79 Gorgeous Short Natural Hairstyles

When it comes to stylish short looks for black women, natural hair has been one of the most popular styles. These short natural hairstyles are trendy and easy styles that look great on black hair. Whether you want to experiment with a different texture, transform your look with extensions, try new styling tools or get a classic look, there are many amazing hairstyles for short natural black hair to consider.

Some black women may want to try a pixie cut for a low-maintenance and edgy look, while others might need a curly style like a short afro or a protective look with twists. With so many different cuts and styles for black hair, it can be tricky picking the perfect short natural haircuts.

To inspire you with ideas, we’ve compiled a list of the best hairstyles for short natural hair. From the afro to the twist and braids to curls, explore these cute short natural hairstyles to find fashionable cuts and styles for black hair.

Natural Hairstyles For Short Hair

Deep Side-Parted Afro

The classic Afro style for natural hair gets a slightly modern twist with extra volume on the top and a deep side part. The top is left slightly longer for an increased amount while the curls are styled into a smoother look, minus the part to offset. This look takes the classic Afro into more modern natural black hairstyles for a sassy retro feel.

Tapered Natural Pixie

Ideal for naturally kinky or coily hair, this long pixie style shows off beautiful curls on top, tapering down to a closer crop around the ears and nape. Randomly placed highlights give dimension and depth on the top, more extended sections.

Long Pixie

A more extended version of a shaggy pixie, this look is ideal for fractal or micro-spiral corkscrews. Rather than having a smooth, neat look, this cut shows off each curl in a haphazard way for a less tamed finish. This style is easy to maintain due to its imperfect nature because no two coils are the same!

Natural Curly Faux Hawk

The latest trend in natural hairstyles for curls is the faux hawk. Rather than being cut short, sides are swept up and pinned under top sections to give the appearance of a mohawk without the commitment. This look puts a new spin on a curly pixie, giving you options to change up your look.

Afro Mohawk

This curly mohawk shows off natural hair in extremes. The sides are buzzed very short, while the disconnected midsection is long and the top front is even longer. The bang area can be fluffed up for added volume while the cut blends down into the nape area for a spunky look.

Chunky, Swirly Pixie

This style is the ideal pixie for corkscrew curls, which are cut just quick enough for some chunky texture to play with. The top can be spiked or tousled for volume, while the edges can be styled into beautiful swirls around the bangs, face, and nape for a unique look.

Soft, Feminine Finger-Wave Pixie

With close-cropped sides and smooth waves, this flirty pixie combines shiny petaled curls on top with finger-style waves reminiscent of classic 40s styles. Short, sassy and feminine, this look will flatter many black women. Curls can be styled sleeker or wilder as desired.

Corkscrew Pixie with a Twist

This classic pixie for natural black hair gets a new look with a couple of twists on each side. Top curls are left longer for volume and a few curly bangs with the back and sides cropped closer. Twists can be accentuated with beads or cuffs for a unique, stylish look; pick accents in a contrasting color to show them off and add your sassy flair to this natural style.

Wild, Loose-Curl Pixie

Tousled and sassy, this long pixie works well for medium corkscrew curls or those that are stretched out a bit. Sides are cropped close with a wavy sideburn, and nape is left just long enough to show a slight curl. This sexy freestyle cut looks excellent for weeks as it grows out.

Classy Side-Parted Curly Bob

Curls and natural hair put a new spin on the classic jaw-length bob. With a side part and smooth top, the curls are somewhat tamed around the face with a slight side bang, a simple look for your black hair. Sides are layered around the front for added volume, which can be increased or reduced as desired.

Feminine Short Bob

Tapered curly-coily 3C curls are shown off beautifully in this shorter bob hairstyle. A slight side-sweep offset the section tucked behind the ear for an asymmetrical balance. Accentuated volume in the crown and middle of the head draws the eye upward. The result is a softly feminine, sweet natural haircut.

