Chic Hairstyles for Curly Hair

It can be notoriously hard to find the right cut that perfectly complements your naturally curly hair. Check out these pictures of celebrities with curly hair for inspiration and tips to take to your stylist.

Hey, Pretty Woman, wear your hair in all its natural glory a la Julia Roberts. To recreate this look, cut layers into long hair and use a lightweight curl-defining cream on your damp hair before drying with a diffuser or using the ‘plopping’ method to dry your hair without heat styling.

Make like Nicole Kidman and cut layers into just the front of your hair. Blow-dry your hair smooth before using curling tongs on just the ends of your hair for enhanced texture and shine.

Marlene Dietrich’s classic curly bob still looks chic today. Keep styling to a minimum and let the cut do all the talking.

Taylor Swift’s naturally curly hair looks gorgeous with face-framing layers and slightly unkempt styling. Work a styling mousse or foam through damp hair, then style the hair gently with your fingers and allow your hair to air-dry without breaking up the curls.

After years of straightening and coloring, Halle Berry finally embraced her naturally gorgeous curls. An afro-inspired circular bob haircut maximizes volume and showcases tight ringlets. Use a shine serum to keep frizz to a minimum and turn the spotlight onto your glossy curls.

The move to au-naturel locks seems to have influenced Kelly Rowland, as well. Wear your hair shoulder-length and of uniform length if you want to maintain an afro-style that you can also straighten for a long-hair look.

Another example of gorgeous shoulder-skimming curly hair as seen on Mya. For straight-haired girls who’d like to achieve this look, try braiding the hair into tiny braids and sleeping with them overnight. Temporary perms can also give you a similar result, but be prepared to have to curl your roots as they grow out.

Nicki Minaj’s massive blonde mop shows how you can rock your curls to maximum effect. Cut plenty of layers into long hair and make a deep side parting to create volume at the crown of your head.

Cher is known for both her long straight hair and as her naturally frizzy, curly hair. This simple cut is high-maintenance in terms of heat styling and conditioning treatments, but shows you that curly hair doesn’t always have to be wild.

Minnie Driver’s natural style is a lesson in wash-and-go styling. After conditioning and air-drying your hair, smooth a wet-look gel through the mid-section and tips of your hair to create this easy-going look.

Julie Delpy’s sophisticated French style is easy to imitate if you have naturally wavy hair. Simply let your hair air-dry to maintain the natural wave before smoothing mousse through only the ends and using a curling tong or hot rollers to curl from ear-level to tips. Spritz with hairspray for an all-day hold.

Brandy does a variation on the shoulder-length cut by adding short bangs that frame her face and shorten a high forehead. If your hair is being cut while it’s wet, be sure to factor in the ‘spring’ of your curls and cut the bangs longer than you intend. Once your hair is dry, you can adjust the length of the bangs.

Shania Twain’s lovely curly style looks relaxed and touchable. Get the look by asking for layers in the crown and top half of your hair and leave styling to a minimum for a carefree look that can take you from day to night.

Kimbra doesn’t just have a beautiful singing voice, she also has a head of pin-up style curls. Cut a short, sharp fringe in and leave the rest of your hair in a uniform-length bob. To style, blow-dry the fringe straight and allow the lengths to curl naturally or run curling tongs through them for more definition.

Another actress who has adopted her natural curly hair texture: Thandie Newton. Choosing to wear her hair longer gives this style an ‘80s vibe. Toughen it up with high-glamour outfits and makeup and wear your hair to one side to keep it modern.

Scarlett Johansson is rarely seen without her retro-styled curls. Her hair is actually shoulder-length, but curls tend to bounce so keep this in mind when trying to achieve this look. Part your hair deeply to one side, tong your hair with a curling iron, and spritz with shine spray for ‘60s-style glamour.

Who doesn’t look to Mad Men for hair inspiration? Christina Hendricks takes the ‘50s styling off-screen with her chic bob.

January Jones also follows suit, but does a variation on the look by parting her hair to one side.

Beyoncé’s sister, Solange Knowles is the new cool girl on the block. Work her funky vibe by cropping spiral curls short and close to the head.

Her sister Beyoncé is the ultimate curl queen, too, wearing her hair big and long. Choose weightless products to keep your hair manageable and tame frizz while giving the hair movement.

Actress Sophie Okonedo sports a similar style to Solange Knowles with the addition of a barely-there fringe. Keep your hair in top condition with a weekly hair mask and get a trim every six weeks to keep this style neat.

We’re used to seeing Oprah with super straight hair on-screen, but off-duty she keeps things sassy with her natural curls. Create a ‘hair band’ by braiding your hair across your head and pinning behind your ears to keep your hair off your face and to add extra dimension and a point of interest.

Tyra Banks always gives us hair envy. Here, she wears her hair naturally wavy and backcombs the hair at the crown before piling it high on her head to create a laid-back but glamorous look.

We all remember Mel B’s ‘Scary Spice’ hair days. But even the curliest of hair can be tamed for a sleek ‘do. Here, her hair has been blow-dried straight before hot rollers have been put in to create structured curls.

Christina Aguilera’s iconic bleach blonde hair has a retro vibe with this fun, flirty marcel-wave style. Use many small curlers on just the ends of your hair to create this head-turning look.

