It’s not surprising that you’d radiate with pride after you finally cut your curls short. After all, there’s something majestic about the way a head of short curly hair crowns your face in a halo of gravity-defying loveliness. Style short curly hair is very versatile, giving you endless ways to flaunt your beautiful curls.
With so many style options, it’s easy to keep your look fresh and fun each day. In this guide, we’ll be admiring your natural texture and sharing simple, inspiring ways to style short hair that highlight your unique curl pattern. From effortless everyday looks to more defined styles, short curls offer endless possibilities worth exploring.
Though all curl crowns are distinct in their own care needs, understanding your fundamental curl type can make it much easier to style short hair with confidence. Paying attention to how your curls naturally behave helps you choose styles that work with your texture, not against it. Here’s how to determine your curl pattern:
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Notice your curls when they are freshly washed and free of products
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See how your strands naturally form and clump together
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Check whether your curls create loose S-patterns or tighter coils
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Observe how your curls react to moisture
Now, let’s break down the fundamentals of curl types:
Type 3 Curls
These springy, defined curls create clear spiral patterns and natural volume. Type 3 curls tend to look bouncier when shorter because they’re less weighed down. They usually hold style well and can be made to get definition with the right moisture balance.
Type 4 Curls
These tightly wound patterns produce natural volume and texture. Type 4 coils tend to shrink lengthwise, making them perfect for building beautiful shapes and dimensions on shorter styles.
Hair After Bleaching
If you’ve bleached your curls, they will need extra love and care. Bleaching can strip moisture and weaken the hair shaft, so focus on hydrating treatments, protein masks, and gentle handling. Incorporate rich conditioners and oils to restore elasticity and softness, and avoid harsh heat styling or over-manipulation to help your curls regain their health and bounce.
Top Products for Short Curly Hair
Shorter lengths thrive with customized combinations of products that define and enhance your natural texture. The trick is identifying formulas that offer moisture and definition without weighing your strands down. Some must-haves for making short curls flourish are:
Hair smoothing products – If you desire short curls to rest nicely with little frizz, use PATTERN Styling Custard for the ideal balance of hold and moisture, or our Styling Cream to control flyaways without sacrificing volume.
Moisturizing hair products – Hydration keeps short curls bouncing and defined. Moisturizing products such as the PATTERN Moisture Milk deliver intense moisture without feeling heavy, and our Hydrating Mist provides a rapid refresher between wash days to keep curls looking bouncy and healthy.
Style for curly hair – Most curly hairstyles are enhanced by definition and hold. A properly formulated styler like PATTERN Curl Gel creates a flexible hold that moves with your hair, giving you long-lasting definition without crunchiness.
Volumizing hair products – To get the most out of your short curls, style them using volumizing products that provide a pleasing bounce. Our Curl Mousse delivers weightless volume while defining every curl.
Strong Hair Secret – One of the best-kept secrets for strong, resilient curls is incorporating a nourishing hair mask into your routine once a week. This deep conditioning treatment replenishes lost moisture, repairs damage, and boosts your hair’s elasticity, helping your short curls stay healthy, bouncy, and strong.
When selecting products, remember that less is more with shorter lengths. Start with small amounts and build up as needed—your curls will perk up accordingly!
How to Add Enduring Volume to Short Curls?
Short curls can generate natural volume, yet occasionally, they require additional assistance to reach their potential. Volumizing begins with proper cleansing. A quality product such as the PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo removes the buildup that sinks shorter strands without stripping away important moisture balance. The following are our go-to techniques for enhancing volume:
- Root lifting on wash day
- Strategic application of product from the crown forward
- Placement of clips for additional lift when drying
- Gently teasing out the roots when dry with a comb
Short Curly Hair Hydration & Health
If you desire lush, bouncy curls, you will want to concentrate on restoring elasticity and moisture. Short curls dry out rapidly, so hydration is a necessity in our everyday routine. Establishing a moisture regimen means knowing how various products interact with one another. To create your ideal hydration regimen:
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Begin with the PATTERN Hydration Shampoo
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Layer products from lightest to heaviest
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Lock in moisture with natural oils like our Jojoba Oil Blend
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Refresh between wash days
Healthy Hair – To maintain healthy short curls, always handle your hair gently. Avoid harsh brushing or over-manipulation, which can weaken your curls and cause breakage. Regular scalp massages promote circulation and support healthy hair growth. Incorporate weekly hair masks or treatments to strengthen and restore your curls from root to tip.
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Deep condition on a regular basis
Developing a moisture regimen that suits your individual texture may require some trial and error, but it will be worth the additional time. Observe how your curls react to various methods and adapt as necessary.
Steps to Define Short Curly Hair
Every curl can reveal its natural design with shorter lengths—offering the perfect chance to experiment with short curly hair concepts. Here’s how to make every curl POP with intention & care:
- Begin with well-cleansed hair with our Cleansing Shampoo
- Apply the PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner to saturated strands
- Pray the hands method for an even product application
- Coil curl clumps gently with finger definition
- Let curls air-dry without interruption
The key to beautifully defined curls is your products & your technique. Our curls come alive with an unearthly definition when we work with our natural pattern to enhance the bounce we want.
Quick & Easy Styles for Short Curls
Even with less surface area to play with, there are still plenty of hairstyles for short curly hair. Whether you’re going to work or going out for the night, these styles are simple to replicate & show off your natural texture. Try these styles for your short curls:
- Afro– Styling your hair in an afro is one of the most classic short natural curly hair style, including a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro). To style your afro or TWA, moisturize your hair daily & use a comb pick, like the PATTERN Hair Pick, to gently detangle. Apply a defining cream or gel & scrunch it into your hair to give it definition. For extra bounce, slather your strands with hair butter, braid them, let your hair dry & take out braids.
- Bantu knots– Divide clean, moisturized hair into small squares. Twist each section in two strands & coil them around themselves to form knots, holding them in place with bobby pins.
- High puff– Working with the PATTERN Bristle Brush, brush smooth hair upwards towards your crown. Secure with a hair tie, placing where you would like your puff to rest. Gently fluff the puff with your fingers or our Wide Tooth Comb for desired fullness.
- Half double puff, half down– Split your moisturized hair horizontally from ear to ear. Start with the top section, splitting it into two equal halves.
Conclusion
Short curls say a lot about confidence & self-celebration. At PATTERN, we think that your natural texture is a gift that should be loved & cared for with products made specifically for its own unique beauty.
