How to Style Natural Black Hair

There are many people who put off the decision to wear their hair in its natural state because they're afraid they won't know what to do with it. If you aren't used to dealing with your natural hair the idea of styling it can seem overwhelming. Many African-American women started getting their hair relaxed at a very young age, so they don't even know what their hair texture is really like.

If you're considering transitioning from a relaxer, I recommend that you start getting involved in the natural hair community now. Join some natural hair forums and join in the conversation. Watch online videos about natural hair. Becoming involved in the community will help give you ideas about how to transition to natural hair and how to style your natural hair. Most of the women you'll meet on these forums have been through the same process themselves and are willing to help and encourage you.

Whether you decide to transition from relaxed hair or you just decide to go ahead and do the big chop, you'll have a period when you're really learning about the natural texture of your hair. You'll have to experiment with various products to find out what your hair does and doesn't like. When you style your hair you'll need to use products with good ingredients that will help keep your tresses moist and soft. Leave-in conditioners and natural oils and butters are great products to keep your hair healthy. Put product in your hair before styling to protect it.

There are a variety of styles you can wear in natural Afro-textured hair. Here is a list of some of the most popular styles.

• wash and go
• blowout
• puff
• two strand twists
• three strand twists
• comb coils
• flat twists
• box braids
• cornrows
• twist outs
• braid outs

There are also a number of up-dos you can try out like French twists and buns. Accessories help dress up styles. Even if you wear the same style throughout the week, you can give that style a new look by changing the accessories you wear.