Okay, let's talk curly hair. Specifically, long mens curly hairstyles. If you're reading this, you're probably either growing yours out or thinking about it. I remember when I first grew my curls past my shoulders – people either loved it or asked if I'd join a 70s rock band. Truth is, long curly hair on guys is having a major moment, but nobody tells you the real daily grind.
See, most articles just show pretty models with perfect ringlets. Real life? Wake up looking like a dandelion. Spend 20 minutes taming it. Still get frizz by noon. Been there. But when it works? Pure magic. Let's cut through the Instagram filters and talk what actually matters.
Why Bother with Long Curly Hair Anyway?
Look, short hair's easier. No debate. But long curly hairstyles for men do things short cuts can't. Volume for days. Movement when you walk. That effortless vibe people pay hairstylists to fake. Plus, it hides receding hairlines – my cousin swears by this trick.
But here's the ugly truth they don't advertise:
Bad curl days WILL happen. Humidity turns mine into a triangle shape. And wind? Forget about it. You'll find leaves in there later.
Face Shape Cheat Sheet
Not every guy suits shoulder-length curls. Here's the breakdown from my barber friend Mike (who charges $80 a cut, so listen up):
| Your Face Shape | Do This | Avoid This |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Layers on top, keep sides tighter | All-over length (makes face wider) |
| Square | Full volume everywhere | Super-defined curls (too harsh) |
| Oval | Anything goes (lucky bastard) | Over-styling (ruins the natural look) |
| Long | Curls hitting cheekbones | Top-heavy volume (stretches face) |
Mike says 60% of guys get this wrong. Saw a dude with a long face grow curls down to his chin – looked like a brown waterfall drowning his features. Don't be that guy.
The Care Routine That Actually Works
Shampoo every day? Murder for curls. Learned that after my hair turned into straw sophomore year. Here's what took me 3 years to figure out:
Wash Schedule That Won't Ruin Your Life
- Coarse/thick curls: Shampoo every 4 days max. Condition daily.
- Fine curls: Shampoo every 3 days. Light conditioner.
- Mixed texture: Shampoo roots every 3 days, condition ends daily.
Pro tip: Use a T-shirt to dry, not a towel. Towels create frizz city. Found this out after bad hair days every morning for months.
Must-Have Products (No BS)
I've tested over 30 products. Half were garbage. Here are the real MVPs:
| Product Type | Budget Pick ($) | Splurge Pick ($$$) | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | SheaMoisture Coconut (about $9) | Ouidad Curl Quencher ($32) | Cleans without stripping oils |
| Conditioner | Cantu Cream Conditioner ($7) | Briogeo Avocado ($26) | Detangles without heaviness |
| Styler | Eco Style Olive Oil Gel ($6) | DevaCurl SuperCream ($28) | Defines curls without crunch |
| Treatment | DIY coconut oil mask ($3) | Olaplex No.3 ($28) | Repairs damage from heat/color |
Personal confession: That $32 Ouidad shampoo? Game changer. But the $6 Eco gel works nearly as well as fancy stuff. Don't let influencers shame you into bankrupting yourself.
Style Hacks for Actual Humans
You want long curly hairstyles men can manage before coffee. These work even when you're half asleep:
3-Minute Morning Routine
- Spray damp: Mix water + 2 drops conditioner in spray bottle
- Rake through: Finger-comb styling cream through WET hair
- Scrunch: Palm-squeeze curls upward while head upside down
- Air dry: Or diffuse on low heat if late (high heat = frizz bomb)
Biggest mistake? Brushing dry curls. Did this before a date once. Looked like Einstein. Had to wear a hat.
Popular Styles Decoded
Not all long mens curly hairstyles are created equal. Here's what's trending:
- The Surfer Shag: Layers everywhere, messy texture. Low maintenance but requires thick hair. If your curls are sparse, it looks sad.
- Classic Shoulder-Length: Uniform length, natural part. Timeless but needs regular trims. My personal go-to.
- Man Bun with Curls: Top knot with loose curls escaping. Hide your bad hair days. Warning: Tight buns cause breakage over time.
- Half-Up Top Knot: Crown section tied back, rest loose. Great for growing-out phase. Makes weak hairlines obvious though.
- Curly Undercut: Shaved sides + long top curls. Edgy but grows out terribly. Requires bi-weekly trims ($40+ each).
Saw a guy try the undercut with thin curls last week. From the front? Cool. From the back? Like a curly Mohawk gone wrong. Know your hair density first.
The Awkward Phase Survival Guide
Growing out curly hair is brutal. Months 3-8 make you look like a poodle. Here's how I survived:
Month 3-4: Ears start disappearing. Wear hats often. Use matte paste to push hair back.
Month 5-6: Hair hits jawline = triangle head. Get light layers cut only on top.
Month 7-8: Shoulder grazing = constant tangles. Sleep in silk cap or pillowcase.
Seriously, buy the silk pillowcase. $20 on Amazon saved my sanity. Cotton sucks moisture out and creates knots.
Repairing Damage (Because You'll Mess Up)
Bleached my tips silver once. Felt cool for a week. Then snap-crackle-pop every wash. Fixes for common disasters:
| Problem | Quick Fix | Long-Term Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Heat damage (flat iron abuse) | Cold water rinse after shower | Olaplex treatments weekly |
| Over-processed color | Coconut oil soak overnight | No dye for 6 months minimum |
| Split ends | Twist sections & snipe splits | Professional dusting every 8 weeks |
| Frizz explosion | Water spritz + palm scrunch | Switch to sulfate-free products |
My color disaster cost $380 to fix at a salon. Cheaper to embrace natural color unless you're loaded.
Your Top Curly Hair Questions Answered
These pop up constantly in forums and hair subreddits:
Can I grow long curly hair if it's thin?
Yes, but differently. Keep layers minimal. Use volumizing mousse at roots. Avoid weighing it down with heavy butters. My friend Rob has fine curls past his collar – looks great because he doesn't overload product.
How often to trim?
Every 10-12 weeks MAX for long curly hairstyles. Curls hide splits better than straight hair, but neglect leads to breakage. Budget $60-100 per trim at a curly specialist.
Best pillowcase fabric?
Silk > Satin > Cotton. Silk reduces friction 80% compared to cotton. Worth every penny.
Can I use regular hair ties?
No! Those elastic bands rip curls. Use coil ties (like Invisibobble) or scrunchies. Lost so much hair learning this.
When Things Go South: Salon SOS
Sometimes DIY fails. You need professional backup. Signs it's time:
- Your "trim" turns into 5 inches gone
- Hair feels like straw despite deep conditioning
- Scalp itches constantly (might be product buildup)
A good curly stylist charges $75-150+. Ask for:
- Dry cutting (they cut curled hair, not wet)
- Devacut or Ouidad certification
- Photos of real clients (not models)
My first DevaCut cost $120. Panicked at the price. But grew out better than any $30 cut ever did. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
Final Reality Check
Long curly hair on men looks incredible when maintained. But it's not low effort. Budget 15 minutes daily + $30 monthly for products + quarterly salon visits. If that sounds exhausting, a shorter cut might save your sanity.
But when you nail it? Nothing beats flipping your curls and watching people stare. Worth every untangled knot and bad hair day.
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