Sweet and Sassy Afro Pixie

A simple style that’s easy to maintain, this look combines a classic Afro with a tousled pixie for a sweet shape with a bit of extra character. Ideal for tight to medium curls, this look is longer on the top and tapered down at the sides and nape. Individual coils are given freedom to land where they please.

Freestyle Layered Bob

Perfect for fractal or zigzag corkscrew curls, this mid-length layered look falls just at the jawline while layers curl in different lengths all around the head. This natural hairstyle is parted off-center slightly and therefore is an easy-to-maintain, classy but sassy look for black women that runs just a bit on the wild side.

Parted Afro

Clean lines with an extreme, deep part offset the classic Afro look that’s well-known and timeless. The section breaks up the roundness of a regular Afro, giving a unique and slightly tamed see to the large shape. Therefore, this style is easy to maintain and can be volumized or calmed down as desired.

Classic Round Afro

Reminiscent of 70s Afro styles for black women but with added volume, this short hairstyle is easy to maintain. The smooth, rounded look can be as voluminous as the length of the hair allows, where each curl is not separated, but all blend to complete the classic style.

Curly Natural Hair Pixie

This dramatic curly pixie has enough length on top to show off perfect micro-spirals, while the sides and back are cropped short around the ears and nape. The top range gives plenty of added volume, and curls can be styled to show off their individuality or blended for a more rounded look.

Stacked Curly Jaw-Length Bob

This bob, showcased here on natural corkscrew curls in varying sizes, combines heavy, rounded layers on the top and around the face, blending down into a beautifully stacked taper toward the jawline. The combination of layers gives the natural hair a unique look that works well on both tighter and looser curls.

Dramatic Tapered Afro

The classic rounded Afro style gets a dramatic upgrade with a full, slightly wild-styled top section and is severely tapered down to the nape area. Individual curls are left partly intact toward the ends, thus allowing for volume at the root and a bit of definition at the end for a broken-up curly look.

Curly Corkscrew Bob

Longish corkscrew curls are accentuated all over by randomly placed caramel highlights, giving dimension to the layered look that falls just at the jawline. Natural curls are ideally situated to frame the face and provide plenty of volumes all around, tapering at the neckline. The result is a soft and cute style that flatters most face shapes.

Cute Afro Pixie with Tapered Sides

Classy and feminine in one, this short, rounded crop combines two classic styles – the pixie and the Afro. Since it is simple to form and maintain, this cut is the ideal choice for African American women. Besides, you can leave curls styled close to the head, or for a different look, fluff them out for a bit more volume.

Top-Heavy Afro with Curly Bangs

Ideal for micro-spiral to corkscrew curls, this tousled Afro style has all its weight on top and tapers down at the neckline for a clean but sassy finish. Natural hair is left mostly intact, fluffing for volume but allowing each curl separation to show through. The resulting look is spunky, sexy, and flirty.

Kinky-Curly Natural Hair Afro

This classic Afro look is redefined with natural corkscrew curls, allowing the texture to show through and giving a more chunky, less rounded overall shape. Any curl type can wear this look, and it is especially helpful for those curls that experience a lot of shrinkages. Add a bit of volume on top and allow your natural hair to do its thing!

Sassy Curls

Ideal for zigzag or fractal corkscrews and micro-spirals, this jaw-length natural hairstyle includes lots of layers and curly bangs that flatter while framing the face. Curls are left intact to show their texture. Volume is added to the top, thus looking some added sass and sweetness.

Twisty Pixie

This perfectly shaped pixie shows off each little springy curl, from the longer ones on the top to the short at the nape and above the ears. The cut follows the shape of the head perfectly, thus allowing the natural hair to curl and fall where it wants as it grows out. Volume can be added on top as desired, and curly bangs can be pulled forward to frame the face.

Stylish Curly Mohawk

Perfect for micro-spirals to small corkscrew curls, this jaw-length cut is pulled back at the sides and piled on top to simulate a sassy, dramatic curly mohawk look. Layers on top can be fluffed and pulled forward, blending into bangs to give added height and contrast to the sleek sides. This versatile look can be worn seamlessly from day to night.

