Short curls cut dry, curl by curl, still hold their shape on second-day hair because each one is cut where it actually lands. The short curly haircuts for women over 40 below mostly suit medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Plan on a curl cream and a trim every five to seven weeks.
1. Curly Pixie Cut Dry
The curly pixie is where I start with short curly hair cuts for women over 40 because the curls hold the shape on their own. I cut it dry, curl by curl, with graduation at the sides and back and the top curls kept to three inches. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and air-dry. Trim every six weeks.
2. Curly Bob at the Jaw
A curly bob at the jaw is cut dry so the curls land at the jaw and not above it. I cut the perimeter in the curl pattern and keep the layers to the crown only for lift. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and diffuse on low. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
3. Short Curly Shag
A short curly shag adds height without daily work. I cut the crown curls short on dry hair, curl by curl, and keep the sides and back to the jaw with point cutting. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Scrunch a curl mousse into damp hair and diffuse on low, pushing the crown up. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
4. Tapered Curly Cut
A tapered curly cut keeps the neck clean and the top full. I cut the nape and sides with scissor over comb on dry hair, tapering to the ear, and leave the top curls to three inches. It suits medium density and type 3B to 3C curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair and air-dry, pushing the top up. Trim every five weeks so the taper stays sharp.
5. Curly Pixie With Side Swept Fringe
A side swept fringe on a curly pixie softens the forehead. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair, cut the top curl by curl, and leave the fringe curls long enough to sweep to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Scrunch a curl cream into wet hair and air-dry, pushing the fringe to one side. Trim every six weeks.
6. Curly Cut for Fine Hair Over 40
Fine curly hair over 40 takes a short cut when the layers are point cut and never razored. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair and cut the top curl by curl to two and a half inches so the ends stay full. It suits fine density and type 2C to 3A curls. Apply a light curl mousse and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks.
7. Curly Cut for Thick Hair
Thick curly hair needs the weight removed inside. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair, slide cut the interior of the top, and cut the top curl by curl to three inches. It suits thick density and type 3B to 3C curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair and air-dry, or diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks.
8. Curly Pixie Bob
A curly pixie bob sits between a pixie and a bob. I cut the nape short with graduation on dry hair, let the front curls fall to the cheekbone, and cut the top curl by curl. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Scrunch a curl cream into wet hair and air-dry, pushing the front forward. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
9. Curly Cut With Balayage
Balayage on short curls shows on every curl because the light sits on the bend. I cut the shape dry, curl by curl, with graduated sides and a three inch top, then hand paint lighter pieces through the top curls. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks and refresh the balayage every sixteen.
10. Curly Cut Around Glasses
A curly cut around glasses keeps the side curls above the arms. I cut the sides with scissor over comb on dry hair while the client wears her glasses, keep the top curls longer, and cut the crown curl by curl for lift. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair and air-dry. Trim every five weeks.
11. Curly Cut With Volume at the Crown
Volume at the crown lifts the whole face on short curly hair. I cut the sides and back short with graduation on dry hair and cut the crown curls shorter, curl by curl, so they stand. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Scrunch a curl mousse into damp hair, flip the head over, and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks.
12. Short Curly Cut for Round Faces
A round face takes short curly hair cuts for women over 40 with height at the crown and the sides kept close. I cut the sides close with scissor over comb on dry hair and leave the crown curls to three inches so they stand. It suits medium density and round faces with type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse the crown up. Trim every five weeks.
13. Curly Bob With Side Swept Bangs
Side swept bangs on a curly bob are cut dry so the curls sit at the brow. I cut the bob at the jaw in the curl pattern and cut the bangs curl by curl from the brow to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, push the bangs to one side, and diffuse on low. Trim every seven weeks.
14. Wash and Go Curly Crop
The wash and go curly crop dries into place without a diffuser. I cut the back and sides short with graduation on dry hair and cut the top curl by curl to two inches so each curl sits where it falls. It suits medium density and type 3B to 3C curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, push the top up with your fingers, and leave it. Trim every five weeks.
15. Curly Cut With Money Piece
A money piece on short curls brightens the face frame. I cut the shape dry, curl by curl, with graduated sides and a three inch top, then lighten the two front curl sections from root to end. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks and refresh the money piece every ten.
