African American women often encounter many surprises and troubles with their natural hair. It’s either difficult to style or lacks length for versatile impressive hairstyles you can see there on Internet. The other problem is when your hair is getting extremely dry and brittle due to experiments with styling products and styling procedures. Sometimes the only way out in such cases is to have a short haircut and wait for the new healthy growth. Meanwhile the other puzzle that emerges is how to style your short natural hair so that it looks decent. Don’t worry, there are many fantastic stylish hairstyles for your short hair. Here we have collected 70 pictures of the classiest ones.
Your Options In Natural Hairstyles For Short Hair
- Protective updos. They do not only look very stately, they also protect the delicate structure of your hair from the elements and loss of moisture.
- Twists. These take any extra volume under control and look fancy whether you wear them loose or in elegant updos.
- Puffs. A puff is a substitute for a common bun, so loved by African American ladies. When you also introduce twists or elements of braiding into your puff hairstyles, you have all chances to come up with something truly exquisite and eye-catching.
- Mohawks & Fauxhawks. Never going out of fashion, these hairstyles are perfect for black women who are open to bold solutions and extravagant haircuts.
- Finger coils. If you are searching for hairstyles which make a stake on outstanding textures, finger coils are an excellent idea.
The Most Inspiring Natural Short Hairstyles
#1: Funky Mohawk with Blue Grey Ends
Grey is no longer a color for the aging. The silvery hue adds an instant dose of coolness to warm complexions for a look that is anything but regular. When you pair this popular color with a rocker-chic sassy Mohawk, you get the perfect edgy and trendy natural hair style.
#2: Layered and Curly Natural Short Hairstyle
Short curls are more springy and lively when layered throughout. The jet-black hair color adds definition to the luscious coils for an easy style that can last throughout the day and work for a variety of occasions. Natural hairstyles like this one always attract attention, be ready to be given compliments!
#3: Sectioned Mohawk with Small Coils
If you can’t pull your hair into a ponytail, pinning it into a Mohawk in the middle of your head allows to get it out of your face without trying to force it into a tiny bun or ponytail. Add in a parted design for a unique natural hairstyle for short hair. Or you can try making it more spiky.
#4: Flat Twists with Bump
Flat twists are a go-to protective style for natural hair, as they allow the hairstyle to last throughout the week without daily styling with any heated tools or chemicals. This look adds a fun twisted bouffant in the front for an interesting take on the standard style.
#5: Short Natural Haircut Styled As Fauxhawk
If your length is not sufficient to make even an afro puff, there are still creative ways to style your coils in a beautiful way. Pinning the sides with delicate combs adds visual interest; also try metal combs for a look that pops a little more.
#6: Large Curls Updo For Short Hair
Pump up the volume on your curled style with wild layered curls. Light chocolate highlights add some warmth to natural black hair and brighten the face — definitely a creative look for the weekend. Such voluminous short natural hairstyles are great for every party and formal occasion!
#7: Twisted Roll and Side Bang
For a style that will last for weeks and still look appropriate try this twisted short natural hairstyle for black women. The side bang creates some versatility: you can pin it back or wear it down for a funky casual look.
#8: Braids And Double Bun
For a quick natural updo hairstyle, pair chunky cornrows with two adjacent front buns and get a lovely look that will last all day long. This creative-yet-simple style can transition from day-to-night with ease.
#9: Individual Braided Natural Hair Style
Individual braids are a go-to protective hairstyle for African American women, as they provide more versatility than flat cornrows and twists. For shorter styles, pin the braids back with a hair accessory like a thick headband. Is it winter or summer outdoors, you will always look great.
#10: Twisted Back with Curly Top and Highlights
For the lady that loves a good time, this look is just the right option for the weekend or a vacation. It’s easy to maintain – simply re-wet the curls whenever they get flat and carry on with the fun and ease!
#11: Natural Hairstyle for Black Women with Closely Clipped Sides
This wild curly style oozes sex appeal and confidence. Tapering the curls in the back with them growing longer in the front creates a bang-like effect that adds mystery to your look. If you are feeling bold, complement this look with the classic red lipstick and winged liner makeup for a daring appearance.
#12: Two-Tone Haircut with Design
Just because you have a closely-cropped cut does not mean that you cannot experiment with your look as this natural hair style shows. The blonde color on top makes the style pop and the parted design adds a bit of interest on the sides. If you want to maintain the cut, simply change the color and designs to keep the look fresh.
