Five Hairstyles Perfect for Short, Naturally Nappy Hair - Great Styles for Your One-Inch Long Natural Hair

A few months ago, I cut off my six-year-old locks and was left with about one inch of beautiful nappy hair. I loved it even though I didn't really have any idea how to wear it; even though I've had natural hair for all but five years of my life, I never really learned how to style my free hair. Most of the Web sites for natural hair focus on folks with several inches of nappy tresses. But what about the rest of us? I've learned a lot in the last few months and offer these five great styles that work particularly well with short natural hair. Enjoy!

"Corporate" 'Fro - The is the classic short, trimmed afro, named for the many women who wear beautifully in every situation. Just head to your local barber shop for a trim. Be for you go make sure you can answer the following questions:

Do you want your hair the same length all over? Or would you prefer it be shorter or faded on the sides and back?

Do you want to comb or brush your hair straight back? Or would you prefer to pick it out straight up all around.

Do you want to maintain your natural hairline? Or would you prefer to have an edge? If you want an edge, do you want it just in the back or in the front and sides as well?

For daily styling, moisten hair with a light liquid oil (no mineral oil or petrolatum), an oil and water mist (1 part oil to 5-10 parts water, shake well before spraying), or water thinned conditioner (1 part conditioner to 1 or 2 parts water in a misting container). Experiment with different oils and conditioners to determine what works best for your hair. Then use a pick, wide-tooth comb, or natural bristle brush to style your 'fro. Regular cuts are necessary to maintain this style. Depending on the style you may need to get a haircut once a week or once a month. Make sure to consider the cost of trips to the barbershop.

Though I jokingly call this style "corporate", all five of these styles can be worn in the corporate environment, or any environment, by confident, well-groomed women.

-->Free Form 'Fro - This style is great for people who are trying to grow out their natural hair. Wet your hair well with an oil and water mist (1 part oil to 5-10 parts water, shake well before spraying), and water-thinned conditioner (1 part conditioner to 1 or 2 parts water in a misting container). Your hair should be very moist, but not dripping. Lightly massage your hair to distribute the moisturizers, then finger comb your hair into the style you like. You may want to use a brush just on the edges, particularly if you finger-comb your hair back. The look will change slowly as your hair grows. This is a great style to wear after washing your hair in the morning or after a workout.

-->Double strand twists - This is a style that can last for days or over a week with good care. Mist your hair with an oil and water mixture (1 part oil to 5-10 parts water, shake well before spraying) or water-thinned conditioner (1 part conditioner to 1-3 parts water in a misting container). Keep the bottle handy as your hair should be wet when you put in the twists. Start with a one inch squares section of hair. Roughly divide the section into two parts (no need to be exact) then lay the right part over the left. Repeat laying the right part over the left until you get to the end of the hair. You can also twist in the opposite direction (left part over the right) - just use what is most comfortable for you. The twist should look a little like a rope or thread when you are done. If you want, you can lightly pull the hair in the the direction you want the twist to lay or you can let the twists choose their own direction.

Maintain your twists by sleeping in a satin cloth or bonnet at night. Mist with water or your water/oil mix daily. The twists can last more than a week and the look will mature over time.

For different looks, try parting your hair into squares, diamonds, or triangles. Or use your fingers delineate a section of hair creating a circular part. Depending on the texture of your hair you may want to use a light gel to make the twists last. But try a few twists without gel first. Many of us don't need anything extra for our hair to hold. Another advantage of nappy hair!

Single strand twists - This style is similar to comb coils, but can be done with your fingers and less or no gel. Moisten your hair with an oil and water mixture (1 part oil to 5-10 parts water, shake well before spraying) or water-thinned conditioner (1 part conditioner to 1-3 parts water in a misting container). Then take small sections of your hair (less than one half inch square) and twist it between your thumb and index finger. That's it! If you want, you can lightly pull the hair in the the direction you want the twist to lay or you can let the twists choose their own direction. Depending on the texture of your hair you may want to use a light gel to make the twists last. But try a few twists without gel first. Many of us don't need anything extra for our hair to hold. Another advantage of nappy hair!

For different looks, try parting your hair into squares, diamonds, or triangles. Or use your fingers grab a section of hair creating a circular part. Or don't part it at all. Twist all the way to the root or just part of the way down. To give a new look to your free form 'fro or "corporate" 'fro, put in fewer twists and twist just the ends (not down to the root). This style lends itself to playing with your hair, allowing you to create new and different styles as you use your fingers to add and remove twists.

Twist out - This is a fun and modern style to wear after wearing double strand twists. First put in the double-strand twists, but make sure the sections are no bigger than half inch squares. Part of the key to a nice twist out with short hair is small twists. Depending on your hair type, you may find that circular parts work better for a twist out.

To make your twist out last longer and be better defined do the following things:

Comb out each section before twisting. Use the wide end of the common wide/thin toothed combs.

Make sure your hair is wet when you put in your twists.

Lightly mist your hair at least daily with water or a oil/water mix.

Leave your twists in as long as possible. A few days or or a week it great, though you can have a nice twist out with overnight twists too.

When you're ready for your twist-out, simply take out your twists. This is the advantage in having short hair - just hold the twist at the root with both hands and pull in opposite directions. The twist should come out easily and each of the two sections should retain the coil of the twist (rather than the natural coil of your hair). Lightly massage your scalp with your fingertips to make the parts less visible. You're ready to go!

Maintain your twist out by covering your hair in a satin cloth or bonnet at night. Simply fluff it up the next morning and you're all set. Though it's tempting to play with your soft and springy hair, keep your hands out of your hair to make your twist out last longer.

These styles are great for those who are growing out their natural hair or those who want keep their short natural hair for the long term. They can each work with a cloth or elastic headband for a different look. Have fun with these great styles and enjoy your short natural hair! Wear it with pride and be happy to be nappy!