10 Big Curls Hairstyle Ideas You Can Do at Home
Big curls are perfect when you want hair that looks full, soft, and noticeable without feeling overdone. This list covers 10 big curls hairstyle ideas you can create on medium to long hair, whether your texture is straight, wavy, or naturally curly. Most of these styles flatter oval, round, and heart-shaped faces, and you’ll find side parts, middle parts, and lifted crowns to play with. Before you start, gently detangle your hair, use a heat protectant if you’re styling with hot tools, and work with mostly dry hair for best results. A large-barrel curler, diffuser, or round brush will help you build big, bouncy shapes. Finish each look with a light, flexible hairspray so your curls stay full but still move naturally.
Quick List
- Classic Big Barrel Curls
- Brushed-Out Glam Curls
- High Volume Curly Pony
- Side-Swept Big Curls
- Half-Up Big Curly Crown
- Big Curly Blowout
- Big Defined Natural Curls
- Big Curls With Curtain Bangs
- Big Curly Low Bun
- Big Beachy Curl Mix
Classic Big Barrel Curls
Classic big barrel curls give you that soft, bouncy look that works for almost anything, from casual day outfits to dressy evening plans. The curls are large and smooth, so they make hair look fuller without turning into tight ringlets. This style is especially nice if your hair tends to fall flat and you want easy volume around your face and at the ends. You can flip the part from side to side to refresh the shape throughout the day. Pro tip: curl away from your face in the front sections so your features stay open and bright in photos.
How To Style
- Start with dry hair and apply a heat protectant.
- Use a large-barrel curling iron, curling each section away from your face.
- Let curls cool completely, then gently rake through with your fingers.
- Finish with a light mist of flexible hairspray.
Best For
Oval, round, and heart-shaped faces; straight to wavy medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron
Heat protectant spray
Sectioning clips
Wide-tooth comb
Flexible hold hairspray
Brushed-Out Glam Curls
Brushed-out glam curls look soft, fluffy, and expensive, with that old-Hollywood vibe but still wearable for everyday events. Instead of leaving curls tight and separate, you brush them into one flowing wave of volume that frames your face beautifully. This style makes hair look thicker and smoother at the same time, and it photographs really well for parties, weddings, or date nights. It’s also forgiving if your curls aren’t perfect, because brushing blends everything together. Pro tip: once you’ve brushed the curls out, tuck one side behind your ear and add a simple clip for a polished finish.
How To Style
- Create big curls with a large-barrel curling iron, all going in the same direction.
- Allow them to cool fully.
- Gently brush through with a soft bristle brush until they blend into waves.
- Add a little serum on the ends and light hairspray.
Best For
Oval and long faces; straight to wavy medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron
Heat protectant
Soft bristle brush
Lightweight smoothing serum
Flexible hairspray
High Volume Curly Pony
A high volume curly pony is perfect when you want big curls without hair falling in your face all day. It pulls your features up and back, giving a lifted, playful look that works for errands, going out, or even workouts if you like a stylish feel at the gym. The ponytail becomes a puff of big curls that bounce with every step. You can keep the base sleek or slightly textured depending on your mood. Pro tip: wrap a small section of hair around the base of the pony to hide the hair tie and make the style look more polished.
How To Style
- Curl your hair with a large-barrel iron or refresh natural curls with a diffuser.
- Brush the top into a high ponytail and secure with a strong hair tie.
- Wrap a small section around the base and pin under.
- Gently fluff the curls with your fingers.
Best For
Round and heart-shaped faces; wavy to curly medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron or diffuser
Heat protectant or curl cream
Strong hair ties
Bobby pins
Light hairspray
Side-Swept Big Curls
Side-swept big curls create a glamorous, romantic look with all the volume focused on one side of your face. This style works beautifully for special events, dinners, or photos when you want hair that feels soft but still dramatic. The deep side part adds height at the crown and makes cheekbones look more defined. It also flatters many face shapes by creating a diagonal line across the face. You can tuck the lighter side behind your ear to keep it clean and simple. Pro tip: pin a few hidden bobby pins on the heavy side to keep the curls from falling forward too much.
How To Style
- Curl hair in large sections, focusing on mid-lengths and ends.
- Create a deep side part and bring most hair over one shoulder.
- Gently comb through with fingers for softer curls.
- Secure the back with a few discreet pins.
Best For
Round, heart, and oval faces; straight to wavy medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron
Heat protectant
Bobby pins
Wide-tooth comb
Flexible hairspray
Half-Up Big Curly Crown
The half-up big curly crown gives you the best of both worlds: hair off your face but long curls still flowing down your back and shoulders. It has a soft, romantic feel that suits brunches, parties, or even casual days when you want something a bit prettier than your usual style. The lifted crown adds height, which is great if you feel your face looks shorter or fuller from the front. This style is also friendly to second-day curls, since you can hide flat roots. Pro tip: gently backcomb the crown section before pinning it to create extra lift that lasts.
How To Style
- Curl or refresh your curls so they’re big and bouncy.
- Take the top section from temple to temple and lightly tease at the roots.
- Smooth the top layer and pin it back in the middle.
- Fluff the remaining curls around your shoulders.
Best For
Round and heart-shaped faces; wavy to curly medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron or diffuser
Tail comb for sectioning
Bobby pins
Light hairspray
Wide-tooth comb
Big Curly Blowout
A big curly blowout gives that salon-fresh look with lots of movement and rounded, airy curls. It’s ideal if you want maximum body from root to tip without tight definition. The hair looks smooth at the top and fuller through the lengths, which is great for finer hair that needs help looking thicker. This style works for workdays, nights out, and anything in between, because it feels polished but not stiff. You can flip your hair back and forth to keep it lively. Pro tip: blow-dry with your head upside down for the last minute to boost volume at the roots.
