Who doesn't remember Zendaya's unforgettable Afro hair look that she rocked on the red carpet? No matter what hairstyle you choose, nothing compares to the beauty of your natural hair. This is why it is essential to be well-acquainted with your natural hair type and know how to style it without having to change the texture.
Thanks to social media, natural hair and natural hair care are finally getting the attention they deserve. With over 38.2 million Instagram posts, men and women are proudly flaunting their mom buns, honest GRWMs, and authentic "I woke up like this" looks. So take your naturally textured hair to the next level with these tips, tricks and hairstyles to try in 2023.
.PNG)
Choose your hair type
Before we get into the hairstyles, let’s look at the kind of hair types you can fall under:
1. Straight Hair:
Straight hair has a round or cylindrical shape and lacks significant waves or curls. It tends to be smooth and shiny, reflecting more light than other hair types. Straight hair can be further categorised into:
Type 1A: Fine and extremely straight hair, often difficult to hold curls.
Type 1B: Medium-textured straight hair with slightly more body.
Type 1C: Coarser, straight hair that may have a slight wave.
2. Wavy Hair:
Wavy hair has a noticeable "S" or "C" shape, with looser curls or waves. It falls between straight and curly hair types and may vary from slightly wavy to more defined waves. Wavy hair can be further categorised into:
Type 2A: Loose waves that are fine and easily straightened.
Type 2B: Defined S-shaped waves with a bit more frizz.
Type 2C: Waves that are more pronounced and may border on a loose curl pattern.
3. Curly Hair:
Curly hair forms tighter curls, spirals, or coils. It can range from loose, bouncy curls to more defined and springy curls. Curly hair is more prone to frizz due to its natural texture. Curly hair can be further categorised into:
Type 3A: Loose, well-defined curls with a wider circumference.
Type 3B: Springy curls that are tighter and have more volume.
Type 3C: Corkscrew curls that are densely packed and tend to shrink in length.
4. Kinky Hair:
Kinky hair, also referred to as coil or afro-textured hair, has tight, densely packed curls or coils. It often has a zigzag pattern and can be highly textured. Kinky hair is typically more fragile and prone to dryness. Kinky hair can be further categorised into:
Type 4A: Tightly coiled curls with a distinct "S" pattern.
Type 4B: Z-shaped coils that may range from tight to zigzag patterns.
Type 4C: Coils that are tightly packed, often forming a "Z" or "Zigzag" pattern, and have less defined curl patterns
Natural hairstyles that go with your hair type
1. Straight hair:
Sleek ponytail: Pull your straight hair back into a high or low ponytail for a classic and polished look.
Blunt bob: Try a sleek, shoulder-length bob for a chic and modern style.
Straight and layered: Add layers to your straight hair for dimension and movement.
2. Wavy hair:
Beach waves: Enhance your natural waves by using salt spray or curling irons to create loose, textured waves. For a heatless alternative, wrap a hairband/satin scarf by twisting your hair from your forehead to your ends and leaving it overnight. By morning you’ll find yourself waking up with salon-like soft curls.
Half-up, half-down: Pull the top section of your hair back into a half-up style while leaving the rest of your waves loose.
Braided crown: Create a crown braid to achieve a boho-inspired look, it’s a cute way to keep your hair out of your eyes.
3. Curly Hair:
Defined curls with twist-outs: Apply a styling product to define your curls, then twist small sections of hair and unravel them for bouncy and defined curls.
Curly updo: Create an updo by gathering your curls into a bun or a loose, messy upstyle for a romantic date-night look.
4. Kinky hair:
Frohawk: This hairstyle is particularly in trend for men. Create a mohawk-inspired style by brushing the sides of your hair upwards, leaving the centre section in its natural kinky texture.
Twist-out: Twist small sections of your hair, allow them to set, and then unravel them for defined and voluminous twists.
Bantu knots: Divide your hair into small sections and twist them tightly into small knots, resulting in cute and defined coils when unravelled.
