Hair
Jul 1, 2020

18 Styling Ideas for Natural Hair in Case You're in the Mood to Experiment

by Courtney Higgs

Whether you've just started your natural-hair journey or you're a pro at caring for your coils and curls, there's no denying that this period of time at home without visits to our trusted hair whisperers has been a challenge. The truth is that for many black and brown women, maintaining our natural hair on our own is a new venture. It's a process that calls for lots of trial and error and lots of time that many of us just couldn't find in our schedules—until now.

And even if you've got a handle on your wash-and-go or another style that serves your tresses well, you might be hitting a wall when it comes to creativity. Burden of choice is real, and now more than ever, we're seeing so many depictions of all the fun styles we can create with our hair. It's exciting, for sure.

So before you reach for the perm rods you've used every wash day for the last couple of months, check out 18 of the most gorgeous natural hairstyles, suitable for all kinds of curls and coils. Get inspired, snag the must-have styling products, and carve out some time to try something new with your beautiful mane.

Feed-In Braids

Photo:

@brosiaaa

Now is the perfect time to work on your braiding skills. These cute plaits are the perfect style to add to the rotation.

Flat Twists

Photo:

@danishrolls

Flat twists are the foundation of many natural hairstyles, but they can be a gorgeous style on their own, too!

Rope Twists

Photo:

@chrissyford

As far as protective styles go, this one is a winner in our book.

Cornrows

Photo:

@claire_most

Whether you're priming your hair to wear under a wig or looking for a fun style, cornrows are always a good idea.

Bantu Knots

Photo:

@fashionenth

These knots are a serious vibe.

Half-Up Box Braids

Photo:

@aude_julie

If you're working with box braids, a half-up topknot is a gorgeous styling option.

Secured Box Braids

Photo:

@micaelaverrelien

On the other hand, securing your braids into one big braid is so cute, too.

Perm Rod Set

Photo:

@tallblackandbeautiful

The smaller your perm rods, the tighter the curls. This perfectly picked curly 'do is high on our must-try list.

Stretched Afro

Photo:

@aysha.sow

You don't have to spend all day applying curl formers to get an awesome natural hairstyle. This retro blowout is proof!

Flat Twist-Out

Photo:

@brosiaaa

To get these defined corkscrews, you'll need some expertly executed flat twists, secured with perm rods. Pro tip: Make sure your hair is all the way dry before untwisting.

Braided Wash-and-Go