42 Easy Natural Hairstyles You Can Create at Home

Wash-and-Go

The easiest natural hairstyle has to be the wash-and-go, because well, it’s just like the name suggests—you wash it and go about your day. The number of styling products you use are totally up to you. (Check out this handy wash-and-go guide if you need a bit more assistance.)

Jumbo Topknot

If you like to keep your hair out your face, then a topknot might be right for you. To copy this style, make sure you smooth your roots and baby hairs down with a baby hair brush and edge styler before you create your large, luscious bun. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Ponytail

It can’t get much easier than a ponytail. Brush your hair down with a styling gel and secure your ponytail with your favorite medium-sized Scrunchie. If you like volume, make sure to fluff up your curls.

Bantu Knots

If you like trying styles that protect your hair while bringing you close to your African roots, then Bantu knots might be right for you. Just section your hair up and roll each part into a tight mini bun. Smooth down those baby hairs and you’re ready to go within minutes.

Twist-Out

If you like to play around with texture, a twist-out is a great way to change it up. All you need to do is dampen your hair and apply a styling product or two if necessary before you then twist individual two-strand sections. When your hair fully dries, you can unravel the twists and reveal your elongated, gorgeous curls. Air-drying will take a bit longer than if you used a hairdryer or diffuser. 

Braid-Out

Looser waves can be achieved with a braid-out if that’s what you prefer. You can do the same process as the twist-out, but instead, section your hair off into three-strand braids. If you really like symmetry as well, you can split your hair with a middle part.

Curl Formers

If a roller-like corkscrew curl is more your style, you can achieve this with a set of Curlformers ($23). You know, those curled pieces of fabric that took the natural hair community by storm a few years ago? With Curlformers, you loop your dampened and product-loaded hair through the fabric (which can take anywhere between a few minutes to an hour depending on your hair’s length, thickness and desired section size). You’ll need to wait until your hair is dry to see the final result, but it’s still a super easy process to do overall.

Water Wave Magic Curlers

Boho, beachy waves are easily attainable with the Water Wave Magic Curlers. These loose shaping tools follow a similar process to the aforementioned Curlfomers but the end result provides a completely different style.

Alternatively, you can try the official Waveformers from HairFlair; however, this toolset creates a more “Hollywood bombshell” curl.

Perm Rods

As a less pricey curling tool set, perm rods offer an east way to get tight ringlet curls. Just like the other curl tools on this list, perm rods should be applied on wet-to-damp hair and let the air do the rest of the work. If you don’t have a hair dryer, make sure you don’t have any errands you need to run since the small diameter means you’re rolling your hair on it multiple times, which takes longer to dry.

Roller Set

Straightening natural hair can be a lengthy process, but you can cheat your way there with a good old-fashioned roller set. Use large rollers on damp hair to get maximum stretch, and when your hair is dry, make sure to comb through a hydrating serum to seal your ends. If you have a hair dryer, you can achieve this look in as little as 30 minutes.

Pigtail Cornrows

As far as braiding goes, pigtail cornrows are one the easier styles to achieve on your own. Unlike French braids, you need to make sure the crossing sections and the hairs you pick up along the way are going in an underhanded direction so your actual braids will pop off the head. For pigtails, the process can be done in 15 minutes or less if you’re an experienced braider.

Flat Twists

Whether braids are too hard to do, or you just prefer a two-stranded look, flat twists are your friend. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even sweep them back into a low-placed bun. If you make your twists pretty large, the process can be done in less than an hour.

Messy Bun

What’s better than a regular bun? A mess one, of course. It should take less than a minute to do and maybe another minute if you like to style your baby hairs. 

Phony Pony

You can hack your way to a glam style with a drawstring ponytail. If you’ve never tried it before, brush your hair down in a low bun and wrap the ponytail around it. You can get this done in a few minutes.

Curly Clip-Ins

If you want to amp up your natural hair, you can add a few curly clip-ins. Make sure you section the back of your hair strategically and apply your extensions as needed. When you’re done, comb your natural hair and clip-ins together for an effortlessly blended look.

Double Braids

Braiding your hair doesn’t always mean you have to get cornrows. These high-positioned pigtail braids are an easy and speedy style that you can achieve in minutes. Though, if you’re braiding in extensions, it might take a little bit longer. 

XL Box Braids

Box braids can be a surprisingly quick and easy process if you’re sectioning your hair off in extra large sections. In less than an hour, you can walk out with a protective and chic boho look. 

Pineapple

The pineapple method is a classic fuss-free style that can be done in about three seconds. Just throw your head forward and gather your hair with your hair tie for a voluminous high ponytail.

Afro Puffs

Doubling up your buns of course means you’re doubling up the fun, especially when you’re leaving out a few tendrils. This style shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. 

