It’s not unusual to glow with excitement once you finally trim your curls short. After all, there's something regal about how a crown of short curly hair frames your face in a halo of gravity-defying beauty.
Short curly hair is incredibly versatile, offering endless possibilities to show off your stunning curls. With so many styling options, keeping your look fresh & fun every day is effortless.
In this guide, we’ll celebrate your natural texture & share easy, inspiring styles to highlight your gorgeous curl pattern. Let’s dive into the endless potential of your short curls!
Identifying Your Curl Type for Better Styling
While every crown has its own unique care needs, knowing your basic curl type can help you learn how to style curly short hair.
Here’s how to identify your curl pattern:
- Observe your curls when they’re freshly washed & product-free
- Look at how your strands naturally form & group together
- Notice whether your curls create S-patterns or tighter coils
- Pay attention to how your curls respond to moisture
Now, let’s break down the basics of curl types.
Type 3 Curls
These springy, well-defined curls form clear spiral patterns & create natural volume. Type 3 curls often appear bouncier at shorter lengths since they're not as weighed down. They typically hold styles well & can achieve definition with proper moisture balance.
Type 4 Coils
These tightly coiled patterns create natural volume & texture. Type 4 coils often shrink in length, making them excellent for creating stunning shapes & dimensions in shorter styles.
Top Products for Short Curly Hair
Shorter lengths thrive with tailored product combinations that enhance & define your natural texture. The key is finding formulas that provide moisture & definition without weighing down our strands.
Here are some essential products that help short curls thrive:
- Hair smoothing products – When you want short curls to lay beautifully with minimal frizz, reach for smoothing products. The PATTERN Styling Custard provides the perfect balance of hold & moisture, while our Styling Cream helps tame flyaways without compromising volume.
- Moisturizing hair products – Hydration is essential for maintaining bounce & definition in short curls. Moisturizing products like the PATTERN Moisture Milk provide deep nourishment while remaining lightweight, & our Hydrating Mist offers a quick refresh between wash days, helping curls maintain their springy vitality.
- Curly hair stylers – Most curly hairstyles are elevated by definition & hold. A well-formulated styler like the PATTERN Curl Gel provides a flexible hold that maintains movement, offering lasting definition for those days when you need your style to stay put without feeling crunchy or stiff.
- Volumizing hair products – If you want to make the best out of your short curls, style them with volumizing hair products that give them the satisfying bounce you’re looking for. Our Curl Mousse can create weightless volume while defining each curl.
When choosing products, remember that less is often more with shorter lengths. Start with small amounts & build up as needed—your curls will perk up accordingly.
How to Add Lasting Volume to Short Curls
Short curls can create natural volume, but sometimes, they need extra help to reach their full potential.
Proper cleansing sets the foundation for volumizing treatment. A proper product like the PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo helps remove buildup that weighs down shorter strands while maintaining essential moisture balance.
Here are our favorite techniques for maximizing volume:
- Root lifting during wash day
- Strategic product application starting at the crown
- Clip placement for extra lift while drying
- Gently picking at the roots once dry with a comb
Volume starts with healthy, well-moisturized curls. Over-manipulation can lead to deflation, so experiment to find the techniques that work with your natural pattern to keep your curls looking their best.
Keeping Short Curly Hair Hydrated & Healthy
If you want luscious, bouncy curls, you should focus on adding elasticity & moisture. Short curls can lose moisture quickly, making hydration essential to our daily routine.
Creating a moisture routine involves understanding how different products work together. To craft your perfect hydration routine:
- Start with the PATTERN Hydration Shampoo
- Layer products from lightest to heaviest
- Seal in moisture with natural oils using our Jojoba Oil Blend
- Refresh between wash days
- Deep condition regularly
Creating a moisture routine that works for your unique texture might take some experimentation, but the results are worth the extra time. Pay attention to how your curls respond to different techniques & adjust accordingly. Sometimes, the most minor changes in our routine can significantly affect how our curls express themselves.
Steps to Define Short Curly Hair
Each curl can show its true pattern with shorter lengths—providing the perfect opportunity to try out short curly hair ideas.
