28 Short Curly Hairstyles That Look Stunning On Mature Women

Getting older doesn’t mean saying goodbye to fabulous hair. In fact, many mature women find that embracing their natural curls with the right short hairstyle brings out their best features and requires less maintenance.

I’ve spent years helping women discover their perfect look, and I’m excited to share these game-changing short curly styles that flatter women over 50.

These cuts don’t just work with your natural texture—they celebrate it!

1. Tapered Curly Cut

Shorter sides with fuller curls on top create amazing dimension that frames your face beautifully. This cut works wonders by removing bulk where you don’t want it while keeping those gorgeous curls where they matter most. The tapered sides make styling a breeze—just add a bit of curl-enhancing cream to damp hair and scrunch gently.

No more struggling with tangles around your ears or neck! I recommend this style especially for women with oval or heart-shaped faces. The height on top adds a youthful lift while the tapered sides keep everything neat and manageable for everyday wear.

2. Classic Curly Pixie

Nothing says confidence like a curly pixie cut. The secret lies in keeping some length on top for those beautiful curls while trimming the sides closer to create that classic pixie silhouette. My clients with this cut tell me they’ve never received more compliments! The style brings focus to your eyes and cheekbones while requiring minimal daily styling—just finger-comb with a bit of styling cream.

Ask your stylist to texturize the top layers to prevent that dreaded triangle shape. This cut works beautifully for almost any face shape and looks especially striking on women embracing their natural gray or silver tones.

3. Layered Bob With Curls

The layered curly bob hits that sweet spot between too short and too long. Layers are absolutely crucial here—they remove weight and allow your curls to spring up naturally instead of dragging down. My favorite version falls just at the chin or slightly below, creating a face-framing effect that’s both flattering and practical.

The layers throughout give movement and prevent the heaviness that can make curly hair look dated. This style transitions beautifully from day to evening and works with minimal products—just a light mousse and diffuser drying. For women with thinner hair, this cut creates the illusion of fullness and body without requiring tons of product.

4. Soft Curly Shag

The modern shag has made a huge comeback, and it’s perfect for curly-haired women over 50. This cut features layers that cascade from crown to ends, creating that coveted soft, feathery look that moves beautifully. Face-framing layers start high on the cheekbones, drawing attention upward and creating a naturally lifting effect.

The shorter crown layers add volume exactly where many mature women need it most. My clients love how this style can be air-dried most days—saving time and reducing heat damage. For special occasions, diffuse with your head upside down for maximum volume. This cut pairs wonderfully with balayage highlights that accentuate the layers and add dimension.

5. Curly Bob With Side Part

A side-parted curly bob offers instant sophistication with its asymmetrical look. The deeper the side part, the more dramatic the effect—perfect for women who love making a subtle statement with their hair. The weight line of this bob typically sits at the jawline or just below, highlighting your neck and jawline beautifully.

I often recommend this cut for women with square or round faces as it creates lovely angles. Style-wise, it’s incredibly versatile. Wear it sleek for formal events or embrace your natural texture for everyday elegance. The side part also cleverly disguises any thinning areas at the crown—a common concern among my mature clients.

6. Cropped Curls With Volume

Short doesn’t have to mean flat! This cropped cut keeps length on top while staying neat around the ears and nape. The magic happens when your curls spring up, creating natural volume that many women spend hours trying to achieve with longer styles. My clients with fine hair particularly love this cut because it maximizes what they have.

The shorter the sides and back, the more dramatic the volume appears on top. For styling, less is definitely more—a small amount of lightweight curl cream scrunched into damp hair is usually all you need. This cut grows out beautifully too, requiring fewer maintenance appointments than many other short styles.

7. Shaped Curly Afro

The shaped curly afro celebrates natural texture while maintaining a defined silhouette that flatters mature faces. Unlike the free-form afros of decades past, today’s version features subtle shaping that contours to your face shape. Length typically ranges from 2-4 inches, allowing your beautiful coils or curls to show their natural pattern while staying manageable.

The key is regular trimming to maintain the shape and remove split ends. This style pairs beautifully with bold earrings that show through. Many of my clients who embrace this look tell me they feel most authentically themselves with this style—it honors their natural texture while looking polished and intentional.

