Summer's humid temperatures don't mean that you have to retire your free-flowing curls. Quite the opposite, in fact, now that “cloud curls” are having a real moment.
According to hairstylist Tom Smith, who originally coined the trend, cloud curls refer to the “curved, light and airy texture of the curls.” They should intentionally form “a halo of gentle volume,” he continues. "They’re less about defined ringlets and more about diffused texture and natural expansion. The look is ethereal, floaty and touchable."
As low-maintenance as they are chic, it's this diffused quality that sets cloud curls apart from other curl styles. “Regular curls often follow a tighter or more structured pattern, but cloud curls are intentionally soft-focus, with less control and more air,” Tom continues. “Typically, cloud curls are short enough that the silhouette remains rounded with a good amount of root lift and no obvious parting."
Why are they having a moment right now?
Tom alerted us to cloud curls last year, but the trend has really gained steam in recent weeks, now that Miley Cyrus is increasingly leaning into the trend.
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Some of its appeal may be seasonal because hair tends to naturally fluff up in summery temperatures, and we can't be bothered to use unnecessary heat to try to tame it.
“But it's also part of a bigger move toward individuality and freedom in how we wear our hair," Tom notes. "We’re slowly stepping away from hyper-glossy, over-controlled hair and leaning into something gentler, and more free. Cloud curls feel emotional and romantic and they really speak to the authenticity of textured hair.”
In other words, rather than scoop your curls into a low bun – or fight your natural texture with straighteners – cloud curls are all about embracing that gorgeous halo of soft, fluffy curls. Better still, the trend has moved on, and Tom says he's now seeing people with all curl types embracing cloud curls.
Cloud curls 2.0 are about more deliberate shapes, he says. “Think rounded silhouettes, diffused layers, and curls that are shaped with intention but never tamed too much. There’s an increased confidence in wearing volume and a celebration of airiness rather than heaviness or bulk.”
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How to create cloud curls:
Tom emphasises the importance of a good cut. “Ask your hairdresser for a rounded shape with soft, diffused layers that encourage volume at the crown and a halo effect around the face,” he says. “You want to avoid overly defined layering or hard, weighty lines. Instead, think cloud-like in structure as well as texture.”
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Specifically, when it comes to natural textured hair, he recommends dry cutting “to sculpt the silhouette organically and accurately. Consider how much you plan to stretch out your natural texture daily and discuss that with your stylist first.”
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How to style cloud curls, according to your hair texture
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“Start by enhancing moisture and softness – a cloud curl needs pliability and weightlessness,” insists Tom. “Use a lightweight leave-in serum, followed by a styling gel such as Olaplex No.10, that can be massaged away to encourage definition without stiffness. Diffuse with a low-speed hairdryer to contract the length – or air-dry in twists that are gently fluffed out for more definition.
“For maximum airiness you can also consider gently stretching out your texture with the comb attachment on the Dyson Airwrap, or using a gentle brush and medium heat on your hairdryer,” he continues. "The goal is volume and softness with lifted roots and gently separated coils.”
“Apply a light-weight, strong-hold, curl-enhancing foam or mousse through damp hair, scrunching upward to encourage lift,” says Tom. “Diffuse using a medium-heat setting on your hairdryer, tipping your head upside down to create that floating volume."
“Once dry, gently separate any tighter ringlets with your fingers and shake out the roots for that soft cloud-like shape,” he continues. "Scrunch as desired and don’t be scared to fluff it up. If your roots are prone to flatness, a light puff of styling powder such as the Evo Hair Haze Styling Powder can really help with long-lasting lift.”
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While it’s definitely possible to tap into the cloud curl trend if you have straight hair, it does require some time to build texture into the hair, says Tom.
“A small curling iron (or even a chopstick styler for maximum volume) is needed to twist small sections of your hair into curls,” he says. “Take irregular sections – not straight lines – winding the hair around the curling iron and holding it 90° from your scalp. Gently finger-comb the curls out as you go and use a texture spray for hold and a modern airy finish."
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
