21 Long Curly Haircuts for Men for Every Curl Type
Long curly haircuts for men only work when the shape is cut for the curls you have. Left alone, long curls turn heavy at the bottom and flat on top. Cut the right way, they fall into a shape that looks good straight out of the shower.
The 21 long curly haircuts for men below are grouped by classic shapes, curl type, statement cuts and tied-back styles. Each one lists the face shapes it suits, the curls it needs, the time it takes in the morning and the exact words to say to your barber.
A quick note before you book: ask for your curls to be cut dry. Wet curls look much longer than they are, and a wet cut can lose you months of growth in one visit.
How to Choose Long Curly Haircuts for Men
Know your curl type. Waves (type 2) bend in a loose S. Curls (type 3) form clear rings. Coils (type 4) are tight springs that grow out as much as down. The same cut looks very different on each, so pick photos of men with curls like yours.
Plan the grow-out. Hair grows roughly half an inch a month, and curls hide some of that length as they spring up. Going from short hair to shoulder length usually takes well over a year. The hardest stretch is when the hair covers your ears but is too short to tie back. Regular shaping trims every two to three months get you through it without losing length.
Match the shape to your face. Volume at the sides balances a long face. Height on top lengthens a round face. A centre part suits an oval face, and a side part works for almost everyone.
Be honest about care. All long curly haircuts for men need a leave-in conditioner, gentle detangling and a few minutes most mornings. If that sounds like too much, a long top with short sides gives you the curls without the full routine.
Classic Long Curly Cuts
These long curly haircuts for men keep the length all around and rely on the cut, not products, to hold the shape.
Shoulder-Length Curls
Curls grown evenly to the shoulders, with light layers so the top keeps some lift. Of all the long curly haircuts for men, it is the one most men picture when they decide to grow their hair.
The trick is weight. Without a few long layers, shoulder-length curls drag the crown flat and puff out at the ends. Ask for the layers to start below the cheekbones so the length still reads as one shape.
- Face shapes: oval, square and heart
- Curl type: 2C to 3B
- Styling time: about 3 minutes; leave-in on wet hair, scrunch, air-dry
- Trims: every 10 to 12 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Keep the length at my shoulders, cut dry, with long layers starting below the cheekbones.”
Layered Long Curls
Long curls cut with several layers through the crown and sides, so each curl has room to spring. The result has more bounce and movement than a one-length cut.
Layers suit thick curls best, because they remove bulk without thinning shears. On finer curls, keep the layers fewer and longer, or the ends can look see-through. Our guide on how to cut men’s curly hair at home shows how curl-by-curl cutting keeps layers even.
- Face shapes: all
- Curl type: 3A to 3C, medium to thick
- Styling time: about 3 minutes; curl cream, scrunch, hands off while it dries
- Trims: every 8 to 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long layered curls, cut dry curl by curl, more layers at the crown, no thinning shears.”
Curly Middle Part
Long curls parted down the centre and falling to both sides like curtains, usually around chin to jaw length at the front.
A centre part frames the face evenly and makes long curls look intentional rather than overgrown. It suits a balanced, oval face best. Train the part for a week by setting it while the hair is wet, and it will start to fall there on its own.
- Face shapes: oval and heart
- Curl type: 2B to 3A
- Styling time: about 3 minutes; set the part wet, light cream, air-dry
- Trims: every 8 to 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long curls with a centre part, front pieces at my jaw, layers so it falls like curtains.”
Deep Side Part Curls
Long curls swept over from a low side part, with more volume on one side than the other.
The weight on one side hides an uneven hairline and adds shape to a round or square face. It looks dressier than a centre part and works well for weddings and work. A little cream on the heavy side keeps it from falling back to the middle.
- Face shapes: round, square and long
- Curl type: 2C to 3B
- Styling time: about 3 minutes; part while wet, cream on the heavy side
- Trims: every 8 to 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long curls with a deep side part, keep extra length on the heavy side.”
Curly Bob for Men
Curls cut to one length around the chin or jaw, with a slightly rounded outline. It is a halfway point between short and long hair.
The curly bob is the easiest way to get through the awkward grow-out stage, because it turns in-between length into a deliberate shape. Ask for the back to be a touch shorter than the front so it does not look triangular.
- Face shapes: oval, long and heart
- Curl type: 3A to 3C
- Styling time: about 2 minutes; leave-in and scrunch
- Trims: every 6 to 8 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A curly bob at chin length, cut dry, rounded outline, back slightly shorter than the front.”