8. Wash-and-Go TWA

The Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA) might be the most liberating haircut for curly-haired women over 50. This ultra-short style showcases your natural curl pattern while requiring minimal maintenance—truly wash and go! The cut typically ranges from 1/2 inch to 2 inches, allowing enough length to see your beautiful curl pattern.

Many women tell me they wish they’d embraced this style years earlier because of how it showcases their facial features. Beyond its beauty, this style eliminates morning styling time. Simply wash, apply a light moisturizer or curl cream, and you’re ready for anything. For special occasions, a colorful headband or statement earrings pair perfectly with this confident, elegant look.

9. Chin-Length Curly Bob

The chin-length curly bob hits that perfect middle ground—not too short, not too long. This length frames the face beautifully while still being long enough to tuck behind your ears when needed. What makes this cut work so well for mature women is how it naturally lifts the face. The curls ending at the jawline create a visual lifting effect that’s subtly flattering without looking like you’re trying too hard.

I love recommending this cut for women transitioning to their natural gray or silver. The shorter length means less time dealing with two-toned hair, and the curls create beautiful dimension that showcases those silver strands like natural highlights.

10. Tousled Curly Crop

The tousled curly crop brings effortless chic to mature women. This cut features slightly longer pieces on top that can be styled forward or swept to the side, with shorter back and sides for easy maintenance. My clients love how this style looks intentionally “undone” in the best possible way. The slightly messy texture actually looks more modern than perfectly styled hair, making it perfect for busy women.

For styling, I recommend a texturizing spray on dry hair—scrunch and go! This cut pairs beautifully with highlights or balayage to enhance the texture and dimension. It’s especially flattering for women with fine hair as the layers create the appearance of thickness and body.

11. Curly Cut With Bangs

Curly bangs are having a moment, and they’re surprisingly flattering for mature women! These aren’t the straight-across bangs of decades past—modern curly bangs are often cut dry and left longer to allow for shrinkage. The key is cutting them long enough to curl properly but short enough to frame your eyes.

My clients with higher foreheads particularly love how this style softens their face and draws attention to their eyes. For the rest of the cut, keeping length around the ears while shortening the back creates a modern silhouette. This style requires a skilled curly hair specialist who understands how to cut curly bangs without creating awkward growth patterns or triangle-shaped hair.

12. Stacked Curly Bob

The stacked curly bob features graduated layers in the back that create a subtle wedge effect while maintaining length around the face. This clever cutting technique adds instant volume at the crown—exactly where many mature women want it most. Unlike some curly cuts that can look rounded, the stacked bob creates beautiful lines that frame your neck and jawline.

The front pieces typically hit at the chin or cheekbones, drawing attention upward. My clients with thinner hair love how this cut maximizes what they have without requiring tons of product. For styling, a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer helps enhance the natural lift at the back while defining the curls around your face.

13. Soft Perm With Layers

For naturally straight-haired women wanting some texture, a modern soft perm with layers creates beautiful movement without the tight curls of old-school perms. Today’s perms can create gentle waves or loose curls that look incredibly natural. The key is larger rods and gentler solutions than those used in the 80s and 90s.

I recommend a short, layered cut to complement the perm—typically chin-length or shorter to prevent the weight of longer hair from pulling out the curl. Many of my clients are surprised by how low-maintenance this look can be. A light curl cream and air-drying often creates the perfect finish. This style works beautifully for women with fine hair who want more volume and texture.

14. Curly Lob With Highlights

The curly lob (long bob) hits between the chin and shoulders—the perfect compromise between short and long. Adding highlights throughout creates dimension that makes curls pop and adds visual interest to the style. This length works wonderfully for women who want versatility—it’s long enough to pull back on busy days but short enough to style quickly.

The subtle highlighting technique follows your curl pattern, enhancing your natural texture. My clients with thicker hair appreciate how this cut removes bulk while maintaining enough length to control frizz. For gray-blending, subtle highlights can create a beautiful transitional look as you embrace your natural color. This style grows out beautifully too, requiring fewer maintenance cuts.

