Reminiscing the bold statement of a blonde bald cut to the nostalgic days with our Teeny Weeny Afro, we have definitely explored a lot with our Afro hair. The versatility of Afro hair is truly remarkable, whether worn long or short in its natural glory or styled in a myriad of ways. From a simple twist out to protective styles such as cornrows, bantu knots or knotless braids, Afro hairstyles embody beauty.
Braids, often adorned with beads, were a regular childhood favourite, but even in adulthood, we find Afro hairstyles retaining their unique charm and are still our go-to. They are not only striking but also practical and surprisingly easy to maintain. Whether you’re considering a break from wigs for the summer or simply seeking natural hairstyles that are sure to turn heads, our curated list of Afro Hairstyles promises plenty of ideas to explore.
Short Natural Hairstyles
Bald Shave
A bald shave is more than just a hairstyle—it’s a bold statement, “Who dey breeett?“. While on a trip from Lagos to London, we courageously decided to embrace a dramatic change with a daring bald shave. En route to the barber shop, the anticipation was nerve-racking, with concerns about whether the look would complement our face shape. However, the feeling post-haircut was nothing short of liberating.
Today, black women opt for a bald shave for various reasons – seeking renewal after the end of a relationship, managing alopecia, or simply embracing the empowered feeling that this bold look can bring. You can wear it shiny and black or add some colour as we did for an extra fun factor. If you’re in search of a striking, gorgeous, short-hair look to rock, the bald shave might be the style for you.
Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA)
During our university years, we embarked on a hair transformation journey from chemically relaxed hair to natural hair, a process popularly known as ‘the big chop’. The TWA phase typically comes after this or whilst growing your back from a shave.
You can wear your short afro as it is, showcasing your natural texture. The beauty of the TWA is in its simplicity and elegance. Alternatively, you can create a unique curl pattern using curling creams for more defined curls.
With the versatility of Afro hair, there are myriad ways to wear short hair, depending on your hair type. Consider the chic pixie cut—a classic look for textured hair that also effortlessly complements different hair textures. If you have kinky hair, you can opt for a simple ‘wash and go’ routine and show off those natural curls. Truly, when it comes to styling black hair, length is no barrier.
Afro Hairstyles Inspiration For Longer Hair
Big Afro
Embracing a full, voluminous afro celebrates your hair’s natural beauty.
Achieving that extra volume can be surprisingly simple with the right hair care products. Natural hair oil, volumizing shampoo, and a leave-in conditioner make your hair feel soft, boost volume and promote healthy hair growth.
This effortless style is ideal for longer, natural hair. After washing, you can let your hair air-dry naturally or opt for a blow dry with a hairdryer for a quicker solution.
The Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, for example, is a game-changer. Its fast-drying feature and minimal heat usage effectively protect your hair from damage. Furthermore, Its wide-tooth comb attachment is thoughtfully designed with the afro hair in mind, effectively lengthening the hair and creating volume—cheers to a pretty afro.
Afro Puff
When I envision an Afro puff, a delightful image of our little niece and nephew springs to mind. This ponytail-style look is not only adorable but also relatively easy to achieve. You can rock this afro hairstyle as a single high puff or double the fun with twin puffs.
Start by gathering your hair upward with hair ties or other hair accessories, such as a bandana. Use a brush to smooth your hair down for an even texture. Finally, to round up, apply some edge control to your hairlines for a neatly defined, snatched look.
Twist Out
Unlock a world of luscious wild curls with the transformative power of a twist out. This style can redefine your hair texture, giving you an enchanting crown of defined curls when you unravel the twists. Start by dividing your damp hair into small sections. Grab a two-strand twist of each section, keeping a spray bottle at hand to keep your hair moist throughout the process. Use a styling gel to set each twist, enhancing the longevity of your new look. Let your hair dry while the twists are still intact – consider wearing a satin scarf and leaving the twists in overnight. The result?
When you unravel the twists the next morning, you’ll find a head full of beautifully defined, curly hair. For added volume, run a wide-tooth comb through the roots. Alternatively, why not experiment with finger coils? Just as simple to create and equally enchanting, this method can add a new twist to your natural hair journey. To keep your curls looking fresh and vibrant, a quick spritz of hair mist will add that extra shine.
Protective Afro Hairstyles: Braided Styles
Classic Cornrows
The classic cornrow is a timeless Afro hairstyle that brings an elegant fusion of tradition and style. Rooted in African culture, it remains a favourite protective style for black women worldwide. Creating a cornrow involves intricately braiding close to the scalp and offers limitless styling sizes and patterns, from straight to zig zag, offering endless possibilities for creativity.
In high school, a new style was announced weekly to be explored by all students; this created an exciting array of looks, celebrating the diversity of Afro hairstyles. This hairstyle is an excellent way to protect your natural hair from breakage, especially in harsh environmental conditions.
