59 Short Curly Hairstyles for Black Women (2024)

From teeny afros to pixie cuts, we have so many reasons to love short curly hairstyles for Black women. However, we often complain about not knowing how to style it.

With the right inspo and hair products, you’ll be able to style your short curly hair in so many ways that don’t even require a trip to the salon. Luckily, we tracked down the best styles just for you!

Keep scrolling for short curly hairstyle inspiration. Plus, find out the benefits of these styles:

Benefits of Short Natural Curls

Natural hair is prone to dryness, which makes it a little more difficult to grow out to longer lengths. This is because dryness can cause breakage more often. That’s why natural hair thrives in short styles. Plus, a short haircut or style is easier to maintain and involves less work when styling and caring for your strands. However, that doesn’t mean you have just a few options.Whether you go for for a straight bob, a micro afro or curly bangs, we’ve gathered the best short hairstyles for Black women to try now!

Best Short Afro Hairstyles

Want to start sporting bangs? check out these fringe styles for natural hair.

1. Curly Natural Hair With Bangs

Who said curly-haired girls shouldn’t get bangs? We think curly bangs are a hit! Here’s a tip: Make sure your bangs are cut on dry hair, as wet hair shrinks when dried, and you might lop off more than you intended.

2. Pretty Curly Black Bob with Side Bangs

A bob with side bangs is a classic style that will always be flattering! You can never go wrong with a look like this.

3. Big Curly Afro with Bangs

One of the most effortless short curly hairstyles for Black women is the curly afro. Pick your curls out until you get the size you want.

4. Adorable Bob with Bangs

Opt for a face-framing cut! When leaving your hair down, you want to make sure it stays moisturized all day. We love using . This product is alcohol-free and uses Papaya, Neroli, Elderflower, and Fair Trade Shea Butter to help keep hair smooth and shiny.

5. Bob Hairstyle for Curly Hair

A short style is very manageable for curly hair! To add dimension to your look, pair your bob with longer bangs that blend into the length of your hair

6. Mid-Length Curly Hairstyle with Curly Bangs

Just because you have curly hair doesn’t mean you should shy away from the fringe. Opt for curls that loosely frame your face.

7. Medium Curly Brunette Shag with Babylights

If you want a variation in length and thickness with your curls, try a shag cut! A shag style like this is super trendy right now, and it works so well with curly strands!

8. Heart-Shaped Afro Hairstyle

Show off that natural volume with a heart shaped afro! This is such a fashionable way to wear your curls. Make sure you maintain the shape with regular trimmings.

9. Medium U Cut with Defined Curls

A U cut is a great option instead of a one-length cut. This will help add shape and avoid your style from becoming bottom-heavy.

10. Collarbone Curly Hairstyle with Bangs

A collarbone length is the sweet spot between long and short hair. Adding subtle layers and a deep side part will make this style even more interesting. Try this length if you want to show off your curls without making them feel weighed down.

11. Pretty Long Curly Hair with Bangs

Go full-on curly with long hair and bangs! If you’re not afraid of volume and texture, this is one of the best curly hairstyles for black women. For a quick styling pick-me-up, we love.

12. Medium Curly Cut with Bangs

This curly style is perfect if you want an effortless look. To keep curls looking healthy, we love using Suave Luscious Curls Shampoo and Conditioner. We love this set because it contains an Amino Acid Complex which helps to strengthen your hair and prevent breakage.

The Best Short Black Curly Hair Updos

Looking for the perfect updo for your curly strands? Check out some of our favorites!

13. Blonde Curly Updo

Gather your curls into a high ponytail updo for an effortlessly chic look. You can also go the extra mile by pulling some curls to the front of your face for a little fringe action.

14. Half Up Curls

Want a short curly hairstyle that works for any occasion? Look no further than the half-up. It’s easy to recreate on the go and works wonders both at work and the after hours.

