Afro hair’s visibly thick and curly texture presents advantages and challenges. While managing the voluminous and textured mane can be a handful, those adorned with this unique hair type find inventive ways to showcase its beauty. The versatility and thickness of afro hair allow for many innovative styles, as it readily accommodates various forms of twisting and rolling. Remarkably, it retains the ability to bounce back to its original state, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of this distinct hair texture.
It doesn’t matter if your afro hair texture falls under the 3A or 4c curl type; you may rock these beautiful styles. And when you find the style that works for you, there is nothing wrong with repeating it as often as possible.
What is Afro Hair?
The afro hair is a hair texture common among people of African descent. The hair is characterized by
- Ultra curls
- Voluminous mane
- Thick strands
If not managed appropriately, the afro hair is prone to dryness, damage, and curly texture. Hair products have been created specifically for the afro hair texture and should be used to keep the hair healthy and protected from dehydration and breakage.
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Care Tips For Afro Hair
- Use appropriate hair care products for afro hair and ensure hydrating oils.
- Use the right moisturizer for the specific afro hair type. Opt for moisturizers with nourishing oils such as avocado, almond, or coconut.
- Use fewer hair shampoos. Hair shampoos may contain chemical ingredients that strip your hair of essential oils. Regularly using these shampoos may result in brittle hair and lead to hair breakage.
- Groom your hair gently. Avoid using tiny combs; instead, use wide-tooth combs. These combs also add volume to the afro hair.
- Be patient when detangling your hair. Also, use a wide-tooth comb while doing this to prevent hair breakage.
- Apply deep conditioners generously to hair. They replenish hair moisture and strengthen the hair. Opt for conditioners containing jojoba, argan, or grapeseed oil (1).
- Use a satin pillowcase.
- Protect your hair from direct exposure to harsh weather conditions. Wear hats and scarves for protection.
- Reduce the frequency of heat treatment to your hair.
- Eat nutritious meals
- Get adequate sleep
Hairstyles for Afro-hair
The fashion world highly values black hair, encouraging individuals to embrace and showcase their hair in various innovative styles. Afro hair, in particular, offers the potential for creating legendary looks with consistent and proper care. The options for styling afro hair generally fall into the following categories:
Hair Twists
These are styles made by twisting the curly mane and locking the extra hair volume. Hair twists may be worn loose or firmly.
Protective Hairdos
These styles keep the hair protected from direct exposure to harsh weather. Usually, extensions are added to preserve the afro hair mane ultimately.
Hair Puffs
The voluminous nature of the afro hair creates a big hair puff. The hair puff looks like a bun. You may also add twists to your puff, creating various art styles.
Braids
The versatility of hair braiding styles makes it one of the most commonly worn hairstyling categories for afro hair.
Mohawks
A lover of bold fashion wears this style. It requires haircuts and shaving while pronouncing a segment of the hair.
Finger Coils
This involves creating tiny coils; it is worn most frequently on short hair.
There are versatile ways to wear the afro hair categories, and we are sharing 26 ways you may style your afro hair for switch-ups.
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26 Hairstyles for your Afro hair
1. Cornrows
Because of the thickness and strength of the afro hair, it can be held down firmly in cornrow weavings. This protects the hair while enhancing the facial features.
2. Flat Hair Twists
This flat hair twist style pronounces hair curls. The hair is loosely twisted and is easy to maintain. Loosely turning the hair in front may also protect the hair edges from damage resulting from manipulation.
3. Box Braids
The versatility of box braids lies in the option to either gather them into various styles or let them cascade freely. This hairstyle provides the freedom to sport multiple looks with a single braided style. Whether styled into a bun, a ponytail, left down, or arranged to the left or right, each choice offers a distinct and fresh hair appearance. Importantly, box braids provide complete protection for your hair against harsh weather conditions, allowing you to wear them for weeks. This safeguarding also minimizes the risk of breakage from frequent manipulations. With the flexibility to opt for larger box shapes or smaller sizes, you can customize your box braids according to your preferences.
4. Crochet Braids
This protective style is made using the crocheting technique. First, the hair is woven, and then the bouncy braids are crocheted through the weaving.
5. The Wild Afro Mane
This style ultimately lets the hair out. So, let it all out, whatever type your hair curl may be. The hair should be well moisturized to maintain hydration when wearing this style. It also requires meticulous care and trimmings to achieve a mane shape. However, this beautiful hairstyle is not long-wear in every situation.
6. The Side Part Afro Mane
You may add further definition to your statement by creating a deep side part in your wild afro mane. This look will define your facial features, pronouncing shape, and structure.
7. Crown Hairstyle
Rather than tiny braids and twists, you may opt for a bold halo, your hair twisted around your head. This style is easy to make and protects your hair during its wear.
8. Bushy Afro Bob
This is a wild, bushy bob, completely untamed. The afro hair can lie as low as possible, with the natural curls framing your face. You may opt for side parting or center parting.
9. Short and Curly Afro Puff
At some point, your hair will be concise. However, that doesn’t mean you should not style it in all the versatile styles and let your curls pop. You will need to use a headband to make this style, but not as a ponytail. To make this, tie the headband around your head. Then, gently slide outwards towards your hair tips. This act will gather your short curls in a puff or bun. The higher you slide the headband towards your hair tips, the smaller your bun will become.