15. Silver Curly Pixie

Embracing your natural silver or white hair with a curly pixie creates a striking, confident look that turns heads for all the right reasons. This cut features slightly longer curls on top with tapered sides that hug the contours of your head. The contrast between the close-cut sides and the textured top creates beautiful dimension that showcases silver curls perfectly.

Many of my clients say this cut actually made their transition to gray easier and more stylish. For styling, a light pomade or texture cream helps define curls without weighing them down. This cut pairs beautifully with bold lipstick and statement earrings for a look that’s both elegant and modern. It’s particularly flattering for women with strong cheekbones and smaller facial features.

16. Curly Hair With Temple Taper

The temple taper adds edge to curly styles by closely trimming the hair around the temples and ears while leaving length on top and at the crown. This creates a beautiful frame for your face while keeping hair away from the ears and neck. My clients love how this cut feels lighter and cooler while still showcasing their beautiful curls where it matters most.

The contrast between the tapered sections and the fuller curls creates visual interest that photographs beautifully from every angle. This style works especially well for active women who want their hair to look great without constant restyling. The tapered sections stay neat as you move, while the curls on top maintain their shape with minimal product.

17. Defined Ringlet Bob

For women with tighter curl patterns, a defined ringlet bob showcases those beautiful spirals while maintaining a shaped silhouette. This cut typically sits at or just below the jawline, with layers throughout to enhance curl definition. The secret to this style is cutting each curl at its natural bend point—something only an experienced curly hair specialist should attempt.

This technique allows each ringlet to sit perfectly within the overall shape. My clients with this cut use a combination of leave-in conditioner and defining gel to enhance their natural curl pattern. This style looks particularly stunning on women with high contrast between their hair color and skin tone, creating a framing effect that highlights your best features.

18. Short Coily Cut

Women with tight coils or Z-pattern hair look stunning with a shaped short coily cut. This style maintains enough length to show your beautiful natural texture while keeping the silhouette neat and defined. The shape is typically rounded with slightly more length on top, creating a balanced look that flatters most face shapes. Regular trims every 4-6 weeks help maintain the shape as your coils grow.

My clients with this cut use moisture-rich products that enhance definition without creating crunch or stiffness. The beauty of this style is its versatility—it can be worn with defined coils for a more polished look or fluffed out for a softer appearance. This cut also showcases beautiful earrings and necklines beautifully.

19. Natural Curls With Side Sweep

A side-swept curly cut creates beautiful asymmetry that frames your face from your best angle. This style features a deeper part with curls swept elegantly across the forehead—perfect for women who want to highlight their eyes and cheekbones. The beauty of this cut lies in its versatility. You can wear it swept dramatically to one side for special occasions or more centered for everyday wear.

The length typically sits at the jawline or just below, with layers throughout to prevent heaviness. My clients with fine hair love how this cut creates the illusion of fullness through strategic layering. For women with stronger jaw lines or square faces, the soft diagonal line of the side sweep creates beautiful balance and softness.

20. Ear-Length Curly Crop

The ear-length curly crop offers the perfect balance of femininity and ease. This cut sits neatly around the ears with slightly more length on top, creating a beautiful silhouette that flatters mature faces. Unlike some shorter cuts that can look severe, the softness of the curls keeps this style looking feminine and approachable.

My clients appreciate how this length shows off their neck and jawline while still having enough curl to create movement and texture. For styling, a light mousse scrunched into damp hair is usually all that’s needed. This cut works beautifully for women with all curl types and is particularly flattering for those with petite features or smaller face shapes.

21. Asymmetrical Curly Bob

The asymmetrical curly bob brings drama and style to mature women with curls. Typically cut shorter on one side and gradually longer toward the other, this cut creates beautiful lines that draw the eye diagonally across the face. My clients who choose this style tend to be confident women who enjoy making a subtle statement with their hair.

The asymmetry can be dramatic or subtle depending on your comfort level. This cut works beautifully for women with uneven curl patterns, as the different lengths can accommodate areas that curl differently. For styling, a diffuser helps maintain the precise cut lines while enhancing your natural curl pattern. This style looks particularly striking with dimensional color or subtle highlights.

