What if I told you that don't need to have natural hair [1] that's flowing down your back to pull off a variety of chic hairstyles? The idea that bigger and longer hair is better hair is a huge misconception, and it's very possible to not find yourself stuck in a mundane hairstyling cycle when your hair hasn't yet grown past your shoulders.
Whether you've just recently undergone the big chop [2] or are just a little stuck on the best ways to style your short hair, you've come to the right place. Ahead, you'll find 12 gorgeous short natural hairstyles [3] that might just inspire your next cut.
Bantu Knots
Bantu knots [4] aren't just a convenient way for you to give yourself a set of defined curls without the use of heat — they also come in handy when you're in need of a protective style when you want to keep your hair off your face and out of your hands for a few days.
Frohawk
The beauty of a frohawk is it's not only a really easy style to achieve, but you also don't need a head of super long curls to pull it off.
Wash n' Go
Wash n' gos aren't exactly everyone's favourite style, primarily because there's a bit more to them than just, uh, washing and going. But that's not to say that they don't still come out looking amazing given the right amount of time and attention.
Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA)
An abbreviation of "teeny weeny afro," a TWA is a natural hairstyle formed on hair that's typically about 1-2 inches in length.
Puff
You don't need long hair to throw it in a puff at the top of your head — but you will need to make sure you at least have a stretchy headband on hand.
Twist-Out
Twist-outs [5] are go-to styles among many naturals, and the convenient thing about them is that the end results (normally a head full of fluffy, super-defined curls) can often last for several days at a time.
Fingerwaves
Yes, fingerwaves are back, and as long as you have a long comb and a lot of hair gel, you can achieve without even needing to visit your stylist.
Coloured Tips
This is a good alternative if you're not quite looking to dramatically change your look by adding colour to your whole head.
Shaved
Speaking of dramatic changes, there's also no shame in starting fresh with a buzzcut.
Pineapple
A pineapple is similar to a puff, though it's usually done on hair that has a bit more length.
Protective Styles
In the event that you want to tuck away your ends and stay out of your hair for a while, protective styles like box braids, cornrows, and passion twists are lifesavers.
Tapered Cut
A tapered haircut is a cut that's normally longer in the front and shorter on the sides and the back of the head. So if you want to wear a short cut that's edgy and versatile, this might be the one for you.