20 Trendy Layered Curly Haircuts

In the ever-evolving world of hair fashion, curly hair has finally claimed its rightful throne. Gone are the days when those blessed with natural curls would desperately straighten their locks to fit in. Today, curly hair isn’t just accepted—it’s celebrated, coveted, and downright trendy. And what better way to enhance those gorgeous curls than with perfectly executed layers?

Layers are like the secret sauce for curly hair. They add movement, reduce bulk, and help those spirals spring to life in ways you never thought possible. Whether you’ve got loose waves or tight coils, the right layered cut can transform your hair from overwhelming to absolutely stunning.

I’ve spent years workin with curly-haired clients, and lemme tell you—finding the perfect layered cut can be life-changing. So grab a cup of something nice, settle in, and let’s explore 20 of the most jaw-dropping layered cuts that are making waves (or should I say curls?) in the beauty world right now.

The Classic Curly Shag

The shag haircut has made a massive comeback, and curly-haired folks are the biggest winners in this revival. This cut features choppy layers throughout, with shorter layers framing the face and gradually getting longer toward the back.

What makes the curly shag so incredible is how it distributes volume evenly, preventing that dreaded triangle shape that curly hair sometimes forms. The face-framing layers bring attention to your best features while the varied lengths throughout create dimension that’s absolutely mesmerizing.

Pro tip: Ask your stylist for “point cutting” on the ends of ur layers to enhance texture and reduce any heaviness. This technique creates soft, wispy ends that move beautifully with your natural curl pattern.

Long Layered Curls with Curtain Bangs

For those who aren’t ready to sacrifice length, long layered curls paired with trendy curtain bangs offer the best of both worlds. This cut maintains your precious length while adding movement and shape through strategically placed layers.

Curtain bangs—those gorgeous face-framing pieces that part in the middle like, well, curtains—work surprisingly well with curly textures. They can be cut slightly longer than traditional bangs to account for shrinkage when dry.

The combination creates a soft, romantic look that’s both modern and timeless. Its versatile enough for both casual days and special occasions, making it a go-to for those who want their curls to look effortlessly chic.

The Curly Bob with Invisible Layers

Bobs aren’t just for straight hair anymore! The curly bob with invisible layers has become a staple for those wanting a sophisticated yet manageable style. Unlike traditional layering, invisible layers remove bulk without creating obvious lines or steps in the hair.

This technique allows your curls to sit beautifully without losing their natural bounce or creating that dreaded pyramid effect. The length typically falls somewhere between the chin and shoulders, though exact placement can be customized based on face shape and curl pattern.

What I luv about this style is how it frames the face while still providing enough weight to keep curls from going wild. It’s polished yet playful—perfect for the professional who still wants to express their personality through their hair.

The Curly Pixie with Textured Layers

Bold, confident, and utterly head-turning—the curly pixie with textured layers isn’t for the faint of heart, but those who take the plunge rarely regret it. This cut embraces your natural texture while keeping things short and manageable.

Textured layers throughout the crown create height and dimension, while slightly longer pieces on top allow your curl pattern to shine. The sides and back are kept shorter, creating a beautiful contrast that highlights the curl definition on top.

This style works amazingly for all curl types, but those with tighter curls will see a dramatic transformation as their coils spring up even more when weight is removed. It’s low-maintenance yet high-impact—a rare combination in the hair world!

Medium-Length Curly Lob with Face-Framing Layers

The “lob” (long bob) has been a fashion-forward choice for years, and the curly version takes this trendy cut to new heights. Falling somewhere between the chin and collarbone, this length provides versatility while showcasing your curl pattern.

Face-framing layers are the key to making this cut work for curly hair. They prevent the heaviness that can sometimes occur at the bottom of a one-length cut, creating movement that flows beautifully around your features.

The best thing bout this style is how it grows out gracefully—meaning fewer trips to the salon while still maintaining that polished look. For busy professionals or parents, this alone makes it worth considering!

The Curly Wolf Cut

Combining elements of the mullet and the shag, the wolf cut has taken social media by storm—and curly hair wearers are putting their own spectacular spin on it. This edgy style features short, choppy layers on top with longer layers toward the back.

The dramatic difference in lengths creates a wild, untamed look that paradoxically appears very intentional and fashion-forward. For curly hair, this creates incredible volume at the crown while maintaining some length.

This ain’t your mama’s haircut—it’s rebellious, statement-making, and surprisingly flattering on a wide range of face shapes. It works particularly well for those with looser curl patterns who want to add more perceived texture and volume.

