Many of us have gone from longish, straight tresses to a short, coily fro and there couldn't be a more drastic change than that. When we see ourselves in a TWA for the first time, it can be pleasing, shocking and exhilirating --all at the same time.
Eventhough you now have short hair, don't think that hairstyling options are limited. Short hair can take on many forms and different looks, depending on *just* how short your hair is. Let's explore some examples you can try yourself. This is a listing but I will be updating with photos and more detailed how-to's soon. These styles will get you started.
BANTU KNOTS
You will need:
Jojoba or Coconut Oil
Light Gel
Rat Tail Comb
Water mister
- You will need to have at least 2 inches of hair
- Wash and condition hair
- Comb through with wide tooth comb
- Moisturize hair and scalp with jojoba oil
- Section hair with tail end of rat tail comb
- Place a little natural gel on section
- Twirl section around index finger until it begins to coil back on itself
- Wrap coiling hair around itself and tuck the ends into the base
COMB TWISTS
You will need:
Rat Tail Comb
Jojoba or Coconut Oil
Strong Hold Gel
Water mister
- Wash and condition hair
- Comb through with wide tooth comb
- Moisturize hair and scalp with jojoba oil
- Section thoroughly detangled hair
- Place a little natural gel on section
- Hold tail comb by the tail and comb through hair once
- Slide base of hair through top end of comb, with comb against scalp
- Begin to twirl the comb by the tail, keeping hair in teeth of comb
- Grip hair firmly at scalp between thumb and index finger at the same time
- Draw entire length of hair through comb whilst twirling to the end
- Section will spring into shiny tube
CURLY 'FRO
You will Need:
Jojoba or Coconut Oil
Gel
Setting Lotion
Water mister
- Wash and condition hair
- Comb through with wide tooth comb
- Moisturize hair and scalp with jojoba oil
- Section hair, no need to be precise with parting
- Place a little natural gel and/or setting lotion on section
- Twirl hair around your index finger until it makes a tube
- Finish by rolling the ends between index finger and thumb
- Allow hair to dry either naturally or under a dryer
- Carefully separate coils and pat hair into shape
STRAW SET
You will Need:
Drinking Straws/ perm rods
Jojoba or Coconut Oil
Setting lotion
End papers
Rat Tail Comb
Wide toothed comb
Water mister
- Shampoo, condition and comb hair
- Moisturize hair and scalp with jojoba oil
- Saturate hair with setting lotion
- Part hair into 1/4 to 1/2 inch sections
- You may wish to add gel or another product to section
- Place end papers on the end of your hair.
- Roll your hair onto the straws and secure with a hair pin
- Repeat steps above over entire head
- You may need to mist with water occasionally
- Dry your hair under a hard hat or bonnet hair dryer
- Remove the straws and separate curls with your fingers
- Spray with oil sheen
SINGLE TWISTS
You will Need:
Jojoba or Coconut Oil
Firm Hold Gel
Water mister
Wide toothed comb
- Wash and condition hair
- Grab a section of hair and comb through
- Add gel to section
- Twist section around your finger
- Hair will make a coil and gel will keep it in place
- The coilier your hair, the longer they will stay
- It doesn't get much easier than this
SHORT BRAIDS
You will Need:
Jojoba Oil
Light Gel
Water mister
Rat Tail Comb
Wide Tooth Comb
- Wash and condition hair
- Comb through with wide tooth comb
- Moisturize hair and scalp with jojoba oil
- Section hair with rat tail comb
- Place a little natural gel on section
- Braid section, keeping even tension
- To Finish, roll ends between index and thumb
- For curly/corkscrew braids, set braids on perm rods
TINY TWO STRANDS
You will Need:
Jojoba or Coconut Oil
Firm Hold Gel
Water mister
Wide toothed comb
- Same method as braids but twist instead of braid
- Separated section into two sections
- Twist each section around each other, forming a rope
- Hair should stay in twists on its own
- If hair has enough length, tuck twist ends under
- Place scarf on head until hair is dry so twists lay flat
- Carefully untwist for coily twa
EZE CURLS
You will Need:
Freshly washed and conditioned hair
Strong Hold Gel
Curl Defining Pudding
Hooded Dryer
Wide Toothed Comb
Oil Sheen Spray
- Section your hair into 4 sections and hold apart with clips
- Put a generous amount of curly cream/pudding into your hands
- Saturate the hair from roots to ends so the entire section is coated in product
- Use a wide toothed comb and comb from very top to the very ends of hair
- Your hair will spring up
- Gently separate the section without disturbing the curl pattern
- Repeat for all sections
- Sit under hooded dryer until hair is dry.
- Use gel to seal the ends
- Finish with oil sheen spray (no water)