30 Curly Bob Haircuts That Slay in 2024

Think you can’t rock a bob because your hair is naturally curly? We’re going to show you how blessedly wrong you are. Check out how 30 women are absolutely slaying the curly bob look in our photo guide.

Considering a Curly Bob?

Growing up with natural curls, it’s almost certain that you got a bad bob haircut at least once. Some well-meaning stylist who wasn’t skilled with cutting curly hair may have butchered your ringlets.

Maybe the result was a short, triangular-shaped monstrosity that was worlds away from the pretty, sleek bob with tucked-under ends you saw your friends sporting. 

It might’ve put you off the idea of a curly bob once and for all. But we think it’s time to reconsider. Curly bobs are all the rage right now. And as long as you’re visiting a stylist who knows how to work with your curls, you’re going to love the results. 

Keeping your hair short when you have natural curls will help keep them bouncy and lightweight. Layering and tapering your curls lends a nice shape to your hair and can even help you avoid the need for daily heat-styling. 

A curly bob checks all these boxes. It’s the best haircut to make curls easy to manage. But not all curly bobs are created equally! We’ve scoured the internet to find examples of pretty bobs that are tailored to define and accentuate curls, coils, and kinky textures. 

Keep reading to learn about curly bobs, how to make them look their best, and see our favorite examples! We’ll also talk about the things you need to consider before getting a bob haircut with curly hair. Let’s get started! 

What Is a Curly Bob?

Curly bobs are short hairstyles that can be anywhere from ear-length to chin-length. If they’re longer than chin-length, we refer to them as a curly lob, or long bob. A curly bob can refer to a bob with either heat-styled or natural curls. 

Natural curls can be difficult to cut into a manageable bob. Curly hair requires careful cutting to avoid disrupting the natural curl pattern. If a stylist makes a snip in the middle of a curve or bend in your curl, that group of strands will stick out and ruin any chance of curl definition. 

That’s why it is absolutely essential to work with a stylist who knows how to cut, style, and manage natural curls. Curl-specific haircuts, including bobs, are typically done on dry hair. This enables the stylist to see exactly where to cut into the curl pattern to avoid disrupting it. 

It also gives them a “real-time” preview of how the hair is turning out, while wet-cutting requires the hair to dry before the results can be seen. 

Now that you’re a little more familiar with curly bobs and what makes them a unique challenge, let’s take a look at some of our favorite examples of this hairstyle.

Read Next: Bob Haircut Inspo

30 Women Who Slayed the Curly Bob

Cutting curly bobs can be a challenge, but don’t be discouraged. These 30 women are proof that stylists can and do nail this short haircut for naturally curly ladies. See any photos below that share your curl type? Make sure to grab screenshots of your favorite bobs to show your stylist! 

1. Curly Blonde Tapered Bob

Natural curls, long layers, and a side part are the basis of this everyday look. Tapering around the edges of the bob keeps the ends from being too bulky and weighing down your curls. 

2. Spiraled and Layered Auburn Lob

Auburn has such a radiance and rich depth that adds interest to any haircut. Perfectly spiral curls highlight the long layers at the back of this graduated lob cut and create extra volume.

Read Next: Layered Bob Inspiration

3. Curly Streaked Lob With Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs on curly hair are perfection. You get that natural bend away from the face to highlight your eyes. With icy blue streaks running through this shoulder-length long bob, the curls are a lovely finishing touch. 

4. Ringlets Styled Forward

This is such a vintage and unique look! The hair on top is styled forward instead of following a traditional part. The result is similar to full bangs, but the added touch of perfectly defined curls sets this bob apart! 

5. Curled Bob With Off-Center Part

We love a good off-center part, especially when paired with chin-length curls. It’s a great option if you’re uncomfortable with a middle part but think the side part looks dated. 

6. Ebony Chin-Length Curls

Shimmering ebony shows every curve and bend in these robust natural curls. A chin-length (or slightly longer) bob for curly hair should be cut a little bit longer than you want the result to be to allow for curl shrinkage.  

7. Curly Short Bob With Free-Form Ends

If you’re not a fan of the defined curl look, consider a short bob like this with random layers cut near the ends. This creates free-form ends that point in different directions for a fun and slightly whimsical look appropriate for any occasion. 

8. Side-Swept and Shoulder-Length Lob

Adopt a fabulously windswept look with shoulder-length curls directed away from the face and arranged with a side part. Clip one side back behind the ear to copy this chic look! 

9. Above-the-Shoulders Bob With Short Layers

Casual, tousled texture is the key to rocking a low-maintenance lob that reaches just above the shoulders. If your curls are somewhat loose and you hate heat-styling, a layered cut like this makes your ends look fuller and is easy to style. 

10. Inverted Bob With Spiral Curls

Inverted bobs are longer in the front than the back and are great for accentuating and defining your jawline. Pair it with natural or curling-iron curls for a polished look. 

11. Glam Chin-Length Curls

Chin-length bob, blonde hair, and glamorous curls – you’ll have people calling you Miss Monroe when you wear this polished and pretty bob. 

12. Side Parted Bob With Curly Ends

Curls are as varied as the people that sport them, so if your hair is only curled at the ends, you need a haircut that shows them off. Short layers give limp curls a little more oomph and volume at the ends. 

13. Tousled Chin-Length Bob

Natural curls parted to the side in a chin-length bob just require a dab of gel or mousse for definition and a diffuser to gently blow dry. This easy style also accentuates your jawline and makes your neck look longer! 

14. Polished and Curly Coiffed Bob

Polished and defined looks like these definitely take a little more time to do. If you want a short bob that can be styled for special events or formal-dress workplaces, this is a beautiful option. 