16. Curly Cut With Undercut Nape
An undercut nape under short curls removes bulk without showing. I clipper the nape on dry hair below the occipital bone, leave the side curls to cover it, and cut the top curl by curl to three inches. It suits thick density and type 3B to 3C curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim the undercut every four weeks, the top every six.
17. Curly Cut With Gray Blending
Gray blending on short curls softens the first grays without a solid color. I cut the shape dry, curl by curl, with graduated sides and a three inch top, then weave fine highlights and lowlights through the top curls. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks and refresh the blending every twelve.
18. Curly Cut for Square Faces
A square face takes short curly hair with soft curls at the jaw and a side fringe. I cut the sides to the jaw on dry hair, curl by curl, and cut the fringe curls to sweep to one side. It suits medium density and square faces with type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
19. Curly Pixie With Tapered Sideburns
Tapered sideburns under a curly pixie frame the ear. I cut the sides with scissor over comb on dry hair, taper the sideburns to a soft point, and cut the top curl by curl to two and a half inches. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream and air-dry. Trim every five weeks so the sideburns stay clean.
20. Curly Bob Tucked Behind the Ears
A curly bob tucked behind the ears shows the crown curls. I cut the perimeter at the jaw in the curl pattern on dry hair and keep the sides long enough to stay tucked. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, tuck both sides, and air-dry. Trim every seven weeks and gloss every eight.
21. Curly Cut With Clear Gloss
A clear gloss on short curls makes each curl shine where the light hits. I cut the shape dry, curl by curl, with graduated sides and a three inch top, then apply a clear gloss at the bowl. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and air-dry. Trim every six weeks and gloss every six.
22. Curly Cut With Deep Side Part
A deep side part on short curls moves volume to one side. I cut the sides with scissor over comb on dry hair, part deep to one side, and cut the heavy side curls longer so they sweep across. It suits medium density and type 3A curls with round or square faces. Apply a curl cream and diffuse the heavy side up and across. Trim every six weeks.
23. Curly Crop With Micro Fringe
A micro fringe on a curly crop sits above the brow and needs nothing but a curl cream. I cut the back and sides close with scissor over comb on dry hair, cut the top curl by curl to two inches, and cut the fringe curls short above the brow. It suits medium density and type 3B curls. Apply a curl cream and air-dry. Trim every five weeks.
24. Curly Cut for Heart Shaped Faces
A heart shaped face takes short curls pushed forward with the sides kept full at the jaw. I cut the sides to the ear with scissor over comb on dry hair and cut the top curl by curl to two and a half inches. It suits medium density and heart faces with type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and push the top forward. Trim every six weeks.
25. Curly Cut With Highlights
Highlights through short curls add dimension so each curl shows. I cut the shape dry, curl by curl, with graduated sides and a three inch top, then weave fine highlights through the top curls only. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks and refresh the highlights every twelve.
26. Curly Cut With Wispy Nape
A wispy nape under short curls keeps the back soft. I cut the sides with scissor over comb on dry hair, cut the top curl by curl to two and a half inches, and leave wispy curls at the nape. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream and air-dry, leaving the nape alone. Trim every six weeks.
27. Curly Bob With Internal Layers
Internal layers under a curly bob remove bulk so it dries lighter. I cut the perimeter at the jaw in the curl pattern on dry hair, then slide two layers through the interior only. It suits thick density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair and diffuse on low. Trim every seven weeks and gloss every eight.
28. Curly Cut With Copper Color
Copper color on short curls is one of the short curly hair cuts for women over 40 that comes from the color chair. I cut the shape dry, curl by curl, with graduated sides and a three inch top, then apply a permanent copper at the bowl. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and air-dry. Trim every six weeks and refresh the copper every six.
29. Curly Pixie With Long Top Pushed Back
A long top pushed back is the softest curly pixie. I cut the sides and back with scissor over comb on dry hair and leave the top curls to four inches, cut curl by curl, so they push up and back. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse the top back. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
30. Curly Stacked Bob
A curly stacked bob adds height at the back. I cut the nape short with graduation on dry hair, stack the curls up to the crown, curl by curl, and leave the front at the chin. It suits medium density and type 3A curls with round or square faces. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
31. Curly Cut With Textured Top
A textured top on short curls is a two minute style. I cut the back and sides close with scissor over comb on dry hair and cut the top curl by curl to two inches, roughing the ends. It suits medium density and type 3B curls. Rub a little curl paste between your palms and push the top in any direction. Trim every five weeks.
