17 Gorgeous Curly Hair Color Ideas

Curly hair already has so much shape and movement, so the right color can make every curl stand out even more. A soft highlight, warm brown, bold red, or blended blonde can add depth without taking away from your natural texture.

If your curls feel a little flat or you want a fresh change for your next salon visit, these curly hair color ideas will help you find a shade that feels pretty, wearable, and easy to style.

1. Honey Brown Curls With Soft Highlights

Honey brown curls with soft highlights have a warm, glowing finish that makes each curl look more defined. This color works well if you want brightness without going too blonde or too bold.

What you need

1. Honey brown highlights to add soft warmth through the curls
2. Curl cream to define the curl pattern
3. Wide-tooth comb to detangle without breaking curls
4. Diffuser to dry curls with less frizz

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply curl cream to damp hair and gently detangle with a wide-tooth comb.
2. Step 2: Scrunch the curls upward to help shape them.
3. Step 3: Diffuse on low heat until the curls are mostly dry.
4. Step 4: Separate a few curls with your fingers and smooth flyaways with a little cream.

Quick tip

Ask for thin, blended highlights so the color moves naturally through your curls.

2. Chocolate Brown Curls With Caramel Ribbons

Chocolate brown curls with caramel ribbons look rich, warm, and full of depth. The caramel pieces help show off the curl shape, especially on medium to thick curls.

What you need

1. Chocolate brown base color for a deep brunette look
2. Caramel ribbons to add warm contrast
3. Leave-in conditioner to keep curls soft
4. Diffuser attachment for gentle drying

How to style it

1. Step 1: Work leave-in conditioner through damp curls.
2. Step 2: Twist small curl sections around your fingers to shape them.
3. Step 3: Diffuse the hair on low heat, lifting at the roots.
4. Step 4: Fluff the roots gently and add a small amount of oil to the ends.

Quick tip

Caramel looks best on curls when it is placed in soft ribbons instead of thick streaks.

3. Copper Curly Shag

Copper curly shag has a bold, warm look that feels playful without being too harsh. The layered cut helps the copper shade show through every curl and coil.

What you need

1. Copper hair color to create a warm red-orange tone
2. Curl mousse to add shape and volume
3. Diffuser to bring out the layers
4. Light hair oil to soften the ends

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply curl mousse to damp hair and part it where you like.
2. Step 2: Scrunch the curls from the ends up to the roots.
3. Step 3: Diffuse with your head tilted forward for extra volume.
4. Step 4: Add a little oil to the ends and separate the curls gently.

Quick tip

Copper shades can fade faster, so use color-safe shampoo to help the tone last longer.

4. Golden Blonde Curly Highlights

Golden blonde curly highlights give curls a bright, sunny finish while still looking soft and natural. This color works well if you want your curl pattern to look more detailed and lifted.

What you need

1. Golden blonde highlights to brighten selected curls
2. Deep conditioner to protect lightened hair
3. Curl gel to hold the curl shape
4. Microfiber towel to reduce frizz

How to style it

1. Step 1: Use a microfiber towel to remove extra water from damp hair.
2. Step 2: Apply curl gel in sections and scrunch gently.
3. Step 3: Air-dry or diffuse the curls until dry.
4. Step 4: Break the cast with your hands and fluff lightly at the roots.

Quick tip

Keep blonde highlights moisturized so the curls stay soft and shiny.

5. Auburn Brown Curly Bob

Auburn brown curly bob looks warm, rich, and easy to wear. The red-brown tone adds depth, while the bob shape keeps the curls light and full.

What you need

1. Auburn brown gloss to add warm red-brown shine
2. Curl-defining cream to shape the curls
3. Diffuser for soft drying
4. Small claw clips for sectioning

How to style it

1. Step 1: Section damp hair with small claw clips.
2. Step 2: Apply curl cream to each section and finger-coil a few front pieces.
3. Step 3: Diffuse on low heat until the curls are dry.
4. Step 4: Fluff the roots and smooth the front with a little cream.

Quick tip

A curly bob looks fuller when you lift the roots with your fingers after drying.

6. Ash Brown Curly Balayage

Ash brown curly balayage has a cool, soft look that feels modern and easy to wear. The blended lighter pieces add shape to the curls without looking too bright.

