Curly Men's Haircut with a Curtain Fringe: Nic Vans
Nic Vans: curls that move in every shot
Love Island USA star and Avenue Man model Nic Vans, with dark curls falling loose over the forehead and enough bounce at the sides to move in every shot. This curly men's haircut looks natural because the curls were cut to sit exactly where they fall.
For someone in front of cameras, curls can't be a gamble. They have to look the same in the morning, on set and at night, without an hour of styling. That starts with the cut.
Below, celebrity men's hairstylist Sergio Slavnov explains how Nic's cut was built, why it dries into the same shape every time, and how to style curls like his at home.
The cut: jaw-length curls, layered top, curtain fringe
This is a layered men's haircut for men's curly hair, shaped with the curl pattern in mind.
- Length around the jaw. Sergio Slavnov kept the length at the jawline, long enough for the curls to have weight and swing, short enough to stay light.
- Layered top. The top was layered so the curls stack in soft, chunky pieces instead of one heavy mass.
- Curtain fringe. The front drops forward in a loose curtain over the brow and parts naturally off the forehead.
- Full sides, no hard line. The sides stay full enough to frame the face, with no clipper line and no sharp edge around the ear.
It's a scissor cut men's haircut from start to finish. Curls this thick need a cut that does the heavy lifting before any product goes in.
Cutting with the curl pattern
Every curl has a direction and a size. When a cut ignores that, curly hair does one of two things: it puffs out into a triangle, or it hangs flat at the top and wide at the bottom.
Nic's cut follows his pattern. The layers are placed where the curls naturally break apart, so each section dries into the same clump every time. That's why the fringe falls across the forehead on its own and the sides sit close without turning into a helmet.
The practical result is consistency. Wash, scrunch, let it dry, and the shape comes back without fighting it.
How to style it with Curl Defining Cream
Avenue Man Curl Defining Cream finishes the look. It defines each curl, keeps frizz down and holds the shape without a crunchy feel.
- Start on damp hair. After washing, blot the water out with a T-shirt or microfiber towel instead of rubbing.
- Use a small amount. A quarter-sized amount, warmed between your palms, is enough for jaw-length curls. Too much weighs them down.
- Smooth it through, then scrunch. Glide the cream over the curls from mid-length to ends, then cup them in your palms and press up toward the scalp.
- Place the fringe once. While damp, set the front where you want it to fall over the brow, then leave it.
- Air-dry or diffuse. Let the hair dry on its own, or use a diffuser on low heat.
- Don't touch until fully dry. Hands in wet curls break up the clumps. Once dry, separate them lightly with your fingertips for more volume.
It is one of the best men's hair products for men's curly hair that needs definition without stiffness.
Keeping the shape between visits
At this length, curls hold their shape for about 2 months. After that, the sides start to widen and the fringe gets heavy.
- Trim once every 2 months. The layers and the fringe are refreshed, and the length at the jaw stays.
- Wash less, condition more. Curly hair dries out fast. Two or three washes a week, with conditioner every time, keeps the curls springy.
- Refresh instead of rewashing. On day two, mist with water, scrunch in a little cream, and let it dry.
- Sleep on silk. A silk pillowcase reduces frizz and flattening overnight.
Is this curly men's haircut right for you?
This cut works best on thick, loose-to-medium curls. They have enough body to stack, and the curtain fringe falls naturally instead of springing straight up.
- Wavy hair can wear it too. The look is softer, with waves instead of clumps.
- Tight curls shrink more, so ask for extra length at the front for the fringe to reach the brow.
- Fine curly hair benefits from fewer layers, so the curls keep their weight and don't look thin.
It's a model haircut that still works for everyday life: polished for the camera, easy enough to wash and go.
Frequently asked questions
What do I ask for to get Nic Vans' haircut?
A curly men's haircut with length at the jaw, layers through the top, a loose curtain fringe and full sides with no hard line. Bring these photos.
Should curly hair be cut wet or dry?
Curls change shape as they dry, so it helps to see them dry or mostly dry before cutting the shape. That way every curl lands where it naturally falls.
Why does my curly hair turn into a triangle?
Usually there's too much weight at the bottom and not enough layering on top. Layers at the crown let the curls stack and keep the shape balanced.
How much curl cream should I use?
Less than you think. A quarter-sized amount is enough for jaw-length curls; add a little more only if the ends still frizz.
How much does this haircut cost with Sergio Slavnov?
A men's haircut with Sergio Slavnov is $250.
About Sergio Slavnov
Sergio Slavnov specializes in medium-length and long men's hairstyles. His work has been featured in GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour and on Times Square billboards. The Washington Post called him the "Manhattan Men's Hair Guru."
That is why clients from TV and fashion book Sergio Slavnov's private men's hair studio in Hell's Kitchen for curls, waves and long hair.
More looks like this are on Instagram at @avenue.man, and you can watch the full process on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@bestmenshaircutsandstyling.
Curl Defining Cream is at avenueman.com.