Medium Messy Mens Curly Hairstyles are the sweet spot when you want curls that look cool but not too done. Your hair has enough length to show real texture, but it is not so long that it feels heavy or hard to control. The secret is shape: light layers on top, less bulk on the sides, and a relaxed finish that still looks clean around the ears and neck. In this guide, I share 15 easy options, including wavy medium messy mens curly hairstyles, loose curls, and thick wavy looks. You will also see short sides, fade, and undercut versions. Pick one style, show the name to your barber, and save a photo so you get the same look today.
- “Messy” means soft texture and movement, not frizz.
- Medium length works best when the sides are controlled and the top has shape.
- You can do messy curls in 3–5 minutes with water, finger styling, and air-dry or diffuser.
- If you want a cleaner edge, pair messy curls with a fade or taper.
Table of Contents
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What Medium Messy Mens Curly Hairstyles Mean
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Will Curly Hair Suit Me Male
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How to Make Curly Hair Messy for Men
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What Is Type 3C Hair for Men
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Which Hairstyle Is Best for Curly Hair for Men
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15 Medium Messy Curly Hairstyle Ideas
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How to Ask Your Barber
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How to Maintain the Shape
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FAQ
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Conclusion
What Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles Mean
Medium messy curls usually sit around eyebrow to cheekbone length when stretched, or above the ears to just over the forehead when curled. The cut should feel light, not heavy. Your barber shapes the top so curls fall in a nice way, and reduces bulk on the sides.
A messy look should still have a clear outline. When the shape is right, your curls can look relaxed without looking wild.
Will Curly Hair Suit Me Male
Yes, curly hair can suit most men. What matters is shape, not perfection. If your face is round, keep a little height on top. If your face is long, do not make the top too tall. If you have a strong jaw, softer messy curls can balance it.
If you feel your curls look “puffy,” it usually means the sides are too bulky or the top has no layers. A simple reshape fixes this fast.
How to Make Curly Hair Messy for Men
To make curls look messy in a good way, follow this simple method.
First, lightly wet your hair. Damp hair styles better than dry hair.
Second, use your fingers to lift the roots and break up “clumps” that look too perfect.
Third, scrunch the curls forward and up. Do not brush.
Fourth, let it air dry, or use a diffuser on low heat to keep volume.
The key is touch less after it dries. Too much touching makes frizz.
What Is Type 3C Hair for Men
Type 3C hair has tight, springy curls that are smaller than a finger size. It has lots of volume and shrinkage. On men, 3C curls look best with a cut that removes weight from the sides and keeps the top shaped, not boxy.
If you have 3C hair, medium messy styles look great, but you must keep the outline neat. Small trims on the sides help a lot.
Which Hairstyle Is Best for Curly Hair for Men
The best hairstyle depends on your curl type and your daily life.
If you want easy styling, choose mid length medium messy mens curly hairstyles with soft layers.
If you want sharp edges, choose fade medium messy mens curly hairstyles or short sides medium messy mens curly hairstyles.
If your curls are loose, choose loose curls medium messy mens curly hairstyles for a relaxed beach look.
If your hair is very thick, choose thick medium messy mens curly hairstyles with bulk removed from the sides.
If you also like fades with curly volume, you may like this style family too: blowout low taper fade curly hair.
Top 15 Variations of Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Classic Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Classic medium messy mens curly hairstyles keep your curls natural and relaxed. Ask for a mid length top with light layers so curls stack instead of puffing out. Keep the sides tidy with a scissor taper or a low clean-up, but do not remove too much curl texture. To style, dampen hair, scrunch once, and let it air dry. Finish by separating a few curl clumps with your fingers for a soft messy look that still feels neat. It works for school, work, and weekends.
Wavy Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Wavy medium messy mens curly hairstyles are perfect when your hair bends more than it coils. Keep the top medium and slightly longer in front so waves fall forward and sideways. Ask your barber to remove bulk near the temples so the sides do not flare out. Style on damp hair with a small amount of curl cream, then shake your head lightly and stop touching it. The waves will dry with a natural, beachy messy texture. This look suits most face shapes easily.
Loose Curls Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Loose curls medium messy mens curly hairstyles give you a soft, laid-back vibe with bigger curl loops. Keep the top mid length and ask for gentle layering so curls do not clump into one heavy shape. Keep the sides slightly shorter to frame the curls, but not too tight. To style, wet hair, scrunch forward, then let it air dry or diffuse on low. When dry, pull one or two curls apart for a clean messy finish. It looks great with light stubble, too.
Thick Wavy Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Thick wavy medium messy mens curly hairstyles need one thing most: weight control. Ask your barber to debulk the sides and crown with layers, not with aggressive thinning that can cause frizz. Keep the top medium and slightly textured so waves lift up instead of sitting flat. For styling, apply product to damp hair, then use a diffuser for one minute just to set the shape. Let the rest air dry for a natural messy look. This prevents the triangle shape many guys hate.
Thick Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Thick medium messy mens curly hairstyles look best when the top is shaped and the sides are not bulky. Ask for mid length curls on top with layers that remove heaviness but keep volume. On the sides, a soft taper keeps the outline clean without making your head look too narrow. Style with water and a pea-size cream, then scrunch upward. Once dry, lift the roots with your fingertips for airy, messy texture that still holds its form. It is a great everyday cut.
Short Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Short medium messy mens curly hairstyles are for guys who want curls but hate long dry time. Keep the top short-medium, about one to two inches, so curls pop without falling into your eyes. Ask for tidy sides and a clean neckline, so the haircut looks fresh even when the top is messy. Style by dampening hair, adding a tiny bit of mousse, and scrunching. Let it air dry, then separate a few curls for texture. This style is easy for busy mornings.