22. Curly Hair With Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs paired with curly hair create a soft, youthful frame for mature faces. Unlike full bangs, these delicate, piece-y bangs blend seamlessly with the rest of your curls while drawing attention to your eyes. The key is cutting them when dry and leaving them long enough to curl naturally with the rest of your hair. Many of my clients find these bangs help camouflage forehead lines while creating a softer overall look.

For the rest of the cut, a chin-length or shorter bob with layers throughout complements the wispy bangs perfectly. This combination works well for most face shapes and can be adjusted to highlight your best features. The styling is wonderfully low-maintenance—just scrunch with curl cream and air dry.

23. Soft Round Curl Cut

The soft round curl cut creates a beautiful, balanced shape that works wonderfully for mature women. This style features a gently rounded silhouette with no harsh lines or angles—just soft curls that frame the face evenly. Unlike some curly cuts that can look boxy or triangular, this shape follows the natural contours of your head.

The length typically sits above the shoulders but below the ears, with enough layering throughout to create movement without choppiness. My clients with round or oval faces particularly love this balanced style. For women with rectangular or long faces, this soft rounded shape creates pleasing contrast. The cut requires minimal styling—just enhance your natural curl pattern with the right products and avoid disturbing the curls as they dry.

24. Curly Bob With Face-Framing Layers

Face-framing layers take a standard curly bob to the next level by adding soft pieces that highlight your best features. These strategic layers start high—typically at the cheekbones—and cascade down to blend with the rest of the bob. My clients love how these layers soften the transition between their face and hair while drawing attention to their eyes and cheekbones.

The main length of the bob usually sits at the jawline or just below, creating structure while the face-framing pieces add softness. This cut works beautifully for women with stronger jawlines or angular features. The contrast between the defined bob length and the softer face-framing pieces creates a balanced, flattering look that’s both modern and timeless.

25. Layered Curls With Gray Blending

This sophisticated cut celebrates the beautiful blend of colors that happens during the transition to gray. Strategic layers throughout a short to medium curly cut create dimension that showcases the natural highlights created by silver strands among darker ones. The layering technique removes weight while creating movement that keeps the style looking modern and fresh.

Many of my clients choose this cut during their transition to fully gray hair because it makes the growing-out process look intentional and beautiful. For women not ready to go fully gray, ask your colorist about adding lowlights or midtones that blend with your natural gray for a dimensional look. This style typically sits at or above the shoulders with plenty of layers to enhance your natural curl pattern.

26. Curly Top With Faded Sides

For the bold woman who loves making a statement, the curly top with faded sides combines classic barbering techniques with beautiful natural texture. This cut features a gradual fade on the sides and back with length maintained on top for your curls to shine. The contrast between the closely cropped sides and the textured top creates a striking silhouette that draws the eye upward.

My clients who choose this style tend to be confident women who enjoy a modern, edgy look that still feels feminine. This cut is surprisingly versatile—the curls on top can be styled forward, swept to the side, or tousled for different looks. It’s also incredibly low-maintenance, requiring less frequent trims than many other styles as the contrast between the short sides and longer top is part of the look.

27. Modern Curly Bowl Cut

Forget everything you think you know about bowl cuts! The modern curly version creates a beautiful mushroom-like shape that frames the face with soft curls while maintaining clean lines around the ears and nape. This architectural cut creates a strong silhouette that looks intentional and fashion-forward.

The length typically sits at or just below the ears, with the weight line creating a distinct shape that showcases your curls beautifully. My clients with fine hair particularly love how this cut creates the appearance of thickness and density. For styling, a light-hold gel helps define the shape without stiffness. This cut works wonderfully for women with smaller features or petite face shapes who want a statement-making style.

28. Sculpted Curls With Undercut

The hidden undercut is the secret weapon in many curly styles. By removing bulk underneath while maintaining length on top and sides, this cut creates a beautifully sculpted shape without sacrificing your curls. The undercut can be as subtle or dramatic as you prefer—from a small nape undercut that no one sees unless your hair is up, to a more visible side undercut that shows when your hair is tucked behind your ear.

My bolder clients love how this cut feels edgy without looking too severe. For women with very thick hair, this technique removes weight in the right places while maintaining volume where you want it. The top length typically sits at the chin or above, with beautiful sculpting throughout to enhance your natural curl pattern.