Layered Curly Updo with Tendrils

While not technically a “cut” on its own, the layered curly updo deserves mention because proper layering makes this style possible. Without layers, curly updos can look bulky and unbalanced, but with the right cutting technique, they become effortlessly elegant.

The key is having shorter layers throughout that can be pinned up easily, while leaving a few carefully selected tendrils to frame the face. These face-framing pieces soften the look and highlight your features.

I always tell my clients to consider how they’ll style their hair before choosing a cut—if updos are part of ur regular rotation, make sure your stylist knows this so they can create layers that will work both down and up.

The Curly Midi Cut with Internal Layers

The midi cut—falling somewhere between a bob and long hair, typically at or below the shoulders—is having a major moment. For curly hair, internal layers are the secret to making this length work without overwhelming your frame.

Internal layers remove bulk from the interior of the hair without disturbing the outer shape. This creates movement and bounce while maintaining a relatively consistent length around the perimeter.

This sophisticated cut works brilliantly for professional environments while still allowing your natural texture to shine through. It’s particularly flattering for oval and heart-shaped faces, as the length balances facial proportions beautifully.

The Rounded Afro with Layered Shape

For those with type 4 curls, the rounded afro with layered shaping is both a celebration of natural texture and a striking style statement. Unlike the uniform afros of decades past, today’s version incorporates subtle layering to create a customized shape.

These layers aren’t about removing length but rather sculpting the overall silhouette to complement your face shape and personal style. The rounded shape is universally flattering, though variations can be made to elongate or widen the appearance as desired.

What makes this style truly special is how it honors the natural volume and texture of coily hair while giving it deliberate, modern shape. It’s a powerful expression of cultural pride and personal style that continues to influence fashion worldwide.

Curly Layers with Undercut

For the bold and daring, combining curly layers with an undercut creates a stunning contrast that’s impossible to ignore. This style keeps length and volume on top while removing hair from underneath—either at the nape, sides, or both.

The undercut serves two practical purposes: it removes bulk from very thick hair and keeps the neck cool during warmer months. But beyond practicality, it adds an edgy, contemporary element to curly styles that can otherwise feel traditional.

I’ve seen so many clients absolutely transformed by this combination—it’s like they suddenly feel permission to embrace both their curls and their edgier side. The best part? When you want a more conservative look, simply wear your hair down and the undercut remains your fabulous secret!

The Curly Shoulder-Length Cut with Long Layers

Sometimes the most flattering cuts aren’t the most dramatic. The shoulder-length cut with long layers has become a reliable favorite for those wanting to enhance their curls without making a radical change.

Long layers prevent the “shelf” effect that can happen with curly hair, where there’s a sudden jump between lengths. Instead, they create a soft, cascading effect that allows curls to flow naturally.

This length is incredibly versatile—long enough to pull back on busy days but short enough to avoid weighing down your curl pattern. It’s basicly the goldilocks of curly cuts: not too long, not too short, but just right for many lifestyles.

The Curly Mullet

Yes, you read that right! The mullet has made an unexpected comeback, and curly hair takes this controversial style to stunning new heights. Today’s curly mullet is more subtle than its 80s predecessor—think shorter layers framing the face and crown with noticeably longer length at the back.

What makes this work for curly hair is how the varying lengths showcase different aspects of your curl pattern. Shorter pieces around the face might form springier curls, while the length in back maintains your curl elongation.

This isn’t your daddy’s mullet—it’s fashion-forward, gender-inclusive, and surprisingly wearable for those brave enough to try it. Paired with the right clothes and confidence, it’s less “country road” and more “fashion runway.”

The Diagonal Forward Curly Bob

For those seeking something truly modern, the diagonal forward curly bob offers a fresh take on a classic shape. This asymmetrical style is shorter at the back and gradually gets longer toward the front, creating a sleek angle when viewed from the side.

Layering throughout prevents this geometric cut from looking too severe with curly textures. The layers allow your curls to maintain their natural movement while still preserving the distinctive forward-sloping line.

This cut frames the face beautifully and draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones. It’s ideal for those who want their curls to make a contemporary fashion statement without sacrificing texture or requiring excessive styling.

The Curly Layered Fringe

Bangs with curly hair? Absolutely! Contrary to popular belief, curly bangs can be absolutely stunning when cut with the right technique. The key is cutting them longer than you might think necessary to account for shrinkage.