Didi
Didi or Didi Olowo is a variation of a cornrow that’s particularly popular among the Yoruba people in Nigeria. It’s a unique method of braiding as it involves a reverse or inverted braiding technique. Unlike the popular cornrow style, which is braided with an overhand technique, the hair is braided under, making the Didi hairstyle gentler on the scalp and is an option for people with sensitive scalps or those who find regular cornrows painful.
Feed-In Or Stitch Braids
Feed-in braids, also known as stitch braids, offer a contemporary twist on the traditional cornrow. They introduce a welcomed length by seamlessly incorporating extensions into your natural hair, often leading people to wonder, “Is this your hair?”.
Starting with small sections at the hairline, synthetic or human hair extensions are gradually fed into the braid, which becomes progressively thicker as more hair is added. This technique results in a neat, refined look that’s both fashionable and functional. You can choose to keep it simple with a quick 2 feed-in style or go for a fuller look of about 8 feed-ins, either way, the style is designed to last.
Bantu Knots
If you seek a hairstyle that boldly screams “African Queen” as you strut by, look no further. This hairstyle from South Africa perfectly captures the essence of African heritage and elegance. Not only does it provide an eye-catching look, but it also serves as a protective style for your natural hair.
To achieve this look, begin by sectioning your hair. Twist each section from the roots, then wrap the twisted hair around itself to form a miniature knot or bun. This hairstyle can be a fun way to play around with different parts and works equally well on short and long hair lengths.
Braids
Braids are a personal favourite among many black women, thanks to their versatility and the multitude of style variations they offer. Traditional braids deliver a classic look, and they can be worn down or styled in many ways – from buns and ponytails to elaborate updos.
Many of us have memories of spending entire days at the salon with multiple stylists working simultaneously, tugging at different sections of our hair to complete the style promptly. Each section is partitioned and then woven into tight braids, often with the addition of synthetic hair for length and volume. Choosing extensions that match my skin tone is my preferred style, but the colour options for extensions are virtually limitless, catering to every preference. Once completed, the hair tips were typically dipped in hot water, a process that signalled the activation of “Shakara” – a playful, confident display of one’s beauty.
Today, the world of braids encompasses various contemporary interpretations, including box braids, goddess braids and increasingly popular knotless braids.
Box Braids
Box braids are characterized by partitioning hair into square or rectangular sections, hence the name. Goddess box braids offer a twist on this classic style, incorporating wavy, curly extensions adding an extra sense of glamour.
Goddess Braids
Knotless Braids
Knotless braids are created without the small knot that typically sits at the root in traditional braided styles. Instead, hair extensions are seamlessly woven into the braids beginning at the root with your natural hair for a smoother transition. This technique results in a lightweight style that causes less tension on the scalp.
People often wear braids for over two months, which can promote hair growth if properly maintained. If you plan to keep your braids in for an extended period, it’s essential to properly care for your scalp and schedule regular wash days to maintain good hair health.
Twist Braids
Twist braids offer a stylish alternative to traditional braids. This technique involves twisting two sections around each other, forming a rope-like aesthetic, as opposed to braiding them. Twist braids can be done with standard extensions, but you can also use kinky extensions for a softer and distinctively different look.
Fulani Braids or Tribal Braids
Tribal braids, also known as Fulani braids, were originally worn by the Fulani people – a large, traditionally nomadic ethnic group spread across many countries in West Africa. Fulani braids are distinguished by a unique pattern that involves a mix of straight-back braids and a central braid running down the middle of the head. This combination creates an alluring complexity, setting it apart from other braided hairstyles.
Like many braided styles, having Fulani braids done can be time-consuming. However, the anticipation of watching your hair transform into a stunning work of art is a cherished experience that feels like a rite of passage. The signature look is often adorned with unique hair accessories, such as beads, gold cuffs, or rings, enhancing their appeal and further adding to their distinctive charm.
Other Ways To Wear Your Afro Hair
Faux Locs
As digital nomads in Dubai, our journey took us through a variety of hairstyles, including faux locs, before we decided to loc our natural hair. Faux locs offered us the opportunity to experience the aesthetics of natural dreadlocks without the long-term commitment. Despite being temporary, these protective styles retained their allure for several weeks, allowing us to switch up our look with minimal effort.
Butterfly Locs
Butterfly locs, a trendy variant of faux locs, presented a more distressed and bohemian aesthetic. The technique involved wrapping sections of hair with loose, irregular coils, creating a fluffy, voluminous effect reminiscent of butterfly wings. As captivating as this style was, it turned out to be less practical than we had hoped, and the process of removing the butterfly locs was rather exhausting.
The vast diversity of Afro hairstyles means there is something for everyone. Whether you’re showcasing your short curls, seeking a style that flatters your face shape, or exploring options for various hair types, your hairstyle can be part of your fashion statement. The perfect Afro hairstyle can complement your individuality and highlight your unique features. It’s an extension of your unique self-expression. This freedom to experiment and express ourselves through our hair is truly a celebration of black hair in all its glory.
We encourage you to try a new style from our list.
If you are looking for a body transformation, check out our post on how to start moving again and listen to our curated Afrobeat playlist to keep you going.