Long Curly Shag
Long curls cut with short, choppy layers on top and longer pieces around the neck, for a messy, lived-in shape.
The shag adds height at the crown, which flatters round faces and stops long curls from sitting flat. It looks best a little undone, so it suits men who want long hair without a polished finish.
- Face shapes: round, oval and square
- Curl type: 2C to 3B
- Styling time: about 2 minutes; sea salt spray or light cream, scrunch
- Trims: every 8 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A long curly shag, short choppy layers on top, longer at the neck, cut dry.”
Long Curly Cuts by Curl Type
The best long curly haircuts for men start from the curl pattern, so these are built around each type.
Long Surfer Waves
Loose type 2 waves grown past the ears and left to dry naturally, with a slightly sun-faded, beachy feel.
Waves get weighed down quickly as they grow, so long layers matter here more than anywhere. A light sea salt spray adds grip without crunch. Skip heavy creams, which pull waves straight.
- Face shapes: oval, square and long
- Curl type: 2A to 2C
- Styling time: about 1 minute; salt spray on damp hair, air-dry
- Trims: every 10 to 12 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long wavy layers past my ears, no blunt line, keep it light.”
Long Defined Ringlets
Clear, spiral-shaped type 3 curls grown to the jaw or shoulders, each ringlet separate and springy.
Definition comes from moisture and not touching. Apply leave-in and gel to soaking-wet hair, scrunch once, and leave it alone until it is fully dry. Then scrunch out the gel cast for soft, separate ringlets.
- Face shapes: oval, square and heart
- Curl type: 3A to 3B
- Styling time: about 5 minutes; leave-in and gel on wet hair, scrunch out when dry
- Trims: every 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long ringlets cut dry one curl at a time, keep every curl intact, light layers.”
Long Corkscrew Curls
Tight, springy type 3C curls grown long, with lots of natural volume around the head.
Corkscrew curls look shorter than they are, so this length takes patience. Shape the outline every few months so the volume stays even instead of growing into a pyramid. A rich cream keeps them soft and frizz-free.
- Face shapes: long and oval
- Curl type: 3C
- Styling time: about 5 minutes; rich cream on wet hair, finger-coil the front if needed
- Trims: every 10 to 12 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Shape my long curls dry into an even rounded outline, don’t take off length.”
Long Rounded Afro
Type 4 coils grown out into a full, rounded afro that frames the face from every side.
The afro is shaped with the hair picked out to its full size, so the barber can see the true outline. Keep the hair moisturized daily, because coils dry out faster than other curls. A barber who works with Afro-textured hair every day makes the biggest difference here.
- Face shapes: long, oval and square
- Curl type: 4A to 4C
- Styling time: about 5 minutes; water spritz, leave-in or butter, gentle pick
- Trims: a reshape every 6 to 8 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A long rounded afro, shaped while picked out, even all around.”
Long Two-Strand Twists
Coils twisted into medium two-strand twists that hang to the jaw or shoulders. Twists keep long type 4 hair neat for a week or more.
Twists protect the ends and cut daily styling to almost nothing. Keep them loose at the roots, and redo the front and edges every week or two. When you take them out, you get a defined twist-out for a few extra days.
- Face shapes: all
- Curl type: 4A to 4C
- Styling time: under a minute daily; about 2 hours to install
- Trims: shape the ends every 8 to 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Shape the length for medium two-strand twists and keep my edges soft.”
Statement Long Curly Cuts
These long curly haircuts for men mix length with shorter sides or a stronger shape.
Long Curly Top With a Taper
The top is grown long enough to fall over the forehead, while the sides and back are tapered short.
You get the look of long curls with half the routine, because the short sides stay neat on their own. It is also the easiest way to start growing out curls without hitting the awkward stage. If you tidy the sides yourself, our guide to cutting men’s hair with clippers explains the guard numbers.
- Face shapes: round, oval and square
- Curl type: 3A to 4A
- Styling time: about 2 minutes; curl cream on the top only
- Trims: sides every 3 to 4 weeks, top every 8 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Keep the top long, at least five inches, and taper the sides and back short.”
Curly Undercut
Long curls on top fall over sides and back that are clipped short, with a clear line between the two lengths.