Short Corkscrews with Messy Layers

Medium-sized corkscrew curls blend beautifully in short layers for a tousled look that is both sweet and sexy. Paired with red lips and a red flower, this classy look can be dressed up or down as desired and is an easy-to-maintain style for natural hair. Just finger-style, fluff, and go!

Dramatic Volume

This long, rounded look is the epitome of volume. The style says classic Afro without the smoothness of the circle; the natural hair texture breaks up the shape broken a bit. Curls are allowed to show a bit on the ends. As a result, this style gets a bit of a unique spin to a classic look.

Short Natural Hair Pixie

This wash-and-go look is simple but fun and stylish. This look can be fluffed out for extra volume as shown, or curls can be styled closer to the head for a different look. Regardless of how you wear it, this cut is easy to maintain and ideal for someone in search of the perfect hairstyle for natural short hair.

Twisted-Curl Pixie

A beautiful coppery brown with some golden highlights accentuates twisted curls in this adorable curly pixie for natural hair. Top curls are left long enough to be twisted into a bit looser spirals, while the shorter sides and nape are allowed to blend into their micro-spirals. The result is a sweet-looking pixie that will flatter your face.

Disconnected Natural Hair Undercut

Dramatically disconnected, this natural hairstyle is both spunky and feminine, boyish and sexy at the same time. The top section is left long enough to show off the beautiful natural zigzag and corkscrew curls, while the sides and back are buzzed close to the head. Longer top curls are styled forward, thus blending into a curly bang that just grazes the eyelashes.

Streamlined Natural Tapered Pixie

The top is the focal point of this pixie cut since it is left long enough to add plenty of curly volumes and a full bang. Curly layers taper down neatly into a tight fade, blending perfectly into shaved sides and nape section. This look draws the eye to the beautiful curls and the face as well.

Shiny Black Afro

Reminiscent of the classic 70s style, this Afro fluffs out equally in all directions, maintaining enough of the hair’s natural texture to give it a bit of a unique look while remaining true to the style. The killer volume in this style is enviable, and she rocks it; this cute style flatters any face shape.

Twist-Out Curls

Tiny twist-out curls that fall just at the jawline are separated, parted, and fluffed to achieve this natural hairstyle that will flatter nearly any woman. For added pizzazz, a side section just below the part has been twisted and pinned back with a single curl toward the face. This gives a unique and slightly fancier look to the twist-out style. Add either a flower or a rhinestone clip for even more jazz!

Spunky Hair Twist with Side Braid

Mid-length natural twist-out curls are separated and styled forward into a side bang; the opposite side is braided into one little row with beads or accessories also to added interest. Individual curls can be fluffed out for volume, tousled and styled to give a sassy look with a bit of an edge.

Kinky Curly Pixie

Curly twizzles are allowed to show their personality in this close-cropped pixie. The curls have been styled naturally, leaving as much definition as possible. The top has volume that draws the eyes upward. The masses of tiny curls are healthy and shiny, making this flirty pixie stand out even more as a result.

Tapered Afro Bob

Top-heavy layers in a semi-Afro style combine with a tapered section that blends down to just below the jawline in this uber-feminine style. The top section is volumized to emphasize the shape, and a small flower on one side offsets the part for a sweet look that’s perfect for day or night.

Parted Afro Bob

A combination bob and Afro, this look maintains plenty of height with a side part and bang that follows the sweep. Layers are fluffed on top and tapered down near the bottom, thus finishing off the style that flatters nearly any facial shape. Natural texture and the side part break up the roundness of the Afro for a sassier, laid-back look.

Modern Natural Short Bob

This natural hairstyle has long layers styled forward all around, framing the face and providing plenty of curly volumes. Micro-spirals are left mostly intact, showing off their texture; the cut has a unique, almost boxy shape that flatters round and oval face shapes. The most noteworthy thing about this style is its imperfection—let each curl go where it wants, and it still looks great!

