The 34 Best Hairstyles For Shoulder-Length Curly Hair Reach full ringlet potential with these collarbone-skimming and shoulder-grazing hairstyles. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 29, 2025 Close Credit: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images Curls are a hair blessing worth every product used and routine painstakingly perfected, as any curly girl will tell you. They might sometimes come with the fun gamble of waking up in the morning and wondering what in the heavens your curls are going to deliver today, but it's worth it for the envy-worthy volume and sassy bounce. However, there's one thing that even the wildest waves, springiest curls, and bounciest coils can agree on: Length is so important when it comes to making the most of your texture. While short cuts offer breezy lightness and long cuts give big cascading curls, something about medium-length curly haircuts equals just right. Collarbone-skimming and shoulder-grazing lengths can help you reach full ringlet potential. From layers to bangs, shaggy to classic, these hairstyles for shoulder-length curly hair are sure to give you fresh salon inspiration. 01 of 34 Asymmetrical Lob Credit: @salsalhair As if your curls don't already handle this, play up the volume with an asymmetrical cut. It'll make the flattering lob-length style even more ringlet-friendly. 02 of 34 Long Bob Credit: @salsalhair Curls will kick some sass into a bob, that's for sure. This example by stylist Sal Salcedo is a shaggy take on a chin-length cut. 03 of 34 Layered Curls With Tendrils Credit: @jaye_edwards For those who want definition without going for bangs, face-framing tendrils and layers will do the job. The loose strands soften and flatter. 04 of 34 Baby Bangs Credit: @timm.morrison Let your texture do the talking. These baby bangs add a little something extra to a medium-length cut. 05 of 34 Layered Lob Credit: @matthewjones_hairstylist It doesn't take much to flatter a defined curl, and light layers make a low-risk choice. Long layers also help enhance the curls. 06 of 34 Transition Bob Credit: @chaiedejesus This curly bob lets you embrace the growing-out phase between a chin bob and shoulder cut with some layering and a deep side part. It also helps add shape during the transition. Layers allow movement and a looser shape to the hair so it doesn't have to be maintained as often during the transition. This is a good time to use fun accessories to pin the hair back or up. Texturizing spray also helps add volume. 07 of 34 Angled Lob Credit: @brunodantte Give your curls a little edge with an angled cut that's just a bit longer in the front. This style will help you easily embrace your hair's natural curls. 08 of 34 Curly Shag Credit: @salsalhair We thought the shag cut couldn't get any cooler, and natural curls definitely solidified that. Face-framing layers and bangs give this hairstyle a softer, less choppy look. 09 of 34 Retro Layers Credit: @timm.morrison Between the framed layering and curtained bangs, this cut by stylist Tim Morrison has us back in the '70s, in a good way. This cut gives natural waves an effortless look. 10 of 34 Collarbone Bob Credit: @leysahairandmakeup Pump up the volume with a cut that lets your curls do their thing. This neck-grazing long bob looks made for curly girls, and the wispy bangs certainly don't hurt. 11 of 34 Airy Volume Credit: @tedgibson For those with a looser curl pattern, go for shaggy-style layers that feel a little bit vintage. Add curtain bangs if you prefer extra face-framing. 12 of 34 Textured Shoulder Cut Credit: @chrisjones_hair A little past wavy, a little shy of full-blown curly? This wash-and-go cut by Texas-based stylist Chris Jones has you covered. 13 of 34 Shaggy Medium Cut Credit: @salsalhair Curls love some layering, and this shaggy cut sees those layers and ups the ante with piecey bangs. Add a curl-defining product to damp hair and then use your fingers to define the curls. Curly hair should be dry when cutting bangs for the best length, shaping, and style. Wet curls behave differently and shrink up when dry. 14 of 34 Full Bangs Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images Contrary to popular belief, tightly wound ringlets can totally rock a set of full bangs. Face-framing curls accentuate cheekbones and can be pinned back or blended into surrounding curls for a different look. 15 of 34 Layered Medium Cut Credit: @sarahdeaconhair Curls can live up to their most voluminous potential when layered on a shoulder-length hairstyle. Thick curls benefit from layers to help reduce bulk. 16 of 34 Thick Lob Length Credit: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images This natural style lets you keep all of the thickness and volume of your curls. Layered ends help enhance those pretty ringlets. 