In the market for some curly hair inspiration? The beauty of curls is that each one is unique. Even if you look at the ones tumbling from your own head, you’ll see that they’re diverse in shape and size rather than existing as carbon copies of each other.
This mix of patterns is what makes curly hair so interesting and makes the styling possibilities endless compared to poker-straight strands. That doesn’t mean you might not still feel stuck in a curly hair rut though, and all of us have been guilty of lusting after a different, maybe more low-maintenance, hair type at one time or another.
So, to help you fall back in love with your spirals, we’ve rounded up the best curly hair inspiration from our favourite celebrities, showing you how to style all curl types from loose, winding waves to tight, volume-packed coils. Trust us, you’ll be head-over-heels with your curls by the time you’re finished reading.
Wavy hair, also known as type 2 curls is characterised by having a loose ‘S’ shaped bend to it. As with all curl types, there’s a huge spectrum of shapes that count as wavy. If you’re not sure where yours sit on the scale, take the time to study your hair when it’s wet, as water will always revert your strands to their original shape.
It could be that your waves are so subtle that you initially thought your hair was straight, they could be beachy, they could be big and bouncy, or they could be as bendy as a helter-skelter. Whatever shape your waves are, this is the celebrity curly hair inspiration to take note of…
Gigi’s wave pattern is naturally a little tighter than this, but we love how brushing her bends through has given them a softer, more glamorous pattern. If you want to try this at home, just make sure you’re using a wide-tooth comb with bristles that bend as they glide through the hair. Opting for a deep side parting rather than a centre one injects volume through the roots and showcases the elongated ‘S’ shape of her waves.
Sienna Miller is a great example of a blend of type 2A and type 2B waves. They’re pretty straight at the crown, giving her just a little lift, before taking on a more beachy, relaxed texture through the lengths. Shorter layers around the front work to frame her face, while a carefully curated blend of buttery and honey-blonde tones add radiance and shine.
Identifying your exact curl type is the first step to finding the perfect hair care routine for you! Read our guide "Discovering curl types and hair styles".
Emma Stone normally favours a very straight, very sleek style so it’s refreshing to see her embracing some movement in her hair. Instead of relying on layers to add depth, she’s kept her cut very simple and one length, leaning instead on balayage with lighter blonde pieces that contrast beautifully with her natural auburn locks to give her waves dimension.
The Italian bob is having a real moment, with Hailey Bieber as the poster girl for this laid-back style. The key characteristics of this cut are a chin-skimming length and a relaxed, undone texture which is easy to achieve when your hair already boasts a natural wave. Copy the look for yourself by diffusing hair upside down and using a spritz of sea salt spray for extra texture.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s waves are so picture-perfect that we have a sneaking suspicion that she might have used the help of a heated tool to get such a smooth finish at the root. For lengths this sleek, work leave-in conditioner and a little curl cream through your strands before drying to keep frizz at bay.
Type 3 curls are your classic curls, covering all bases from big and bouncy spirals to neat and narrow ringlets. Compared to wavy hair, curly hair requires a bit more maintenance, so to make the most of it you’ll need to commit to a proper haircare routine.
That means washing just twice a week with a gentle shampoo and nourishing conditioner, shaping and styling your curls when wet and drying with a dedicated diffuser tool like the Diffon Supreme. This will help to keep your curls in tip-top condition, counteracting and avoiding the dryness and frizz that tend to be associated with this hair type. Use these celebrities as curly hair inspiration…
Julia Garner is proof that there are just as many styling possibilities when your hair is short as when it’s long. Her cropped cut is actually all one length, but she’s created the illusion of an asymmetric style here by brushing one half back and bringing the other forward.
The longer your curls are, the more of that gorgeous pattern you’ll be able to see – as demonstrated beautifully by Blake Lively. By sweeping her curly mane to one side Blake not only shows off her statement earrings and the neckline of her dress but also creates the illusion of even thicker hair with an enviable amount of body.
Sandra Oh has been flying the flag for a curly fringe for a few years now, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a hit. This is a great way to mix up an otherwise simple cut and can be tailored to suit your face shape. Speak to your hairdresser about the best curly fringe style for you, whether that’s short and brow-skimming like Sandra or long and sweeping.
We’re firm believers that your hair should be whichever colour you want it to be, but if you are thinking about embracing your grey, then Andie MacDowell’s is the lead to follow. The contrast between the silvery curls and the peppery-toned darker ones makes her type 3B ringlets look even fuller.
If big hair isn’t your thing, copy Zendaya with a smoother, more relaxed way to wear your curls. You can get the look on your very own wiggly type 3C curls by drawing the finger-like nodules of your diffuser downwards as you style, stretching them out and reducing their spring. It’ll make your hair look longer too.
Coily hair is referred to by several different names, including kinky and afro. Of all the curl types it’s the tightest and bendiest, taking on a ‘Z’ shape pattern. Just like curly hair, coily hair needs plenty of TLC and can be very fragile and prone to breakage.
Ensuring you’re doing all the same things as above, so shampooing with care, styling gently and drying properly, as well as treating your hair to regular masks and protecting with a silk wrap when sleeping will keep your coils at their best. These are the women to look to for curly hair inspiration unique to coils…
If you want to keep your coils simple, Rihanna is the star to look to for curly hair inspiration. Her centre parting and long lengths allow the natural texture of her hair to speak for itself without overcomplicating things. Just remember that with a style like this, all eyes are on the health of your hair, so you might want to add a little hair oil or extra curl cream to ramp up the shine.
Like Rihanna, DJ Vick Hope has very long coily hair that’s all one length. Opting for a half-up, half-down style allows her to give her curls more lift and volume at the same time as keeping her hair away from her face. It’s a nice style for an occasion, and you could always add a statement hair accessory, like a bow or an embellished clip, at the back.
One of the things we love most about coily hair is that the increased density means it grows sideways as well as downwards the longer it gets. Thandiwe Newton is really making the most of her impressive volume here, by straightening out the strands on the top to create a contrast with the super curly lengths.
We love seeing Kerry Washington embracing her natural curl pattern. She’s been blessed with type 4B coils which are super narrow and springy, but still have plenty of definition between them. The shape of her cut creates a halo effect at the crown and sides, graduating down into longer layers at the back.
Diana Ross is known for her iconic hair as big as her voice, so we love that her daughter Tracee is following in her footsteps with a very similar style. Instead of her usual tightly wound coils, she’s styled her hair with a looser pattern to focus more on creating volume. Her teeny-weeny fringe adds interest at the front, as well as extra oomph.