When the curls are down, the undercut is barely visible. Tie or push the top back and the short sides show. The undercut also removes bulk, which makes thick, long curls lighter and quicker to dry. It is one of the most practical long curly haircuts for men who want length without the bulk.
- Face shapes: oval and square
- Curl type: 3A to 3C, thick
- Styling time: about 2 minutes; cream on the top, nothing on the sides
- Trims: undercut every 3 weeks, top every 8 to 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A disconnected undercut with the top left long, about six inches, clean line at the parting.”
Modern Curly Mullet
Short to medium curls at the front and sides, with noticeably longer curls at the back of the neck.
Today’s mullet is softer than the 80s version, because the back blends into the front instead of stepping down. Curls make it look textured rather than retro. Ask for the sides to be tapered rather than shaved if you want it to work in an office.
- Face shapes: oval, square and long
- Curl type: 2C to 3C
- Styling time: about 2 minutes; leave-in through the back, scrunch the front
- Trims: every 6 to 8 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A curly mullet, short at the front and sides, longer at the neck, blended in.”
Curly Wolf Cut
A mix of a shag and a mullet: heavy texture and height at the crown, shorter layers around the face and longer curls at the back.
The wolf cut suits curls well, because the curls fill in the choppy layers naturally. It needs very little styling and looks best a bit messy. Keep the back no longer than the shoulders, or the shape loses its edge.
- Face shapes: round, oval and heart
- Curl type: 2C to 3B
- Styling time: about 2 minutes; texture spray, scrunch, shake out
- Trims: every 6 to 8 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A curly wolf cut, short choppy layers on top, face-framing pieces, longer at the back.”
Long Curly Fringe
Long curls with a heavy curly fringe falling over the forehead to the brows, and the rest of the hair at ear or jaw length.
A curly fringe softens a high forehead and draws attention to the eyes. Cut the fringe longer than you want it, because it will spring up a couple of centimetres when dry. A quick fringe trim between full cuts keeps it out of your eyes.
- Face shapes: long, oval and heart
- Curl type: 3A to 3B
- Styling time: about 3 minutes; cream on wet hair, push the fringe forward
- Trims: fringe every 4 weeks, full cut every 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “A long curly fringe cut dry to land at my brows, rest of the curls at jaw length.”
Tied and Styled Long Curls
Tied-back long curly haircuts for men give you options on days you don’t want your curls down. These styles also protect the ends and keep hair off the face.
Curly Man Bun
Long curls gathered at the crown or the back of the head and twisted into a loose bun, with a few curls left out at the front.
A loose bun is the most practical way to wear long curls for work, sport or hot days. Use a fabric-covered tie and keep it loose, because tight buns in the same spot can pull hair out at the hairline over time. Change the position from day to day. Most long curly haircuts for men can be tied back this way once the curls pass the shoulders.
- Face shapes: oval, square and long
- Curl type: 2C to 4A, at least shoulder length
- Styling time: about 1 minute
- Trims: every 12 weeks, ends only
- Ask the barber: “Keep my length even all around so it ties back, just trim the ends.”
Half-Up Curls
The top section of the curls is tied back at the crown, while the rest falls loose to the shoulders.
Half-up keeps curls out of the face while still showing the length. It is a smart middle ground for meetings and dinners. It works from chin length onward, so it is useful during the grow-out too.
- Face shapes: round, oval and square
- Curl type: 2C to 3C
- Styling time: about 1 minute
- Trims: every 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long curls with layers, long enough on top to tie back halfway.”
Low Curly Ponytail
Long curls pulled back loosely and tied at the nape, with the curls hanging free below the tie.
A low ponytail is the simplest tied-back look and the gentlest on the hair, because the weight sits low. It looks relaxed with a T-shirt and sharp with a suit. Leave a curl or two loose at the temples for a softer finish.
- Face shapes: oval and square
- Curl type: 2C to 4A, at least shoulder length
- Styling time: under a minute
- Trims: every 12 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Trim the ends only and keep the back long enough for a low ponytail.”
Slicked-Back Long Curls
Long curls combed straight back from the forehead with a light hold product, so they sit close to the head and curl freely at the ends.
This is the dressiest way to wear long curls. Apply a gel or cream to wet hair, comb it back with your fingers and let it dry without touching. The ends stay curly while the front stays smooth.