17 of 34 Side-Swept Shoulder Cut Credit: @chadwoodhair Channel your inner Veronica Lake for this deep side part. Lightly layered with healthy, thick ends, this cut is a vintage stunner. 18 of 34 Tousled Long Layers Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram For those not quite ready to make the full chop, a cut that lands just below the shoulders is creeping in the right direction. Sweep some face-framing layers to one side for gorgeous, easy style. 19 of 34 Sunkissed Curly Bangs Credit: @jaye_edwards/Instagram Go for a shaggy curly cut with natural balayage highlights for a totally refreshed look. Thicker bangs give added depth. 20 of 34 Balayage Layers Credit: @jaye_edwards/Instagram Enhance this statement-making, heavily side-parted cut (that feels a bit retro) with bright golden blonde balayage. The blonde coloring gives a kissed-by-the-sun effect. 21 of 34 Layered Curls Credit: @jesseniaspallet Layers are always the move when it comes to refreshing curly hair. And they give your curls extra bounce. 22 of 34 Heavy Side Part Credit: @chrisgreenehair A heavy side part only adds more volume to your curls. Plus, it allows you to keep your cut simple and medium-length. 23 of 34 Ultra-Layered Volume Credit: @veronica_nunez Even if you keep your hair at shoulder length, asking for short layers is a smart choice for curly hair, as it adds so much dimension and body. Shorter layers also give the hair shape. 24 of 34 Pretty Pin Details Credit: @natalieannehair Curly hair is fun to style. Give shoulder-length hair a middle part and pin back the sides with a row of pretty bobby pins for ample volume and easy style. 25 of 34 Highlight Those Curls Credit: Instagram/@hairbymelb Adding highlights to shoulder-length hair gives curls dimension. Balayage gives the appearance of natural sweeping highlights. 26 of 34 Shoulder Cut With Side Part Credit: @salsalhair Go with a deep side part for elevated volume. Layers add oomph to this shoulder-grazing style. 27 of 34 Flirty Bangs Credit: @natalieannehair Wispy bangs add a flirty, feminine touch to layers of ringlets. Separate curls while the hair is still wet for a defined, tousled look. 28 of 34 Deep Side Part Credit: @jessmedhair Layers keep curly hairstyles from taking on a triangle shape. Add a few bobby pins to a deep side part to really ramp up everyday style. 29 of 34 Medium-Length Shag Credit: @leysahairandmakeup There are no rules about keeping tighter curls short. Let them grow. A shag style with bangs really highlights thick shoulder-length curls. 30 of 34 Full Bangs Credit: @ouidad Add full bangs to a collarbone-grazing cut for maximum impact. Golden blonde-tinged ringlets brighten brunette hair. 31 of 34 Short Layers Credit: @leysahairandmakeup Give shoulder-length curls extra bounce with lots of short layers all over. A combination of different blonde shades helps accentuate the natural curls. 32 of 34 Layered Lob Credit: @salsalhair A long bob, or lob, is a good choice for curly hair because it enhances natural curls by being a manageable length that doesn't weigh them down. Layers give the curls loads of texture and volume. 33 of 34 Soft Curls Credit: @hairromance Layering the ends gives curly hair a softer look with no harsh edges. They also add fullness. A shoulder-length haircut allows for many styling options, like this pretty pinned-back braid. 34 of 34 Blunt Shag Credit: @salsalhair Go bold by cutting your curls into a blunt shag. The curly bangs complete this edgy look. Frequently Asked Questions Which hairstyle is best for curly hair? A layered cut is key for naturally curly hair, whether you have a long, shoulder-length, or short haircut. Layers will help shape your hair and give your curls more bounce. What curly hairstyles are trending for 2025? Curly shags and curly bangs are on the rise in 2025. Women with curls are able to make the most of curtain bangs, wispy fringe, and plenty of layers. Slicked back curls add sophistication. Is medium length better for curly hair? Medium length is good for curly hair because it helps create volume and define curls while still being versatile enough to style in many different ways. Longer lengths can weigh down and stretch curls. 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