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The 6 best hair ideas for natural Afro hair that you can easily do at home
No cornrowing skills needed here!
The joys of Afro hair is knowing the styling possibilities are truly endless. If there’s one thing the Pinterest girlies have taught me, it’s that coily hair is magical and can be moulded any which way I'd like, bringing to life hairstyles I thought I could only dream of.
Whether you’ve just started your natural hair journey or are looking for fresh inspiration, having a simple list of trusty, go-to styles that are low effort and quick to do can be a great starting point (we can save those three-hour salon visits for another day).
No matter your curl pattern, the variety of styles listed below are bound to leave you inspired...
Ballet Bun
An OG hairstyle that suits any face shape and hair type. Start with damp hair to avoid that scraping feeling and use a cream or leave-in conditioner to soften the hair so it’s easier to tie into a bun. Placement is completely up to you, a low bun gives sleek, minimal vibes, whereas a mid or high bun oozes cute, confident energy.
Apply a water-based gel to moisturised hair and use a soft bristle brush to pull the hair back into your bun. If you have shorter hair, blow dry your hair on a low heat setting for some stretch or part the hair and slick it down in sections. This will help if you have thicker hair that tends to get puffy when pulled back.
Bobby pins are your best friend, especially if they match the colour of your hair and opt for a water-based gel that doesn’t flake to avoid build up or white flakes.
For a sleeker look, wrap your hair in a silk scarf for five to ten minutes to allow the gel to set your style and hold it in place for longer. And if you love an accessory, use a scrunchie like Kitsch’s Cherry Blossom Ruched Satin Scrunchies or the Sedona Cloud Scrunchies to fully embody the off-duty chic look.
Coily Claw Clip
If you want to level up your ballet bun in a chic and mega easy way, may we introduce you to the coily claw clip hairstyle. This style can be slightly looser, so don’t feel like you need to slick your hair back.
Instead, prep your hair with your usual hair cream or leave-in conditioner and tie it back. You’ll need to leave your curls out, so if it's shorter aim for a mid placement and if slightly longer, you can go lower.
Next, twist the base of your hair and add your claw clip. Look out for Piper K or Sunday State in your local TKMaxx for bright, colourful clips or ASOS do some great styles that are perfect for spring and summer.
Top tip: If you have a leftover hair bundle, wrap the weft of the hair around your bun, using bobby pins to secure it in place, then twist the hair at the base and follow with the claw clip of choice.
Side Flat Twist
This hairstyle is perfect for the days when you want to do a little bit more than just wearing your Afro out and can be a great way to practice your twist (or cornrow) technique without overwhelming yourself with styling your full head. Start by sectioning off a portion of your hair on the side of your head.
Divide that section into as many rows as you desire, but three to four is usually a good starting point. Starting at the front of each row, split the hair into two sections and begin a flat twist, twisting the two strands together while picking up small pieces of hair as you move toward the back of your head.
Once you’ve reached the end of your section, tie it off with a rubber band (dipped in oil to avoid any snagging). Repeat for the rest of your rows, then style your Afro as desired. The result is a creative, side-part hairstyle that’ll last up to a week. Once you’ve got the hang of this, you can experiment further by expanding the twisted section or opting for a double part. Have fun with it!
Fulani Afro
Cornrowing your own hair can be a feat in itself, but luckily there are easier methods if you’re yet to level up your braiding skill. This hairstyle is creative in the front and party in the back.
It’s quick and easy to do and allows you to wear your ‘fro in all its glory while experimenting with rubber bands – in black or multi-coloured, it’s up to you!
Section off the front part of your hair, and divide into two or three horizontal rows, then for each row, make square shaped partings.
Repeat this for the next row, ensuring the box parts are lined up. Then, using your small rubber bands, tie each box along the front row. I recommend dipping the bands in oil before applying, so they don’t snag your hair when you remove them.
Take the ends from each box in the front row, twist them together and secure them into the box in the row behind. And voila! You’ve created the illusion of a cornrowed style, minus the fuss.
Repeat the process for the third row if you have one, then fluff and shape your ‘fro as desired.
Frohawk
Throw yourself into the deep end with a hairstyle that has dominated Pinterest boards and yes yet to break into the mainstream.
The Frohawk levels up the standard ballet bun by simply adding – you guessed it – more buns! Achieve this edgy look by gathering your hair straight back toward the centre of your head and secure it with an elastic to form a small puff or bun. Shape each bun how you like: Rounded and compact for a cleaner look or loose and fluffy if you want your curls to pop freely.
Alternatively, you can start with a high bun, followed by two to three buns below for a cinched, Afro ponytail style that’s just as creative.
Headband Halo
Fancy jumping on the headband trend? We don’t blame you! They’re versatile, chic and an easy way to elevate a simple, low effort style, no matter the length of your ‘fro – whether you’re freshly post-big chop or have a huge Afro halo.
Start by styling your Afro as you usually would. The options are truly endless, you can do a twist or braid out, try out some finger coils or make the most of a recent wash ‘n’ go. The best part is choosing your headband as they can really match the vibe you’re going for. Want to tap into that early 2000s nostalgia core?
The Brushworks Zig Zag Headband might be the best pick for you. Need an accessory to complete your outfit for a night out-out? Add a pearl, rhinestone or gem with options like the DesignB London Headband or the Piper K Silver Tone Rhinestone Headband. Or, for your workout gym sesh, Gymshark Diffuse Sweat Headband.
Lauren Gordon is a contributor for Cosmopolitan’s Black Beauty Hub and the Emerging Audiences Editor at The Mirror, where she leads the Under-35s team and serves as the creator-curator of The Gulp, a weekly lifestyle and culture newsletter.
With nearly a decade of experience across leading newsrooms and digital platforms, Lauren’s career in lifestyle and beauty journalism flourished after earning her journalism degree from the University of the Arts London.
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