Most curly-haired queens can agree – it doesn’t matter how much you love your curls and spirals, somedays (especially on days when everything seems to work against you) you just want to throw them inside a beanie and skip your way out the door.
We get it – curls honestly have a life of their own, but rather than work against them, why not embrace your natural volume and texture? Yes, it might be easier said and done, but it’s not impossible.
Don’t believe us? Just scroll down for some of the most outstanding natural curly hairstyles we’ve come across this season. Pssstt….you might have to add one or all to your 2023 mood board!
Tousled Tresses
If you’re looking for the perfect date night hairstyle, this is it! The bias cut helps show off the highlights and draws attention to one’s collarbones.
Pinned-Up Fro-Hawk
Always wanted to rock the mohawk but wasn’t so psyched about the shaved sides? Well, grab your pins and clips because we found the perfect curly hairstyle for you.
This style is about pinning or braiding the sides into a cute curly faux hawk. And can involve either gabbing a pin and pushing your hair to the center or dividing your hair into three sections and creating tiny puffs at the center of your head.
Curl Rods
You don’t always have to use a comb or hair clips to achieve a gorgeous curly hairstyle. Sometimes, tools like Flexi rods or rollers can help you achieve bigger, coiler, and more pronounced patterns.
Wide-Brimmed Hat
When you don’t want your curls carrying the day, rock a wide-brimmed hat. If you don’t have one, a visor (for the summer) can work, or you can go the French way and rock a beret (for fall). These keep your curls from getting squished as they would underneath beanies or caps.
Tousled Updo
Listen, “Y2K” is back (did it ever really leave, though), which means you’ll be seeing one face-framing tendril paired with a wispy topknot. It’s nothing short of beautiful – just see Lori Harvey’s.
Frizzy Half-Up/Half-Down
Sometimes a little frizz goes a long way toward creating magic. And this natural, undone, texture-filled curly hairstyle is all the proof you need.
Bantu Knots
This traditional African curly hairstyle not only looks superb, but it’s also a protective style that keeps breakage away and prevents moisture loss.
Asymmetrical Curls
It’s all about the angles here, and Amandla Sternberg bodied each of them! Adds to our 2023 mood board ASAP!
Bubble Braids
Not a fan of braiding? Go the bubble braid way. Of course, you’ll need some tiny hair elastics and a lot of patience, but the results will be IG and red-carpet-worthy. Plus, it’s one of the most versatile hairstyles on the market – it can be rocked by straight, curly hair types and even our coily-haired sisters.
Brushed-Out Finger Waves
This Janelle Monae classic is undoubtedly unique. To achieve the exact look with the same exact texture, twist your natural hair into Bantu knots overnight and then let them loose in the morning.
Half-Braided Half-Down Do
When you’ve got major curls – can you float some luck our way, please? – half braided, half down is the sexier hairstyle you could go for. It brings your face to focus and gives off some pizzazz at the back. Plus, you could always use a curl cream to define your curls and give your tresses some spicy bounce.
Pineapple
Curly-haired girls love whipping up a pineapple look before tackling chores (or a beat down), so why not rock it like Yara– on those special occasions? It’s the quickest curly hairstyle and helps preserve your curls while getting them off your face and neck. It also leaves your stands looking so ethereal!
Curls & Cornrows
Curls paired with cornrows? Mind-blowing! Ms. Regina King gives us a taste of both by tightly braiding one side of her strands and leaving the rest to cascade into jaw-dropping ringlets.
Adorned Afro
Not to pull the curly trump card…pulls the damn card…but when you have gorgeous curls, you automatically get the “run through a whole marathon you’d have thought I’m Kenyan” vibe that straighter hair types don’t. Which means pulling a “big hair, don’t care” adorned with gold accessories or butterfly clips – a whole lewk, not a chaotic mess.
Naturally Sexy
If you’re not looking to spend $$$ at your stylist’s, rock this natural curl look. And to elevate it like Ms. Solange here, pair it with a winger liner and a sultry red lip for the finish.
All-Over Curls
Angela, oh Angela – God knew what He was doing with this phenomenal woman. And when she lets her crown of curls freely flow, she looks even more beautiful-er. If you want to achieve this look, make sure to invest in a premium quality product for defined coils.
Power Puff
This is the type of curly hairstyle you need to rock for your million-dollar project deal with the bank. And to ensure you have a super sleek crown, reach out for your smoothing gel. It will ensure you have a gorgeous burst of volume and texture.
Finger Coils
This is just one of the easiest curly hairstyles to achieve ever! Small tip, though; the tinier the coil, the longer they’ll last.
Curly Shag
Have you caught the theme yet? The Y2K is still having a major moment and might not stop anytime soon. This trendy style, as seen on Zendaya, adds soft texture, face-framing and bounce to loose spirals.
Choppy Ringlets
Shoulder-length airy ringlets with equally curly bangs and some choppy layers? Where do we sign up? Plus, with a Gabrielle Union seal of approval? You know we had to put it on this list.
Colored Curls
Uh, when you have larger-than-life curls like these, does it even matter what type of hairstyle you rock? Not really. Still, when it comes to looser or tighter curls, playing with fun colors is advised. Like this purple – how gorgeous do these look?