Short Sides Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Short sides medium messy mens curly hairstyles make your curls look stronger because the contrast frames the top. Keep the sides clipper-short or tightly tapered, and leave the top medium with loose layers. Tell your barber you want the curls to look messy but not puffy, so they should remove bulk near the parietal ridge. To style, wet hair, push curls slightly forward, and scrunch. When dry, pinch a few pieces for extra separation and movement. It also sharpens your jawline in photos.
Mid Length Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Mid length medium messy mens curly hairstyles sit in the true middle zone, not short, not long. Keep the top long enough to show bounce, and ask for layers so curls fall in a natural pattern. Keep the sides scissor-cut with a light taper to avoid the mushroom shape. Style on damp hair with curl cream, then flip your hair forward once and scrunch. Let it dry with minimal touching. You will get soft messy curls that still look intentional.
Short-Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Short-medium messy mens curly hairstyles are perfect when you are growing your hair out but still want a clean look. Ask for a short-medium top with the front slightly longer than the crown. That small change keeps curls from sticking straight up. Keep the sides neat with a taper so your haircut looks fresh for weeks. To style, wet hair, rub product between palms, and scrunch upward. When it dries, loosen the top with your fingers for a relaxed messy finish.
Short/Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Short/medium messy mens curly hairstyles are easy because the curls do most of the work. Keep the top in the short/medium range so it stays light and does not collapse. Ask your barber to add soft layers and to clean the edges around the ears. This gives you a messy top with a neat frame. Style with water and a small amount of cream, then scrunch and walk away. After it dries, lift the front a little to add height and texture.
Fade Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Fade medium messy mens curly hairstyles give you a clean barbershop frame with a relaxed curly top. Choose a low or mid fade so the haircut still feels natural. Keep the top medium with layers so curls sit messy instead of forming a round helmet. To style, dampen hair, scrunch, and diffuse for 30 seconds to set volume. Let it finish air drying. The fade stays sharp while the curls look effortless and lived-in. This is great for guys who like crisp sides.
Fade Haircut Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Fade haircut medium messy mens curly hairstyles are a little sharper than a basic fade, because the blend is cleaner and the outline is tighter. Ask for a low fade with a neat neckline and sideburn shape. On top, keep medium curls with textured layers so the front can fall slightly forward. Style with damp hair, a light mousse, and quick scrunching. When dry, separate a few curls to create messy texture without frizz. It looks especially good in close-up selfies.
Undercut Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Undercut medium messy mens curly hairstyles keep the sides very short while the top stays medium and full. The undercut creates strong contrast, so your curls become the main focus. Ask for a clean disconnect or a soft disconnect, depending on how bold you want it. Style by wetting the top, scrunching, and letting curls fall forward and slightly to one side. Keep the finish messy, not slick. This style works best on thicker hair. Trim the sides often so it stays sharp.
Curly Undercut Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Curly undercut medium messy mens curly hairstyles are like the undercut, but the top is shaped to show curl pattern, not just length. Keep the curls medium and ask for layered texture so the top does not look heavy. Keep the undercut clean around the ears and nape. Style with damp hair and curl cream, then scrunch and let it dry. When dry, pull one curl forward to create a casual fringe and a messy, modern finish. It suits streetwear and smart casual outfits.
Length Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles
Length medium messy mens curly hairstyles are for guys who want more hang and movement while staying in the medium zone. Keep the top and fringe longer, and add soft layers so curls stack nicely instead of forming a triangle. Ask your barber to keep the sides scissor-cut with a gentle taper so the haircut still feels full. Style with damp hair, scrunch, and let it air dry. Once dry, shake the roots lightly for a loose, messy fini
If you want a shorter curly fade look for younger guys, this is a good related style: short curly blowout low taper fade curly hair.
How to Ask Your Barber
Say it in simple words:
I want medium messy mens curly hairstyles with a natural texture. Keep the top medium, add light layers, and keep the sides controlled. I want it messy, not frizzy.
Then choose one side option:
- Short sides
- Low fade
- Undercut
Also tell your barber where you want the curls to sit: “above eyebrows” or “to eyebrows.”
How to Maintain the Shape
Medium messy curls look best when you keep the outline clean.
Get a trim every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the shape.
Keep the back of the neck and around the ears tidy if your hair grows fast.
Use gentle washing and do not over-brush curls.
If your hair puffs up, it usually needs less bulk on the sides and better layering on top.
Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles Questions
How to make curly hair messy for men?
Wet it a little, lift the roots with your fingers, scrunch, and stop touching it after it dries. Messy should look soft and natural, not dry and frizzy.
Will curly hair suit me male?
Yes, if the cut matches your face and curl type. A good barber shapes the top and controls the sides so curls look styled, not wild.
What is Type 3C hair for men?
It is tight, springy curls with lots of volume and shrinkage. It looks best with bulk control on the sides and shaped curls on top.
Which hairstyle is best for curly hair for men?
Most men do best with medium messy curls plus controlled sides. Choose a fade for a clean look, or an undercut for a bold contrast.
Conclusion
Medium Messy Men’s Curly Hairstyles are one of the easiest ways to look stylish with curls because they feel natural and relaxed. Keep the top medium, keep the sides controlled, and focus on shape more than perfection.
If you want more curly fade styles and barber-style guides, keep building your haircut folder on badhairstyles.com and use your guides to choose your next look.
