For women blessed with curly hair, it’s a well-known fact that despite learning to love every coil, there are days you just wish there were more easy hairstyles in your rotation. After all, it’s hard enough to find the perfect curly hair products, and learning about what type of curly hair you have can be a journey in and of itself. But luckily for you (and for curly headed editors like me), we don’t have to find all the answers alone. Sure, there’s no universal method for every curl texture to look its best, but there are hairstyles we can save to try on those days when our curls aren’t looking their most poppin‘. So ahead, you’ll find 12 easy hairstyles for curly hair that women swear by. That’s right. You’re going to want to bookmark this article.
WHO: Melody Acevedo
WHAT: 3B/3C curl pattern
WEAR: Top bun with bangs
Not having the best curly hair day? Melody’s easy hairstyle is perfect for you. She shared, “This hairstyle is a lifesaver because if your curls don’t look good, you only have to worry about defining your bangs. It takes me five minutes to do this hairstyle.”
WHO: Tacha
WHAT: 3B/3C curl pattern
WEAR: Sleek low bun
Searching for a low-effort hairstyle that looks polished no matter what? Look no further than Tacha with her sleek low bun. She explained, “I swear by a sleek low bun or even a ponytail. It instantly makes me feel polished and chic.”
WHO: Hortencia
WHAT: 3A/3C curl pattern
WEAR: The pineapple
What easy hairstyle does Hortencia swear by? She shared, “Aside from the classic wash-and-go, my favorite curly style is definitely the pineapple. Now that my hair is longer, I like to grab a few clips and bring some of the curls together to form a more pineapple/round shape. It’s such an easy and quick style, and it gets my hair out of my face!”
WHO: Meredith
WHAT: 3A/3B curl pattern
WEAR: Hair up with a claw clip
Meredith shared, “When in doubt, grab a claw clip! I love to pull some pieces out in front for a cute, stylish, and effortless look. It’s such an easy curly hairstyle and takes me 10 seconds or less.”
WHO: Najal Judd
WHAT: 4A/4B curl pattern
WEAR: The pineapple
Okay, so maybe this is the second mention of the pineapple, but in Najal’s words, “This is, by far, the easiest style I ever do. It looks super cute, and you can get a little creative with your edges and swoops. It is perfect for when you want to do something fast but still show off those curls.”
WHO: Ashly Rodriguez
WHAT: 3B/3C curl pattern
WEAR: Pineapple with bangs
Looking for a hairstyle that combines all the easiest pulled-back looks? Look no further than to Ashly’s easy style. She swears by this look because “this style is so versatile! It’s a cute way to switch up your basic wash and go while you’re on the go. All you need is a hair tie. If you don’t have bangs, you can create faux bangs with a few bobby pins!”
WHO: Samia Hampstead
WHAT: 4B curl pattern
WEAR: Twists
Protective hairstyles are, by far, the easiest hairstyle for curly hair, which Samia knows very well. She told us, “This year, I’ve been staying pretty loyal to passion twists. I just keep redoing them. It’s so easy, and I’m obsessed with this look. I feel like I always look young and fresh with them—true island girl vibes, haha.”
WHO: Chanel McKinsie
WHAT: 4C curl pattern
WEAR: Twists, box braids, any protective style
If you’re overstyling your curls, opting for a protective hairstyle is a great idea. What exactly are the benefits of a protective style? In Chanel’s words, “They help to minimize knots and tangling and damage to your hair. Low-manipulation hairstyles like twists also help your hair to grow.”
WHO: Farah Pink
WHAT: 3B/3C curl pattern
WEAR: Wash-and-go
While wearing your curls down may not seem like the easiest hairstyle, Farah begs to differ. She told us, “I love my curls the most when I style it in the shower and let it dry on its own throughout the day.”
WHO: Lynn Kate
WHAT: 3A/3B curl pattern
WEAR: Pulled-back bangs with a mini hair clip
If you’re looking for a hairstyle that still shows off your curls but keeps them out of your face, Lynn Kate’s easy hairstyle idea is perfect for you. She shared, “The hairstyle I swear by is the mini hair clip to pull back a section of my hair. I love it because it makes my hair shorter in the front, causing it to look more bouncy and voluminous.”
WHO: Anna Dominguez
WHAT: 3B curl pattern
WEAR: Half up, half down
It’s not an easy-hairstyle roundup without the beloved, half-up, half-down look. Fellow editor Anna shared, “I usually let my hair dry naturally and have been experimenting with styles that aren’t just slicked-back buns (my true go-to). I love this one because my hair stays out of my face, but I still get to show off my natural curls.”
WHO: Ashley Nylander
WHAT: 3A/3B curl pattern
WEAR: Side part, curls down
Sometimes, the easiest curly hairstyle of all is just embracing your curls. And for those days you’re struggling with your hair, let Ashley attest to the power of embracing your coils. She told us, “I used to only wear my hair straight and focus on taming it as much as possible. Now, I embrace my natural curls as much as I can, and that gives me confidence. I love big, voluminous hair and wearing my hair flipped to one side to exaggerate that volume.”
Next: We Have Curly Hair—Here Are the 23 Holy-Grail Products We Swear By for Styling
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.