15 Time-Saving Natural Hairstyles

Quick, easy, and oh so stylish.

June Ambrose, Issa Rae, and Yara Shahidi with natural updo hairstyles collage
Photo: Getty Images

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to let some things fall to the wayside — however, your hair does not have to be one of them.

The beauty of natural hair is that it's extremely versatile, and there are a plethora of styling options. So much so that it can even be hard to choose what style to go with.

However, it's important to remember that natural hair is susceptible to dryness, meaning, investing in conditioning hair products is a must. You might also want to skip heat styling and opt for a protective style instead.

Keep reading to find the best natural hairstyles — protective and otherwise — that are not only stylish but also a breeze to pull off.

Festive Undercuts

Danai Gurira buzz with intricately designed metallic undercut
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Short hair? We care. Update your undercut like Danai Gurira with glitter or metallic dye for a look that is sure to turn heads. If color and shine are a bit too much for you, an intricately designed undercut, without the color, looks incredible too.

Braided Pigtails

Natural Hairstyles Perfect for the Holidays
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You don't have a lot of time and we get it. Gabrielle Union sports this easy-to-achieve two-braid style while out in New York City. Add kanekalon hair like Union for extra length.

Curly Updo

Issa Rae with an elegant updo that incorporates flat twists and crochet hair
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Issa Rae is the queen of natural hairstyles with Felicia Leatherwood's gifted hands behind many of her epic looks. This elegant updo incorporates flat twists and crochet hair for a style that will have you in and out of the chair in less than three hours.

VIDEO: Why Bantu Knots Are the Style to Wear Year-Round

Box Braids

Jhené Aiko wearing long jumbo box braids
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Box braids are a timeless style you can never go wrong with. Depending on the size, box braids can take up to 12 hours to achieve. However, jumbo box braids are currently trending and the versatility of this look allows you to wear it in many different styles for a fresh look with a quarter of the usual install time. Just look at Jhené Aiko as proof.

Oversized Butterfly Locs

Amandla Stenberg with platinum blonde butterfly locs
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If passion twists and goddess locs had a baby, it would be butterfly locs. Here, Amandla Stenberg shows us the beauty and ease of this style, which she wears in four to five oversized platinum locs. The end result is romantic, low-maintenance, and can easily be confused with your real hair.

Textured Updo

Lupita Nyong'o French twist with natural hair
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Naturalistas — curl definition is not a must-have. Somewhere in the curly conversation, we've diverged off the path of having healthy hair to a focus on defining your curls. Lupita Nyong'o modern take on the French twist is showing us that natural hair looks great in all forms.

Curls To the Front

Yara Shahidi natural curly hair updo
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Put your curls on display by staging them front and center, like Yara Shahidi. If your hair is on the longer side, use bobby pins to shape and place your curls where you want them.

TWA With Big Style

Samira Wiley teeny tiny afro with hard part
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Give some dimension to your TWA (teeny weeny afro) with a deep hard part and a sleek side for a chic style like Samira Wiley.

Braided Bantu Knots

Achieve Tika Sumpter wearing braided Bantu knots
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We give Bantu knots a big yes. Achieve Tika Sumpter's style by creating large sections in your hair, braiding, then wrapping each of the braids in small knots. For a two-in-one style, gently take down the hair once it's dry and discover a voluminous Bantu knot-out.

Double Buns

Tracee Ellis Ross in a scene from Black-ish with a double buns natural hairstyle
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Running late? Then try this double bun style like Tracee Ellis Ross's character on Black-ish. Part your hair in half and place each portion in a bun — then let the party begin!

Braided Jumbo Ponytail

Storm Reid high jumbo braid with feed-in braid
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Actress Storm Reid takes her braided ponytail to the next level with a super cute feed-in braid, decorated with pretty hair accessories. She adds even more dimension to the style by wrapping a small braid at the base of her jumbo plait.

Sleek and Textured

Yara Shahidi slicked-back low natural ponytail
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Show off your texture by slicking your hair into a low loose ponytail and letting your natural hair shine for an effortless look à la Yara Shahidi.

Headwrap Dreams

June Ambrose wearing a burgundy headwrap
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Who said headwraps are only for bedtime? Stylist June Ambrose illustrates that headwraps can amp up a look — and protect it. We also appreciate the pop of color it adds to an ensemble.

Totally Twisted

Taraji P. Henson with a twist-out natural hairstyle, glittery eye makeup, and frosted lips
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When in doubt, add a twist like Taraji P. Henson. A twist-out looks great on natural hair and can add the additional volume and definition you crave

Carefree Cornrows

Zendaya wearing her natural hair in long cornrows
Getty Images

If you haven't tried cornrows yet, what are you waiting for? This protective style, as seen Zendaya, works on manes of all lengths. It's a low-maintenance look that still packs a punch.

This is All Natural. From the kinkiest coils to loose waves, we're celebrating natural hair in its many forms by sharing expert tips for styling, maintenance, and haircare.

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