Discover the top 20 short curly hairstyles for women in 2025, with the ability to effectively “cheat” age and suit different face shapes.
Should short hair be permed?
When permed correctly, short hair can not only add volume but also bring a lively, unique, and youthful appearance. However, before making any changes, consider your face shape – an important factor that directly affects the aesthetic effect of the hairstyle.

Short hair can be permed if you choose the right style.
Below are suggestions for curly hairstyles that suit different face shapes, helping you choose a perm that flatters your face and creates a harmonious overall look:
Round face: Prioritize styles that cover the cheeks
Those with round faces should opt for curly hairstyles with natural loose waves or soft curls that hug the face. These curls will create a slimming effect, elongate the face, and give a softer, more feminine appearance.
Square face: Soften features with medium or small curls
For square faces, avoid sharp or angular styles. Instead, medium or small curls will soften the jaw and cheekbones, making the overall face look more harmonious and graceful.
Heart-shaped face: Focus volume near the chin
The distinctive features of a heart-shaped face include a broad forehead and a narrow chin. Therefore, curls with volume near the chin will balance the facial proportions while enhancing harmony and softening the overall features.
Long face: Add width to make the face look fuller
For long faces, it’s essential to create a sense of balance by increasing the width. Large curls or gentle waves on both sides of the face will “cheat” the width, making the face appear fuller and younger.
Oval face: Flexibility to experiment with various styles
People with oval faces have the advantage of having the most balanced face shape. You can freely try different short curly hairstyles, from natural waves to bold curls, to express your style and personality.
Beautiful curly hair for short-haired ladies.
20 short curly hairstyles for 2025
1. Short Barbie curls: Oval and heart-shaped faces
Barbie curls create gentle waves with moderate elasticity, falling between loose and tight curls. The curls gradually form from the roots to the ends, giving the hair a fuller, neater, and more dynamic look. The advantage is that it adds volume without excessive fluff, avoiding an imbalanced look of “heavy top and light bottom.” This style is especially suitable for oval and heart-shaped faces as it helps create the necessary width, balancing facial proportions.
2. Short flower perm: Round face
The flower perm is a soft and romantic short curly hairstyle with gentle, blooming curls like flower petals. This style is usually cut in layers to create a natural look and avoid heaviness. Combined with a fringe, the hairstyle frames the face, conceals imperfections, and gives a slimmer appearance – especially flattering for round-faced individuals.
3. Short inward curls: Round and square faces
Inward curls focus on the ends, with a gentle inward curve that gives the hair a fuller and more harmonious look. This versatile and easy-to-style hairstyle suits various face shapes, especially round or square faces, as it softens the features and refines the overall look. To style, use a curling or straightening iron to create gentle curves at the ends, along with styling wax or hairspray to hold the shape, then gently fluff with your fingers for a natural, airy finish.
4. Loose curls: Oval and heart-shaped faces
Loose curls offer a soft and natural look with gentle, fine waves. This style retains the freshness of short hair while adding a touch of femininity and sweetness. It’s particularly flattering for those with relatively soft facial features, such as oval and heart-shaped faces, as it accentuates delicate lines and enhances sweetness.
5. French retro curls: Diamond and long faces
French retro curls exude elegance and freedom with bouncy, natural waves that are distinct from traditional curls. This style softens the face’s outline while adding three-dimensional depth to the features, especially suiting those with natural curls. As it expands the width of the face, this hairstyle is ideal for diamond and long faces, helping to balance proportions and create a harmonious look.
5. Cloud curls: Heart-shaped face
Cloud curls stand out with gentle, bouncy waves that create a cheerful and vibrant look. This style adds roundness and softness to the face, perfectly suiting heart-shaped and long faces as it effectively balances facial proportions. It’s an ideal choice for those who love a youthful, radiant appearance while maintaining easy daily styling.
6. Short water waves: Long face
Short water waves feature loose, flowing curls that evoke a sweet, elegant fairy-tale princess vibe. This style adds width to long faces, contributing to a well-balanced appearance.
7. Short ramen curls: Oval face
Ramen curls are characterized by small, slightly messy waves that resemble natural curls after sunbathing, exuding a casual, simple yet distinctive style. This style particularly enhances the soft features of an oval face, creating a captivating yet natural overall look.
8. Pixie perm: Oval face
The pixie perm features soft waves that gracefully frame the face and a voluminous top, creating a sophisticated, unique, and charismatic look. This style especially complements an oval face by accentuating its depth and harmonious features.
To style, use a large curling iron to create gentle waves, then apply hairspray to hold the shape and give a natural, airy finish to the top and back of the head. Gently fluff with your fingers to create a neat yet flowing look around the ears.
9. Curly bob: Square face
Curly bob features gentle outward-facing waves that evoke a natural, relaxed vibe, creating a serene and liberated look. This style softens the angular features of a square face while adding harmony and gentleness to the overall appearance.
10. Egg curls: Heart-shaped face
Egg curls stand out with gentle, sleek waves that exude elegance and sophistication. This style adds depth and softens the distinctive pointed chin of a heart-shaped face, resulting in a well-balanced and harmonious appearance. It’s ideal for those who favor a noble style while maintaining a light, modern touch.
11. Woolly perm: Diamond face
Woolly perm features small, dense curls that convey a dynamic, youthful, and vibrant look. This style suits diamond-shaped faces, adding volume to the sides and creating a well-balanced, harmonious appearance. The result is a bouncy, lively hairstyle that exudes a unique personality.
12. Layered perm: Oval face
Layered perm consists of curls of different sizes, creating a natural sense of movement and lively volume. This style adds depth and accentuates the graceful lines of an oval face, resulting in a harmonious look.
13. Side-parted water waves: Oval face
Side-parted water waves create a soft, graceful look with gentle waves and natural volume. The side part adds depth and balance to the oval face, especially enhancing its harmonious features.
14. Airflow perm: Square face
Airflow perm stands out with gentle, soft waves and a breezy texture, creating an elegant, floating appearance. The natural, effortless styling of the waves exudes a light yet captivating charm. This style is particularly flattering for square faces as it softens angular features, making the face look more harmonious and gentle.