#13: Flat-Twist with Twist Out
A twist-out is an easy natural hairstyle for short hair that African-American women can use to achieve full curls sans heat. It’s a popular protective style among the “naturalistas”. The style is easy to maintain, it can be slept on without messing up the curl pattern. This look combines a flat twist detail in the front to further protect the edges of the hair, which are the most prone to breakage.
#14: Braided Updo with Bantu Knots
An easy way to make kinky curly hair more manageable and prevent breakage is braids. This updo hairstyle also uses Bantu knots to add a creative coiled look. The knots can also be undone for a curly look if you crave more length on top.
#15: Natural Updo Hairstyle with Highlights
Harsh dyes, and especially bleach, can be extremely damaging to natural or transitioning hair. Instead of stripping your hair of moisture with chemicals, twist in fake hair of a lighter color into your braided style to give the illusion of highlights. Natural black hairstyles sometimes need more attention, than you think, but they are worth doing.
#16: Rolled Bun with A Side-Part
Execute a cute and classic hairstyle for short natural hair in no time with a low bun that features a side-part. The timeless style works effortlessly for any occasion you may find yourself at throughout the day.
#17: Braided Mohawk For Naturalistas
If you want to add some spice to your braided style, try a fun roll with a regal bouffant. This appealing short afro hairstyle can carry you easily from work to play.
#18: Natural African American Hairstyle With Braided Crown
Here is a stylish look to execute on any texture of African-American hair. A braided crown looks appealing on most women. Plus, this look can usually last for a couple of days for those who would rather not worry about their hairstyles on a regular basis.
#19: Easy Short Natural Hairstyle
To achieve piece-y texture in coarse hair, try braiding wet locks overnight for wavy tendrils in the morning. For hair that is too short for updos and buns, pin the sides and the front for a similar effect. It`s great both for casual and holiday looks.
#20: Thick Short Curls Into High Bun
Never underestimate the power of a bold bun for a trendy everyday look. This high natural black hairstyle works best with thick curly hair. Create a full style with a few messy pieces for added sass.
#21: Coily Icicles
Short natural hair shaped into firm coils solves the problem of excessive volume and unruliness. Random coils would still stick out teasingly expressing the rowdy spirit of this hairstyle that, by the way, can be worn with elegant outfits and even as a wedding or prom hairstyle.
#22: Braiding & Puff
A puff style is perfect for short natural hair, as it allows removing all the volume off the face and fixing it on top, on the crown. Delicate braiding in the front renders a sophisticated touch to this showy short hairstyle for natural hair.
#23: Asymmetry With Flat Twists
Flat twists convey natural hair a more neat and refined look. Making one side sleek with flat twists and guiding all the curls to the other side, you will come up with a quite simple yet pretty impressive natural hairstyle. Works great for fine hair also.
#24: Naughty Mohawk
A Mohawk with undershave looks very chic on short natural hair. It shapes the shock of unruly coils in a stylish and mischievous way, opening the sides of your face and drawing attention to its beautiful outlines.
#25: Sleek Finger Coils
Natural hairstyles with fantastic glossy finger coils lend you an air of carelessness and exquisite charm. Pastel fabric flowers look amazing on the black hair and make the girl’s eyes even brighter. Why not to borrow this brilliant idea?
#26: Madame de Pompadour
Natural hair is swept sleekly up the sides and high on top over the forehead in a sort Pompadour updo. This elegant retro hairstyle will be suitable for a special event as well as chic every day wear.
#27: Frizzy, Sexy, Careless
Taking advantage of the fun frizzy texture of your natural hair can be more beneficial than fighting with it constantly. All you need is to give it a certain shape. Raise the back hair up, baring the graceful neck and let the front and side locks settle at random for a young, careless, you-drive-me-crazy look.
#28: Lively & Inspiring
Short natural hair twisted or braided at one temple can offer an unexpectedly easy and showy asymmetric hairstyle solution, perfect for the black women who wonder how to shape their luxurious coils which lack length so far.
#29: Twists & Sophistication
This protective hairstyle, sophisticated at the first glance, is in reality quite easy to do. It consists of simple twists of varied thickness, twisted together and steered to one side.
#30: Simplicity Rules
The most classic and stately hairstyles don’t have to be complicated. Neither you need long hair to come up with a stylish and eye-catching updo. This is a vivid example. Pin up your hair and use the accessory. Done!
#31: Intrigue
A shock head is not a problem if you know how to model it. Creating diagonal lines illuminates the beauty of the face contours and features.
#32: Worm Twists
These may not sound too appealing, but they do create a fantastic texture and take difficult-to-handle volume under control. Short natural hairstyles like this one look fabulous, without any exceptions!
