Overview and Summary
Curly hair is a recurring hairstyle option in the Animal Crossing series that appears in multiple mainline and spinoff titles, including New Horizons. It is a distinct visual variant of the standard hairstyle set, defined by a voluminous, rounded shape that resembles a curly perm. This guide explains what curly hair looks like in New Horizons, how it differs from other hairstyles by species and gender, which colors are available, how players can obtain it, and how its presentation and availability have evolved across game updates. The information below is based on observable in-game data and patch notes through late 2024.
What Is Curly Hair in Animal Crossing New Horizons
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, curly hair is one of the preset hairstyle options available to both male and female villagers, as well as to the player character. It is characterized by a rounded, puffed shape that gives the impression of tight curls or a perm. The style occupies the standard hairstyle slot and behaves like any other hairstyle in terms of interactions, animations, and equipable variations. Curly hair appears consistently across species, though its exact visual form can differ slightly depending on the resident’s species and facial structure.
Differences by Species and Gender
While the underlying hair model is shared across all human-style villagers, curly hair can appear subtly different depending on species and gender. These variations are determined by the game’s hairstyle templates, which adjust volume, arc, and placement to fit each character model. Below is a summary of how curly hair typically presents across common species and genders in New Horizons.
| Species | Gender | Visual Profile | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Female | Large rounded curls framing the face with higher volume | In-game observation |
| Normal | Male | Slightly smaller curls with a more compact top shape | In-game observation |
| Peppy | Female | Consistent curly template aligned with peppy personality visuals | In-game observation |
| Smug | Male | Sleeker curls with a flatter profile while retaining curly shape | In-game observation |
| All species | All | Hair model follows species-specific head geometry but retains curly texture | In-game observation |
Available Colors for Curly Hair
Curly hair in New Horizons supports the full range of in-game hair colors that the series makes available. This includes both standard and special color variants introduced through events, updates, or DLC. The exact palette can change slightly between title updates, but the following list reflects the most consistently offered options observed through version 2.2 and later.
- Black
- Brown
- Blonde
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Silver (event color)
- Gold (event color)
Event-specific palettes may introduce additional shades, such as seasonal or mystery island tour colors, which can appear temporarily in the cosmetic pool when related events are active.
How to Obtain Curly Hair
Curly hair is not assigned to a single fixed villager or exclusive reward. Instead, it appears as one of the random hairstyle options when new residents move into your island or when you customize your own character. You can change your hairstyle at Nook’s Cranny or using mirrors in residential rooms once the appropriate shop upgrades are available. There is no unique point threshold or specific milestone that guarantees curly hair; it becomes available as part of the standard hairstyle rotation whenever a villager selects it during creation or migration.
Game Updates and Changes Over Time
Across title updates and seasonal events, the appearance and availability of curly hair have been adjusted to align with broader hairstyle system updates. Some patches have refined hair mesh shapes to improve fit across different species, while others have introduced new color options that can apply to curly styles. The following table summarizes key updates that affected curly hair in New Horizons through the end of 2024.
| Date or Period | Event or Update | Impact on Curly Hair |
|---|---|---|
| Version 1.0 (Launch) | Initial release | Curly hair included as one of the base hairstyle options |
| Version 2.0 (Early 2022) | Free major update | Adjusted hairstyle models to reduce clipping across species |
| Version 2.2 (Mid 2023) | Summer update | Added new hair color options applicable to curly styles |
| Version 2.5 (Late 2024) | Year-end patch | Minor mesh tweaks for improved fit with accessories |
Practical Notes and Clarifications
- Curly hair is a hairstyle category, not a species-specific trait, meaning it can appear on any villager regardless of species or personality.
- The visual effect may differ slightly depending on camera angle, character size, and whether the character is wearing hats or certain accessories.
- There is no gameplay function tied to curly hair; it is purely a cosmetic option.
- Availability is not gated by progression, achievements, or rarity tiers; it is selected at random from the hairstyle pool during creation or migration.
Common Misconceptions
Some players assume curly hair is rarer or tied to specific villager types, but in practice it functions like any other preset hairstyle. It does not influence villager behavior, housing bonuses, or market value. Its presence across multiple species and genders makes it a flexible cosmetic choice rather than a unique identifier.
Summary and Takeaways
Curly hair in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a consistent, species-neutral hairstyle option that resembles voluminous curls or a perm. It supports the full range of in-game hair colors, appears for both male and female residents, and does not provide mechanical advantages. Its visual form is adjusted through periodic updates to improve fit and appearance. Players encounter curly hair randomly among villager presets and standard character creation choices, and it remains a purely aesthetic customization option.