The Biggest Curly Hair Trends Experts Are Predicting for 2025

If you have curly hair, you already know that hair trends don’t always consider the reality of curls. A lot of what goes viral on social media—glass hair, perfectly slick buns, that razor-sharp bob—looks great on pin-straight strands but doesn’t exactly translate to the natural ebb and flow of curls, coils, and waves. And even when curls are the moment, the industry tends to push them into a very particular box—super defined, extra styled, and sometimes a little too perfect. That’s not where 2025 hair trends for curly hair are headed. If the last few years were about learning how to care for curls, this year is about having fun with them.

That means letting go of rigid beauty standards and throwing out the rulebook on how curls are “supposed” to look. We’re seeing more experimentation, more texture, and more freedom in styling—whether that’s embracing natural frizz, chopping it all off, or adding unexpected color. Curly hair is entering its own era in 2025, and the trends are reflecting that. Here’s what’s in, what’s evolving, and what’s getting left behind.

Curl Stretching Is Back—But Smarter

Curly hair has been in its ultra-defined phase for the last few years, but 2025 hair trends for curly hair are bringing back stretched styles—not just for aesthetics, but for practical reasons.

Blowouts are making a return, but not in a pin-straight way. Instead of a flat-ironed silk press, the focus is on elongating curls while still keeping some volume. Think bigger, bouncier, and more movement—not heat-damaged straight strands.

 

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For tighter curl patterns, this means leaning into heat-free stretching methods like banding, braiding, or African threading. For looser curls, a low-heat tension blowout is the move, using a concentrator nozzle instead of a round brush to keep things soft and fluffy.

The reason behind the shift? Less breakage. Shrinkage is beautiful, but for a lot of people, super tight curls mean more tangles, single-strand knots, and overall fragility. Stretching reduces that friction, making wash days less of a detangling marathon.

The Return of the Side Part

For years, the middle part ruled—partially because of TikTok’s obsession with “Gen Z vs. Millennial” debates, partially because it’s just a super flattering way to frame the face. But in 2025 hair trends for curly hair, the side part is creeping back into the picture.

The difference? This isn’t the deep, swoopy side part of the 2010s. The 2025 version is softer, more natural—somewhere between a middle part and a dramatic side flip. It works with a diffused, voluminous style, giving curls an organic, natural lift.

If you’ve been stuck in a middle-part rut, switching it up every so often actually helps with curl health—reducing strain on one area and preventing over-thinning at the part line.

Short Hair Is Having Its Moment

For the past few years, the emphasis has been on length retention—doing everything possible to keep curls long, full, and healthy. But 2025 is making a strong argument for chopping it off.

Not in an extreme, dramatic pixie way (unless that’s your thing), but in lighter, face-framing shapes that make curls pop. Microbobs, jaw-length shags, and sculpted round cuts are all having a moment, shifting the focus from long lengths to shape and movement.

The appeal? Less weight, easier styling, and a more playful approach to curls. Short hair lets you experiment more with styling, making it easier to flip, fluff, or tuck behind the ear without committing to a full-hour routine.

High-Shine, Glossy Curls Are In

For years, curly hair trends revolved around big, matte, voluminous styles—but 2025 is leaning into shine. The goal? Healthy, hydrated, light-reflecting curls that look just as polished as straight styles.

This doesn’t mean greasy, over-styled hair. It’s about moisture retention—locking in hydration with oils and serums that enhance shine without weighing curls down. Gloss treatments (both at-home and salon-level) are gaining traction, giving curls a reflective, almost laminated look that still moves naturally.

If you’ve been skipping deep conditioning or only using stylers that dry matte, it might be time to rethink.

Curly Bangs Are Officially Low-Maintenance

For years, curly bangs were considered a high-risk, high-maintenance move—and to be fair, they do require some commitment. But 2025 hair trends for curly hair are proving that bangs don’t have to be a styling nightmare.

Instead of thick, blunt-cut bangs that require daily touch-ups, this year’s bangs are airier, softer, and more forgiving. The key? A more piece-y, face-framing cut rather than a dense fringe, allowing curls to fall naturally without needing constant reshaping.

Curly curtain bangs, grown-out micro bangs, and side-swept layers are all making a comeback. And because they blend seamlessly into the rest of the hair, they grow out way easier than traditional bangs—so no awkward in-between stage.

2025 Haircut Trends That Are Taking Over

The Return of the Layered Volume Cut

For a while, the biggest curly haircuts were all about precision—structured, curl-by-curl shaping to get that “perfect” round silhouette. But in 2025, volume is back.

The new layered volume cut is less about uniformity and more about movement and shape. The layers are cut to enhance your curl pattern rather than force it into a specific look, meaning that as your curls dry, they fall naturally into a fuller, more dynamic shape.

It’s giving:

• Less “stacked triangle,” more organic volume
• Light, airy layers that make curls feel bouncier
• A cut that grows out beautifully instead of needing constant touch-ups

This is the kind of haircut that embraces the natural personality of your curls. And the best part? It works on all lengths. If you love your long curls but feel like they’re just hanging there, adding a few layers will wake them up.

The “Carrie Curls” Renaissance

If you’ve been on TikTok, you’ve probably noticed something: The 90s are back. And yes, that includes the messy, lived-in Carrie Bradshaw curls.

Unlike the overly defined, perfectly styled curls that dominated for years, this trend is all about a looser, softer, more effortless curl pattern.

What makes it different?

• Less structured curl definition, more natural separation
• Soft volume at the roots instead of forced lift
• A “fluffed out” finish that feels undone but intentional

It’s the kind of hair that looks like you just ran your fingers through it and left the house. And while it works best on naturally wavy to curly textures, those with tighter curls can still get the vibe by finger-raking and diffusing for a looser shape.

Bobs, But Make Them Soft

Curly bobs have always been hit or miss. When cut wrong, they can sit weirdly or shrink up into a shape that wasn’t exactly what you pictured. But the new 2025 curly bob is all about soft structure—layered in a way that allows for natural volume without that overly stacked look.

The best versions:

• Stop right around the jawline or just below
• Have soft, internal layers for movement (instead of harsh, choppy ones)
• Work with your curl pattern rather than trying to change it

The key is avoiding the blunt cut. Curly hair doesn’t behave like straight hair, so a one-length bob will always feel bulky and heavy. If you’re thinking about going shorter, make sure you ask for longer face-framing layers to keep things balanced.

The “Grown-Out Shag”

The shag isn’t going anywhere, but it’s getting an update. Instead of super short layers that make styling a nightmare, the new grown-out shag keeps the cool, undone vibe but with a little more wearability.

Expect:

• A longer, looser shape that grows out beautifully
• Face-framing pieces that blend into the rest of the curls
• Just enough layering to create movement without chopping off all your length

If you’ve ever wanted the volume of a shag but the ease of a longer cut, this is the middle ground. It’s curly, effortless, and works with second- and third-day hair.