Curly hair can add a unique charm and personality to a young man’s appearance. It offers a range of styling options that can suit different face shapes, lifestyles, and fashion preferences. In this article, understanding the various curly hair styles and how to achieve and maintain them is essential to helping clients look their best. In this article, we will explore 5 popular curly hair styles for young men in detail.
Types of Curly Hair Textures
Before delving into specific hairstyles, it’s important to understand the different types of curly hair textures. Curly hair can range from loose waves to tight coils.
Wavy Hair: Wavy hair has a gentle S-shaped pattern. It is less defined than curly hair and often has a more relaxed and tousled look. This type of hair can be easily styled with a light hold product to enhance the waves.
Curly Hair: Curly hair forms distinct curls that can vary in size. It has more volume and bounce compared to wavy hair. Type 3 curls can be further classified into 3A (loose, large curls), 3B (medium-sized curls), and 3C (tight, small curls).
Coily Hair: Coily hair is characterized by tight coils that are closely packed together. It has a very distinct texture and often requires more moisture and care to maintain its health and appearance.
Popular Young Man’s Curly Hairstyles
The Classic Short Curly Cut
This is a timeless and low-maintenance option for young men with curly hair.
Description: The hair is cut short all around, usually with a length of about 1-2 inches on top and slightly shorter on the sides and back. The curls are left natural and are given a light trim to maintain their shape. This style gives a clean and neat appearance while still showing off the natural texture of the curls.
Suitable Face Shapes: It suits most face shapes, especially square and oval faces. The short length helps to balance the proportions of a square face, and the curls add softness to an oval face.
Styling Process: Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a small amount of curl-defining cream or mousse evenly throughout the hair, scrunching the curls gently to encourage their formation. Use a diffuser attachment on a hairdryer to dry the hair. Set the dryer to a low or medium heat setting to avoid frizz. The diffuser helps to distribute the air evenly and enhance the curl pattern. Once the hair is dry, you can use a small amount of lightweight hair oil to add shine and reduce frizz.
Maintenance Tips: Regular trims every 4-6 weeks are necessary to keep the style in shape and prevent the curls from looking overgrown. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to maintain the hair’s natural moisture. Over-washing can strip the hair of its oils and cause frizz. At night, you can use a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent the curls from getting flattened or tangled.
The Medium-Length Curly Tousled Look
This style offers a more relaxed and effortless vibe.
Description: The hair is grown to a medium length, typically around 3-5 inches. The curls are left loose and tousled, creating a carefree and stylish appearance. This style gives the impression of a young man who is easygoing and fashion-forward.
Suitable Face Shapes: It works well with round and heart-shaped faces. The length and volume of the curls can help to elongate a round face, and the softness of the curls complements the angles of a heart-shaped face.
Styling Process: Wash the hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Towel-dry the hair gently to remove excess water, leaving it damp. Apply a generous amount of sea salt spray throughout the hair. This will add texture and enhance the natural curl pattern. Scrunch the hair with your hands to encourage the curls to form and create a tousled look. Let the hair air dry naturally or use a diffuser on a low heat setting if you’re in a hurry. Once dry, you can use a small amount of texturizing paste to define any loose curls or add more volume at the roots.
Maintenance Tips:
- Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep the curls hydrated and healthy.
- Avoid brushing the hair when it’s dry, as this can cause frizz.
- Instead, use your fingers to separate and style the curls.
- When styling, try not to over-manipulate the curls. The more you touch and pull them, the more likely they are to frizz.
The Long Curly Locks Style
For those who want to make a bold statement with their hair.
Description: The hair is grown long, usually past the shoulders. The curls are left to flow freely and can be styled in various ways, such as a center part or a side part. This style gives a bohemian and artistic feel.
Suitable Face Shapes: It suits rectangular and diamond-shaped faces. The length of the curls helps to soften the angles of a rectangular face, and the volume at the sides can enhance the width of a diamond-shaped face.
Styling Process: Wash the hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Apply a leave-in conditioner to detangle the hair and add moisture. While the hair is still damp, divide it into sections and apply a curl-enhancing gel. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the gel evenly through the curls. Let the hair air dry completely. Once dry, you can use a curling iron on a low heat setting to touch up any loose or undefined curls. For a center part, use a comb to create a straight part down the middle. For a side part, part the hair to one side and use bobby pins to secure any stray hairs.
Maintenance Tips:
- Trim the ends of the hair every 8-12 weeks to prevent split ends.
- Sleep with the hair in a loose braid or a bun to prevent tangling.
- Use a silk or satin scarf to tie around the hair at night to protect the curls and keep them in place.
The Curly Fade
A modern and trendy combination of curly hair and a faded haircut.
Description: The sides and back of the head are shaved in a fade style, starting from very short near the ears and gradually getting longer towards the top. The curly hair on top is left longer and styled to contrast with the faded sides. This creates a sharp and stylish look.
Suitable Face Shapes: It looks great on oval and triangular faces. The fade on the sides helps to accentuate the cheekbones and jawline of an oval face, and the volume on top can balance the narrower chin of a triangular face.
Styling Process: Have the fade haircut done by a professional barber. After the cut, wash the remaining curly hair on top with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Apply a small amount of pomade or wax to the palms of your hands and work it through the curly hair on top. Use your fingers to shape the curls and create a desired look, such as a messy pompadour or a more textured style.
Maintenance Tips: Visit the barber regularly to maintain the fade. As the curly hair on top grows, it may need to be trimmed to keep the overall style in balance. Use a matte finish product to avoid a greasy look. The matte texture gives a more modern and natural appearance to the curls.
The Curly Undercut
This style combines the edginess of an undercut with the texture of curly hair.
Description: The underside of the hair, usually from the temples and below the occipital bone, is shaved short or clippered close to the scalp. The top and front of the hair are left with longer curly hair, which can be styled in a variety of ways, such as swept to one side or styled upwards.
Suitable Face Shapes: It suits square and oblong faces. The undercut helps to reduce the bulk at the sides and back, making a square face appear less boxy. For an oblong face, the volume on top can add width and balance the length.
Styling Process: Get the undercut done at a salon. Wash the remaining curly hair with a curl-friendly shampoo and conditioner. Apply a curl cream or lotion to the damp hair on top. Use a diffuser to dry the hair, lifting the roots with your fingers to add volume. For a side-swept look, use a comb to direct the curls to one side and use a small amount of hairspray to hold them in place. For an upward style, use a styling gel and scrunch the hair upwards while blow-drying.
Maintenance Tips:
- Keep the undercut clean and trimmed regularly.
- When styling the curly top, avoid using too much product, as it can weigh down the curls and make them look limp.
Conclusion
There are numerous curly hair styles available for young men, each with its own unique charm and character. By understanding the different curly hair textures and face shapes, as well as the proper styling and maintenance techniques, young men can choose a hairstyle that not only suits their personal style but also enhances their overall appearance. As a hair stylist, it’s our job to guide and advise clients on the best options and help them achieve the curly hair look they desire. Whether it’s a short and neat cut, a medium-length tousled style, a long and flowing look, a curly fade, or a curly undercut, with the right care and attention, curly hair can be a stylish and confident asset for any young man.
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