How To Style
- Apply volumizing mousse to damp hair.
- Blow-dry with a round brush, rolling sections to create big curls.
- Let the curls cool and set, then gently shake them out with your hands.
- Finish with a light mist of hairspray.
Best For
Oval and long faces; straight to wavy medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Blow dryer with concentrator nozzle
Large round brush
Volumizing mousse
Heat protectant
Flexible hairspray
Big Defined Natural Curls
Big defined natural curls celebrate your texture while still feeling shaped and intentional. Instead of shrinking into tighter coils, the curls are stretched slightly and clumped into juicy, bouncy spirals that frame your face. This style is perfect for days when you want your curls to be the main focus without a lot of extra styling. It works just as well for the office as it does for weekends or nights out. You’ll get soft volume and shine without sacrificing definition. Pro tip: style on very damp hair and avoid touching your curls while they dry to keep frizz low and shape high.
How To Style
- On damp hair, apply a curl cream or gel in sections using a raking motion.
- Scrunch upwards to encourage curl formation.
- Diffuse on low or air dry until fully dry.
- Gently separate larger clumps for bigger curls.
Best For
Oval, round, and heart-shaped faces; naturally curly or coily hair, medium to long.
Tools & Products
Wide-tooth comb
Curl cream or styling gel
Microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt
Hair dryer with diffuser
Light finishing oil
Big Curls With Curtain Bangs
Big curls with curtain bangs give a playful, modern look with softness around the eyes and cheekbones. The bangs frame your face while the rest of the hair falls in big, bouncy curls that feel airy and relaxed. This style is nice if you want to try bangs without a heavy blunt shape, and it works well for everyday wear, coffee dates, or casual nights out. The curtain pieces can be curled back for an open, flattering effect. Pro tip: use a smaller section size when curling your bangs so they blend into the larger curls but don’t overpower them.
How To Style
- Blow-dry or style your curtain bangs with a round brush, flicking them away from your face.
- Curl the rest of your hair in large sections.
- Let everything cool, then lightly comb through with your fingers.
- Adjust the bangs with a brush if needed.
Best For
Heart and oval faces; straight to wavy medium-length hair.
Tools & Products
Blow dryer
Medium round brush for bangs
Large-barrel curling iron
Heat protectant
Light hairspray
Big Curly Low Bun
A big curly low bun gives you an elegant look while still showing off soft, full curls. Instead of twisting everything tight, you keep the bun loose and textured so it feels romantic rather than strict. It’s perfect for work, events, or any time you need your hair up but don’t want to lose all that curl and volume. Face-framing pieces can be left out to soften the look even more. Pro tip: create a loose ponytail first, then pin sections of curls around the base so the bun stays big and airy.
How To Style
- Curl your hair or refresh existing curls.
- Gather hair into a low ponytail and secure with a hair tie.
- Gently twist and pin sections of the pony into a loose bun.
- Pull a few curls out around your face and nape.
Best For
Oval and long faces; wavy to curly medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron or diffuser
Hair ties
Bobby pins
Light hairspray
Wide-tooth comb
Big Beachy Curl Mix
The big beachy curl mix blends loose waves and chunkier curls for a relaxed, lived-in look that still has plenty of volume. It’s ideal if you like hair that feels effortless and slightly messy in a controlled way, as if you just left the beach but still want it wearable for daily life. This style works for day-to-night plans and looks great with simple outfits. The mix of curl sizes keeps your hair from looking too flat or too “done.” Pro tip: alternate the direction of each curl and leave the ends a little straighter for a more natural, undone finish.
How To Style
- Use a large-barrel curling iron, wrapping some sections toward your face and some away.
- Leave the last inch of each section out of the iron.
- Let cool, then shake out with your hands.
- Finish with a light texturizing product.
Best For
Round and oval faces; straight to wavy medium or long hair.
Tools & Products
Large-barrel curling iron
Heat protectant
Texturizing spray or light mousse
Wide-tooth comb
Flexible hairspray
Conclusion
Big curls are a simple way to make your hair feel special without needing a totally new cut or color. With the right prep, a few basic tools, and small tweaks in parting and height, you can adjust these looks to flatter your face shape and hair type. Try one or two styles first, pay attention to what holds best in your hair, and then build your own go-to routine. Practice a little, and big, bouncy curls will feel easy and familiar.
CTA
Pick one of these big curl ideas for your next wash day, set out your tools in advance, and walk through the steps slowly once—then save your favorite result as your new “big hair” go-to look.
FAQs
1. How do I make my big curls last all day?
Start with completely dry hair, apply a heat protectant plus a light hold product, and let each curl cool before touching it. At the end, use a flexible hairspray and avoid over-brushing so the shape stays intact.
2. Can I get big curls without using heat?
Yes, you can use large rollers, flexi-rods, or loose braids on damp hair to create big curls. Let them dry fully before taking them out, then gently separate with your fingers and add a light styling cream or oil.
3. What barrel size is best for big curls?
A large curling iron, usually around 1.25 to 1.5 inches, works well for big curls on most hair lengths. If your hair is very long, going a bit larger can help keep curls loose and full instead of tight.
4. How do I stop big curls from going frizzy?
Use a smoothing or curl cream before styling and avoid touching your hair while it sets. Afterward, handle curls with dry hands, use a tiny amount of oil on the ends, and protect your hair from humidity when possible.
5. Will big curls work on fine hair?
Yes, but you’ll want to focus on light products and volume at the roots. Use a volumizing mousse before blow-drying, choose larger sections when curling, and finish with a light hairspray so your hair doesn’t get weighed down.