15. Lob With Soft Layers and Curls

Soft, sliced layers throughout the hair and around the face create more curl definition and bounce. This voluminous lob style hits at the shoulders, a universally flattering length. 

16. Curly Curtain Bangs

A middle part paired with curly hair cut to the shoulders in a tapered lob creates an everyday look that can be dressed up or down. The curtain bangs curve inward at the cheekbones to accentuate them. 

17. Pinup Bob With Jagged Ends

Small, tight ringlets are the main feature of this chin-length bob with a side part. To keep the look casual and fun, the ends are point cut for a jagged effect. 

18. Wet-Cut Curly Lob

Wet-cut curls are challenging for stylists because curls shrink up as they dry. But if you’ve got a talented hairdresser, they can ensure your curls are perfectly cut and layered for easy air-dry styling!

Read Next: How to Dry Curly Hair

19. Chin-Length and Curly Stacked Bob

Stacked bobs with curls create mega volume, so keep that in mind if you’re someone who prefers a sleeker or less voluminous look. Short layers toward the bottom of the hair help “prop up” the hair on top for a high-volume, spirited look. 

20. Tapered Curls and Feathered Bangs

This is a beautiful look for mature ladies with natural curls! A side part with layered bangs feathered back leaves the face open. Short layers that start at the top create extra volume on top and tapering removes weight from the ends.

21. Ultraviolet Lob With Low-Volume Curls

The stunning color draws your attention first, but the soft curls and blunt bangs are the main attraction. To nail this style, tug on your curls after heat-styling to flatten them down a bit. 

22. Shoulder-Length Tapered Lob

Wearing super-curly hair short requires a little layering and tapering to keep it from having the triangular effect (fuller at the bottom than the top). We love how this lob is tapered at the edges to keep a nice shape. 

23. Curly 70s-Inspired Bob

Anyone else getting Farrah Fawcett vibes? This curly, just-above-the-shoulders bob is parted down the middle and features voluminous curls directed away from the face. So pretty! 

24. Mismatched Curls With Face-Framing Pieces

Curling-iron defined curls on one side contrast with brushed-out waves on the other. If you have very fine or thin curly hair, you might like a style like this to boost fullness! Try the cherry red color if you’re feeling particularly daring. 

25. Wolf Cut Curly Shag Lob

The TikTik-popularized wolf cut is a cross between a 70s shag cut and early 00s emo hairstyles with curtain bangs. If you’re looking for a voluminous style that highlights your curls and defines your cheekbones, this curly lob is it. 

26. Boho Air-Dried Curls

If you’re one to avoid hair dryers unless absolutely necessary, you need a perfectly layered haircut to make your curly bob “wash and go.” Imperfect curl texture creates a casual and natural look with a little bohemian vibe. 

27. Bouncy Ringlet Bob

These springy ringlets are tapered at the ends for reduced weight and bulk. We love the short-medium length – almost to the shoulders. Curl definition is the foundation of this style, so make sure to use a good curl product first! 

28. Curly Tapered Bob With Bangs

Check out the fullness and volume of this style! Blunt bangs reach just past the eyebrows, but you can split them down the middle like Brigitte Bardot or sweep them to the side for different looks. 

29. Curly Blonde Bob With Middle Part

Not quite shoulder-length, this curly blonde haircut draws the attention to your collarbone, neck, and jawline for a slimming effect. Copy her windblown curls by spritzing sea salt spray into your hair while it’s damp. 

30. Chin-Length Kinky Bob

If your hair is more kinky than curly, don’t be afraid of going short with it. Proper layering and tapering will keep it from puffing out in the wrong places! We love how this chin-length bob highlights the pretty texture. 

Things to Consider With Curly Bobs

Bobs with curls require a little forethought and consideration. You need to make sure you’re clear on how your curls will look and lay once you get a bob haircut. Here’s what you need to consider before you get a bob when you have naturally curly hair. 

• Know your curl type first. Every person with curly hair will fall under one of 6 curl types. These range from 3A (slightly curly, borderline wavy) to 4C (extremely kinky). Learn about the curl types to see which one best describes your hair’s texture before you opt for a bob. If you’re not sure what your curl type is, your stylist should be able to help you determine it. 
• Work with a stylist who specializes in curls. Curly hair has special considerations and needs that straight and wavy hair just don’t have. The layers and styles that work for straighter hair types don’t always apply to curly hair. So make sure you’re working with a stylist who knows curly hair like the back of their hand – even better if they have curly hair themselves. 
• Think about your styling preferences. Certain types of bobs will require more attention and styling than others. You don’t want to end up with bangs you didn’t realize you’d have to heat style every morning if you wanted a wash-and-go cut. Let your stylist know if you want an air-dry friendly bob or that you don’t mind spending time styling your hair and using different curl products in the mornings. This will ensure you’re not surprised with extensive styling requirements. 
• Tapering can help remove excess bulk and weight. If you’re scarred by a past haircut that made your curls pile up at the bottom in a triangular shape, you can avoid that happening again by getting a tapered bob. Tapered cuts feature staggered layers that remove excess bulk and weight from curly hair at the ends. Triangle crisis averted!  

Should You Get a Curly Bob Haircut?

Curly, coily, and kinky bobs are dramatic, eye-catching, and unique. In a sea of straight and wavy styles, rocking a bob with your voluminous and winding hair texture will make you stand out in the best way. 

As long as you choose a stylist who knows how to properly cut and style curly hair, understand and know your own curl type, and choose a style of bob that will be simple for you to style in the mornings, you’re going to love what this type of cut does for your hair.

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