Layered curly bangs create a soft frame for the face without the harshness that straight-across bangs might create. They can be styled to fall to either side or worn more centrally, depending on your preference.

I’ve seen so many clients hesitant about bangs until they try em—then they wonder why they waited so long! Curly bangs add playfulness and youth to any style, bringing focus to the eyes in a way few other cuts can achieve.

The Curly Layered Mohawk

Not all mohawks involve shaved sides and liberty spikes. The curly layered mohawk is a softer, more wearable interpretation that maintains length on top while gradually tapering shorter toward the sides.

This style creates a dramatic height difference between the center and sides of the head, drawing the eye upward and creating the illusion of length for rounder face shapes. The layers throughout the center section prevent the style from becoming too top-heavy.

What’s brilliant about this cut is its versatility—it can be styled more dramatically for special occasions or toned down for everyday wear. It honors the natural volume of curly hair while giving it deliberate direction and shape.

The Oval-Shaped Curly Cut

Geometry plays a significant role in successful curly cuts, and the oval-shaped cut has proven to be universally flattering across different curl patterns. This shape is fuller through the middle and slightly narrower at the top and bottom.

The key to achieving this shape lies in the layering technique—shorter layers at the crown, gradually getting longer through the middle, and slightly shorter again at the bottom. This creates a balanced silhouette that works with your curls’ natural tendency to create volume.

This shape is particlarly magical for those with triangular hair (wider at the bottom, narrower at the top) as it redistributes volume more evenly throughout. It’s a subtle change that makes a dramatic difference in how your curls fall.

The Curly Pixie-Bob Hybrid

Can’t decide between a pixie and a bob? The curly pixie-bob hybrid offers the best of both worlds. Shorter than a traditional bob but longer than a pixie, this cut typically features very short layers at the back with gradually longer layers toward the front.

The varying lengths create beautiful dimension with curly textures, allowing different curl patterns to emerge throughout the style. The longer front pieces can be tucked behind the ears or allowed to frame the face as desired.

This low-maintenance cut has gained popularity for its wash-and-go friendly nature—perfect for those mornings when you barely have time to brush ur teeth, let alone style your hair. Yet it still looks intentional and put-together with minimal effort.

The Curly Butterfly Cut

Named for the wing-like shape it creates around the face, the butterfly cut has become a social media sensation—and curly hair takes this trending style to new heights. It features shorter face-framing layers combined with longer lengths throughout.

The distinct feature of this cut is how the layers are concentrated around the face and crown, creating volume and movement where it matters most. The rest of the hair maintains length, creating that distinctive “wing” effect when viewed from the side.

What I love most about this cut for curly hair is how it embraces natural texture while creating shape and dimension. It’s feminine without being fussy, dramatic without requiring hours of styling time.

The Layered Curly Bob with Curved Fringe

Combining the versatility of a bob with the softness of a curved fringe creates a perfectly balanced style for curly hair. The curved fringe follows the natural arc of the forehead rather than cutting straight across, creating a more harmonious look.

Layers throughout the bob prevent the heaviness that can sometimes occur with curly hair at this length. They allow the curls to move freely and maintain their natural spring, rather than being weighed down.

This style works amazingly for heart-shaped and square faces, as the softness of the curved fringe balances stronger jawlines. It’s sophisticated enough for professional settings but playful enough for weekend adventures.

The Modern Curly Mullet with Curtain Bangs

Closing our list is perhaps the most daring fusion of current trends—the curly mullet updated with trendy curtain bangs. This combination takes two bold styles and creates something uniquely striking.

The layered mullet provides the foundation with its shorter crown and longer back, while soft curtain bangs frame the face and soften what could otherwise be a very edgy look. The result is surprisingly wearable for everyday life.

This style represents everything wonderful about current hair trends—it’s gender-inclusive, texture-celebrating, and infinitely customizable based on your personal style. It ain’t for everyone, but those who wear it do so with the kind of confidence that turns heads for all the right reasons.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of curly hair lies in its versatility and natural volume—qualities that are perfectly enhanced by the right layered cut. Whether you’re drawn to classic shapes or cutting-edge trends, there’s a layered curly style that will make your natural texture shine.

Remember that communication with your stylist is key. Bring reference photos, discuss your daily routine, and be clear about how much time you’re willing to spend styling. The perfect cut isn’t just about appearance—it’s about fitting seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Embrace your curls, celebrate your texture, and don’t be afraid to try something new. After all, hair grows back, but the confidence that comes from a truly great cut? That lasts forever.