18 Back to School Hairstyles for Curly Hair – Easy & Cute Looks
Heading back to school is the perfect opportunity to refresh your style and start the year with confidence and nothing says bold and beautiful like embracing your curls! Whether your hair is coily, wavy, or tightly curled, there’s a world of fun, fashionable, and functional hairstyles waiting just for you.
From easy everyday looks to more polished styles for picture day or presentations, these curly hair ideas are here to make mornings smoother and school days more stylish.
Get ready to rock your natural texture while turning heads in the hallways with these 18 curly hair looks that celebrate your curls with creativity and flair!
1. Effortless Curly Bob with Vintage Tee
There’s something magical about pairing a perfectly styled curly bob with a casual vintage graphic tee. This look strikes the perfect balance between put-together and relaxed, making it ideal for those busy school mornings when you want to look effortlessly chic. The golden-brown curls frame the face beautifully, creating a youthful and approachable vibe that’s perfect for classroom presentations or study sessions with friends.
The beauty of this hairstyle lies in its versatility and low maintenance. You can easily scrunch some curl-enhancing cream into damp hair before air-drying, or use a diffuser for more defined curls. This style works wonderfully with everything from casual jeans and sneakers to more polished school outfits, making it a go-to choice for students who want one reliable hairstyle that adapts to any situation.
2. Voluminous Natural Curls with Subtle Highlights
Bold, voluminous curls are having a major moment, and this stunning look proves why they’re perfect for making a statement in the hallways. The rich brown base with lighter highlights creates incredible depth and dimension, making each curl pop with natural-looking radiance. This hairstyle exudes confidence and personality, perfect for students who want their hair to reflect their vibrant spirit.
Creating this look requires some patience but delivers amazing results. Using a curl cream on damp hair and then plopping with a microfiber towel helps enhance the natural curl pattern while reducing frizz. The key is to avoid touching the curls while they dry, allowing them to form their natural shape. This style pairs beautifully with earth-tone outfits and adds an effortless bohemian touch to any school ensemble.
3. Defined Curl Pattern with Side Part
Sometimes the most stunning hairstyles are the ones that celebrate your hair’s natural texture. This gorgeous look showcases perfectly defined curls with a clean side part that adds sophistication to the overall style. The curl pattern is beautifully uniform, creating a polished appearance that’s professional enough for school presentations yet fun enough for weekend hangouts with friends.
Achieving this level of curl definition takes the right products and technique. Start with a leave-in conditioner on damp hair, followed by a curl-defining gel applied section by section. Using the “praying hands” method to smooth the product down each section helps create uniform curls without disturbing the natural pattern. The side part adds an elegant touch that makes this hairstyle suitable for both casual school days and more formal events.
4. Long Cascading Curls with Caramel Highlights
Long, flowing curls never go out of style, and this gorgeous look with caramel highlights is proof of their timeless appeal. The length creates beautiful movement and bounce, while the warm caramel tones add richness and depth to the overall look. This hairstyle is perfect for students who love making a statement and aren’t afraid to embrace their natural texture in all its glory.
The key to maintaining long curly hair like this is moisture, moisture, moisture. Regular deep conditioning treatments and using a wide-tooth comb only when hair is wet and saturated with conditioner will help prevent breakage and maintain healthy length. The caramel highlights catch the light beautifully, creating a sun-kissed effect that’s perfect for the back-to-school season when you want to hold onto those summer vibes.
5. Textured Curls with Headband Accessory
Accessories can completely transform a simple hairstyle, and this look demonstrates how a simple headband can elevate natural curls into something special. The textured curls have a beautiful, lived-in quality that feels modern and effortless, while the neutral headband adds a touch of sophistication. This style is perfect for students who want to keep their hair out of their face during classes while still looking put-together.
The beauty of this hairstyle lies in its practicality and style. The headband not only looks great but also helps control flyaways and keeps curls away from the face during focused study sessions. To recreate this look, apply a texturizing spray to damp hair and scrunch while air-drying. The headband can be added once hair is completely dry, and you can adjust it to create different looks depending on your mood or outfit.
6. Blonde Spiral Curls with Natural Volume
Blonde curls have an undeniable charm, and this gorgeous spiral curl pattern creates incredible volume and movement. The light blonde color adds brightness to the complexion and creates a fresh, youthful look that’s perfect for the start of a new school year. The curls have a beautiful bounce and spring that moves naturally, creating an eye-catching style that’s both fun and sophisticated.
