hair than ever before. Remember to use a strong hold spray, but opt for the one that still allows your hair to look soft and beautiful.

49. Nape Length Wavy Ash Brown Bob

Wavy hairstyles are perfect for romantic cuts like a soft nape-length bob with bangs. A wavy bob looks great when paired with a sophisticated color, so opt for an ashy brown. To keep your hair looking natural, add in subtle lighter brown highlights here and there for a little bit more vibrancy.

Short Curly Bob With Bangs

Instagram / @mefiu

50. Short Bob for Curly Hair

Curly girls can rock a bob like none other – but keep it modern with a trendy hair color and plenty of dimension. A blunt, close cut along the neck line topped with a mass of gorgeously highlighted ringlets will make for a winning look any time you want to update your short style.

51. Angelic Blonde Balayage Bob with Curls

Want your hair to look like a halo hovering over your head? A super short bob can help you achieve this effect. Cut stacked layers and thick bangs so your hair forms the halo-like shape around your head, and throw in blond balayage highlights to finish off the look.

Curly Blonde Balayage Bob

Instagram / @sherflair

52. The Short and Long of It

Short hairstyles for curly hair often depend upon some length variation. As is shown with this style, the underneath layer of hair is cut close to remain straight, while the top layer of longer curls is allowed to flow free.

53. Curly Golden Brown Pixie

When you have tight ringlets, sometimes a tidy and clean short style is the best option. Consider the tapered curly cut that shows off the curls and keeps the nape neat thanks to the close crop. It’s important to make sure your hair stays frizz-free, so you might want to invest in a nice spray or styling cream that will help maintain your curls controlled and defined.

Short Tapered Cut For Curly Hair

Instagram / @curlsbyyogirl

54. Tousled Wavy Bronde Bob

Short curly hairstyles aren’t always perfectly styled. Apply a few pumps of texturizing spray to your wet locks and scrunch for a tousled look. The result is effortless, and fast to achieve!

Brown And Caramel Messy Wavy Bob

Instagram / @hairbylily_

55. Soft Curly Tapered Pixie

Knowing your hair’s texture is key to finding the perfect cut and style for your curls. Thick yet fine hair lends itself well to textured, tapered pixie cuts. Spice it up with subtle highlights to enhance the dimension of the look.

Short Cut For Thick Curly Hair

Instagram / @lindseywillishair

56. Black Wet Curly Bob with Subtle Highlights

Some may think that rocking the wet, mermaid style hair means you need long, flowing locks, but you can pull off the look even with a short bob. Layer in some babylights that accent your ringlets. Dark brown shades are great damp or dry, so no matter what hairdo you’re in the mood for, you have a style that will work.

Curly Bob Hairstyle For Short Hair

Instagram / @curl_evolution

57. Cute Curly Bob

Being blessed with natural spirals can come along with the curse of a lot of maintenance. Hair care can become a complex of game involving dozens of expensive magic potions. So why not go for short curly hair? Keeping the front just a teeny bit longer and the top full of volume makes the style easy to pull off.

58. Side-Parted Messy Bob for Wavy Hair

Sometimes curly or wavy hair won’t have a clean, even part, so it’s up to you to work with this natural spontaneity in your locks. A great way out is parting your hair deeply to the side and letting your waves fall messily.

Messy Wavy Brunette Bob

Instagram / @mefiu

59. Curly Brunette Bob with Bangs

Natural curls have some special effortless flair about them that can be hard to achieve in curled styles for straight hair. Instead of straightening your bob, encourage the curls, defining them with a styling product of your preference – mousse, cream or foam.

Curly Bob Hairstyle With Bangs

Instagram / @alchemyorlando

60. Natural Textured Curly Hairstyle

Short curly hair is fun and easy to style. In order to do get the most out of your hair, let your natural curls fall where they wish and fix any frizzy pieces with a texturizing or de-tangling spray. Your hair will look vibrant and enviable!

Short Curly Messy Hairstyle

Instagram / @thehivesalon

Wavy hairstyles for short hair are so diverse and individual. Every weave is exceptional and every shape is distinctive. Even if you try to follow one of these examples, your hairstyle will be exceptional, because it’s going to be brightened up by your unique facial features and hair characteristics.

Short-To-Medium Cut for Natural Wavy Hair Brown Curly Pixie Hairstyle Rounded Messy Curly Bob Voluminous Short Curly Bob Long Black Pixie With Messy Curls Short Bob For Naturally Curly Hair Brown Curly Bob With Highlights Short Curly Brunette Bob Short Haircut With Bangs For Curly Hair Pixie For Women With Curly Hair Short Curly Hairstyle With Subtle Highlights Curly Slanted Bob Short Curly Brown Bob Short Wavy Inverted Bob Hairstyle Jaw-Length Bob For Wavy Curly Hair Short Wavy Blonde Bob Hairstyle Short Textured Curly Bob Curly Tapered Brown Cut With Copper Highlights Angled Curly Black Bob Shorter Rounded Curly Hairstyle Short Curly Inverted Bob Haircut Messy Hairstyle For Short Curly Hair Short Tapered Wavy Pixie Short Curly Bob For Blondes Black Pixie Bob Voluminous Naturally Curly Bob Hairstyle Inverted Lob For Wavy Curly Hair Short Curly Caramel Brown Bob Nape-Length Curly Bob Short Curly Hairstyle For Girls Natural Curly Bob With Bangs Curly Black Pixie Short Pixie Bob For Curly Hair Short Curly Bob Short Layered Pixie Haircut Curly Brown Bob With Blonde Highlights Choppy Disconnected Bob Jaw-Length Bob For Blonde Wavy Hair Short Bob For Curly Hair Short Messy Hairstyle With Highlights Side-Parted Bob For Thin Natural Wavy Hair Short Curly Bob Hairstyle For A Long Face Women'S Tapered Curly Haircut Angled Bob For Curly Hair Long Curly Pixie With Babylights Naturally Curly Pixie Hairstyle Short Blue-Black Tousled Curly Hairstyle Curly Chin-Length Bob Short Curly Bob With Bangs Two-Tone Short Curly Bob Curly Blonde Balayage Bob Short Tapered Haircut For Curly Hair Short Tapered Cut For Curly Hair Brown And Caramel Messy Wavy Bob Short Cut For Thick Curly Hair Curly Bob Hairstyle For Short Hair Short Curly Mahogany Bob Messy Wavy Brunette Bob Curly Bob Hairstyle With Bangs Short Curly Messy Hairstyle
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