25 cool black hairstyles to instantly up your style game

Are you on the hunt for new and exciting black hairstyles to spruce up your look? Well, you’ve come to the right place. It just so happens, we’ve gathered our favourite ‘dos that’ll help refresh your mane in an instant.

No matter your styling abilities, hair length or texture, our list includes easy, protective and practical natural hairstyles that’ll look great on you.

Madonna in the '80s with a messy blonde highblack hairstyles: side shot of a young black woman with halo hairstyle side ponytail with a black scrunchie.

1. Goddess halo braid

Black hairstyles like this romantic, goddess halo braid, are in vogue and perfect for anyone looking to make a statement.

Can’t wait to style your natural hair into this ‘do? Our tutorial with influencer Mini Marley will show you how to create a similar look at home.

Let down your long box braids. Credit: Verity Jane Smith

2. Box braids

You can’t talk about hairstyles for black women without mentioning box braids!

This braided ‘do is a great option if you easily grow restless of the same long-lasting protective hairstyles – because it offers you the chance to play with length and colour, without causing any damage to your mane.

It works on a variety of hair types (be it natural black hair or relaxed hair), which is what makes it so popular.

black hairstyles: close up shot of woman with dark brown box braids styled into a low bun, wearing a orange top and posing against a blue setting

3. Box braids bun

The best part? Whether you style your box braids into a pretty updo, half-up style or rock them down; you’ll look flawless.

Up next: How to do box braids yourself (with video!).

Editor’s tip: Protective black hairstyles look their best when they’re moisturised. So, do make sure to have a trusty leave-in conditioning spray at hand!

Our fave? The TRESemmé Botanique Nourish & Replenish Hydrating Mist, which is enriched with coconut milk and aloe vera (both known for their nourishing properties).

black hairstyles: close up shot of brandy with dark brown, long box twists, wearing white dress and posing on the red carpet

4. Box twists

Now, you may be thinking box braids are the only natural hair style you can opt for – but that couldn’t be further from reality! Just one look at Brandy’s mane will make you want to know more about box twists.

black women hairstyles: close up shot of meagan good with golden faux locs, wearing a white dress and posing against a silver background

5. Faux locs

Can’t muster up the courage to get dreadlocks done? Then faux locs will certainly be of interest to you, because they cleverly resemble the look of dreadlocks, just without any of the commitment.

6. Cornrow pigtails

It seems like everyone is wearing – or at least talking about – cornrow pigtails these days!

If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, you might know this style by its other designation: boxer braids. And as the name suggests, it’s a great look to rock while you workout, too.

black women hairstyles: close up shot of woman with dark brown hair fashioned into cornrows, wearing big hoop earrings and a white top, posing against a green background

black hairstyles: close up shot of a little mix leigh anne pollack wearing a box braided bun, wearing a white keyhole dress, posing on the red carpet

8. Cornrow bun

Here’s an easy way to make your cornrows party-ready: fashion them into this braided bun. And we just love how this beaut has dressed up her natural hair with golden thread. Talk about #Hairgoals!

Editor’s tip: The secret to perfectly braiding natural hair styles? Hair oil, of course!

To give your natural haira glossy and frizz-free finish, apply a few drops of the Dove Advanced Hair Series Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Treatment through your strands.

hairstyles for black women: close up shot of a woman with a dark brown afro hair fashioned into a braided, low ponytail posing outside

black hairstyles: close up shot of a woman with medium brown afro hair styled into a halo twisted updo, wearing a mint green dress and posing in a studio setting

black hairstyles: close up shot of a woman with dark brown curls, defined and twisted out, wearing a blue dress and posing in a studio setting

11. Twist out

We think it’s high time you learned how to do the perfect twist-out! And guess what? Our favourite US vlogger Breanna (AKA MiniMarley) will show you how to get the look in the jiffy.