- Face shapes: oval, square and heart
- Curl type: 2C to 3B
- Styling time: about 4 minutes; gel or cream on wet hair, finger-comb back
- Trims: every 10 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Long curls with the front long enough to sweep back past my ears.”
Long Curls With a Beard
Long, loose curls paired with a full, neatly shaped beard, so the hair and beard frame the face as one shape.
The beard adds weight at the jaw, which balances the volume of long curls on top. Keep the beard edges and neckline neat so the overall look stays deliberate. A light beard oil and the same leave-in on both keeps the textures soft.
- Face shapes: round, oval and long
- Curl type: 2C to 3C
- Styling time: about 4 minutes, including the beard
- Trims: hair every 10 weeks, beard shape every 2 to 3 weeks
- Ask the barber: “Shape my long curls dry and blend the sideburns into a full, rounded beard.”
Long Curly Haircuts for Men at a Glance
| Cut | Curl type | Styling time | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder-length curls | 2C to 3B | 3 min | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Layered long curls | 3A to 3C | 3 min | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Curly middle part | 2B to 3A | 3 min | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Deep side part curls | 2C to 3B | 3 min | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Curly bob for men | 3A to 3C | 2 min | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Long curly shag | 2C to 3B | 2 min | 8 weeks |
| Long surfer waves | 2A to 2C | 1 min | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Long defined ringlets | 3A to 3B | 5 min | 10 weeks |
| Long corkscrew curls | 3C | 5 min | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Long rounded afro | 4A to 4C | 5 min | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Long two-strand twists | 4A to 4C | Under 1 min | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Long curly top with a taper | 3A to 4A | 2 min | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Curly undercut | 3A to 3C | 2 min | 3 weeks |
| Modern curly mullet | 2C to 3C | 2 min | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Curly wolf cut | 2C to 3B | 2 min | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Long curly fringe | 3A to 3B | 3 min | 4 to 10 weeks |
| Curly man bun | 2C to 4A | 1 min | 12 weeks |
| Half-up curls | 2C to 3C | 1 min | 10 weeks |
| Low curly ponytail | 2C to 4A | Under 1 min | 12 weeks |
| Slicked-back long curls | 2C to 3B | 4 min | 10 weeks |
| Long curls with a beard | 2C to 3C | 4 min | 10 weeks |
If two long curly haircuts for men suit you equally, pick the one that works at the length you have now. You can move to the longer style later.
Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems with long curly haircuts for men come from how the hair is cut and handled, not the style itself.
Cutting curls wet. Wet curls stretch, so a wet cut often ends up shorter and uneven once dry. Find a barber who cuts curls dry.
Brushing dry curls. A brush breaks curl clusters into frizz. Detangle only when the hair is wet and full of conditioner. The American Academy of Dermatology’s curly hair tips from dermatologists also recommend a wide-toothed comb and washing less often.
Skipping trims while growing out. Avoiding the barber feels like it saves length, but split ends and a lopsided shape cost more. Trim the ends lightly every two to three months.
Thinning shears on curls. Thinning breaks up the curl pattern and leaves fuzzy ends. Ask for layers instead.
Tight buns every day. Pulling long hair into the same tight bun daily can thin the hairline. Keep ties loose and change the position.
Copying a photo of different curls. A cut shown on loose waves will not sit the same way on tight coils. Bring a photo of someone with your curl type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best long curly haircuts for men?
Shoulder-length curls and layered long curls suit the most men and curl types. If you want less upkeep, a long curly top with a taper is easier.
How long does it take to grow long curly hair?
Hair grows about half an inch a month, so reaching shoulder length from a short cut usually takes well over a year. Curls hide some length as they spring up.
How do I get through the awkward stage?
Get the shape trimmed every two to three months, try a curly bob or half-up style, and use a little cream to keep the curls defined.
Should long curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Dry. Cutting curls in their natural shape shows exactly how they will sit and avoids taking off too much length.
How often should men wash long curly hair?
Less often than straight hair, usually two or three times a week or fewer. Conditioner on non-wash days keeps curls soft.
How do I stop my long curls from going frizzy?
Apply leave-in conditioner to wet hair, don’t touch it while it dries and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
Final Thoughts
The best long curly haircuts for men work with your curl type, your face and the time you will really spend on your hair. Start with a shape that suits the length you have now, and let the next cut grow from there.
If you are just starting, a long curly top with a taper or a curly bob gets you through the grow-out. Once your curls reach your shoulders, every style on this list is open to you.