15. High Curly Pony

Looking for easy, short, curly hairstyles for Black women? The high-curly pony (some of us call it the pineapple) is the perfect style for laid-back days.

16. Twist Out Ponytail

Whether you have a failed twist-out attempt or you want a new way to wear your twist-out style, a ponytail is always an option. Pull your hair up at the top of your crown and secure it with a hair tie.

17. High Top Knot

A high-top knot is perfect for any occasion, whether you need a formal updo or just want to keep your hair out of your face for the day. To help hold your top knot into place, try using the Emerge Edge Control for a flawless finish.

18. Curly High Bun

Need a go-to formal look? Then, style your curly black hair into an elegant bun. And if your strands are too short, you can always get a faux bun to leave everyone speechless.

19. Black Girl Curly Hair Space Buns

This quirky style is a great way to switch up your look! Space buns are a fun and cool updo that will give the right amount of edginess to any outfit, too.

20. Low Curly Bun with Loose Curls

A low bun is the perfect casual updo! For a trendier look, leave face-framing curls out.

21. Romantic Pinned Updo for Shorter Curly Hair

Pinup your curls for a romantic look! Feel free to add a headband of bow for an even more romantic style.

22. Effortless Updo for Curly Hair

You can never go wrong with an effortless updo! This messy bun can be achieved very quickly. You can even add a scrunchie or hair clips to the look to dress it up.

23. Black Curly Hair Natural Braid Crown

A crown braid is a great way to keep your hair out of your face without pulling it back! The natural texture of your black curly hair will instantly add volume to the braid, which is perfect for this look.

24. Short Curly Hairstyles for Black Women: French Braids

Want your hair back but don’t want to wear a regular ponytail? Try two French braids! This classic style will soon become a go-to.

25. Bold Bandana Updo

Use a bandana to dress up your hairstyle! You can wear the accessory as a headband of style it over the top of your head with face-framing loose at the front.

26. Side Curls

Try this side-swept look on your short, curly hair. If you need help keeping it in one direction, use hairpins to secure it in place.

Bobs: Short Curly Hairstyles for Black Women

A bob is one of the best haircuts for curly natural hair because it shows off your texture and gives your style length without worrying about too much upkeep. Keep scrolling to check out some of our top looks.

27. Curly Hair Women: Stretched Curls

Want longer curls? Stretch the length of your curls by tugging at the ends while drying with your blow-dryer.

28. Twisted Side

Want to give your style a quickmidday update? Try this twisted side updo style. This look is perfect for a night out on the town.

29. Curly Wig

Want to test out different short curly styles without touching your real hair? Try curly wigs to update your look. Warning: Wigs are addictive! Have fun!

If you’re trying out a wig, try . We love this because it helps bring your wig or weave back to life by moisturizing, detangling, and adding shine.

30. Inverted Black Bob for Curly Hair

Ask for an inverted bob where the hair at the back of your head is shorter than the front. This is a great way to switch up a regular bob.

31. Medium Layered Curly Hairstyle

Create more volume throughout your entire hair with layers. To keep your hair hydrated on non-wash days, use TRESemmé Flawless Curls Hydrating Anti-Frizz Oil. We love this oil because it’s very lightweight and includes coconut and avocado oil to help moisturize and soften curls.

32. Shoulder-Length Hairstyle for Curly Hair

Not sure how to wear your hair? Try an effortless style! You can’t go wrong with a cropped cut like this.

33. Mid-Length Curly Layered Cut

Layers can add more dimension to a mid-length cut. The layers will also add movement which will help avoid the cut from looking too bottom-heavy.

34. Lob with Large Curls

Want a new look? Try the oh-so-popular lob! This is a classic style that works on a variety of face shapes.

35. Short Stacked Curly Bob

A short-stacked bob is a great ultra-short option! This style is easy to wear and involves minimal styling.

36. Short Curly Bob with Subtle Highlights

Change your look by adding subtle highlights to brighten up your strands. This is sure to make your curly hair stand out!

