25 Curly Bob Haircuts To Show Your Stylist Ahead of Your Next Chop

Yearning for a new way to style your natural ringlets, or just craving a chop ahead of warmer weather? Consider the curly bob. While cascades of curls will always have their place, the benefits of the curly bob abound. “Curls can add volume and texture to a classic bob,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. “Shorter styles are also a great way to help define your curly patterns, so this is a great way to go if you want to embrace your natural texture.” An abbreviated cut is always a great way to maximize the look of your natural mane. “Shorter cuts for curly hair can give the illusion of having thick, voluminous hair, especially if your hair is on the finer side,” explains Cristina B. King, hairstylist at Rita Hazan Salon, who also echoes Fitzsimons' note on shaping and cleaned-up patterns.

When consulting your stylist, make sure a dry cut is on the agenda (this allows a full view of your natural curl pattern and a true understanding of length). As far as styling goes, look to enhance your texture while adding a touch of finished glam. “Start by applying a lightweight curl cream (like Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Curl Crème) or mousse to damp hair, scrunching it to define the curls,” says Fitzsimons. “I recommend using a diffuser attachment on a low-heat setting for extra definition and volume to dry the hair without disrupting its natural pattern.” Conversely, simply take your bob to the beach and then hit the town — organic is the goal, after all.

Here, 25 curly bobs to serve as inspiration for your summer salon visit.

Wolf Cut Curls

Natasha Lyonne’s rockabilly wolf cut skews funky and romantic when worn with her natural curls. Lyonne is never one to favor perfection—her mane of curls features a mix of kinks, brushed segments, and myriad lengths ultimately styled to brush over shoulders.

Creased Curls

Julia Garner wears her signature peroxide curls gelled to sculptural perfection. This particular crop features an added angle via a crease at the crown, creating the illusion of an invisible headband while keeping her bright ringlets off her face.

Global Curls

Ruth Negga’s rounded curls ooze easy glamour. Easy and romantic yet defined, the crown of ringlets is cut in a perfect circle, the globular effect enhancing the soft nature of Negga’s cut.

A-Line Curls

Texture meets lift with Kerry Washington’s A-line cut. Washington’s side-parted curls create a flattering face frame, while a teasing at the back of the style adds height and some piecey separation.

Triangulated Chop

Yara Shahidi leans into the triangulation that can come with a curly cut, a side part and in-her-face fringe creating an ‘80s effect. The actor’s springy coils frame a selection of details — aqua eyeshadow and geometric accessories — that subtly solidify the era reference.

Off-Kilter Curls

A side part that cuts through a cloud of tight curls adds an angular detail to an otherwise soft style. Nathalie Emmanuel’s would-be Afro is personalized via such a part, the shift in style drawing attention to her face along with her curls.

Bedhead Curls

Soft and tousled curls provide instant elegance — especially when worn by Michelle Pfeiffer. The actor’s delicately curled lob looks to be largely product-free, left to fall (and frizz) for an organic, undone red carpet-moment.

French Girl Curls

Audrey Tautou’s gamine chops always feature a touch of that sought-after French nonchalance, and her rounded curly bob is no exception. As with Pfeiffer’s style, a medley of frizz and definition are key here, as is the added glamour that comes with Tautou’s natural volume.

Wet-Look Curls

A hyper-abbreviated curly bob becomes all the more modern when offered a wet-look finish. Zazie Beetz’s chop — a blunt cut near the earlobe — is already edgy, but an excess of gel and oil creates a style that’s all about cool girl structure and shine.

Bronze Goddess Curls

Issa Rae’s bronze cloud of curls proves that even the most defined ringlets can also feel flawlessly fluffy. Paired with a warm makeup palette and gilded accessories, Rae’s cut (and color) are the stuff of Disco daydreams, a subtle part and natural bang furthering the effect.

Carrie Curls

One cannot discuss cropped curls without looking to Sarah Jessica Parker’s iconic lengths. Though this look was several years pre-Carrie, it’s easy to see why SJP’s curls acted as a main character throughout Sex and the City — and this layered coiffure feels as relevant as ever.

Mob Wife Curls

Glossy, glamorous, and slightly retro, Jennifer Lopez’s early-aughts curls scream mob wife. A finger-raked part and barrel-meets-kiss curl offer extra drama, which is perhaps the hallmark of the overall aesthetic.

Retro Curls

Brushed-out barrels and a generously rounded baby bang give Tracee Ellis Ross’ curly bob an Old Hollywood feel of the Italian glam variety. Carrying off this look is all about embracing volume.

Twisted Curls

Lupita Nyongo’o’s natural texture is all one needs for a standout textured chop, but a thread-through of tiny twists add a memorable (and high-shine) touch.

Downy Curls

Gabrielle Union’s curly long bob looks light as a feather, each ringlet glossy and healthy-looking sans the crunchiness that comes with gel. The result is a style that, though generously voluminous, is anything but heavy.

Shagged Curls

Curly bobs lend themselves to myriad shapes, and determining the right one for you comes down to features and daily routine. Alison Brie’s softly curled shag is an of-the-moment means of rocking your natural texture while keeping your lengths above the shoulder.

Finger Wave Lob

Julia Roberts is known for a long cascade of curls, but this glossy bob is equally impactful. The actor’s slightly angled brunette chop features soft curls framed by a subtle finger wave, a style at home in the 1930s, 2000s, and now.

Carefree Curls

Malaika Firth’s shoulder-length curls showcase the appeal of leaving hair alone, her natural-looking and even out-of-place curls exuding a beachy, careless cool.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Chop

Bleached and teased, Rihanna’s rooty chop centered on brushed curls and ample attitude.

Diva Curls

Beyoncé’s caramel-colored ringlets separate at center and fall to her shoulders. Ringlets are defined yet unfinished, the wealth of texture furthered by frizz, out-of-place strands, and endless volume.

Brushed Curls

Like Shahidi, Solange understands the stylized power of the triangular shape. Part your chop down the middle before brushing your curls out fully, allowing your teased-out texture to make a bold statement. Pair with a neoprene lip for maximum effect.

Structured Curls

Alanna Arrington’s glossy ringlets are an ode to loose definition. A full bang provides the style with a soft and round shape, her above-shoulder curls falling in a pattern that feels chic, effortless, and entirely finished.

Gamine Curls

Crop your curls above the levels of a classic bob for a sweet gamine moment, represented here by Alia Shawkat.

Fresh Curls

Keri Russell’s shower-fresh curly lob reminds us that curl care starts while cleansing. Fitzsimons recommends reaching for a curl-friendly line-up (Fantasy Curls Nourishing shampoo and conditioner) and scrunching out excess water with microfiber towel before adding in moisture with a lightweight leave-in.

Faux Curly Bob

Finally, if you’re not quite ready to commit to a curly bob, make like Taylor Swift and start with a temporary take on the style. Whether you enjoy one night of wear or opt to make the chop, the faux bob is a romantic means of testing shallow waters.

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