This style exposes your hair significantly; apply water and moisturizer to lock in moisture and keep your hair hydrated. You may use gel to gently brush around the hair edges to keep them lying smoothly. Pick out your afro curls in the puff to pronounce its volume.
10. Defined Curls
Specific hair care products can get your afro hair to its maximum defined curls. Explore this hairstyle option to see how defined your curls can be.
11. Braided Ponytail
You may choose to wear braids but in a ponytail. Packing box braids into a ponytail is impossible, but the everyday ponytail looks. This hairstyle can be worn in multiple ways. You may explore different designs, colors, sizes, and lengths of braids. Because it holds in your hair firmly, you may wear it extensively for weeks, thereby protecting your hair.
12. Side-styled Afro
You may add definition to your afro by having it all swept to one side, either left or right. To keep the hair lying defined, you may have the side braided halfway and adorned with hair jewelry to make an elegant statement. Wearing your afro to the side is a great hairstyle, especially for short hair.
13. Stylish Fringes
Putting your hair up in a bun with an accompanying fringe may bring some attention to your defined facial features. However, it also gives your face a narrow look.
14. High Afro Bun
You can style your afro curls up in a high afro bun to sit at the crown of your head. You will need hairspray to get the hair lying sleek.
15. Braided Curly Twist Out
This style is worn daily by afro women to present a dashing look. And most importantly, you can create these ultimately defined curls yourself. You may achieve this by moisturizing your afro hair and putting it into three-strand twisted braids, as much as you can manage, at night. It is important to note that the size of the finished hair will depend on the size of your braids. The bigger the braid twists, the more comprehensive your curls. The smaller the braid twists, the more defined and tiny the curls. Wear the hair in those braids for extended hours, possibly all night. At dawn, gently twist the braids, separating the strands into as many curly twirls as possible—fluff and style to the ultimate curly afro.
16. Braided Bun
This style puts the braids in a bun and holds them firmly through carrying the hairdo. It takes all of the hair out of your face. This may be a great style if you have to work on a role where your hair should be entirely out of the way.
17. Long Pigtail Braids
Lengthy pigtail looks can pass for casual, and with some hair jewelry embellishment, they pass for glam, sophistication, and elegance. You may wear it as you seem suitable. Most importantly, your hair can be gotten in this style in a short time frame.
18. Dreadlocks
The African signature style. You may have your hair locked in dreadlocks. The beauty of dreadlocks lies in your ability to care and maintain it properly.
19. Halfway Cornrows
You don’t have to take your cornrows all the way backward. Instead, you may stop the cornrows halfway and let the braids lie around your face in stylish strands.
20. Finger Coils
These tiny finger curls make for full hair. Whatever the length of your hair, these finger coils make for a perfect hair finish. There are several ways to achieve this look; you may explore your options. You may also get a stylist to complete the look.
21. Afro Mohawk
You may use different styling processes to put your afro hair in a Mohawk. For example, you may braid both sides of your hair in cornrows while leaving the middle free. Next, mesh both sides of your hair upward, defining your features. Explore as many styles as possible to achieve the afro Mohawk hairstyle.
22. Inverted Cornrows
These inverted cornrows are popularly known as Didi. Instead of having the hair tucked in an upward braid, the hair is tucked in a downward braid.
23. Tight Tiny Afro Curls
Explore different styling options to arrive at the tightest tiny curls you can achieve with your hair type. This is an excellent time to wear your beautiful curls.
24. Senegalese Twists
The Senegalese twists are long, bold twists. First, the hair is sectioned into desired sizes, twisted into two strands, and wrapped around each other.
25. Faux Locs
You don’t have to lock your natural hair. Instead, you may use extensions to fake the dreadlock look, a hairstyle known as faux locs. The final look of mock locs will depend on your chosen hair extension. It is a protective style, a beautiful one, too.
26. Two-Strand Twist
The two-stranded hair twist is the go-to style that can be easily styled differently daily. When wearing the two-strand twist hairstyle, a leave-in conditioner may help keep the twists smooth and firm for longer.
Summary
The afro hair texture is voluminous and thick. The versatility and thickness of the hair texture let it stay through different forms of twisting and rolling while being able to bounce back to its original stay afterward. Afro hair requires proper care and maintenance as it is prone to losing moisture and drying out. In a bid to manage the volume, you may put the hair through too many manipulation techniques daily. However, this series of manipulations wear it out and lead to hair breakage. Putting your afro hair into protective styles is a great way to manage these frequent manipulations. The afro hair can be worn in versatile styles like twists, braids, puffs, Mohawks, or curls. Explore the world of afro hairstyles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can you make afro hair curly?
The afro hair is usually curly, but some hair types have more pronounced springy curls than others. There are many ways to highlight your afro curls. For example, you may use designated products or put your hair in braids or cornrows. When you remove the braids or cornrows, your afro hair will be curly.
What does hair type mean?
Hair type is a defined description of your hair curl pattern, and your hair follicles determine this. There are various categories, and they are referred to as hair types.
