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Bob With Highlights
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Taraji P. Henson’s deep side-parted bob cut is stunning and fresh. Her copper highlights bring out her features and perfectly complement her skin tone. The asymmetry of the bob, falling longer on the side with the deep part, also adds to the face-framing benefits of this style.
Table of Contents
French Braid
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The great thing about a French braid is that it works on any hair texture and you can style it however you want. Blow out your hair before braiding and pinning it into a crown or keep your hair natural and wear a French braid with more texture.
“This hairstyle is versatile for all ages and can be glammed out with hair accessories,” says Jawara. “I love this French braid hairstyle because it creates a subtle snatch and pulls the temples back, like a complimentary facelift!”
High Ponytail Braid
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A long ponytail is simple yet stylish and works for all hair densities and curl types. To give yourself more volume, try blow-drying your hair with a volumizing mousse before you style it into an updo.
“This versatile look can take you from the office to a night out,” says Young. Since this look requires a lot of sculpting and holding products, removing all of that is a must. “I always reach for the K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo, to remove any residual product from the hair and leave the hair with that reset canvas and avoid damage,” says Young.
Cropped Cut
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This effortlessly chic cropped cut is for the carefree, low-maintenance-seeking naturalista. It is bold and unapologetically beautiful. “This look allows all of Viola Davis’s beautiful facial features to be front and center. The color options for this style are endless as well,” says Young. “The cropped sides and fuller, longer top can be great for hair that is lower density.”
Young explains that it’s important to maintain a healthy scalp, especially when you have a short haircut. “You can play with your curls by using a curling tool to create curl clumping and add definition to switch up your look.”
Dreadlocks
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Locs are so versatile and can be low maintenance. Whether you choose natural locs or faux locs, the possibilities are limitless. Ava DuVernay’s long dreadlocks with caramel highlights throughout are the epitome of effortless beauty. You can also try a shorter length, as well, says Young. She recommends cleansing with a shampoo that will clean hair without stripping it. K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo will get the job done.
Wigs
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A wig provides a temporary style change in a matter of minutes, and we love this curly one on Halle Berry. “These full, curly layers are gorgeous,” says Young. “The halo of curls frame her face really nicely with her jawline, and the curly fringe brings attention to her eyes while creating width through the cheekbones.”
“Whether you’re wearing your natural hair or a wig, maintaining bouncy, resilient curls can be a challenge, Young tells us. “I always use a lightweight curling foam to help define the curls and support maximum volume for a voluminous look.”
Box Braids
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Mary J. Blige’s protective style is chic and gorgeous. The braids frame her face perfectly without overwhelming her features. “Starting with a clean canvas is important for any braided style,” says Young. For cleansing, we love the Pattern Cleansing Shampoo. “Moisture is important when wearing any braided style for an extended amount of time,” says Young.
The TWA (Teeny Weenie Afro)
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“The TWA (teeny weenie afro) is like a coming of age or right of passage for many Black women who transition to wearing their natural hair texture,” says Jawara. “Adding a bit of form and structure created a new evolution of the style.” We love how this ‘TWA’ accentuates the model’s bone structure, especially her cheekbones.
Instagram @chez.luisa
Loose Ringlets for Natural Hair
When it comes to short natural hairstyles, embrace loose ringlets for natural African-American hair. With a shorter layered style, you’ll add a soft bounce to your shape. Don’t be afraid to softly layer around the curvature of the face to bring more detail to your style. Allow the blonde hair to air-dry for a looser curl compared to diffusing for volume.
Instagram @theloftmedford
Natural TWA for Black Senior Women
A natural TWA for black senior women has the perfect balance of hair shape and it’s perfect for African-American women with thinning hair. The stunning shape of TWA hairstyles flows with the head and needs a low amount of styling.
Instagram @chez.luisa
Loose Ringlets for Natural Hair
When it comes to short natural hairstyles, embrace loose ringlets for natural African-American hair. With a shorter layered style, you’ll add a soft bounce to your shape. Don’t be afraid to softly layer around the curvature of the face to bring more detail to your style. Allow the blonde hair to air-dry for a looser curl compared to diffusing for volume.
