50 Lovely Black Hairstyles African-American Ladies Will Love!

Regardless if you’re growing out your natural hair, already have a short ‘do, or fabulously long locks, there are so many hairstyles you can have fun with – and you should know them all!

In addition to short and long haircuts of all kinds, black women can also experiment with beautiful traditional African hairstyles as well as a variety of braids and twists styles.

What’s more, there are so many great ways to style natural locks to fit all tastes and to bring out your facial features! So scroll down and get inspired by the black hairstyles we present below!

I. Black Hairstyles by Hair Length & Type of Curls

1. Shaved Hairstyles for Black Women

This is the perfect idea for women who just went through their BC (Big Chop) and are ready to grow out their natural locks. To glam up your shaved hairstyle, bleach it or dye it in your favorite hair color.

2. TWA Hairstyles

African American women know that a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) is one of the next steps after the BC (Big Chop). Even though it’s only a stage in growing out natural hair, go through it glamorously by either dyeing your short hair or adding some hair accessories to it.

3. Razor Pixie Haircuts – the Halley Berry Way

Halle Berry is, without a question, one of the celebrities that has been an inspiration for black hairstyles for decades now. The renowned actress can sport short haircuts like no other. Just take this razored pixie cut as an example and proof of this!

4. Short Hairstyles for Black Women

Pixie haircuts continue being all the rage among women – no matter their skin tones. If you’re rocking natural hair, then this pixie cut with soft curls can be a great way to bring out your femininity.

5. Short Curly Hairstyles for Black Women

We’ve talked pixies, now check out this cool hairstyle that can be the perfect solution for when you’re growing out your hair. It’s actually a style just between a pixie and a bob, so all you have to do is let those curls bounce freely and beautiful!

6. Short Natural Hairstyles for Black Women

This is an additional example of how to rock a TWA. It’s different from our first example (the one at #2) as here, the hair is left in its natural color – without any bleaching, dyeing, or highlights – and so pretty!

7. Short Black Hairstyles

Channel your inner retro diva with this fabulous black hairstyle and its vintage vibes. It’s the perfect idea for a classy lady that wants to show off her refined tastes through her hairdo while still keeping her tresses short.

8. Medium Black Hairstyles

Singer Keri Hilson is yet another of our biggest sources of inspiration – especially when it comes to celebrity-inspired styles. She has plenty of ways and ideas on how to sport medium-length hair. Take these loose curls with side bangs as just one example of the many.

9. Big Natural Afro

Another great natural black hairstyle – especially if you have medium to long hair – is to let it all loose and go with a huge afro. The volume and dynamism that a natural afro provides are immeasurable and the results are, just as expected, gorgeous!

10. Long Hairstyles for Black Women

Big, soft curls have always and will always look extraordinary on long hair. If you prefer rocking long locks, this is certainly a styling option to keep in mind. Not only is it appropriate for all occasions, but it is also beautiful and quite simple to obtain.

11. Curly Hairstyles for Black Women

Let those pretty corkscrew curls bounce around all day. If your hair is about shoulder-length when left curly, you can definitely take this natural hairstyle – basically a no-hairstyle even – and make it your go-to look.

12. Black Long Hairstyles with Bangs and Layers

It’s almost impossible to talk about superb black hairstyles without bringing up Beyoncé. Queen Bey has rocked tens of hairstyles and haircuts throughout the years but we picked this particular one as it goes to show how long layered hair will look like when combined with straight bangs.

II. Black Hairstyles by Types of Braids & Braided Styles

13. Micro Braids

If you have the necessary patience to get them done, micro braids are an incredibly cute way to wear black hair. Indeed, depending on the length of the hair, they can take up to several hours to make, but the results are simply marvelous!

14. Box Braids

As you will easily see on this list, African-American women have a wide range of braided hairstyles they can play around with. Box braids are one of the most popular options – partly because they will beautifully complement any face shape.

Get them long, mid-length, or even short and style them as you please – you can get all the inspo you need from a separate article specially dedicated to box braids.

15. Jumbo Braids

As we’ve said above, there are several ways to wear box braids, and jumbo braids are one of them. Jumbo braids will work exceptionally well for women who have thicker hair – extensions can also help in case you don’t. They can also be easily accessorized and dyed in other hair colors too.