32. Curly Cut With Soft Fringe
A soft fringe on a short curly cut frames the eyes. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair, cut the top curl by curl, and cut the fringe curls at the brow so they sit, not spring. It suits medium density and type 3A curls with oval or long faces. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low. Trim the fringe every four weeks.
33. Low Maintenance Short Curly Cut
The low maintenance version of short curly hair cuts for women over 40 is a crop that air-dries into shape. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair and cut the top curl by curl to two and a half inches. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and leave it. Trim every seven weeks.
34. Curly Cut With Side Part and Glasses
A side part on short curls sits clear of glasses when the light side is tucked. I cut the shape at the jaw in the curl pattern on dry hair and part to one side while the client wears her glasses. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream, tuck the light side, and air-dry. Trim every seven weeks.
35. Curly Cut With Feathered Sides
Feathered sides under short curls keep the shape soft at the ear. I cut the sides with scissor over comb on dry hair, point cut the ends so they feather forward, and cut the top curl by curl. It suits medium density and type 3A curls with oval or round faces. Apply a curl cream and air-dry, pushing the sides forward. Trim every six weeks.
36. Short Curly Cut for Long Faces
A long face takes short curls with width at the cheekbone. I cut the sides to the cheekbone on dry hair, curl by curl, keep the crown flatter, and cut a curly fringe at the brow to shorten the forehead. It suits medium density and long faces with type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse the sides out. Trim every six weeks.
37. Curly Cut With Choppy Layers
Choppy layers on short curls are point cut deep so each curl stands apart. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair and point cut deep into the top curls, curl by curl. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse on low, separating the pieces. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
38. Curly Cut With Grown Out Fringe
A grown out fringe on short curls is swept into the top. I cut the back and sides with graduation on dry hair, cut the crown curl by curl, and leave the fringe curls at the cheekbone. It suits medium density and type 3A curls with round or square faces. Apply a curl cream and push the fringe up and back. Trim every six weeks.
39. Curly Cut With Shaved Side
One shaved side under short curls is the boldest cut on this list. I clipper one side on dry hair and cut the top and opposite side curl by curl to three inches so they sweep across. It suits medium to thick density and type 3A to 3C curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse the top toward the long side. Trim the shaved side every three weeks.
40. Curly Cut With Clean Nape and Long Top
A clean nape with a long top keeps the curl at the crown. I clipper the nape on dry hair, cut the sides with scissor over comb, and leave the top curls to four inches, cut curl by curl. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream and diffuse the top up. Trim every five weeks.
41. Defined Curly Crop With Gel
A defined curly crop finished with gel reads polished. I cut the back and sides close with scissor over comb on dry hair and cut the top curl by curl to two and a half inches. It suits medium density and type 3B to 3C curls. Apply a curl gel to wet hair, scrunch, and air-dry, then scrunch out the cast. Trim every five weeks.
42. Curly Cut With Curly Bangs
Curly bangs on a short curly cut are cut dry so they sit at the brow and not above it. I cut the shape curl by curl to the jaw, keep the crown curls short, and cut the bangs curl by curl at the brow. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and diffuse on low. Trim every seven weeks.
43. Curly Cut With Half Up Clip
A half up clip on short curls keeps them off the face and shows the crown. I cut the shape at the jaw in the curl pattern on dry hair with shorter crown curls. It suits medium density and type 3A curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, diffuse on low, then clip the top curls back at the crown. Trim every six weeks.
Short curls cut dry, curl by curl, still hold their shape on second-day hair because each one is cut where it actually lives once it springs. For short curly hair cuts for women over 40 I keep the perimeter rounded so the curls frame the face instead of bouncing away from it. A scrunch of curl cream is all the styling most mornings ask for. oval face haircuts stay the shape I reach for most, and the same length rules apply whether the hair is fine, curly, silver, or layered.