Maintaining blonde curly hair requires special care to keep both the color and curl pattern healthy. Using purple shampoo once a week helps maintain the blonde tones, while curl-specific products help define and moisturize the spirals. This hairstyle works beautifully with both casual and dressy outfits, making it versatile enough for everything from regular school days to homecoming celebrations.
7. Sleek Curly Ponytail with Face-Framing Pieces
Sometimes you need a hairstyle that’s both practical and polished, and this sleek curly ponytail delivers on both fronts. The smooth, sleek front contrasts beautifully with the textured curly ponytail, creating a sophisticated look that’s perfect for presentations, exams, or any time you need your hair completely out of your face. The face-framing pieces add a soft, feminine touch that prevents the style from looking too severe.
Creating this look requires some technique but the results are worth it. Start by applying a smoothing serum to the front sections of your hair and using a fine-tooth comb to slick them back. The curly sections can be enhanced with curl cream and gently gathered into a ponytail at the desired height. This style is perfect for students who participate in sports or other activities where they need their hair secured but still want to look stylish.
8. Curly High Ponytail with Blonde Highlights
The high ponytail gets a curly makeover in this stunning look that combines practicality with serious style. The blonde highlights throughout the curls create beautiful dimension and catch the light as the ponytail moves, making this a dynamic hairstyle that’s perfect for active students. The height of the ponytail creates a youthful, energetic vibe that’s ideal for school spirit days or athletic events.
This hairstyle is incredibly versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For a more polished look, use a smoothing serum on the hair before gathering it into the ponytail. For a more casual, textured appearance, simply scrunch the curls with your hands before securing. The blonde highlights add a fun, sun-kissed element that works beautifully with the natural curl pattern, creating a look that’s both trendy and timeless.
9. Honey-Highlighted Curls with Natural Texture
Rich, honey-highlighted curls create a warm, inviting look that’s perfect for the autumn school season. The golden tones add incredible depth and dimension to the natural curl pattern, creating a hairstyle that looks effortlessly beautiful. This look celebrates natural texture while adding strategic highlights that enhance the overall style, making it perfect for students who want to embrace their curls with a touch of glamour.
The key to this gorgeous look is working with your hair’s natural texture rather than against it. Using a curl-enhancing mousse on damp hair and then diffusing on low heat helps create defined curls without frizz. The honey highlights catch the light beautifully, creating movement and interest throughout the hairstyle. This look pairs wonderfully with warm-toned clothing and adds a touch of sophistication to any school outfit.
10. Sleek Low Ponytail with Curly Texture
This effortless style perfectly balances professionalism with personality, making it ideal for those busy school mornings when you want to look put-together without spending hours in front of the mirror. The sleek front section creates a polished appearance that works beautifully for presentations or meetings with teachers, while the curly ponytail adds that perfect touch of movement and texture.
What makes this look so versatile is how it transitions seamlessly from classroom to after-school activities. The yellow top paired with denim creates a fresh, academic vibe that’s both comfortable and stylish. This hairstyle works particularly well for medium to long curly hair, and the best part is that it actually gets better throughout the day as your natural texture adds more volume and bounce to the ponytail.
11. Voluminous Afro with Retro Glasses
Nothing says confidence quite like embracing your natural texture in all its glory, and this voluminous afro is the perfect example of how curly hair can be both a statement and a practical choice for school. The full, rounded shape creates an amazing frame for the face while requiring minimal daily styling – just some leave-in conditioner and a pick to shape it perfectly.
The retro glasses add an intellectual charm that’s perfect for the academic environment, giving off serious student vibes while still being incredibly cool. This look is fantastic for those who want to celebrate their natural hair texture without compromise. It’s also surprisingly low-maintenance once you establish a good nighttime routine with a silk scarf or bonnet to preserve the shape.
12. Slicked-Back Curly Ponytail
This sophisticated style proves that curly hair can be just as sleek and polished as any other texture when styled with intention. The gel-slicked front section creates clean lines that look incredibly professional for school presentations or formal events, while the curly ponytail maintains all that beautiful natural movement.