Jessica Alba’s natural-looking curls are a working professional’s best friend. This easy-going style is made even more effortless by pulling the top section of the hair up and away from your face. Secure with bobby pins and away you go!

Selena Gomez may be young, but her tumbling curls give her a sophisticated vibe. Part your hair deeply to one side and let your hair fall naturally into your eyes. If you don’t have natural curls, arrange your hair to one side before tonging it from about 4 inches from the root to the tips.

Jessica Chastain’s mix of curly and straight styling is an inspiration for those of us who want wearable, glamorous curls that are easy to create. Style your hair pin-straight before tonging only the ends to get the look.

Kristin Bell’s loose waves are a weekend-perfect staple. If your hair is naturally wavy, simply spritz sea salt spray into your hair before finger scrunching to get the look. If your hair is straight, wash your hair at night and plait damp hair before leaving to dry overnight. In the morning, unplait your hair and comb through with your fingers.

Glamorous ‘50s hair a la Kim Basinger in LA Confidential is high up on our list for top hair looks for a big night out. Here, Blake Lively puts a twist on the classic look by styling her hair to one side. This look is best created by twisting curls into the shape you want using a heated straightening iron.

Reese Witherspoon’s flicked out curls are a snap to create with a small round brush and blow-dryer. Simply curl your hair around the brush and away from your face as you blast the hair with a dryer. Leave the hair to cool on the brush while you repeat with the rest of your hair. Remember never to pull your hair from the brush and instead, uncurl hair gently.

Naomi Watts’ angelic curls are glamorous and sweet all at once. Part hair to one side before curling with a small round brush and blow-drying to perfection.

Cat Deeley’s hair always looks fantastic on Dancing With The Stars and here, she shows us how to work voluminous waves. Curl your hair with tongs before breaking it up with your fingers. Then, create volume at the crown by backcombing at the root all around the top of the head.

Fashion A-lister Whitney Port’s long waves are an easy every-day look that’s perfect either for work or going out. Run styling mousse through your hair before curling with tongs. Then, while your hair is still hot, brush the lengths to create this lightly curled effect.

Amanda Seyfried’s romantic Grecian hair is a simple twist on classic evening hair. Style curls as desired before twisting hair at the hairline to the back of your head and securing with pins or an embellished barrette.

Katy Perry gives us hair envy with this one-sided retro pin-up look. The key to this look is to create volume at the crown by backcombing before adding a strong hairspray to create a more sculptured look.

Nicole Richie’s ‘rolled’ hair is a product of styling thin hair with large rollers just at the ends. Place 2 to 3 large heated rollers at the ends before carefully releasing hair and using shine spray to create a glossy finish.

Hilary Swank shows us how to get away with curling only the hair that falls by your face. Straighten your hair or leave it be if it’s naturally wavy and style only the front with heated rollers. Leave the rollers in for only a minute or two to create this soft wave, or keep them longer for a more dramatic curl.

Glee star Lea Michele adds a straight fringe to contrast with her loose waves. Ombre ends give this style a trendy vibe and straightening just the fringe while leaving the rest wavy makes styling this look a breeze.

Nicole Kidman’s short curly bob takes advantage of her naturally curly hair and showcases her distinctive hair color. Parting the hair to one side boosts the glam factor, too.

Taylor Momsen does grunge-y, dirty blonde hair like no one else. Here, she creates separation and volume in her hair by coating strands with styling wax to give individual locks definition. Plenty of backcombing at the roots gives the style some added oomph and darker roots create contrast.

Christie Brinkley always styles her hair curly and in this look, she creates definition to barely-there waves with plenty of styling cream applied to the lengths.

Tinsley Mortimer looks every bit the socialite with her neatly curled locks. Get the look by creating a center parting and using a barrel brush while blow-drying your hair.

As the lead singer of Goldfrapp, Alison Goldfrapp needs to look the part of a cutting-edge musician. Choosing to work with the frizziness of her natural hair, this effortless look is for those who dare to be big-haired and proud.

Elizabeth Jagger comes from a family of long-haired beauties. Here, she shows off her ultra glossy hair with gentle waves created with a skinny curling tong.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s naturally curly hair looks unfussy and perfect for easy weekends, when you can give your hair a rest from harsh heat styling. Simply work a curl-specific, leave-in conditioner through damp hair and let your hair air-dry for perfect curls without frizz.

Debra Messing’s striking red hair and fabulous curls are a sure-fire head turner. Pump up the volume by using a texturizer at the roots.

Kate Hudson’s ‘just out of the pool’ hair is a breeze to create for wavy-haired girls. Simply let your hair air dry after washing it, and straighten just the ends with a straightening iron for fuss-free style.

Leona Lewis’ beautifully tonged hair is a good option if you want versatility. Style to one side for impact or brush the curls out for a softer wave. You can also wear your hair in a low ponytail to maximize the effect of dramatically curled ends.

And lastly, sometimes even a very subtle wave can make your hair look more styled. This look, sported by Emma Roberts, happens naturally after a day or two of tong-ing your hair. Resist the temptation to over-wash your hair and adopt a dry shampoo to keep your roots grease-free while maintaining the ‘leftover’ curls from your last wash.