37. Lob with Highlights for Curly Hair

Create more variation with a popular hairstyle by adding caramel-colored highlights.

38. Curly Black Bob with Babylights

Opt for babylights in your hair. This will create a more fine-looking highlight compared to the common chunky variation.

39. Twisted Bob

Switch up your short length by trying out twists! This protective style is great for keeping your strands healthy.

Since it can be more difficult to grow natural hair to a long length, opting for a pixie haircut allows you to sport your curly texture without having to worry about breakage.

40. Headband Style

The headband is coming back in full force, and you can definitely make use of this chic accessory to style just about any of our favorite short curly hairstyles for Black women. Want a simple look? Try this pushed-back style above.

41. Curly Pixie

The pixie cut will forever be one of our favorite cuts. Wear it straight or with defined tight curls. Use a gel, like Suave Professionals Curl Defining Cream,to help define your curl pattern.

42. Brushed Back Pixie

If you would rather not have your ringlets in your face, you can brush them back. This pixie cut is so effortless and chic.

43. Transitioning Short Curly Hairstyle

In the process of transitioning to curly hair? Try this easy updo to help you transition with ease. You can wear this simple protective updo style throughout the process.

44. Wet Curls

Want to go for a fresh wash and go look? Use products that will give your hair high shine and definition. Try using TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum for a flawless shine and minimal frizz.

45. Fade Pixie Cut

Change up a regular pixie cut by opting for a fade haircut. This will help create more dimension in your style.

46. Shaved Sides: Short Curly Hairstyles for Black Women

Want to take your style further than a fade? Create a more dramatic look by shaving the entire sides of your head to create a mohawk.

You can never go wrong by sporting your natural afro texture. For a look full of amazing volume, grow your hair out into an afro.

47. Black Girl Curly Hair: Brushed-Out Afro

Want a Black girl curly hair that stands out? Brush your curls out to create this pillow-soft effect. Use a styler like to lock in moisture and add shine while styling.

48. The Elevated Curly Afro

Try your hand at this super high curly afro style with your hair. Pick it out until you achieve the height that looks best on your face shape.

49. The Parted Afro

Play around with your curly afro by adding a hair part to it. Try a middle- or side-parted style. A part can also add the illusion of more volume.

50. Ringlet Curls

You can achieve this ringlet style with the use of small flexi rods. Set your final look with a firm-hold hairspray like TRESemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Level 2 Hold Curl Hair Spray.

51. Teeny Afro

If you have super short curly hair, a teeny weeny afro is a fun and stylish look to try. Accessorize the look with a fun hair scarf or headband.

52. Accessorized Curls

Dressing up your afro has never been easier! Place pins in a pattern on the side of your hair for an instantly elevated look.

53. A Pop of Color

Sport your natural curls in a trendy way by adding a pop of color. Whether you go for a bright hue like in the picture or a more understated shade, success is guaranteed.

54. Medium Curly Combover Hairstyle

Create a deep side part on the left or right side of your head for a voluminous curly combover.

55. Black Curly Hair Layered Lob

Adding a variety of layers to your lob cut will help give your black curly hair even more volume. This is also one of the best ways to add more shape to your style.

56. Middle Parted Style

This classic middle-parted curly look is great for any natural hair texture. If you want a wavier, more voluminous style, brush out your curls starting at the mid-shaft and working through the ends.

57. Brushed Out Curls

To achieve the most volume possible, brush out your curls! If you’re worried about your hair falling in your face, use hair clips that work as practical accessories!

58. V-Cut Long, Curly Blonde Hairstyle

A V cut that’s longer in the back with shorter layers towards the front adds variety to your style.

59. Medium Highlighted Style with Loose Curls

Brighten up your style with highlights and loose curls! A look like this is easiest to achieve on relaxed hair.

Whether you try a new blonde color or go for a classic parted afro, there are so many styles you can try out on your short, curly hair.