Instagram @theloftmedford
Natural TWA for Black Senior Women
A natural TWA for black senior women has the perfect balance of hair shape and it’s perfect for African-American women with thinning hair. The stunning shape of TWA hairstyles flows with the head and needs a low amount of styling.
Instagram @midnight_carole
Straightened and Natural
Do you want a short haircut but are reluctant to lose your long, sleek hair? If you’re open to experimenting, consider trying straightened natural hair. You can quickly achieve a sleek look with short, natural hair by using a flat iron, hot comb, or blow dryer.
Instagram @lhsbeautysalon
Grey Pixie with Soft Sweeping Bangs
Spice up your grey pixie with soft sweeping bangs. A nice fringe really adds sophistication to a pixie. Going grey doesn’t have to be scary. Just be sure to take care of your aging hair. Grey hair tends to get more coarse and frizzy. So ask your stylist for a recommendation to keep the frizz controlled. Typically this will be a smoothing serum on wet hair and a pomade on dry hair.
Instagram @s_eff_jaye
Natural Fohawk with Low Fade for Older Ladies
Try a natural fohawk with a low fade. First, the short sides are a low-maintenance style. Second, the natural coils on top take all the attention. Add volume by picking out the coils a little for extra shape. Allow some coils to fall around the front of the face to contour the forehead.
Instagram @imagebyshanae
Instagram @chez.luisa
Loose Ringlets for Natural Hair
When it comes to short natural hairstyles, embrace loose ringlets for natural African-American hair. With a shorter layered style, you’ll add a soft bounce to your shape. Don’t be afraid to softly layer around the curvature of the face to bring more detail to your style. Allow the blonde hair to air-dry for a looser curl compared to diffusing for volume.
Instagram @theloftmedford
Natural TWA for Black Senior Women
A natural TWA for black senior women has the perfect balance of hair shape and it’s perfect for African-American women with thinning hair. The stunning shape of TWA hairstyles flows with the head and needs a low amount of styling.
Instagram @midnight_carole
Straightened and Natural
Do you want a short haircut but are reluctant to lose your long, sleek hair? If you’re open to experimenting, consider trying straightened natural hair. You can quickly achieve a sleek look with short, natural hair by using a flat iron, hot comb, or blow dryer.
Instagram @lhsbeautysalon
Grey Pixie with Soft Sweeping Bangs
Spice up your grey pixie with soft sweeping bangs. A nice fringe really adds sophistication to a pixie. Going grey doesn’t have to be scary. Just be sure to take care of your aging hair. Grey hair tends to get more coarse and frizzy. So ask your stylist for a recommendation to keep the frizz controlled. Typically this will be a smoothing serum on wet hair and a pomade on dry hair.
Instagram @s_eff_jaye
Natural Fohawk with Low Fade for Older Ladies
Try a natural fohawk with a low fade. First, the short sides are a low-maintenance style. Second, the natural coils on top take all the attention. Add volume by picking out the coils a little for extra shape. Allow some coils to fall around the front of the face to contour the forehead.
Instagram @imagebyshanae
Salt and Pepper Pixie Cut
You can’t go wrong with a salt and pepper pixie cut. Aging hair can be tough to deal with. But, keeping it this short definitely helps. Do not forget, short hair is sassy too!
Instagram @braids_by_san
Crochet Braids for Short, Thin Hair
Crochet braids for short, thin hair are best installed as small and short in length to minimize tension on already fragile hair. An asymmetrical braided bob is a chic style that can easily be managed from home by simply wearing a bonnet at night and keeping your scalp moisturized as needed.
Salt and Pepper Pixie Cut
You can’t go wrong with a salt and pepper pixie cut. Aging hair can be tough to deal with. But, keeping it this short definitely helps. Do not forget, short hair is sassy too!
To add more structure and volume to this style, Jawara recommends using the Dyson flyaway attachment with the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer. And if you want your TWA to be a little less TW, we can’t get enough of the CB Smoothe Wild Jamaican Black Castor Oil.