16. Black French Braids

French braids are and will likely continue trending for many seasons to come, and their pigtails version is one of the most popular styles. These classic and classy braids not only look magnificent in selfies but can also be worn in any setting – whether it’s school or the office, a lazy day or a date.

17. Ghana Braids

In a nutshell, Ghana braids might look like Dutch braids (or the so-called reverse French braids) but they are actually weaved in a feed-in manner (and more on this up next). Try out this black hairstyle if French braids are not your thing or if you’re looking to add more volume to your hair.

18. Feed-In Braids

The feed-in technique is highly popular because, besides being pretty, it is also a great way to protect natural hair. Basically, the stylist will feed in extensions to the roots of the braids.

This will add length and thickness to the hair – and will make it safer to dye it in any color. This technique is particularly popular with goddess braid hairstyles.

19. Mohawk-Like Goddess Braids

The image above shows a great way of styling goddess braids. It also goes to show that you can recreate mohawks through braids. These two long, parallel braids create an awesome braided mohawk-like effect. It will allow anyone to get a mohawk – but without the need to shave a side of the head.

20. Yarn Braids

To change the texture of your hair in a unique way, just go for yarn braids! As their name suggests, these are literally braids made out of yarn. They can be worn just for their style or even as a protective extension that will allow the hair to grow longer and softer.

21. Cornrows Braided Hairstyles

Ladies who want to add an urban edge to their black hairstyles can always opt for cornrows. You can either go for a classic approach or play around with different designs and styles, like in the photo above.

22. Inverted Braided Bobs

Even though we’re used to seeing bobs with straight, wavy, or curly hair, they will also look just as amazing with braids. Above, see and admire how a long, inverted bob looks like when made out of goddess braids.

23. Natural Hair Buns – The Braided Version

This is an excellent natural hairstyle that won’t require hours of braiding or styling. All you have to do is sweep up the natural hair and create a traditional braid out of it. After that, simply wrap it around to form a large, beautiful bun.

24. Lace Braids

To put it shortly, a lace braid is usually one that crosses the crown of the head and is then ‘laced’ into the rest of the hair. It’s one of the cutest and fancies black braided hairstyles that will work just great for an everyday look as well as for special occasions of all kinds.

25. Goddess Braid Chignon

Here is yet another fantastic alternative for styling goddess braids – or all types of braids, for that matter. These goddess braids were gathered up to form a low chignon hairstyle.

III. Black Twist Hairstyles & Types

26. Black Braided Hairstyles with Twist Braids

Twist braids are cute, feminine, and beautiful – all in one. To spice up a head full of typical twist braids, consider unwinding the tips and dyeing them a lighter shade or even a different color.

27. Senegalese Twist Braids

There are so many great ways to style and wear Senegalese twists, that we dedicated an entire article to them. Still, they couldn’t miss from this list either – especially as they are so well styled. They use two different colors and the twists where styled in a really high and big bun that we just love.

28. Marley Twists

Bob Marley is known around the world for his massive contribution to reggae music. Aaand, he also indirectly contributed to black hairstyles with what we now call the Marley twists. Inspired by Marley’s famous hair, these twists will look wonderful – no matter the hair length.

29. Nubian Twists

Going back to African hairstyles, this list wouldn’t be complete without Nubian twists. These coil-like twists are a very close relative to both kinky twists and Marley twists. They are also yet another funky fresh way to rock black hairstyles while looking fly.

30. Short Twist Out Curls

Flat twist out curls are absolutely beautiful in all lengths and can be worn in any hairstyle. Take this bouncy bob as example – it is practical, chic, and suitable for any situation (and not to mention super cute!).

31. Natural Black Hairstyles with Twist Curls

Go all-natural with these stunning flat twist out curls. Dyeing the tips in the color of your choice will help outline the curls even better – and so will the whole puffy ponytail with bangs look.

IV. Black Hairstyles for Little Girls & for Special Occasions

32. Little Black Girls Hairstyles

Any little girl will feel like a princess with a pretty braided hairstyle such as this one. The criss-cross braids are adorably decked off with two bows and double curly puffs to make the style child-appropriate and extra cute.