#33: Tight Moving Twists
What a fun to shake your head and have your tight lively twists move around. No combing, no tiresome styling is required – enjoy yourself, you are gorgeous!
#34: Fleecy Clouds
These awesome tight little curls can remind someone of fleecy clouds or of sea shells, left on the shore line by foamy waves. Whatever would your association be, this is a fantastic idea of a very short hairstyle for natural hair.
#35: Afro Puff
Sleek above the forehead and fluffy-puffy on the crown, this simple hairstyle features two contrasting textures and an interesting idea of how you can style your short hair fast and effortlessly.
#36: Sleek & Glossy
Those bright mischievous eyes, perfect oval face and a charming smile can’t be hidden by any means. To achieve this fantastic sleeking effect you can use a thin slightly wet scarf over a ready hairstyle for something like 15-20 minutes.
#37: Short & Brilliant Modern Style
Very short natural hair causes no inconveniences, requires no styling or time-consuming maintenance. Girls who do not need to correct the shapes of their faces with longer hairstyles can easily afford this simple option and look gorgeous without any efforts.
#38: Statement Braids With Undershave
Five awesome braids running from the centre of your forehead to the back of your head together with undershave on the sides end up as a statement hairstyle, alternative to the most sophisticated and elegant updos.
#39: Sweetie
Sweet warm honey hue and sweet curls on top with extremely short sides is a perfect option of a short hairstyle for African American women, who are looking for something inspirational.
#40: Elegant Black Natural Hairstyles – Braided Beauty
Short hair is not a reason to give up on elegant updos. They offer protection for natural hair and variety for your chic hairstyles. When combined with braiding elements, such updos turn out to be extremely fancy and attention-grabbing, like this one.
#41: Big Hair
Solange Knowles makes an impression of a bright and cheeky girl, posing for the Asos cover shoot. She has managed to turn the dreaded triangular silhouette into a statement hairstyle that flatters her so much.
#42: Puffy Waves For Black Women
Solange sticks to natural hairstyles with enviable persistence. Her statement voluminous ‘dos with shapely waves resolving into fluffy ringlets brushed out thoroughly for a cool texture keep amazing us with their eccentricity.
#43: Short Highlighted ‘Fro
Nicole Ari Parker brings out the beauty of her perfect oval face and classic facial features with a simple short ‘fro that is easy to style and maintain. For added spice Nicole decides on some warm highlights to sprinkle through her short natural coils.
#44: Compact Twists
The shorter your natural hair is the easier it is to manage your locks and switch hair hues. Chrisette Michelle proves this idea, slightly updating her basic short haircut for natural hair every now and then. A new cut goes with a new hair color and a fresh way to style short coils. This time it’s all about neat twists for a smart look and fun texture.
#45: Extra Short Wet Look
Bre Scullark opts for a clean look with extra short length and well-trimmed contours. Adding a wet effect makes her style not only neater but much sexier and more appealing to the eye. Do you like such short natural hairstyles for black women as we do? Very interesting, no doubts.
#46: Full Head Of Bouncy Curls
Corinne Bailey Rae puts an emphasis on femininity in her look with this short rounded mane full of cute bouncy curls. Styling it A-line is a good way to open your face, covering only a part of your forehead in a flirty manner.
#47: Infinitesimally Small Spirals
Janelle Monae looks awesome with the same rounded mane, but her texture is made from loads of tiny spirals, pulled out of the do here and there for some fun jaggedness of the outlines. We love such hairstyles for short natural hair! Very-very much!
#48: Curls Up!
Uzo Aduba has had her kinky coils tapered for the perfect shape and styled up with an impressive glamorous touch. Some of her coily strands are fluffed out, while others are defined for a sophisticated texture I can’t help admiring.
#49: Kinky A-Line Bob
Kimberly Elise is one of those lucky African American ladies who, undoubtedly, look more attractive with natural hair than with relaxed locks. Her kinky A-line bob features flawless outlines, cool volume and the right length.
#50: Velvety Twists
Brandy Norwood rocks her luxurious short curls side-parted and twisted tightly from roots to ends. As a result, she’s got a stunning natural hairstyle with a protective function and an awesome nonchalant feel.
#51: Short Mahogany Ringlets
Viola Davis keeps her natural curls short and experiments with colors. Her mahogany brown is rich and rather unusual for natural hair, although it’s really hard to surprise us with a hair hue these days.
#52: Sweet Bunch Of Curly Strands
Cutie Willow Smith is in the age when she can enjoy her hair experiments at fullest. I like this look of hers with a bunch of black curly strands on top covering her forehead yet revealing the lovely contours of her face.