What you need

1. Ash brown balayage to add cool-toned dimension
2. Blue shampoo to help reduce orange tones
3. Leave-in spray to keep curls hydrated
4. Wide-tooth comb for gentle detangling

How to style it

1. Step 1: Mist damp curls with leave-in spray.
2. Step 2: Detangle gently from ends to roots with a wide-tooth comb.
3. Step 3: Scrunch the curls and let them air-dry or diffuse.
4. Step 4: Smooth flyaways with a small amount of curl cream.

Quick tip

Ash brown is a nice choice if you want cooler curls without going too light.

7. Burgundy Curls With Deep Shine

Burgundy curls with deep shine look rich, bold, and beautiful on textured hair. The deep red-purple tone adds drama while still feeling wearable for everyday styling.

What you need

1. Burgundy color glaze to add deep red-purple tone
2. Color-safe conditioner to help protect the shade
3. Curl custard for definition and hold
4. Satin scrunchie for gentle styling

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply curl custard to damp hair in small sections.
2. Step 2: Use your fingers to shape the curls and reduce frizz.
3. Step 3: Diffuse or air-dry until the curls are fully dry.
4. Step 4: Fluff the roots and add a little shine oil if needed.

Quick tip

Burgundy looks deeper indoors and brighter in sunlight, so it is a fun color without feeling too loud all the time.

8. Sandy Blonde Curly Ends

Sandy blonde curly ends give curls a soft, beachy look while keeping the roots deeper and easier to maintain. This color works well if you want brightness mostly on the lower half of your hair.

What you need

1. Sandy blonde ends for soft lightness
2. Bond repair mask to support lightened curls
3. Curl cream to keep ends defined
4. Diffuser for soft volume

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply a bond repair mask during wash day, then rinse well.
2. Step 2: Work curl cream through the ends while the hair is damp.
3. Step 3: Scrunch upward to help the blonde ends curl nicely.
4. Step 4: Diffuse on low heat and smooth the ends with a little oil.

Quick tip

Lightened curly ends need extra moisture, so deep condition often.

9. Espresso Curls With Mocha Dimension

Espresso curls with mocha dimension look deep, glossy, and full. The mocha pieces add soft movement without making the hair look too light.

What you need

1. Espresso brown base for rich depth
2. Mocha highlights for soft dimension
3. Curl-defining gel for hold
4. Lightweight hair oil for shine

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply curl gel to wet hair in sections.
2. Step 2: Scrunch each section to build curl shape.
3. Step 3: Air-dry or diffuse until fully dry.
4. Step 4: Add hair oil to your palms and gently scrunch out any stiffness.

Quick tip

Mocha highlights are a good option if you want a subtle color update that still shows in curls.

10. Strawberry Blonde Curly Layers

Strawberry blonde curly layers have a soft mix of blonde and copper that feels fresh and pretty. The layers help the color show through the curls and keep the style light.

What you need

1. Strawberry blonde color to create a soft warm shade
2. Curl cream for definition
3. Diffuser to add lift
4. Wide-tooth comb for gentle detangling

How to style it

1. Step 1: Detangle damp hair with a wide-tooth comb.
2. Step 2: Apply curl cream from mid-lengths to ends.
3. Step 3: Diffuse with your head tilted to one side for volume.
4. Step 4: Separate the curls gently and smooth the top layer.

Quick tip

Strawberry blonde is a pretty choice if you want warmth but do not want a deep red shade.

11. Cinnamon Brown Curly Highlights

Cinnamon brown curly highlights add soft spice and warmth to brunette curls. The color looks especially pretty when placed through the top layers where the light naturally hits.

What you need

1. Cinnamon brown highlights to add warm depth
2. Leave-in conditioner to keep curls soft
3. Curl mousse for volume
4. Hair pick to lift the roots

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply leave-in conditioner to damp curls.
2. Step 2: Add curl mousse and scrunch upward.
3. Step 3: Let the curls dry, then use a hair pick at the roots.
4. Step 4: Smooth the ends with a small amount of cream.

Quick tip

Ask for cinnamon highlights through the top curls so the color shows without needing heavy bleaching.

