The best short, curly hairstyle inspiration for summer and beyond

As the summer social calendar starts getting filled up with soirées, holidays and long evenings out, getting a fresh new haircut is a great way to elevate your look for the warmer season.

Short, curly hairstyles have never been more popular as the length truly brings out the best of your natural curls and is relatively easy to maintain throughout unexpected weather changes. A short haircut is also a statement in and of itself, which means you can save time on styling.

Before your haircut…

Make sure you go to a hairstylist who’s well-versed in curls and coils. “Don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Check out their Instagram to see if it chimes with your own style,” says Tracey Hyatt, Aveda's textured hair specialist at Gary Ingham Aveda Salon. “Ask the stylist for their thoughts on your texture, your curl-type, products recommendations and what maintenance looks like.”

If you’re going for a dramatic change, ask yourself: on a scale of 1-10, how much change do you want to see? “If they say 6/7, I know they are looking for a style that would give options for a longer version at some point. 8/9 would definitely be a green light for big re-style!” adds Christophe Pontin, artistic director at Aveda.

Curly hair is also incredibly versatile. “It can create all kinds of shapes from architectural, rigid looks to soft layered looks, chic pixies to long, shaggy cuts,” shares Jake Schaverien, hairstylist at HARI’s South Kensington. “I love to work as naturally as possible with the hair type in front of me, especially more coiled, tight hair types. Each head of hair is unique, so we adapt to each client for that personal bespoke touch.”

 

With a short haircut, you’ll generally need to trim it every seven to eight weeks for upkeep, so make sure you take that into account. Do consider how much time you spend on your hair daily, too.

“I usually ask how often do you wash your hair and if you like to spend time to style your curls, as this affects the cut choice,” offers Marcos Durvan Alvis, stylist at HARI’s Northcote Road.

How to find the best short hairstyles for curly hair

Hyatt is a big fan of a graphic cut or close crop for tighter curls and Afro curls. “Tightly tapered at the back, leaving the weight on top for example is striking and elegant,” she says, citing Letitia Wright and Lashana Lynch as her go-to muses.

Meanwhile, short waves and ringlets go well with thicker curls. “Fine curls respond well to scrunch-drying and volume-adding products, and in a short haircut can benefit from more structure and definition,” adds Hyatt.

For Pontin, he recommends moodboarding varying styles for your hairstylist, so you have an idea of what you do and don’t want it to look like. “Every curly hair type is different and has to be approached in a specific way with a good consultation to determine the diameter and density of the hair and consider shrinkage too,” he says, which is why going to an expert is key.

How to style and care for short, curly haircuts

Great hair starts with a healthy scalp, so do incorporate a clarifying shampoo at least monthly to help “remove any build-up that can be left on the hair”, says Miffy Goknil, a stylist at HARI’s King’s Road. “Build-up prevents the hair from absorbing water, which will dehydrate the hair long-term, leaving it dull and frizzy.”

Then, gently squeeze out the water with a microfibre towel and apply a deep moisturising mask before rinsing off. “Hair type will determine how rich you want the mask to be. Opt for light moisture if your hair is damaged or a protein-based conditioner to help reinforce the structure of the hair,” recommends Goknil.

Hyatt agrees that hydration is key. “Treat your curls regularly with a hair oil, such as Aveda’s Miraculous Oil, a moisturising serum, or a leave-in conditioner, and do it daily. Moisture will activate your curls, and dryness is your enemy,” she suggests.

She adds: “A good priming spray will pay dividends, and a silk scarf, bonnet or pillow for sleeping will help your curls retain their hydration through the driest of nights.” If you’re using heat to dry your hair, Schaverien recommends using a “diffuser on the gentlest speed setting and switch between medium and hot heat”.

At your appointment, make sure to ask your hairstylist for the best routine for your specific curl pattern and hair type. While moisture is important, how you get it might differ as some hair types require heavier textures while others may benefit from lighter formulas, or a combination of gels and foams for extra body and volume.

The chicest short curly hair inspiration for summer and beyond

The curly lob

Not ready to go the extra mile? A curly long bob is still versatile enough for you to wear both up and down.

The pixie-bob hybrid

Make a real impact with a modern "bixie" which is a mix between a bob and pixie cut.

The tousled bob

For a laissez-faire approach, try a short bob with fringe and style it with plenty of movement and texture.

The floating bob

An extra short, ear-grazing bob looks grown-up and polished. Even better, try accessorising it with dangly earrings for a showstopping moment.

The shaggy bob

For looser waves, a shaggy, layered bob is a great way to ease into a shorter style.

Lead image: Getty images

This article originally appeared on Harper'sBazaar.com/uk


Also read: Six sleep-inducing therapies to try across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai

Also read: From the Riviera bob to golden hour blonde, five summer hair trends for a new season refresh