Psst… If you prefer doing a braid out, don’t worry, our tutorial will make it a breeze.

natural hair styles: close up shot of a woman with medium brown short natural hair accessorised with red roses, wearing a corset top and walking down the runway

black hairstyles: close up shot of woman with natural chocolate brown hair styled into a pineapple updo, wearing white and posing on the street

mixed race hair: close up back shot of a woman with natural medium brown hair styled into a smooth low bun, wearing a blue dress and posing in a studio setting

black women hairstyles: close up shot of a woman with chestnut brown sleek, relaxed hair styled into a low bun

15. Sleek bun

Looking for black hairstyles for relaxed hair? You’ll be happy to know that a sleek bun works for pretty much every hair length and texture, which Cindy Bruna stylishly demonstrates.

Editor’s tip: To lay down your baby hairs and make your natural black hair looks on-point, you’ll need some hair gel.

The VO5 Wet Look Styling Gel is a great one to try if you’re after a gel that has long-lasting hold with a chic, wet-look finish.

hairstyles for black women: close up shot of a woman with natural, chocolate brown hair styled into a low rolled updo, wearing white and posing in a studio setting

16. Croissant bun

We love French girl hair trends! And, when we heard that the croissant bun (AKA a Gibson tuck) was taking over on the catwalk, we couldn’t help but fall in love with this natural hair take on the ‘do.

natural hairstyles: close up shot of a woman with caramel brown natural hair styled into a 'frohawk, wearing a green jumper and posing in the street

17. ‘Frohawk

Attention, black women! Hairstyles that have a rocker-girl edge do exist — take this fierce ‘frohawk, for example.

With this natural faux hawk, you’re literally giving yourself a completely new hairdo without any shaving or cutting involved (phew!).

black hairstyles: close up shot of janelle monae with her natural black hair styled into space buns, wearing checked dress and a choker necklace

18. Space buns

Once you’ve tried space buns, you’ll want to keep on them rocking them (just ask Janelle Monáe!).

Worried you’ll grow tired of this style? Or, any other of the natural hair styles mentioned, above? Incorporating hair accessories into them will instantly help you beat your hair boredom.

black women hairstyles: close up shot of a woman with chocolate brown natural hair styled into bantu knots, wearing a striped shirt and posing outside

19. Bantu knots

Rihanna wearing bantu knots on the cover of i-D Magazine probably had a thing or two to do with the steady rise of bantu knots. And to be honest, we’re not surprised that this popular ‘90s natural black hair look is back.

It does a great job of keeping the ends of your hair safely tucked in and leaves you with an awesome twist-out once you take it out.

Up next: How to create bold bantu knots.

hairstyles for black women: close up shot

20. Straight weave

Speaking of Rihanna, can we take time to appreciate one of her many straight black haircuts? While we’ve already accepted we can’t be her, one things for sure: we can copy her mane look to a T.

How? By getting inspired by these chic weave hairstyles for black women.

hairstyles for black women: close up shot of a woman with dark curly black hair styled into a high ponytail, wearing a black lace top and posing on the red carpet

21. Curly weave

If you’ve been crushing on curly hairstyles, seeing how singer Normani styled her curly weave into a half-up, half-down pony for the red carpet, will make you want to take the plunge.

black hairstyles: close up shot of a woman

black haircuts: close up shot of maria borges with a dark brown, short side-part afro hairstyle, wearing a pink dress and posing on the red carpet

23. Box cut

This year, classic men’s black haircuts are being rocked by women. Need proof? Just take a look at how Maria Borges rocks her natural hair in a box cut and then you’ll understand what we mean — cool, right?

black haircuts: close up shot of woman with short, red afro hair, with a faded undercut, wearing black top with drop earrings

24. Colourful undercut

If you’ve been looking for statement-making black haircuts, we’ve got just the thing: a colourful, short afro, complete with a shaved undercut.

Now all you have to do is decide which colour you’ll choose to show off your undercut!

black hairstyles with a bob: close up shot of Taraji P. Henson with a short, caramel wavy hair a-line bob, wearing white on the red carpet

25. Wavy bob

Looking for black wavy hairstyles? Bob styles are the way forward. And, since they’ve been topping the mane charts, you can’t go wrong with giving them a go.

What we adore the most about Taraji P. Henson’s A-line cut is the fact it flatters her face shape and looks beach-worthy.

Up next: 5 black hair bobs to try.