Afrohawk

This Afrohawk is a type of faux hawk haircut that is layered with a jaw-length cut pinned back into the style. Curly bangs and top layers are tousled for volume, and sides are swept back sleekly for dramatic effect. This spunky look has the right amount of curly femininity and sassy pizzazz to show a bit of your edgy side.

Wavy Hair Pixie

This flirty and feminine Halle Berry-style pixie is a mix of several elements. Side and back curls have been styled into smooth waves, softening the hairline with finger-waved swirls. Crown blends upward into tousled short curls, and the front bang area is almost spiky, messy with looser waves for a sassy effect.

Classic Layers of Natural Hair

This classic layered look is a simple but versatile style for both the cut and the styling aspects. Best of all, it works for any curl type and requires little to no styling. At the same time, the length is long enough to do a twist-out, braid-out, or even a fauxhawk or frohawk. Pin it up into a puff or slip a flower on the side!

Natural Hair Pixie

This curly pixie shows off beautiful tiny corkscrews that can lie close to the head or fluff out for added volume and pizzazz. While it is cropped fairly short around the ears and nape, there is just enough length on the top half to style naturally or do a twist-out with the curls. You can even pin the sides back for a different, simple look.

Loose Curly Bob

Perfect for 3B-size curls or a loose twist-out, this natural hair bob is long enough to graze the tops of the shoulders as the ends curl up. The style has been combed out just enough to add volume all around while keeping the integrity of the curl. Small sections are styled forward on the sides and forehead to frame the face.

Super Sassy Wavy Pixie

Dramatic loose waves are perfectly placed, piling high on the top of this wavy pixie that exudes sass, class, and attitude. Maximum volume for this short black hair blends smoothly into close-cut waves on the sides, ending in a perfect S-shaped sideburn in front of exposed ears. Complete the effect with dramatic makeup.

Coily Faux Hawk Pixie

This two-in-one style is the ideal combination of spunky and feminine, fauxhawk and pixie. The sides are cut short but are left just long enough to show off those perfect S-waves that end in swirls and can be finger-styled to frame the face and ears. The fauxhawk part is subtle, but is still long enough to fluff out with curly volume for as much sass as you desire!

Disconnected Fro-Top Pixie

With sides shaved all the way up to the top, this disconnected pixie is half Afro, half buzz cut. Short sides show off your spunky, tomboyish side while the overall look remains flirty and feminine. This look is easy to style since you only have to worry about the top half! Fluff natural curls on top or leave them close to the head, pulling down a few curly bangs as desired.

Highlighted Twisty Pixie

Short-cropped sides disconnect from a longer top section that’s just long enough for a coily twist-out. Random golden blonde highlights accentuate twisted curls on the top, giving a splash of added dimension to the short, sassy, and feminine style. As a result, twisty curls can be styled forward, back, or fluffed up for a bit of variation in this shorter look.

Burgundy Mop-Top Fade

Natural micro-spirals are left long enough on top for volume and floppy, forward-styled bangs, while sides and back are faded down into contrasting, clean-cut lines at the nape and ears. Two angular lines are shaved into the sides—understated, yet visible—and sideburns come to a clean point in front of the ears for a daring natural hairstyle.

Face-Framing Twizzle Corkscrews

Micro-spiral twizzle corkscrews are left long enough to curl and fall around the face in layers and bangs, giving just the right amount of volume. Natural hair texture is accentuated in this style, showing off each curl in the short but long-layered style. Length falls mid-cheek for a short, feminine look.

Pixie Fade

Tiny zigzag curls are twisted out a bit at the ends of this pixie for added oomph, while sides and back are faded down to a close shave. Edges are lined up neatly around the ears and neck, and natural texture is accentuated throughout. The overall look is a sporty but sassy boyish look with plenty of curly feminine charm.

Short Pixie Crop with Design

A stylish take on the short pixie, this cut falls into the low-maintenance category of natural black hairstyles. Cut short all around, this look is just long enough on top to show a bit of curl and is faded down to the skin around the edges. A sassy design is shaved into one side to complete the no-fuss, bold look.

