21 Easy Hairstyles to Enhance Your Natural Curls and Coils

Our Favorite Natural Hair Looks

1. Bantu Knots 

Bantu knots give you the best of both worlds: You can wear them one day to protect your hair, then take them down the next day for loose curls. Start with clean, detangled hair and add a leave-in conditioner or styling cream for extra hydration. Then, part your hair into sections using a rat-tail comb. (You can choose as many or as little sections as you want, depending on how large you want your knots to be.) 

From there, apply your styling product and twist each section tightly from root to tip. Wrap the twist around itself to form a small bun, then tuck the ends underneath and secure them with a bobby pin or elastic. For a visual, check out our easy guide. Continue the steps until your whole head is done. 

2. High Puff

Coily girls will love this low-manipulation style. Not only is it cute, but it’s great for length retention since it keeps your hair from rubbing on clothes. It also adds instant volume to second- or third-day hair—so don’t worry about re-scheduling your wash day. For this look, you’ll need a brush, a stretchy hair tie, and some edge control. 

Clean up your edges with a styling gel, then use your brush to gently smooth your hair upward. Create your puff by wrapping your wide hair tie around your head, starting at the nape of your neck. Pull the hair tie upward until your puff sits high on top of your head, then secure it in place. Use your fingers or a pick to fluff out your puff for maximum volume, and if you’d like, add a little oil to make your curls shine. 

3. Finger Coils

Finger coils are the perfect way to get more definition out of your wash-and-go. Simply wet your hair and apply a curl-enhancing product, like the FATBOY Styling Cream, and single out your curls. One-by-one, wrap them around your finger, hold for 10 seconds, and then pull your finger out. Keep going until you’ve finished your whole head. Yes, this look may take time, but we promise your defined coils will be worth it!

4. Undercut Cornrows

Want the illusion of an undercut without the commitment? Try a sharp side part with cornrows. Part your hair first, then begin braiding one side into tight cornrows, adding hair as you move back. Secure each braid with a small elastic or let it taper naturally. Spice up the look even more by wrapping your braids into knots, or adding in beads. The contrast between the braided sections of your hair and your natural curls will have all eyes on you. 

5. Low Ponytails

How cute are these low ponytails? After adding a bit of styling cream, create a middle or side part—whichever you prefer—and brush your hair down toward the back of your head. Divide your hair into two ponytails and secure each one, then split each ponytail into four parts. Create your two twists and secure them with a small elastic before adding some fun accessories like ribbons and hair clips. 

6. Mini Twists

Mini twists require a lot of time, but are totally low maintenance. The key to this hairstyle is using a product that has plenty of hydration and hold, like the CURLUP Twisting Style Balm. If you want, you can also stretch your hair prior to help your twists look smoother and last longer. 

Section off your hair in small portions, then work in your leave-in conditioner or styling balm. Take a small section—like the width of a pencil—and split it into two strands. Twist them around each other from root to tip, and coil the ends around your finger to help them stay in place. Continue twisting until your entire head is complete. We recommend clipping away the sections you’re not working on for a faster styling process. 

7. Headband

Looking to save time and effort? Hair accessories are the way to go. Popping on an oversized headband can help natural hair look put-together, and it’s great for protecting your edges. Allow a few curls to peek out, or keep your hair slicked and styled. Just remember to pick a headband that’s made out of satin or silk to keep your style safely tucked away. 

8. Box Braids

Box braids may not be easy enough to pull off on your own, but after heading to the salon, you won’t have to worry about styling your hair again for a few weeks. You can wear box braids down for a classic look, or get creative and wear them in a bun or ponytail. To keep your scalp healthy and your braids fresh, we recommend applying a lightweight oil like the MALINA Restoring Hair & Scalp Oil every few days. Sleeping with a satin bonnet or scarf will also help extend the life of your braids. 

9. Updo with Two Accent Braids

Give your updo an upgrade with this pretty hairstyle. Part your hair down the middle—or slightly off-center, as shown here—and section off the hair toward the front of your head. Style the back portion of your hair into a high puff, and clip away two small pieces up front to save for your face-framing braids. Slick down everything that’s not clipped away with a moisturizing styling cream, then take out your accent pieces and get to braiding. Finish off by cleaning up your edges and preparing for lots of compliments. 

10.  Mohawk Buns

There’s no look more fly than this combo hairstyle. Simply part your hair into three horizontal sections and secure them into effortless buns—and don’t worry about things looking perfect. Having a few curls peeking out of your buns gives you that effortless vibe. Just focus on cleaning up your part and laying your edges for a clean, cool-girl look. 

11. Straight-Back Cornrows

Straight-back cornrows are the perfect way to protect and polish your natural look. You can rock them long, or knot the ends at the nape of your neck—either is guaranteed to make a statement. Keep your braids frizz-free by using a styling gel with a lot of hold, like the KMS HAIRPLAY Molding Paste. Then, swoop your baby hairs with some edge control and a detail brush. (A clean toothbrush works too.)

