Curly long hair radiates a natural beauty that’s both captivating and versatile. We know how important it is to showcase those gorgeous curls while keeping your locks healthy and stylish. Whether you’re dreaming of voluminous waves or defined spirals, the right hairstyle can elevate your look effortlessly.
Embracing your curls opens up a industry of stunning possibilities, and we’re here to help you find the perfect fit. From chic updos that highlight your texture to flowing styles that celebrate your length, our curated ideas are designed to inspire confidence and creativity. Let’s jump into the best curly hairstyles for long hair and transform your mane into a masterpiece.
1. Layered Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair

Layered curly hairstyles add depth and texture, improving the natural beauty of long curls.
Improving Volume and Movement
- Add Layers Strategically: Cutting layers at different lengths creates movement and prevents your hair from looking too heavy.
- Use Lightweight Products: Opt for mousse or volumizing sprays to lift your roots without weighing down your curls.
- Diffuse When Drying: Using a diffuser attachment can amplify volume while maintaining your curl pattern.
- Consider Face-Framing Layers: These layers highlight your curls and add a ever-changing flow around your face.
- Regular Trims: Keeping your layers fresh ensures your hair remains bouncy and full of life.
Defining Natural Curls
- Embrace Your Curl Pattern: Understanding your natural curl type helps in selecting the right layering technique.
- Apply Curl-Defining Creams: These products enhance your curls’ shape and reduce frizz for a polished look.
- Diffusing Technique: Drying your hair with a diffuser while scrunching can define each curl individually.
- Avoid Overwashing: Washing your hair less frequently preserves natural oils, allowing curls to form better.
- Silk Pillowcases: Sleeping on silk helps maintain curl definition and reduces breakage overnight.
2. High Ponytail Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair

Elevate your curly locks with high ponytails that blend style and practicality. Whether you prefer a sleek finish or a carefree look, these styles showcase your curls beautifully.
Sleek High Ponytail with Curls
Hair Preparation
Start with fully dried hair to lock in your curls and add volume. We use gel and hairspray to define each curl, ensuring a smooth and polished finish.
Ponytail Placement
Position the ponytail at the crown of your head. This placement frames your face and highlights the natural texture of your curls, giving a sophisticated appearance.
Ponytail Holder
Choose a coily hair tie or a soft ponytail holder to avoid creating dents in your hair. For thick curls, tighten the ponytail by gently tugging your hair in opposite directions. Adding a small claw clip below the holder provides extra structure and prevents sagging.
Messy High Ponytail Style
Effortless Volume
Embrace the natural bounce of your curls by leaving some strands loose around your face. This adds a relaxed and playful vibe to your high ponytail.
Textured Hold
Use a stretchy hair tie to maintain the messy look without causing damage. Loosely secure your ponytail, allowing some curls to escape for a carefree feel.
Accessorize Boldly
Incorporate accessories like scrunchies or decorative clips to enhance the messy style. These additions not only keep your hair in place but also add a touch of personality to your look.
3. Half-Up Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair

Half-up hairstyles are perfect for showcasing your long curls while keeping your hair out of your face. Let’s explore two popular styles: the half-up ponytail and the half-up bun.
Half-Up Ponytail
Creating a half-up ponytail is simple and adds delightful volume to your curls. Start by pulling the top half of your hair back and securing it with a hair tie or a scrunchie. This effortless style not only looks chic but also enhances the fullness at the crown. For an extra boost, backcomb the front section of your hair before tying it back, giving your ponytail more height and texture.
To maintain texture and volume throughout the day, spritz a firm-hold texturizing spray on the gathered section. This keeps your style in place and prevents any unwanted flatness. For a refined touch, wrap a 2-inch strand of hair around your hair tie to conceal it. This small detail transforms your half-up ponytail from casual to elegant, perfect for both day and night occasions.
Half-Up Bun
The half-up bun is a versatile style that effortlessly combines sophistication with a relaxed vibe. Begin by gathering the top half of your curly hair into a ponytail. Once secured, wrap the ponytail around itself to form a bun, and use several bobby pins to hold it in place. This method creates a sturdy yet stylish bun that showcases your curls beautifully.
Adding a few loose strands around your face can soften the look and highlight your natural curls. If you want to elevate the style further, consider using a decorative hair accessory like a barrette or a small clip. This not only personalizes your look but also adds a touch of glamour to your half-up bun.
4. Braided Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair

Braids can elevate your long curly hair, adding both elegance and versatility. Let’s explore two stylish braided curly hairstyles that you can effortlessly achieve.
Side Braided Curls
Side braided curls offer a perfect blend of functionality and style. By braiding only the top section of your hair, you keep your curls neatly tucked away while letting the rest flow freely. This look not only keeps your curls away from your face but also maintains a fresh and playful appearance. To take it a step further, try a French braid or a half-up, half-down braid. These variations add intricate detail to the top portion, allowing the remaining curls to cascade beautifully down your back.
Crown Braid with Curls
A crown braid beautifully showcases your long curly hair, wrapping around your head like a regal crown. Whether you choose a single braid or multiple smaller braids, this style adds a romantic and feminine touch to your overall look. After braiding, let your curls fall naturally, improving the soft and elegant vibe. This versatile style is perfect for both casual outings and special occasions, ensuring your curls remain the star of the show.
5. Curly Updo Hairstyles for Long Hair

Classic Curly Bun
Creating a classic curly bun is effortless and elegant. Start by gathering your long curls into a high puff to add volume and shape. Once your hair is secured in a high ponytail, twist it loosely and wrap it around the base to form a bun. Instead of tightly pinning the ends, let your natural curls flow freely from the bun for a soft, romantic look. Enhance your curls with products like Monoi Intense Repair Inner Strength System and Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil to maintain shine and hold. Finish the style with a Hair Milk Refresher Spray to keep your curls looking fresh all day.
Twisted Curly Updo
A twisted curly updo offers a sophisticated twist to your everyday hairstyle. Begin by sectioning your long curls and twisting each section tightly towards the crown of your head. Secure the twists with bobby pins, ensuring they sit snugly against your scalp for a polished appearance. Combine the twists into a cohesive updo, either creating a side-swept look or a centered bun, depending on your preference. To add extra flair, incorporate accessories like decorative pins or a jeweled hairband. Use curl-defining creams to keep each twist in place and maintain the integrity of your natural curls throughout the day.
6. Side Swept Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair

Deep Side Parted Curls
Deep side parted curls are perfect for adding volume and framing your face beautifully. We begin by applying a mousse or curl-defining cream to our damp hair to enhance and define our natural curls. Next, we use a round brush along with a blowdryer set to low heat to shape the curls gently. Once our hair is dry, we sweep the curls to one side using our fingers or a comb, securing them with a hairpin if needed. This effortless style not only looks flattering but also maintains the health and bounce of our long curly hair.
Side Tied Curls
Side tied curls offer a stylish twist on the classic side-swept look by incorporating a graceful hair tie on one side. To create this look, we start by applying some mousse to our freshly washed, damp hair and comb it down to ensure even distribution. Using a round brush and a blowdryer, we define our curls, giving them a bouncy and well-structured appearance. Once the curls are set, we gather our hair to one side and secure it with a chic hair tie. This variation not only keeps our curls in place but also adds a touch of sophistication, making it ideal for both everyday wear and special occasions.
7. Beachy Wave Hairstyles for Long Curly Hair

Achieving the perfect beachy waves can enhance your long curly hair with a relaxed, effortless vibe. Here are our top methods and tips for creating loose and textured beach waves.
Loose Beach Waves
Creating loose beach waves is easier than you might think. We start by applying a heat protectant to our damp hair to shield it from damage. Next, we blow dry our hair to prepare it for curling. Using a large-barrel curling iron, approximately one and a half inches in diameter, we wrap one-inch sections of hair around the barrel. For a natural finish, we curl the face-framing pieces away from our face. To ensure the waves stay put, we finish with a few spritzes of hairspray. This technique not only adds beautiful waves but also maintains the health and shine of our curls.
Textured Beach Waves
For those who prefer a heatless approach, textured beach waves are a fantastic option. We begin by spritzing a texture spray, such as Suave Dry Texture Finishing Spray, evenly throughout our hair. Then, we scrunch our hair gently to enhance the natural curly texture. Alternatively, the hair plopping technique can be used to encourage wave formation without using heat. This method involves wrapping our damp hair in a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt, allowing the curls to set naturally. Both techniques provide effortless, tousled waves that embrace our natural curl pattern while adding volume and movement.
8. Double Bun Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair

