The beauty of long haircuts on curly hair is that the extra length gives you the opportunity to really show off its pattern and shape. It also offers you more freedom to experiment with different styles, like braids or wearing your hair up, as you’ve got more curls to work with.
Read on for the lowdown on the biggest cut and style trends for long curly hair, as well as the things you need to consider before you head to your next salon appointment. And if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also got a few extra tips on how to take good care of your long curly hairstyles. Aren’t you lucky?
Want to try something new with a fresh cut for your long curly hair? These are the four standout styles we predict will be popular through 2025 and beyond…
One of our favourite things about type 4 hair is that the shape and density of the coils mean that it doesn’t just extend downward when it grows, but sideways too – adding extra volume. The longer you go with your hair, the better, and a good hairdresser can shape your afro to suit your tastes. It might be that you want to cut into the shape with a blend of long and short layers to add texture or keep it all one length for a more angular finish.
Long curly hair has so much natural personality that you don’t need to worry about complicated cuts, but having it all one length can prevent you from making the most of it. With a curl cut, your hairdresser will work with your unique curl pattern when the hair is dry to snip curl by curl as opposed to straight across the ends for a long, layered look that’s completely bespoke to you.
This technique can be used to reduce the volume of very thick hair, make fine curls appear fuller and give all hair types more movement and interest. The biggest selling point is that this is a really low-commitment long haircut, as long layers will grow out quickly and won’t stop you from tying your hair back.
Looking for the best way to style your curls? Find all the best tips and tricks in our guide "All the steps for a perfect curl styling routine".
Previously, curly-haired girls would have been discouraged from getting a fringe cut in. The key reason was that it was considered too high maintenance, plus the risk of it springing up and becoming super short when dry put people off the idea. But, that’s all changed, and 2023 saw a real comeback for the curly fringe that’s set to continue for 2024. Adding a fringe is a nice way to shake up an otherwise simple long curly hairstyle and make it feel more on-trend. If you’re feeling brave, go for an eyebrow-skimming length, or, ease yourself in with a sweeping side fringe or parted curtain bangs.
A grown-up evolution of the bowl cut (that doesn’t involve your Mum cutting your hair with the help of a cereal bowl) the round cut is (as you might have guessed by the name) all about creating a rounded shape with the hair.
It works for all curl types and builds volume at the sides to give you a halo-like effect that’s incredibly flattering. If you feel like your long curly hair is currently drawing your face shape down, this is one to consider as it has the knock-on bonus of making your features appear more lifted.
Unfortunately, finding the right long curly hairstyle for you isn’t as easy as taking a photo of a celebrity cut you like to the hairdressers and asking them to replicate it. Everyone’s hair texture, face shape and lifestyle are different, and these all need to be taken into account before your stylist picks up the scissors.
There are considered to be six face shapes – round, oval, square, rectangle, diamond, and heart – that each have their own unique characteristics. Getting your long curly hair cut into a new style without taking your face shape into account is one of the biggest reasons why people end up with a cut they don’t like. As the wrong style can play down the features you love the most amplifying the ones you feel less confident about.
For example, if you have a diamond-shaped face then you’d be better suited to a shorter curly fringe that shows off your wide, high cheekbones than jaw-skimming curtain bangs that draw attention to your pointed chin. Chat with your hairstylist about the most flattering cuts, and how your preferred style could be altered to suit your face shape.
Curly hair spans a wide range of categories, from loose and bendy type 2 waves through to zig-zagged type 4 coils. Each curl type has its own needs and characteristics, and therefore you can’t assume that one curly hairstyle will work for everyone.
For best results, you want to be working with your hair texture rather than against it, with a long curly hairstyle that enhances what you have. For example, if your hair is wavy but quite flat and fine then you don’t want to make more work for yourself by committing to a style that requires lots of natural bounce and spring. Instead, choose a long layered cut that gives the illusion of oomph without any extra effort, allowing you to wash and go.
Everyone’s lives are different, and factors like how much time you have to commit to styling your hair and your hobbies will have an impact on which is the best long curly hairstyle for you. Say, for example, that you work from home, in this case, it’s no problem to choose a long curly hairstyle that needs to be air-dried.
But if you need to be at your workplace by a certain time in the morning, then you need a long haircut that you can dry with a diffuser rather than rocking up with sopping wet hair. You also might want to consider whether a fringe will get in the way when running, or if shorter layers will stop you from tying all your hair up when hitting the gym. Taking all of this into account will help you to avoid any post-salon regret.
To maintain that fresh-from-the-salon swishiness for as long as possible, you need a professional standard tool from Bellissima Italia. The Diffon Supreme has been made with curly hair in mind and is brimming with features that’ll make drying your long curly hair easy.
After you’ve washed your hair, carefully combed it through and applied your chosen styling products, you can move straight onto drying with your Diffon. Thanks to the larger size, the Diffon Supreme is the best choice for longer lengths, allowing you to dry more generous sections of hair at a time.
The adjustable speed and heat settings are handy for longer hair too, allowing you to adapt these based on the thickness of your hair and the look you’re going for. The finger-like nodules and gentle wattage work in tandem to ensure maximum definition in your curls throughout your lengths, while the ion care technology and ceramic coating deliver top-tier levels of shine. Trust us, your long curly hair will have never looked better.