3 Ways to Style Short Natural Hair (2024)

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Co-authored byNdeye Anta Niang

Last Updated: May 10, 2023References

1. 1

   Do a braided crown if you want a romantic look. Use the handle of a rat-tailed comb to create a deep side part first. Then, starting from the wider side of the part, do a Dutch braid that wraps along the side of your head, under your nape, and back up the other side of your head. Braid the ends in a normal, 3-strand braid and bobby pin it against the Dutch braid.^[1]

   • A Dutch braid is just like a French braid, but instead of crossing the strands over the middle strand, you cross them under.
   • You can create a similar style with a rope braid or French rope braid instead.
2. 2

   Try braided bantu knots if your hair is long enough to braid. Use the handle of a rat-tailed comb to divide your hair into smaller sections. Tie each section into a mini ponytail with a clear hair elastic. Braid the ponytails, then twist them into buns. Tuck the ends of the braids under the buns to secure them.^[2]

   • Play around with the shapes of the sections. Instead of making them square, make them triangular.
   • How many sections you create is up to you. The more sections you make, the smaller the knots will be.
   • Skip the braids and do regular bantu knots. This is great for transitioning hair.^[3]
3. 3

   Give yourself a twist-out with rope braids. Wash your hair and section it off. Grab a medium-sized section and comb conditioner and olive oil through it. Rope-braid your hair about 9 times, then move onto the next section. Keep going until all of your hair is rope-braided, then let your hair dry. Undo the ropes at your roots, but leave them twisted at the ends to hold them together.

   • To rope-braid: split the section in half, then twist each strand clockwise. Twist the strands together counterclockwise to form a rope.
   • Use smaller sections on the sides of your hair, especially if your hair is short.
4. 4

   Use hair gel on wet hair to get tiny finger coils. Wash, brush, and section off your hair. Grab a small section, and comb hair gel through it with a wide-toothed comb. Rotate the brush through the hair to smooth it out as much as possible. Break the section into smaller strands, then coil each strand around your finger. Do this all over your hair.^[4]

   • Keep a spray bottle filled with water handy. Spray your in-coiled hair with it whenever it starts to dry. Your hair must be wet going into the coils.
5. 5

   Pull your hair up into mini ponytails to create a faux hawk. Brush your hair, then apply a moisturizing cream to it. Use a rat-tail comb to divide your hair into 4 sections, one behind the other, from forehead to nape. Pull the front section into a mini ponytail at your front hairline. Repeat the process with each section, finishing with your nape. Fluff each ponytail, then apply hair oil to them.^[5]

   • The mini ponytails should be positioned down the center of your head, like a Mohawk.
   • Twist the ponytails into bantu knots for a sleeker look. You can curl or pin them for an even more interesting style.
   • If the hair on the sides of your head isn’t long enough to reach the ponytails, braid some cornrows up the sides of your head before making the ponytails.
6. 6

   Create a curly pompadour for stylish, retro look. Use coconut oil to flatten down the sides of your hair while fluffing up the top section. Use a rat tail comb to brush the top of your hair forward, then spray it with hair spray. Starting at the back of your head, use a curling iron to curl small sections of hair. Curl the hairs at the front of your head back and up. Spray with hairspray, then pick through your hair with your hands and comb to loosen the curls and get a smooth, volumized look.^[6]

   • To seal in your moisturizer on the top of your hair, apply a styling beeswax or mousse to the top part before you begin to curl, focusing on the tips of the hair.
7. 7

   Create finger waves for a classy, timeless look. Scrunch your hair with a wrap and set mousse. Comb it flat against your head following your part. Apply a coin-sized amount of styling gel along your comb and smooth it into your hair. Then, starting with the hair closest to your part, use a rat tail comb to create a wave, pulling the strands forward and swooping them back. Each wave should be about the width of your finger.^[7]

   • Use a mirror to do the same on the back of your head. Don’t worry if the waves don’t turn out perfectly back here--the front is the most important part!
   • Reapply the styling gel to your comb as needed.
8. 8

   Braid your hair into cornrows for a protective style. Wash your hair with a cleansing shampoo, then apply a deep conditioner to it. Allow your hair to dry naturally, then apply a conditioning cream and oil to it. Divide your hair into as many sections as you want, then braid each section into a cornrow. Remember to smooth down the fine hairs at your hairline with some edge control.

   • You can use store-bought oils and creams, and natural ones, such as olive oil and shea butter.

