Curly and Textured Hair: Men’s Cuts That Work

Curly and coily hair has its own rules. The right cut and routine let your natural texture do the heavy lifting.

Cut for the curl, not against it

Curly hair shrinks as it dries, so length looks shorter than it feels wet. A good barber cuts with that shrinkage in mind and shapes the curl rather than forcing it flat.

Styles that suit texture

Tapered curly top

Short, faded sides let a defined curly top stand out — clean and easy to maintain.

High-top or sponge twist

For coily hair, a sponge or twist-out adds definition and volume.

Curly fringe

A longer, textured front works well on looser curls.

Routine basics

• Wash less; condition more.
• Apply curl cream or leave-in to damp hair, then scrunch.
• Avoid brushing dry curls — it breaks up definition.

Find a barber who knows texture

Not every barber cuts curls confidently, so it is worth asking. A shop experienced with a wide range of men’s haircuts in Chicago will know how to shape your curl pattern — the team at Artur’s Barber Shop can talk you through what works for your hair.