The contrast between the smooth, controlled front and the free-flowing curls in the back creates visual interest that’s both modern and timeless. This style works wonderfully for medium to thick curly hair and is perfect for those days when you want to keep hair completely off your face for studying or lab work. The cross necklace adds a personal touch that makes the whole look feel authentic and individual.
13. Messy Curly Top Knot
Sometimes the best hairstyles are the ones that look effortlessly undone, and this messy curly bun is a perfect example of that philosophy. The loose, deliberately imperfect shape creates a relaxed vibe that’s perfect for creative classes or casual school days when you want to look put-together but not overly formal.
The beauty of this style lies in its versatility – it works equally well for a quick morning routine or as an afternoon refresh when your hair needs to be up and out of the way. The curly texture adds natural volume and interest to what might otherwise be a basic bun, and the slightly messy finish means you don’t have to worry about every strand being perfectly in place. It’s the kind of hairstyle that looks intentional even when it’s not.
14. Long Curly Hair with Side Part
This gorgeous long curly style showcases the natural beauty of well-maintained curls while keeping things simple enough for everyday school wear. The side part creates a classic, timeless look that works beautifully with the burgundy off-shoulder top, giving off those cozy autumn vibes that are perfect for back-to-school season.
The length and volume of these curls make a statement without being overwhelming, and the way they cascade naturally shows the importance of good curl care and definition. This style is perfect for those who want to wear their hair down but still look polished and put-together. The natural curl pattern creates beautiful movement that looks great both in still moments and when walking between classes.
15. High Curly Bun with Sleek Edges
This elevated bun style combines the best of both worlds – sleek, controlled edges with a full, textured bun that celebrates natural curl patterns. The high placement of the bun creates a sophisticated silhouette that’s perfect for formal school events or when you want to look extra polished for important presentations.
The carefully laid edges add a modern touch that shows attention to detail while the voluminous curly bun provides beautiful texture and visual interest. This style is particularly great for keeping hair completely off the neck and shoulders, making it ideal for lab work, art classes, or any situation where you need your hair to stay put all day. The contrast between the smooth front and textured top creates a really striking look.
16. Romantic Curly Updo
This ethereal updo transforms curly hair into something almost magical, with loose curls artfully arranged to create a soft, romantic silhouette. The deliberately imperfect placement of the curls gives this style a dreamy, artistic quality that’s perfect for special school events like dances, award ceremonies, or graduation photos.
The beauty of this updo lies in how it maintains the natural texture of curly hair while creating an elevated, formal appearance. Unlike tight, controlled updos, this style celebrates the organic movement of curls while still keeping everything secure and elegant. It’s the kind of hairstyle that makes you feel special and confident, perfect for those moments when you want to step up your usual school look.
17. Textured Curly Pixie with Blonde Highlights
This playful curly pixie cut with blonde highlights brings such a fun, youthful energy that’s perfect for the school environment. The shorter length makes morning routines incredibly easy while the blonde highlights add dimension and brightness that catches the light beautifully in classroom settings.
The textured, tousled finish gives this style a carefree, confident vibe that’s both modern and timeless. It’s the kind of cut that looks great with minimal effort – just scrunch with some curl cream and you’re ready to go. This style is perfect for active students who want something cute and manageable that won’t get in the way during sports or other activities.
18. Bubble Braid with Blonde Curls
This trendy bubble braid takes the classic ponytail to the next level with its playful, segmented design that creates amazing texture and visual interest. The blonde curls add brightness and dimension to each “bubble,” making this style both fun and surprisingly sophisticated for school settings.
The technique creates volume and movement throughout the length of the hair while keeping everything secure and practical for long school days. It’s the kind of hairstyle that gets compliments all day long while being surprisingly comfortable to wear. This style works particularly well for medium to long curly hair and is perfect for those who want to try something different from the usual ponytail routine.
Conclusion:
Curly hair is a gift and with the right styles, it becomes your ultimate back-to-school accessory.
Whether you’re into sleek ponytails, voluminous buns, or charming braids, these 18 curly hair ideas prove that you can combine ease, personality, and trendiness without sacrificing your natural texture.
So, grab your favorite scrunchies, gels, and hairpins, and let your curls shine as brightly as your school year goals. With these looks in your hair care arsenal, you’re not just showing up—you’re standing out, one curl at a time!
