10 Hairstyles for Natural African American SHORT Hair (With Pictures)

If you have short, natural hair, there’s so much you can do with it other than wear an afro or a wig. A little effort goes a long way for short natural hair. I’ve compiled 10 short hairstyles for blacks, and short hair means that your straightened strands can reach from the top of your head to the bridge of your nose, or from the back of your head to your chin.

A few tips to start with:

All these styles have a few things in common:

• They all begin with clean hair. You want to shampoo and condition your natural hair before styling.
• They may require some kind of curl setting product. Use your favorite natural styling cream or gel to get your locks in perfect shape.
• They’re all protective styles. No chemicals are involved, just a hair dryer and gentle combing.
• There are excellent tutorials for each of these African American hairstyles, so just head to YouTube and search for a step-by-step video for each.
• They can be worn plain or accessorized. Add a hairband, wrap a scarf, or use pins and beads to glam up these looks.

Let’s dive in!

1. Bantu Knots

This is one of the classic hairstyles hailing from Africa, and it’s easy to style. Separate your hair into sections: larger sections for longer hair, smaller sections for shorter hair. Apply a light curl cream or setting product to one section, twist it at the base, and wrap the rest of the hair around it. You can use a hair clip to set the knot in place, but it should hold quite well without reinforcement. Repeat the same process with the other sections and rock your Bantu knots with pride.

2. Twist Out

This is a wet styling techninque, so you’ll need to wash and condition or oil your hair first. Divide it into sections, then each section into two. Twist the two parts around each other from root to tip, then wrap the twist around the base. Do the rest of the sections, let your hair dry, then unravel the twists and use your fingers to fluff the strands.

3. Braid Out

Similarly, a braid out starts with wet hair, but you braid the sections instead of twisting. This style gives you curlier, more defined strands when you dry, unbraid, and fluff the strands. Go for a braid out if you want more volume for your look.

4. Finger Coils

If you have type 3 hair and want better curl definition, try finger coiling your hair. Use your favorite curling cream to moisturize and set your strands, then divide your hair into 1-inch sections. Twist and coil each section from root to tip, stretching the coil as you go. Continue styling the rest of your hair until you have gorgeous, defined coils. When you style black natural hair like this, the coils can last up to three weeks with occasional touch ups.

5. Pineapple Updo

If you can detangle your hair and gather it at the top of your head, a pineapple updo will work for you. Secure your hair with a scrunchies or headband, then fluff out the curls on top. Use hairpins to hold loose strands in place. This is a great style to pair with eyeglasses and oversized earrings.

6. Flat Twist Updo

This is one of the best short hairstyles for blacks if you don’t know how to do cornrows (which is style #7 below). Portion your hair as you would for cornrows but divide each part into two, not three sections. Twist one over the other to form a flat twist from the base to the top of your head. You can do finger coils (style #4) at the top of your head for the updo and accessorize as you wish.

7. Cornrows

Apart from Bantu knots (style #1), cornrows are a world-famous look for black natural hair. And they’re not just for kids, either: there are endless cornrow patterns and designs that you could wear every single day of the year. Start with dry, straightened hair as it’s easier to part into rows and sections. Braid each section all the way to the end, gently detangling knots if any. Combine cornrows with accessories or afro puffs (style #9 below).

8. Halo Braid

Turn your hair into a crown with a beautiful halo braid winding around your head. Part your hair into to sections front to back or from ear to ear. Braid or flat twist each section until you reach the partition, then continue braiding until the end of the strands. Tuck the end or use pins to secure it to create a crown.

9. Afro Puffs

You can have one puff or many with this easy short hairstyle for natural hair. You’ll need to detangle and comb your hair first, then use elastic bands to hold sections in place. Then, fluff up the tops and shape them with your hands to create a pouf. If you have slightly longer hair, hold it in a ponytail then make the puff shape with your hands.

10. Two Strand Twist

The two-strand twist basically makes small ropes out of your hair. You’ll need to lock in some moisture first, ideally with a leave-in conditioner. Then, divide your hair into sections, then each section into two. Twist the two parts around each other until the ends curl up togehter. Add some hair gel or beads to stop the twists from unraveling. You can wear your twists like this or turn your style into a twist out (style #2).

Keep Your Short Hair Natural

These styles can create simple or complex looks with minimal hair damage and zero chemical treatments. Give yourself a few tries before you get the perfect look, and don’t be afraid to experiment and combine different styles into one. Love your short natural hair and wear it proud.