Short natural hair is a beautiful and bold statement, embracing the beauty and texture of your natural curls. Many women choose to wear their natural hair short because it is low maintenance, versatile, and empowering. However, styling short natural hair can sometimes feel like a challenge. Whether you have a TWA (teeny weeny afro), a tapered cut, or a pixie, there are a variety of stunning styles that can enhance the texture and beauty of your natural curls.
In this article, we will explore different short natural hairstyles for every occasion. From elegant updos to fun and playful looks, you will find styles that can showcase your curls and make your short natural hair shine.
Why Choose Short Natural Hairstyles?
Before diving into specific styles, it’s important to understand why short natural hairstyles are an excellent choice. Short natural hair can be both practical and stylish. With the right cut and texture, short hair offers volume and shape while reducing the maintenance that long natural hair often requires. Furthermore, short natural styles celebrate natural curls, coils, and kinks, encouraging women to embrace their true selves.
What Are Some Hairstyles for Short Natural Hair?
1. The TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)
The TWA is one of the most iconic and empowering hairstyles for short natural hair. This style is achieved by cutting the hair short to a uniform length, creating a small but dense afro. The TWA works wonderfully for women who want to embrace their natural curl pattern while keeping their look fresh and low-maintenance.
How to Achieve the TWA
To achieve the TWA, you’ll need to trim your hair short to an even length. This cut showcases your natural curl pattern without much manipulation. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your curls hydrated and defined. A curl cream or gel can also help to define your curl pattern.
Styling Tips
To style a TWA, you can leave it as is for a cute and natural look, or enhance your curls with a twist-out or braid-out. Additionally, a little shine serum can help add some radiance to your curls. Keep your TWA well-moisturized to ensure that your hair stays healthy and vibrant.
2. The Tapered Cut
The tapered cut is another trendy and versatile style for short natural hair. This hairstyle features longer hair at the top, gradually getting shorter toward the sides and back. This shape gives your hair a lot of movement and a balanced look. The tapered cut is ideal for women who want to keep their hair short while adding some extra height and volume.
How to Achieve the Tapered Cut
A tapered cut can be done with clippers or shears, and it’s important to leave the top section longer while trimming the sides shorter. This style can be customized to suit your face shape, making it one of the most flattering cuts for short natural hair. Make sure to keep your curls on top defined while maintaining the shortness of the sides and back.
Styling Tips
To style your tapered cut, you can enhance the curls on top with a curl cream or gel to keep them defined and bouncy. For extra volume, try using a blow-dryer with a diffuser, or finger-coil the curls for a more structured look. If you prefer a cleaner look, you can apply a lightweight styling gel to the sides and brush them down for a sleek finish.
3. The Curly Pixie Cut
The pixie cut is one of the most stylish and bold ways to wear short natural hair. A curly pixie cut combines the timeless pixie style with the natural texture of your curls, giving it a soft, feminine touch while still being edgy and chic.
How to Achieve the Curly Pixie Cut
The curly pixie cut typically involves cutting the hair very short on the sides and leaving the top slightly longer to showcase your natural curls. Your stylist will shape the pixie to fit your curl pattern and face shape. The pixie is versatile because it can be styled in a variety of ways to fit your mood.
Styling Tips
You can enhance the pixie by applying a curl-defining cream or mousse to the hair while it’s damp, then diffusing or air-drying for added volume. For a polished look, you can use a curl gel to define each curl. To add texture, a texturizing spray will create separation, giving your curls a more natural, lived-in look.
4. Finger Waves on Short Natural Hair
Finger waves are a vintage hairstyle that works beautifully on short natural hair. They add smoothness, texture, and shape to your curls, creating a sophisticated and polished look. This style is perfect for events or days when you want to achieve a chic, put-together look with your natural curls.
How to Achieve Finger Waves
To achieve finger waves on short natural hair, apply a setting mousse or gel to damp hair. Use a fine-tooth comb to create the wave pattern, and secure each wave with pins as you go. Allow the hair to dry completely before removing the pins. Once your hair is dry, you’ll have soft, smooth waves that define your curls.
Styling Tips
Finger waves require patience and precision, so it’s essential to ensure that your curls are properly defined before starting. Once the waves are set, avoid touching them too much to maintain their shape. A light-hold hairspray will keep the waves intact without making them stiff.
5. The Flat Twist-Out
A flat twist-out is a beautiful way to style short natural hair. Flat twists involve twisting small sections of hair flat to the scalp, which results in a beautiful, defined curl pattern once the twists are undone. This style works wonderfully for women with short natural hair because it adds volume and curl definition without the need for heat.
How to Achieve the Flat Twist-Out
Start by parting your hair into small sections. Apply a curl cream or styling gel to each section of hair, then twist each section flat to the scalp. Allow your hair to dry completely, either by air-drying or using a hooded dryer. Once your hair is dry, carefully unravel the twists to reveal bouncy, defined curls.
Styling Tips
After untwisting, gently separate the curls with your fingers to add more volume. You can also use a pick to lift your roots and add extra fullness. For a longer-lasting style, avoid touching your curls too much, as this can cause frizz.
6. The Frohawk
The frohawk is a fun and edgy style that combines the natural texture of your hair with a bold, mohawk-inspired look. This style works well for women who want to add some flair to their short natural hair while still keeping it easy to manage.
How to Achieve the Frohawk
The frohawk involves shaving or tapering the sides of your hair while leaving the hair on top long and voluminous. You can add texture to the top by using a curl cream or mousse to define your natural curls. The sides can be shaved or clipped short for a contrast that highlights the volume on top.
Styling Tips
To style the frohawk, apply a curl cream or styling gel to the top section and diffuse or air-dry your hair for added volume. You can also twist or braid the top section for a more structured look. Make sure to keep the sides trimmed for a sharp, clean appearance.
7. The Mohawk with Defined Curls
For an even more dramatic and edgy look, consider a mohawk with defined curls. This hairstyle combines the bold shape of a mohawk with natural curl definition for a unique, striking style.
How to Achieve the Mohawk with Defined Curls
To achieve this look, shave or taper the sides of your hair, leaving the top section long and curly. Apply curl-defining cream to the longer hair, ensuring that each curl is separated and defined. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser to add volume or allow your hair to air-dry for a natural finish.
Styling Tips
The key to a successful mohawk with defined curls is ensuring that the curls are well-moisturized and defined. Use a curl cream or gel to enhance the curl pattern, and a texturizing spray can add extra definition. This style is perfect for making a bold statement while embracing your natural texture.
Conclusion
Short natural hairstyles offer an incredible amount of versatility and beauty. From the classic TWA to the bold and edgy mohawk, there is a natural hairstyle for every occasion and personality. Embracing your natural texture not only boosts your confidence but also allows you to experiment with a variety of stunning styles. With the right techniques and products, you can make the most of your short natural hair, keeping it healthy, defined, and beautiful. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance look or a style that stands out, the options are endless for short natural hair.