   See Also

   The 50 Best Natural Hairstyle Ideas and You'll Love Each One44 Easy Natural Hairstyles You Can Create at HomeNatural Hairstyles | 30 Hot & Trending Looks25 Stunning Natural Hairstyles to Create at Home: Quick and Simple Ideas

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1. 1

   Wrap a scarf around your hair for a quick, chic look. Get a narrow silk scarf, or fold a wider scarf in half several times until it is narrower. Tuck it under your hair, right against your nape. Wrap the ends around your head, and tie them in a knot on top of your head and hair.^[8]

   • If the scarf is too long, you can wrap the ends back under your nape and tie them there.

2. 2

   Take a ponytail or bun to the next level with a wide, fabric headband. Create a high bun or ponytail first, then secure it with a hair tie. Pull a wide, fabric headband over your head, so that it runs across your forehead, down the sides of your head, and along the back of your nape.^[9]

   • Fabric headbands are a great way to keep baby hairs out of your face without resorting to edge control creams.
3. 3

   Add glam to braids and cornrows with metal braid cuffs. These decorative, metal bands are split down the middle, so you can slide and pinch them over any braid or cornrow. If the braid in question is too thick for the band to slide over, pinch the band over one of the loops making up the braid instead.

   • You can find these bands or cuffs online, beauty supply shops, and stores that specialize in braiding supplies.
4. 4

   Create a cute or chic look with hair clips. Pull a strand of hair back towards your ear, and secure it with a hair clip. You can also crisscross 2 bobby pins instead. Plastic barrettes will look really cute, but you can use metal ones studded with rhinestones for something more chic.

   • Use colored or decorated bobby pins to do a beautiful and classy updo. You can find them in all sorts of wild colors, including glitter! Some even have pearls or rhinestones at the end.
   • You can also wear a wire headband with ornate beading or embellishments. This works with all lengths, including buzz cuts!
5. 5

   Cover your hair with a beanie hat. This is especially cute with "teenie weeny afros" (TWA). Comb the hair on top of your head forward, and the hair on the sides back. Place a slouchy beanie over your head, and pull it back so that you can see your front hairline.^[10]

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1. 1

   Use hair chalk to add a temporary streak of color. Pick a lock of hair to color, then mist it with water so that it is damp. Comb out any knots, then pull the strand of hair taut. Run colored hair chalk over and under it to saturate it with color. Let the hair dry, then seal the color with a light misting of hairspray.^[11]

   • You can also use cream eyeshadow on dry hair instead.
   • You can try to heat-set the hair chalk with a curling iron. Choose a barrel size that is the closest to your natural curl size.
2. 2

   Shave it off so that it is no more than ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₄ inch (0.32 to 0.64cm) long. Not only will it be easier to take care of, but it will also look elegant and show off your cheekbones. Add some glam to your style with bold jewelry.^[12]

   • Add dimension to your shave by fading the sides, or cutting decorative horizontal, curved, or zigzag lines with a razor.^[13]
3. 3

   Try a tapered cut if you want to keep your length on top. Keep the hair on the top of your head its current short-to-medium length, but shave the sides shorter. Make the sides tapered, where they get longer towards the top of your head, and shorter towards your temples and nape.^[14]

4. 4

   Dye your hair a new color to change your look. You can still keep your natural texture while switching up the color of your hair. Get it dyed professionally at a salon, or do it yourself at home with a kit. Remember to wash your hair with a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner, and to use a deep conditioning mask once per week.^[15]

   • For a more unique style, style an unnatural color, such as blue or purple. Bleach your hair first for best results.^[16]
   • Bleach the ends of your hair for an ombre effect. You can even dye the bleached ends a different color to create a more unique style.^[17]
5. 5

   Straighten your hair if you want a sleeker look. Start with clean, deep-conditioned hair. Apply a good heat protectant and some leave-in conditioner. Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb to remove any knots. Straighten your hair in layers and small sections. Do not exceed 300 to 350F on your flat iron.^[18]

   • Comb your hair with a fine-toothed comb as you straighten it. Keep the comb in front of the flat iron to create tension. This method can be used for styling short layered hair
6. 6

   Shape your curls with hair rollers. Hair rollers aren't just for people with straight hair. They are perfect for defining and shaping natural curls too! Get your hair wet, then wrap thin strands around small to medium-sized foam rollers or flexi-rods. Let your hair dry completely before taking the rollers out. Fluff the curls up with your fingers for a more voluminous look, if desired, but don't brush them out.^[19]

   • Deep condition your hair before applying the hair rollers, especially if you are transitioning.^[20]
   • Switch to skinny hair rollers if you want tighter curls. Work in thinner, smaller sections. Do not fluff the curls out afterwards.
7. 7

   Create a wet look with a defining hair gel. After washing your hair, apply a curl-defining gel to your curls. Scrunch your hair with your fingers as it dries to help define the curls further. Once dried, the gel will give you a chic, wet curl look.^[21]

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