12. Flexi Rods

For sleek, voluminous spirals, opt for flexi rods. Whether you do them at home or at a salon, this style can give you gorgeous, defined curls that will last for days. If you’ve got all day to air-dry your hair, have at it! But this style is most efficient when set under a dryer. For best results, use your flexi rods on clean, detangled hair and set with a styling mousse.

13. Flat Twists

If you’re looking for a low-tension, protective hairstyle that’s going to take the guesswork out of your hair for a week or more, flat twists are a great option. To achieve this look, you’ll part your hair as if you were going to do cornrows, but use a flat, gentle twisting method instead. While they are new, you can style them with pins and scrunchies for chic buns and updos, and when you’re ready to take them down, you’ll have gorgeous waves to wear for a few days. 

14. Simple Side Twist

You can never go wrong with a side twist into a low curly ponytail. This look works best with a side part so that your flat twist can gently frame your face. Secure your twist with a bobby pin and then allow your ponytail poof to be as snatched or as loose as you prefer. The secret sauce to this style is healthy, hydrated hair. It may sound counterintuitive, but regularly cleansing your hair with an exfoliating shampoo will make sure that your strands are primed for hydration.

15. Blown-Out Fro

Not every blowout has to end in a silk press. Enjoy your texture without the shrinkage by rocking your fro in a blown-out state. To achieve this look, you’ll want to start with freshly washed, conditioned, and detangled hair to minimize breakage. Use a blow dryer with a comb or a detangling brush to get your hair as straight as possible.

16. Braids With Beads

The “click-clack” of braids with beads is a nostalgic sound that brings a lot of us back to the playground, and now you can reclaim those fond memories in a more modern way. Beaded braids go all the way back to ancient Egypt, so they aren’t just stylish, they’re a nod to a beautiful history of adornment.

17. Stretched Wash ’N’ Go

For curls and kinks, the shrinkage is real, and though it’s great to embrace the beauty of your shortened length when wearing your hair in its natural state, there’s nothing wrong with using different techniques to stretch your curls. First, you’ll want to use a holding product that will elongate your curls. Then, gently use your fingers to stretch your curls while you direct light heat from your blow dryer to your scalp, setting your curls in a more elongated shape. Pro tip: To blow dry your hair with less frizz, use a diffuser for more defined curls.

18. Half-Up Pony

The half-up, half-down pony still reigns supreme! In order to achieve hair that is manageable and strong enough to handle frequent styling, you want to consistently use a leave-in conditioner that cares for your curls. The MARC ANTHONY Coconut & Shea Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner detangles while leaving your hair feeling stronger and softer. 

To create this look, simply part your hair at the crown of your head in line with your ears and pull the top portion into a ponytail. Smooth your hair into the pony with a hard brush and let your curls shine! For added volume, consider clipping in extensions that match the texture of your curls or kinks. Check out our easy hairstyle guide for a better how-to idea. 

19. Senegalese Twists

Senegalese twists are a classic, easy-to-do style that’s always on trend. They’re low tension to help prevent breakage and are an effortless way to give your hair a break from heat styling and other manipulation. Whenever you have your hair in a protective style for a number of weeks, your hair is bound to be thirsting for moisture afterwards. Be sure to use a hydrating deep conditioner like the BRIOGEO Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Mask. 

20. Chunky Twist-Out

The chunky twist-out is a go-to natural hairstyle for good reason. There’s something so elegant and approachable about this style, and it’s easy to create this look, no matter your skill level. For a more stretched look, start on blown-out hair, or for a more defined look, start on curly hair. Simply part your hair into sections, depending on how chunky you want your twist out to be, and twist your hair using a moisturizing yet holding product.

21. Voluminous Pony

For those with super long natural hair, a sleek, low pony can be a low-maintenance showstopper. Before you begin styling, you'll want to make sure you fully moisturize and detangle the hair from roots to ends. To keep your hair hydrated, use any curl conditioning product that works best for your particular hair type–whether that's leave-in conditioner or a heavier curl cream (here are a few of our favorite curly hair hydrators). Once the hair is soft, create your part and use a strong hold, alcohol-free gel to slick down the hair, making it super smooth with the teeth of a comb. Once it's nice and smooth, make sure the hair is super secure in a metal-free hairband. To create a big, dramatic pony, brush out the free hair to create 

Final Thoughts

Embracing your natural hair is all about finding what makes you feel most confident and comfortable. Whether you love the structure of box braids, the ease of a high puff, or the elegance of a twisted updo, every style offers a way to show off your personality. Remember, there’s no one way to go natural, so take time to experiment with what works best with your unique texture and hair type. Discover more protective styles with our expert guide, and find nourishing curl-friendly products at the IPSY Shop.