Long-to-Short Natural Hair Pixie

This pixie for natural hair starts a bit on the long side in the top and bangs, blending down in fractal corkscrews to very short—almost shaved—edges and sides. Curls on top make for tons of volume, thus creating a simple yet feminine look.

Kinky-Curly Tousled Pixie Cut

The extra length is left on the top of this zigzag-curly pixie for supplementary volume to the tousled, sexy look. Sides can be either cut short around the ears or left longer and pulled back; the result is the same, but the options are different. Regardless, this sassy look has just enough edgy flair to make it stand out.

Loose-Curled Pixie

First of all, longer top sections of this pixie have been loosened to bigger curls for a softer look, while sides and back are cut close to the head. A longer, wavy, and wispy sideburn is left for added interest and contrast with the short sides and smoother-curled top portion. The overall effect is classy but with just a hint of unique flair.

Red Natural Hair TWA

A beautiful mahogany red adds extra flair and pizzazz to this perfect natural hair TWA – teeny weeny Afro. The TWA is one style that has become increasingly popular in the category of natural black hairstyles, and with good reason. The look is versatile and flatters almost every face shape, is easy to maintain, yet looks different depending on the curl type.

Close-Cropped Curls

This close cut is just about as short as you can get without pulling out the clippers. Delicate micro-spiral curls sit close to the head and swirl gently around the ears and neck for a feminine edge to a boyish cut. Ultra-low-maintenance, this cut will work on any curl type and is easy to style; just wash and go for a sassy short look.

Wedgy Curly Pixie

Cut like a wedge, this pixie is soft and feminine, with long layers on top to bring out the coily curls. The nape area is stacked and left just long enough to show some texture, while the sides are cut shorter with a slight sideburn. Finally, this look can be parted on one side or fluffed up for added volume.

Ultra-Close Crop

The easiest and simplest to maintain, this cut is the epitome of wash-and-go. Curls are cut almost all the way down to the scalp and left the same length all over, and the edges are cleaned up neatly to complete the look. This style shows off an oval or heart-shaped face and gives a sleek curly look.

Natural Hair TWA

The length of this natural TWA is midway between a pixie and an Afro, landing right in between at a teeny weeny Afro. The styling of this cut is simple. Curls can be left coiled and close to the head, fluffed out for a puffier look, or twisted out for something entirely different.

Spunky Natural Fade with Shaved Part Line

This bold and spunky look combines just a bit of curly, feminine flair with clean, barber-cut edges and lines. The top section is the only place where curls are visible. Sides are buzzed very short with neat lines to further complete the look. Low-maintenance and easy, this cut requires virtually no styling.

Pixie Afro

Combining two cuts in one, the top of this look says Afro while the bottom says pixie. Buzz-cut sides and clean lines contrast with a natural, coily top section that you can style as wild or as tame as you like. A shaved-in part line gives just a bit of additional spunk, therefore completing the look with one more clean line for a dramatic and sassy effect.

Disconnected Natural Hair Pixie

The sides and back of this tapered, disconnected pixie contrast with the rounded, curly top for a clean-cut look with natural flair. Hence, this style can be a wash-and-go, or you can play with the top section just a bit. Either twist it out or fluff it up for a couple of different looks.

Twist-Out with Tiny Side Braids

This short natural hairstyle is the perfect length for a couple of different types of twist-outs. This twist-out has a few frayed ends for a more tousled, flirty look. Most noteworthy, two tiny side braids have been added in rows to give a slightly punky vibe to the look.

Disconnected Coily Twists

The top of this coily look is drastically disconnected from the back and sides, which are buzzed closely and cut in clean lines. Longer top coils are twisted out for a bit more dramatic look. The base burgundy brown color is highlighted with copper, consequently adding dimension to the curls.

Mid-Length TWA

This afro style falls right in between an Afro and a TWA, so it’s a mid-length TWA. Corkscrews can be styled closer to the head for a TWA look or fluffed out for volume and a full-on Afro. The choice is yours. Regardless, this cut is the quintessential natural black hairstyle.