12. Jet Black Curls With Blue Shine

Jet black curls with blue shine look sleek, rich, and striking without needing bright color. The blue-black tone gives curls a glossy finish that catches light beautifully.

What you need

1. Blue-black gloss to add cool shine
2. Moisturizing curl cream to prevent dryness
3. Diffuser for defined volume
4. Satin scarf to protect the style overnight

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply moisturizing curl cream to damp hair.
2. Step 2: Finger-coil a few front curls for shape.
3. Step 3: Diffuse on low heat until the curls are dry.
4. Step 4: Finish with shine oil and cover at night with a satin scarf.

Quick tip

Blue-black is a great option if you want a bold look that still feels classic.

13. Rose Gold Curly Highlights

Rose gold curly highlights add a soft pink-gold glow that feels fun but still wearable. This color works best when the highlights are blended through curls instead of placed too heavily.

What you need

1. Rose gold highlights for a soft pink-gold finish
2. Color-safe shampoo to protect the tone
3. Curl gel for shape and hold
4. Butterfly clips for sectioning

How to style it

1. Step 1: Section damp hair with butterfly clips.
2. Step 2: Apply curl gel to each section and scrunch.
3. Step 3: Air-dry or diffuse until the curls are set.
4. Step 4: Remove clips, fluff the roots, and smooth any frizz.

Quick tip

Rose gold can fade softly, so use cool water when washing to help keep the color longer.

14. Bronde Curly Balayage

Bronde curly balayage blends brown and blonde tones for a soft, natural-looking finish. It is a good choice if you want lighter curls without going fully blonde.

What you need

1. Bronde balayage to blend brunette and blonde tones
2. Hydrating curl mask to protect lightened sections
3. Curl cream for softness
4. Diffuser to shape curls

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply a hydrating curl mask on wash day, then rinse well.
2. Step 2: Work curl cream through damp hair in sections.
3. Step 3: Scrunch and diffuse on low heat.
4. Step 4: Fluff the roots and separate curls where the color catches light.

Quick tip

Bronde balayage grows out softly, making it a nice low-maintenance color for curly hair.

15. Plum Brown Curly Hair

Plum brown curly hair has a deep purple-brown tone that looks rich and pretty without being too bright. It is a great option if you want a creative color that still feels soft indoors.

What you need

1. Plum brown color glaze for a deep purple-brown shade
2. Color-safe conditioner to protect the tone
3. Curl custard for definition
4. Light hair oil for shine

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply curl custard to wet hair in sections.
2. Step 2: Shape curls with your fingers or use the praying hands method.
3. Step 3: Diffuse or air-dry until fully dry.
4. Step 4: Add hair oil to the ends for a glossy finish.

Quick tip

Plum brown is a nice way to try purple tones while keeping the color deep and wearable.

16. Dark Blonde Curly Money Piece

Dark blonde curly money piece adds brightness around the face while keeping the rest of the curls deeper. It is an easy way to refresh curly hair without coloring every strand.

What you need

1. Dark blonde money piece to brighten the front curls
2. Deep conditioner to keep lighter curls soft
3. Curl cream for definition
4. Small hair clips for sectioning the front pieces

How to style it

1. Step 1: Section out the front curls and apply curl cream.
2. Step 2: Finger-coil the money piece sections so they frame the face.
3. Step 3: Clip the front curls gently while they set.
4. Step 4: Remove the clips, fluff the roots, and smooth any flyaways.

Quick tip

A curly money piece looks softer when the color is blended into a few nearby curls.

17. Warm Chestnut Curly Hair

Warm chestnut curly hair has a soft brown-red glow that makes curls look shiny and full. This shade works well if you want a natural-looking color with a little warmth and depth.

What you need

1. Chestnut brown gloss to add warm shine
2. Leave-in conditioner to soften curls
3. Curl gel for hold
4. Microfiber towel to reduce frizz

How to style it

1. Step 1: Blot damp hair with a microfiber towel.
2. Step 2: Apply leave-in conditioner, then layer curl gel over it.
3. Step 3: Scrunch the curls upward and diffuse or air-dry.
4. Step 4: Break the cast gently and smooth the ends with your fingers.

Quick tip

Chestnut brown is a good everyday shade because it adds warmth without looking too bold.