This is how to make each curl pop with intention & care:
- Start with thoroughly cleansed hair using our Cleansing Shampoo
- Apply the PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner to soaking wet strands
- Use the praying hands method for even product distribution
- Define curl clumps with gentle finger coiling
- Allow curls to dry without disruption
The secret to perfectly defined curls lies in your technique & your products. Our curls respond with an otherworldly definition when we work with our natural pattern to bring out the bounce we desire.
Quick & Easy Styles for Short Curls
Even if there is less surface area to work with, there are still plenty of hairstyles for short curly hair. Whether you're heading to work or stepping out for the evening, these styles are easy to recreate & celebrate your natural texture.
Try these styles for your short curls:
- Afro – Keeping your hair in an afro is one of the most classic curly styles for short natural hair, 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 add definition. For additional bounce, coat your strands with hair butter, braid them, allow your hair to dry & remove the braids. Voilà—your afro will spring to life with volume & definition!
- Bantu knots – Section clean, moisturized hair into small squares. Twist each section in two strands & wrap them around themselves to create knots, securing them with bobby pins.
- High puff – Using the PATTERN Bristle Brush, smooth hair upward toward your crown. Secure with a hair tie, positioning where you want your puff to sit. Fluff the puff gently with your fingers or using our Wide Tooth Comb for desired fullness.
- Half double puff, half down – Part your moisturized hair horizontally from ear to ear. Work with the top section first, dividing it into two equal parts. Create two puffs using the same technique as above, securing each with hair ties. Style the bottom section in defined curls using the PATTERN Curl Gel.
- Finger waves – Apply the PATTERN Curl Mousse or Strong Hold Gel on clean hair in sections. Using a fine-tooth comb & your fingers, create S-shaped waves by pressing hair in alternating directions. Add clips to reinforce the shape & dry your hair with the PATTERN Blow Dryer if you can, but in a pinch, air-drying can work.
Remember to start styles with properly moisturized hair & use lightweight curl products that won't weigh down your crown. You want to enhance your natural texture while keeping your routine effortless & joyful.
Building a Routine for Your Natural Texture
Creating a consistent routine helps our short curls thrive. When we understand our texture's needs & respond with intentional care, our curls reward us with enhanced definition, bounce & shine.
Daily Care
Start each day by honoring your crown with gentle attention & care. Your daily routine can be as simple or complex as you want, but the key is to focus on maintaining moisture & protection throughout the day.
Try these tips for daily hair care:
- Refresh in the morning by moisturizing with water or our Hydrating Mist
- Use a silk bonnet for protection during sleep & exercise
- Regularly massage your scalp to stimulate circulation
- Maintain your edges with light styling & the proper edge control products
These small acts of daily care create a foundation for curls that remain vibrant & defined between wash days. Listen to your curls—some days, they will need more attention, while on others, they may only need a simple refresher.
Wash Day
Wash day is a ritual that nourishes & builds a foundation for our hair to thrive in between washes. Taking time to properly cleanse & condition creates the ideal canvas for short curly hair styling.
Follow this wash day checklist for naturally defined curls:
- Thoroughly cleanse your hair with proper sectioning
- Do regular deep conditioning treatments
- Strategically layer products
- Practice protective styling or setting for definition
The key to a successful routine isn't just about following strict steps—pay attention to how your curls respond & adjust accordingly for the best results.
Celebrate Your Natural Crown with PATTERN
Short curls speak volumes about confidence & self-celebration. At PATTERN, we believe that your natural texture is a gift that deserves to be cherished & nourished with products designed specifically for its unique beauty.
From hydrating cleansers to defining stylers, each product in our collection works in harmony to help your short curls reach their full potential.
If you’re ready to start styling short curly hair, explore our collection of curly hair products & discover the perfect combination for your unique texture.
Sources:
At Savvy. 14 Easy Hairstyles for Short Natural Hair on Black Women. https://www.atsavvy.com/14-easy-hairstyles-for-short-natural-hair-on-black-women/?srsltid=AfmBOooiJ2BXsgghnMTAl2WsmMdzxddRbaoCLEJNU97SjRhRm9DLCn7T
Byrdie. A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Bantu Knots. https://www.byrdie.com/bantu-knots-5075639
Cosmopolitan. Finger Waves: All the Steps and Products You Need to Easily DIY the Style. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a36319984/how-to-do-finger-waves/
