Janelle Monáe, Uzo Aduba, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lupita Nyong’o and Solange Knowles: What do these celebrities (and many others) have in common? They’ve all been seen sporting their natural kinks, coils and curls in some of the coolest and trendiest hairstyles. There is more than the wash-and-go or the plain ‘fro, so if you’re looking for a hairdo for New Year’s Eve, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the most fabulous natural styles to try, whether you’ve just made the big chop, have been rocking the natural for a while, or are even transitioning between hairstyles.
To achieve enviable coils and kinks, you’ll need some curl-defining products that are made for natural hair. Our two go-tos? Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding ($22) and Organic Coconut Butter Styling Pomade ($12)—which you’ll need in each one of the looks below.
Go curly
To create super defined curls, take small sections and two strands of hair at a time, tightly twisting your hair after applying the Curly Pudding. Allow your hair to dry before styling. The tightness of the curls will depend on how thick your sections are. After undoing the hair, use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to separate the strands. Rub a small amount of the Styling Pomade in your palms and lightly tousle your curls to add some softness and shine!
Pompadour it up
This look is decidedly retro yet still extremely fashionable and chic! To jazz it up, you can even place some decorative bobby pins in the poof to add some sparkle; we love these White Pearl Hair Pins ($1.17 for a pack of 6). Check out the video below to replicate this stand-out look:
Fit for a goddess
This crown hairstyle utilizes goddess braids, which are just really large cornrows. If your hair isn’t thick or long enough to achieve these braids, you can try extensions like the Janet Collection Synthetic Braid (prices vary). Or, you can even choose colored braid extensions to add a pop of color without commitment.
Make sure to start off with the Curly Pudding and wait for your hair to air dry after application. Section off the outer circle of your hair. With the braid, you’re going to start at the nape of your neck and cornrow the section all around to the opposite ear. From there, you’re just going to continue braiding normally, leaving the back of the hair unbraided. If you want, you can add a second row of a goddess braid. If not, slick the unbraided hair back with the Styling Pomade and create a low bun. Use the tail of the braid to wrap around the bun.
New heights
This style is geared towards those with medium to short hair, but with a little bit of extra effort and a lot of bobby pins, you can make it work with longer hair. First, air dry your hair with the Curly Pudding. Then, French twist the base of your hair. To do this, smooth the sides of your hair back, pin one of the sides with bobby pins and then twist the hair up and towards the bobby pins, to hide them. To hold the twist, continue pinning it in. Make sure to leave the top of the twist out and open, so that it can blend in with the remainder of your hair. Use the Styling Pomade to finish and a few extra bobby pins to pin down the ends of your hair.
Side twist it out
Here’s a simple twist on your natural curls! Apply an ample amount of the Curly Pudding to your damp hair and let air dry. Using a brush, brush your hair to one side and upwards, so it falls slightly over your eyes. To secure your style, twist the part of your hair where you’re going let it flow down, and secure it with bobby pins. Use some Styling Pomade to give your hair some wonderful sheen!
Can I get a side bun with that?
For all the longer-haired natural ladies, try out this style! This one is fairly simple. Use some Curly Pudding before air drying your hair. Pull your hair into a high side ponytail and create a flat bun. Don’t forget to pin the bun in place! Use some Styling Pomade to smooth out the sides of your hairstyle.
Accessorize
Accessories are one of the greatest life hacks. The right accessory can make totally transform an outfit… or your hairstyle! If you have a go-to hairdo that works for you but you still want a little bit of oomph, just add a cute hair piece. We’re loving the Hipsy Women’s Non-Slip Headband with sequins ($10.99) and the Rosette Hair Clip Set ($2.80).
Which one of these are you going to try out for New Year’s Eve, collegiettes?