Double buns are a fantastic option for keeping our long, curly hair stylish and off our faces. This versatile look highlights our natural texture while offering a playful flair.
Twin Curly Buns
We start by parting our hair down the middle to create two equal sections. Next, we gather each section into a high or low ponytail, depending on the height we desire for our buns. Using hair bungees or elastic bands, we secure the ponytails firmly. Then, we twist and wrap the hair around to form the buns, ensuring they hold by securing with bobby pins. This style allows our curls to shine while maintaining a balanced and chic appearance.
Space Buns with Curls
For a more whimsical look, we opt for space buns with curls. By positioning each ponytail slightly towards the sides of our head, we create separated buns that add a fun element to our hairstyle. We twist and wrap each section into independent buns, using elastic bands and bobby pins to keep them in place. This variation not only showcases our curly hair but also gives us a trendy, youthful vibe that’s perfect for any occasion.
Conclusion
Embracing our natural curls opens up a industry of stunning long hairstyles that highlight our unique texture. By experimenting with different styles, we can showcase the versatility and beauty of our curls every day. Maintaining healthy hair is key to ensuring our curls remain vibrant and full of life. With the right care and creative styling, our long curly hair becomes a true expression of our personality and style. Let’s continue to celebrate our curls and explore endless possibilities to make our hair a true masterpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I maintain the health of my long curly hair while showcasing my curls?
To maintain healthy long curly hair, avoid overwashing to preserve natural oils, use curl-defining creams, and opt for lightweight products. Regular trims help prevent split ends and keep curls bouncy. Additionally, use silk pillowcases to reduce breakage overnight and employ specific drying techniques like diffusing to enhance your natural curl pattern without causing damage.
What are some stylish options for high ponytail curly hairstyles?
For high ponytail curly hairstyles, you can choose a sleek high ponytail by preparing your hair with gel and hairspray, positioning it at the crown for sophistication, and using appropriate holders to avoid dents. Alternatively, a messy high ponytail embraces natural bounce using stretchy hair ties and accessories like scrunchies, offering a carefree and stylish look.
How can I add volume and texture to my layered curly hairstyles?
Adding volume and texture to layered curly hairstyles can be achieved by strategically cutting layers to enhance movement, using lightweight products to avoid weighing down curls, and diffusing while drying. Face-framing layers also add depth, and regular trims help maintain the bounce and vitality of your curls, ensuring a lively and voluminous appearance.
What are the best braided styles for long curly hair?
Braided styles for long curly hair include side braided curls, French braids, half-up half-down braids, and crown braids. These styles combine elegance and versatility, keeping curls neat while allowing them to flow freely. Braids like the crown braid wrap around the head beautifully, making them suitable for both casual and special occasions, adding intricate detail to your look.
How do I create a classic curly bun for long hair?
To create a classic curly bun, gather your curls into a high puff and wrap them into a loose bun, allowing some curls to flow freely for a romantic look. Use products like Monoi Intense Repair Inner Strength System and Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil to maintain shine and hold. This style is both elegant and easy to achieve, perfect for various occasions.
What tips can enhance beachy wave hairstyles for long curly hair?
For beachy waves, use a large-barrel curling iron and finish with hairspray for loose waves. Alternatively, try a heatless method by applying a texture spray and scrunching your hair or using the hair plopping technique to encourage natural wave formation. These methods help achieve both loose and textured beach waves while maintaining the health of your curls.
How can I style half-up curly hairstyles to keep hair out of my face?
Half-up curly hairstyles, such as the half-up ponytail or half-up bun, are perfect for keeping hair out of your face while showcasing your curls. Add volume and texture by pulling back the top section and securing it with a stylish hair tie or decorative accessory. These styles are versatile and easy to maintain throughout the day, blending sophistication with a relaxed vibe.
What products are recommended for defining natural curls in long hair?
To define natural curls in long hair, use curl-defining creams that enhance your curl pattern without weighing them down. Lightweight gels and mousses can also help maintain definition. Additionally, employing specific drying techniques like diffusing on low heat and avoiding excessive manipulation will preserve curl shape and reduce frizz, ensuring your natural curls look their best.
How do double bun curly hairstyles add a trendy flair to long hair?
Double bun curly hairstyles, such as twin curly buns and space buns, add a playful and trendy flair to long hair. Create these styles by parting your hair and securing it into two ponytails, then twisting and wrapping each section into buns. These styles highlight your natural texture and are perfect for various occasions, offering a fun and fashionable way to showcase your curls.
What are the benefits of using silk pillowcases for curly hair?
Using silk pillowcases for curly hair helps maintain curl definition and reduce breakage overnight. Silk is gentle on hair, minimizing friction that can lead to frizz and tangles. This helps preserve the health and appearance of your curls, ensuring they remain bouncy and vibrant. Additionally, silk pillowcases can extend the longevity of your hairstyles by preventing dents and disruptions while you sleep.
How can I achieve a twisted curly updo for a polished appearance?
To achieve a twisted curly updo, start by sectioning your curls and twisting each section away from your face. Gather the twisted sections into a loose bun and secure them with bobby pins or hair ties. Use decorative accessories to add flair and polish to the look. This style combines elegance with the natural beauty of your curls, making it suitable for both casual and formal occasions.