33. Toddler Hairstyles

An adorable toddler deserves an equally adorable hairstyle. An extremely cute black hairstyle for them is this double bun. The bangs were brought up to the front and the rest sleeked up in the back. The results? Two heartwarming curly puffs that the little one will adore.

34. Braided Hairstyles for Black Girls

There are many creative braided hairstyles for little girls – you just have to have a bit of patience to find and make them. This faux hawk, for example, gorgeously combines horizontal cornrows with braided Bantu knots from top to bottom.

35. Natural Black Wedding Hairstyles

If you treasure your natural hair, show it off on one of the most important days of your life. Strapless wedding dresses will also make for a great reason to let your hair down (literally) and showcase those extraordinary afro-textured curls all around.

36. Afro-Textured Puff for Everyday Wear

You can also prevent your countless tiny curls from getting in your face while still enhancing them and making them look as pretty as they are. A big, high and puffy ponytail will do the trick.

V. All the Different Hairstyle Ideas

37. Curly Mohawk-Like Pixie with Long Bangs

You can also create the illusion of a mohawk if you have a pixie haircut with long bangs. Simply sleek down the sides and emphasize your curls on top and in the front to create the hawk-look.

38. Mohawk Hairstyles for Black Women

Also, whoever said that mohawks are the only edge? If you combine them with long bangs and luscious curls, you can get the best of both your rebellious and your elegant sides. Add some color for extra glam!

39. Black Updo Hairstyles

No matter if you’re prepping for a fancy event or you’re generally a posh gal, an updo like this guarantees you’ll be turning heads. The spectacular curls on top make this updo memorable, to say the least.

40. Bob Hairstyles for Black Women

There’s truly something uniquely chic about bob haircuts and African-American women can rock them amazingly well no matter if they choose to keep their natural hair color or go for a honey shade like the one above.

41. Asymmetrical Bobs

Another cool way to wear a bob is asymmetrical. This helps contour the jawline while serving as a refined hairstyle that can be worn everywhere. Decide on the lengths for each side according to preferences and lifestyle.

42. Black Hairstyles with Bangs and Inverted Bob

The bangs are what make this chic, layered, inverted bob complete. Also, consider getting either bangs to the side or directly down your forehead – whichever you find most flattering for your face shape.

43. Black Ponytail Hairstyles

Ponytails always look fab, no matter if they’re simple, braided or made with silky extensions. There’s also the option of picking a lighter hair color and showcasing it in a sleek, long and slightly curled ponytail.

44. Black Weave Hairstyles

The sky is the limit when it comes to weave options – but the one in the picture above is clearly one of the most popular picks. Long, wavy hair is a flattering option for almost any woman.

45. Black and Blonde Hairstyles with Dreadlocks

Women who want dreadlocks should know they don’t have to get them in a single color. For example, they can combine black and blonde to add a playful and personal touch to a hairstyle that has been around for ages.

46. Faux Locs

Dreadlocks have a unique appeal that can’t be replaced by any other hairstyle. However, many women don’t want to damage their hair, so they opt for faux locs instead. The visual result is quite similar and they can rest assured that their hair is protected in the process as well!

47. Bantu Knots

As far as traditional African hairstyles are concerned, Bantu knots have been constantly trending since the 90s and up until. It’s completely understandable why – they mix chic and edgy perfectly!

VI. Hair Color Inspiration

48. Ombre Locks

To accentuate the difference between two colors, go for ombre hair! We recommend leaving the roots in the natural hair color and applying your favorite color on the rest of your locks.

49. Balayage Blends

Jada Pinkett Smith is an inspiration for women worldwide for numerous reasons. In addition to her multi-talents, she shines through her glamorous hairstyles. In this photo, admire how a brown balayage looks on a darker skin tone.

50. Bright Colors

Throughout the years, Rihanna has definitely shown us that we shouldn’t be afraid to sport bold hair colors. This combination of hot pink and red will look astounding on women with darker skin tones – so keep that in mind when picking your next hair color.

So, What Is YOUR Hair Motivation?

In the end, black hairstyles should be a depiction of the wonderful women wearing them.

As a result, you should take some time to analyze all the hairstyles that would suit your personality. Don’t rush! Instead, search for one that will bring out the best and draw attention to the real you.

Top it all off with a brilliant smile and you’re good to go! And don’t forget to tell or show us which of these hairstyles was your favorite!

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