4A long Tapered Pixie

These 4A curls are left long enough for a stacked taper in the back and a face-framing bang, yet short enough to still be called a pixie. The length is ideal to show off the hair’s natural texture, making this look an easy one to style and maintain while remaining feminine and flirty.

Tousled Pixie

Soft and feminine yet tousled and sexy, these 3B curls are cut into a sweet, simple long pixie style. Curls are left just long enough to play with, and therefore you can twist them out or loosen them as desired. Pull a few curls down for more of a bang, or push it all back and off your face; however you style it, this look is a winner.

Fun and Feminine Red Curls

A variation on the pixie wedge shape, this style is curly and longer on top, shorter in the back. Corkscrews are left intact and are styled in all directions, giving a carefree look to the burgundy red style. A few coppery highlights are interspersed throughout the top section, giving added depth to the dark color and curls.

Perfect TWA

Even without the longer rounded lower section, this cut is the perfect example of a teeny weeny Afro. With its smooth, round shape, it balances out a square or rectangular face perfectly. This cut is all about clean lines and a smooth look; no tousle or wild curls here. Therefore, the result is a classy, professional-looking ‘do that is timeless for natural hair.

Curly Twist-Out

The top lengths of this flirty pixie cut are twisted out into perfect corkscrew spirals, giving it a fun and feminine feel. The sides and back are cut short, yet curls are still long enough to soften lines around the ear and neckline. Twisty spirals are piled high on top of the head, giving curly volume for days!

Thick Afro Pixie

Reminiscent of 70s natural black hairstyles, this look combines the crop of a pixie with the height of an Afro on the top section for plenty of volumes. If you’d like, the top can be styled closer to the head for a TWA look that you can still rock. Or, add volume all over for a tapered Afro look. The choice is yours!

Coily Pulled-Back Puff

Perfect coily corkscrews are pulled back into a large puff look, creating clean edges around the hairline and lots of curly volume on the top, thus drawing attention to both the curls and the face. Cute and sweet, this style works well for any curl type, and you can customize the size and height of the puff as desired.

Clean, Close Crop

Part curly pixie, part boyish fade, this look retains as much natural texture as possible while keeping the sides and back close and clean-cut. Corkscrews on top are left long enough to play with, and thus you can fluff them up or tousle them as desired. Soft side waves retain femininity with this low-maintenance haircut.

Corkscrew Fauxhawk

Medium-length tiny corkscrews are full and flirty, pulled back into a tousled fauxhawk style with a bit of an edgy vibe. Curls give the look just enough femininity in the spunky style, but don’t worry, the sides are just pinned back. You can return to your regular hairstyle the next day—or switch off to keep them guessing.

Spiral Twist-Out

This long pixie cut has just enough length for a spiral twist-out, giving each curl perfect corkscrew definition in a flirty, tapered shape. Shiny spirals lie fairly close to the head, thus drawing attention to the face and eyes. The top section retains enough length to add volume as desired. Tousle or fluff for a more dramatic look.

Luscious Locks

This close-cut pixie combines short edges and clean lines with full curls on the top that can only be described as luscious. Shiny micro-spiral curls are left intact and naturally styled, and thus can be volumized more or less as desired depending on the day. You may find you want to let these curls do their own thing every day!

Asymmetrical Pixie

With one side short and one side long, this asymmetrical pixie cut is a sassy treat for the eyes. Edgy and classy, the look combines short natural black hair with a longer, heavier look that falls to one side. Tight fractal curls work beautifully for both lengths, but this cut will work with any curl type as well.

Slightly Asymmetrical Pixie

Long and voluminous on top and short and sassy on the sides, this pixie is almost disconnected due to the contrast. Tightly coiled zigzag curls fall just a bit heavier on one side for a slightly asymmetrical look that adds just enough edge to be spunky. Curls can be fluffed even further on top for additional volume.