How To Style Short Curly Hair For Men - 6 Trusted Tips & Tricks

Posted by Dean Nappa on October 12, 2021

When you’re a man with curly hair, styling it can either go one of three ways: 1) you get defined curls that make your partner jealous, 2) you look like you’ve been dragged through a bush backwards, and our personal favourite, 3) you look like you’ve got ramen noodles just chilling on the top of your head.

Knowing how to style short curly hair for men is hard, but once you do get the hang of it, there’s no looking back. To help you out, we’ve put together 6 tips to guide you on how to embrace your natural texture. From the best men’s hair care products to tried and trusted hair styling techniques, we discuss it all.

How to style short curly hair for men: 6 tips

1. Invest in curl defining products

Step one in learning how to style short curly hair for men is to stock up on the right men’s hair styling products. If you’re committed to making your hair look less Bob Ross and more Henry Cavill, then there are a few things you need in your arsenal.

Firstly, you need to figure out what kind of curl type you have. Is it wavy? Have you got ringlets or coils? This will ultimately determine what kind of product you want.

For loose curls/waves:

With looser curls, you want products that’ll emphasise that kink in your hair, but don’t over-do it. Think men’s sea salt sprays, hair mousses and curl creams. Here are a few we recommend:

For tight curls:

If you prefer tight, defined curls, then you need something with a stronger hold. Try hair gels, pastes or men’s hair pomades like these ones:

Men’s hair tip: to prevent rigid, unnatural looking hair with men's hair gels, you need to create a ‘gel cast’. So, wash your hair and then apply the hair gel to your damp hair in a scrunching motion. Let it air dry till it’s 50% dry. Get your hair dryer with its diffuser attachment (more on this later), and dry the rest of your hair. Continue scrunching your hair as it dries. You should be left with soft, defined curls.

2. Shampoo less

Curly hair is notoriously drier than any other hair type. This is mainly because of the uneven shape of the hair fibre which is prone to damage and dehydration.

So what’s this got to do with shampooing? When you have curly hair, you have to wash it with shampoo less. Shampooing your hair too often can strip your hair of its natural moisture and oils. Try and stick to washing your hair once or twice a week if possible, and opt for hydrating men shampoos like these ones:

3. Use a treatment once a week

Like we’ve already said, curly hair is more prone to damage and dehydration. To combat this, you should incorporate a men’s hair treatment or leave in conditioner into your routine. Hair treatments will keep both your hair and scalp healthy, and will also add moisture back into your hair. Use a treatment once a week, preferably on the day you shampoo your hair.

Try these men’s hair treatments:

4. Switch out your towel for a microfibre one

If there’s one thing you need to know when learning how to style short curly hair for men, it’s to never dry your hair with a regular towel. While the coarse material of towels is fine for our bodies, it’s actually incredibly rough on our hair - especially if you’re drying your hair like you’re trying to start a fire.

Over time, too much friction can cause the basic structure of the hair strand to weaken. And since curly hair is already prone to brittleness and damage, it’s time to put the towel down.

Instead, you’ll want to opt for a microfibre towel or an old, cotton t-shirt. These will minimise the amount of friction on your hair, leaving you with healthier curly hair in the long run.

Men’s hair tip: if you want defined curls, spread the microfibre towel or t-shirt onto the palm of your hand. Tilt your head upside down or to the side. Use your hands to then scrunch your hair dry by pushing the section towards the root. This will not only enhance your curl, but it will also set your curls.

5. Diffuse, don’t blow dry

If you don’t have the time to let your hair dry, either naturally or with a towel/t-shirt, then you need to get a diffuser attachment for your hair dryer. Diffusers are great for men with curly hair because they help your curls to retain their shape.

Instead of the hot air coming out in one hot stream, it’s dispersed. This means the hot air will dry your curls more evenly and gently, while preventing frizz and encouraging definition.

6. Don’t use a regular ol’ brush

When it comes to looking after curly hair, a normal men's hair brush doesn’t cut it. If you want your curls to be defined and not look like a massive frizz ball, you need to use a wide-toothed comb instead. We recommend the Imperial pocket comb. With its wide teeth, this comb won’t destroy the shape of your curls as you brush your hair.

Men’s hair tip: if possible, only ever brush your hair when it’s wet. If you brush/comb your curly hair when it’s dry, it’ll lead to breakage and split ends.

Here are the key takeaways on How to Style Men’s Curly Hair:

Invest in curl defining products
Shampoo less
Use a treatment once a week
Dry your hair with a microfibre towel or old T-shirt
Use a diffuser when you blow dry
Get a wide-toothed comb

And there you have it. Everything you need to know about how to style short curly hair for men. Curly hairstyles can be difficult to manage at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never have a bad hair day.

Whether you’ve got waves or ringlets, you can find everything you need to create the best men's hair care routine at Above The Collar. Shop men's hair products for styling curly hair and more online today. Get free shipping over $60 and pay later with Afterpay or Zippay.