#53: Tight Black Twists
India Arie looks fabulous with each and every of her natural hairstyles from almost complete baldness to the bizarre braided ‘dos. This look brings to light very neat tight twists which put together a fantastic short hairstyle with A-line silhouette for any occasion.
#54: Fluffed Afro
Yaya DaCosta is not just an amazingly beautiful woman, she’s a super model in the theme of natural hairstyles. This fluffed afro turns into a stunning background for her lovely face.
#55: Glamorous Puff
Even a simple natural puff acquires a glamorous touch if Yaya DaCosta opts to rock it one day. Hers is sitting high on the crown with compactness and grace of an elegant bun. The sleek sides still reveal the exceptional afro texture.
#56: Brushed Out Natural Bob
Certainly, Yaya DaCosta could have her locks relaxed, but in that case she wouldn’t achieve this fabulous effect of a brushed out natural bob. The enviable volume, extraordinary texture and harmonious shape of her hairstyle are beyond all praise.
#57: Asymmetry With Corkscrew Ringlets
Teyonah Parris looks ravishing sporting this chic asymmetric hairdo with all her bouncy ringlets swept to one side. If you want to add some edge to your natural hairstyles and try something special, this idea is worthy, indeed.
#58: Flirty Puff With Defined Ringlets
Vicky Jeudy sports her natural puff pushed towards her forehead to dress it with defined ringlets which do just fine skimming her eye-brows like flirty bangs. Nice texture and the right position single out this cute puff from the dozens of others.
#59: Tight Spirals With A Wet Finish
And another look from Vicky Jeudy features a slightly disheveled hairstyle with a bunch of “wet” spirals piled nonchalantly on top and sprinkled over her forehead. We love the naughty flair!
#60: Extra Short Blonde ‘Fro
At the 5th annual Essence Black Women In Music Event Goapele opted to amaze everyone with a bold leather look paired with an extra short blonde ‘fro that complimented the sexy red dress and black-and-white pumps perfectly.
#61: Misty Afro
Having brushed through her kinky coils, Keke Palmer managed to achieve this soft afro that frames her face like some fancy mist. The side parting introduces asymmetry into her simple yet fun hairstyle for natural hair.
#62: Sleeked Back Coils
For CBS Summer Soiree Kim Wayans needed an elegant formal look that she effortlessly got with a chic natural half up half down style. Carefully sleeking her natural coils back, Kim’s stylist let them spring out at the nape.
#63: Smart Waves With A Silky Finish
Tamera Mowry is open to experiments with lengths and finishes for her beautiful brunette locks. She loves different African-American natural hairstyles. We’ve seen her long relaxed waves, medium length tresses with highlights and extra short kinks. This particular version is super flattering for her sweet face with a slightly pointed chin.
#64: Longer, Taller Curls
Julia Sarr-Jamois builds her bright signature style around her kinky mane. The taller, the longer her curls are the better. The actual length is though above the shoulders, that’s why I list her signature hairstyle here.
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#65: Up & Off The Face
Kilo Kish has found the loveliest way out of her coily hair situation. She lifts her short natural curls up in a sort of high pony and wraps a headband with a girly bow around her head right above the hair growth line. So cute!
#66: Three-Piece Artsy Style
And for the Snatch magazine photoshoot Kilo Kish is rocking something completely extraordinary. Who said that you can’t split your short natural mane into separate sections to come up with a statement black hairstyle? Like a celebrity, really!
#67: Cute Natural Hairstyles For Short Hair – Caramel Pixie
Love the pixie style but wonder whether it’s going to work for your short natural locks? Carly Cushnie brings out a fabulous example of a short hairstyle with interesting color solution I list here for inspiration.
#68: Messy Curls With Random Highlights
Kandace Springs is adorable with her spontaneous voluminous curls featuring a fabulous feel of movement. The random highlights make them even livelier and bring out the charm of her natural freckles.
#69: Lovely Frizz
A former model and one of the most fashionable bloggers according to Vogue, Cipriana Quann provides a whole educating program about natural hair. We see how happy she is with her untamed frizz, and, luckily, we can learn a lot from Cipriana.
#70: Fancy Updo With Side-Swept Spirals
Corkscrew coils with defined texture are a perfect base for versatile updos and downdos. Elle Varner sports a sophisticated asymmetrical peek-a-boo with a mass of whimsical curls piled on the top of her head. Hmmmm…..so perfect!
As you see short natural hair doesn’t set you any particular limitations. You can go sleek or frizzy, choose braiding or twists, make an updo or wear your cute coils loose. Experiment and find your most flattering styles!
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