Best Haircuts for Men with Thick or Curly Hair
Updated: Aug 31
Best Haircuts for Men With Thick and Curly Hair
Thick and curly hair is one of the most versatile hair types for men — but only when you have the right haircut working with your natural texture instead of against it.
With the wrong cut, you can spend every morning fighting excess volume, uneven shape, and curls that refuse to sit where you want them. With the right haircut, thick curly hair can be easy to manage, sharp, and full of natural texture.
At Arsenio’s Barbershop in Orlando, FL, we regularly work with men who have thick, wavy, curly, and coily hair. The key is not simply cutting the hair shorter. A good barber needs to understand how the hair grows, how much it expands when dry, and where volume should be removed or maintained.
Why Thick and Curly Hair Needs the Right Haircut
One of the most important things to understand about thick and curly hair is that it expands as it dries.
That means a haircut that looks good while the hair is wet may sit completely differently once your curls return to their natural shape.
A barber experienced with men’s curly haircuts should consider your curl pattern, density, head shape, lifestyle, and preferred styling routine before deciding how much hair to remove.
The goal is to create structure without taking away the natural movement that makes curly hair look good in the first place.
Taper Fade With Curly Hair
The taper fade is one of the most popular haircuts for men with curly hair, and for good reason.
A taper keeps the neckline and areas around the ears clean while allowing more length and texture through the top and sides. This creates a balanced haircut without making the curls feel overly bulky.
It works especially well for:
Loose curls
Wavy hair
Tight curls
Coily hair
Thick textured hair
At Arsenio’s Barbershop, we can customize the taper depending on how subtle or sharp you want the haircut to look.
A lower taper creates a more natural appearance, while a stronger taper gives the haircut more contrast and definition.
If you are looking for a taper fade in Orlando, this is also a great haircut to choose if you want something that grows out naturally between barber visits.
Mid Fade or High Fade With Curly Hair
If you like more contrast between the sides and the top, a mid fade or high fade with curly hair can be a great option.
The shorter sides remove a lot of unnecessary bulk while allowing the curls on top to become the main focus of the haircut.
A mid fade gives you a balanced look that works well for both professional and casual styles.
A high fade creates a stronger transition and usually makes the curls on top look more dramatic.
Depending on your hair length, you can style the top with curl cream, leave it naturally defined, brush it backward, or wear it slightly forward for a more textured finish.
Our Orlando barbers can also adjust the fade based on your head shape so the haircut complements your features instead of simply following a standard template.
Temp Fade With a Curly Top
Another excellent option is a temp fade with curly hair.
A temp fade, sometimes called a temple fade, focuses the shortest part of the haircut around the temples while keeping more fullness throughout the rest of the sides.
This works especially well if you want your haircut to look clean without committing to a full skin fade.
The temp fade pairs especially well with defined curls and a sharp lineup.
For styling, a lightweight curl cream or curl-defining product can help control frizz without making your hair feel stiff or greasy.
Shape-Up With a Natural Curly Top
Not every curly haircut needs a dramatic fade.
For men who prefer a more natural or lower-maintenance look, a shape-up with a natural curly top is a strong option.
Instead of removing a lot of length, your barber focuses on cleaning the hairline, temples, sideburns, and neckline while shaping the curls into a more controlled silhouette.
This allows you to keep your natural volume while still looking freshly groomed.
Your barber may also strategically remove some interior weight to prevent the haircut from becoming too round or bulky.
This style works particularly well for clients growing their hair longer or anyone who prefers a softer, more natural haircut.
Should Thick Curly Hair Be Thinned Out?
Sometimes — but it needs to be done carefully.
If your hair is extremely thick, removing some interior weight can make a major difference in how easy it is to manage.
The goal is not necessarily to make the outside of the haircut appear thinner. Instead, your barber can reduce unnecessary bulk inside the hairstyle so the curls sit better.
Proper weight removal can help with:
Excessive puffiness
Heavy or bulky curls
Uneven shape
Difficult styling
Hair that becomes overly wide as it grows
The technique used depends heavily on your curl pattern.
Curly hair should not automatically be attacked with thinning shears because removing too much weight can sometimes create frizz or disrupt the curl pattern.
That is why working with a barber who understands textured hair is important.
How Often Should You Cut Thick and Curly Hair?
How often you should visit your barber depends on the haircut.
For a taper fade, temp fade, or skin fade, most men prefer getting cleaned up every 2 to 3 weeks.
If you wear your curls longer and mainly maintain the shape, you may be able to go 3 to 5 weeks between full haircuts.
You can also schedule a lineup or edge-up between full appointments if you want to keep the haircut looking sharper.
How to Make Curly Hair Easier to Style
Your haircut is only part of the equation.
For easier styling at home, avoid using too much heavy product.
Start with damp hair and use a small amount of curl cream, leave-in conditioner, or lightweight styling product. Work it evenly through the hair and allow the curls to form naturally.
Try not to constantly brush or manipulate curly hair once it begins drying because this can create additional frizz.
The right haircut should make your daily routine easier, not require you to completely reshape your hair every morning.
Choosing the Right Curly Haircut for You
There is no single best haircut for every man with thick and curly hair.
The best choice depends on:
Your curl pattern
Hair thickness
Face and head shape
How frequently you want haircuts
How much styling you want to do
Whether you prefer a polished or natural appearance
When you visit Arsenio’s Barbershop in Orlando, talk with your barber about how you normally wear your hair and how much maintenance you realistically want to do at home.
Bringing a reference photo can also help communicate the look you want, but your barber should still customize the haircut for your individual hair texture and growth pattern.
Looking for a Barber for Curly Hair in Orlando?
If you have thick, curly, wavy, or textured hair and are looking for a barber in Orlando, FL, Arsenio’s Barbershop offers men’s haircuts, taper fades, skin fades, beard grooming, lineups, and modern textured styles.
Whether you want a clean taper fade, a curly top with a fade, or simply need someone to properly shape and manage thick hair, the goal is to give you a haircut that looks good in the shop and remains manageable once you get home.
Book your next haircut with Arsenio’s Barbershop and find a style that works with your natural texture instead of fighting against it.
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