Brushed Out

If you don’t mind the frizz life, then brushing out your natural hair might be the right move for you. The volume you can achieve with this style looks great with a middle part.

Faux Hawk

If you like to stand tall with an edgy 'do, you can always try a voluminous faux-hawk. Throw your hair up and at front and use either hair pins or ties to capture that mohawk essence. It’ll only cost you a few minutes.

Braided Faux Hawk

When a faux hawk isn’t edgy enough, throw in a few cornrows to polish off your baddie persona. You can top off the braids with statement Bantu knots that look great up against curls. 

Wispy Half-Up, Half-Down

Try your hand at a romantic half-up half-down hairstyle with a wispy curly frame. All you need are a few hair pins and you’re all set within a few minutes. It’s a perfect look for a date night. 

Simple Half-Up, Half-Down

If you'd rather keep your hair out of your face, you can opt for this simpler half-up-half down style. Instead of using pins, you can just put half your hair in a quick high ponytail and go about your day.

Headband

Accessories make styling even easier because they do all the talking. Take this pearlized headband for example. You place it on, and suddenly your messy ponytail looks less haphazard and more chic.

Banding

Princess Jasmine might have been on to something when she was banding her long locks in Disney’s Aladdin. You can do the very same if you have a few rubber bands handy. The styling time is much quicker than it looks.

Sideswept Statement

Leaving your hair down is still one of the easiest options you can do. However, if you want to dress up your look, you can sweep your hair to the side and keep part of it in place with a rather large statement clip.

Head Wrap

On days when your hair isn’t cooperating or you just don’t have time to spare, all you need is a nice head wrap. The wider the fabric, the better so you don’t have to worry about taming flyaways. You’ll be done in a jiffy.

Hair Paint Wax

Instead of going through the arduous and damaging process of coloring your hair, you can get the same effect with Hair Paint Wax. You can add colorful streaks or switch up your whole head with this vibrant water-based product. Per usual, it can range between minutes or an hour.

Three-Strand Twists

Create gorgeous spiral curls with a three-strand twist-out method, which requires the three strands be twisted around themselves almost like a summer camp lanyard. When your hair has taken its shape, you’re free to unravel it to unlock your style. 

Fishtail Braid

It’s not everyday that you see a fishtail braid done on natural hair, but it’s totally achievable on stretched out tresses. If you’re not sure how to do this intricate braid, check out our fishtail braid guide.

Baby Hairs Focus

Let your baby hairs steal the show for an easy and sleek style that can be done in a few minutes. All you need is edge control gel.

Statement Clips

When one statement clip isn’t enough, add two more for a fab trifecta. These "Glam" rhinestone bobby pins from Kitsch drive the point home thrice over how chic your style is.

Bandana

Hide away stray strands and look cool while doing it with a with a fun bandana. It only takes a few seconds.

Visible Scrunchie

Pineapples are great, but you can take it up a notch by decorating it with a sporty and fashionable scrunchie. Ruby shades look especially stunning against dark tresses.

Wet Look

If you’re the type of person who likes super glossy hair, you might want to take a few minutes to apply a high shine defining gel, hair gloss, and spray to your wash-and-go routine. After you apply a generous amount of product on your damp hair, you can either let it air dry or use a diffuser on a low setting for an ultra-shiny wet look.

Single Braid Part

When you want to leave your hair down but still want to spice up your style a bit, you can part your hair to the side and put in a single cornrow. It’s a perfect way to dress up your look with a fashionable hair pin holding down the braid. 

Halo Braid

Maybe you want to look a little angelic for the day. A halo braid can definitely deliver on that front, especially if you’re a cornrow master. The trick is to gather your hair into a single large braid that goes around the perimeter of your head. Depending on your skill level, you can be out the door within 15 minutes.

Braided Updo

You can also show off your braiding skills by cornrowing your hair and styling into a low updo. If you already have your braids in, sweeping them up into a bun will take only a few seconds. However, if you’re starting from scratch, it can take you about 15 minutes or more to install your braids and style it properly.

Snap Clips

For an easy added touch, perhaps a few colorful snap clip will suffice for dressing up your mane. It’s especially helpful if you want to keep hair away from your face since these clips are tight enough to keep everything in place.

Curly Pigtails

Pigtails are easy to do, plain and simple. Though, if you want to dress up your pigtails a bit, you can implement a few metallic charms and hair ties, or intricately laid baby hairs like on Yara Shahidi, above.

Satin-Lined Cap

When the weather outside is frightful, you'll need a hat that can protect your hair from the harsh elements. Grace Eleyae has stylish satin lined caps that can keep your tresses in tip-top shape while providing warmth.