Top Natural Haircare Styles to Try

From effortless wash-and-gos to stunning protective styles, your perfect look is waiting. Here, we walk you through the top natural hairstyles, how to achieve them with confidence, and how to keep your strands healthy along the way.

Wash-and-Go

The wash-and-go is the effortless natural haircare style for a reason. It embraces your natural curl pattern with minimal fuss, giving you defined, springy coils that feel light and free.

How to Achieve It

Start with freshly cleansed, soaking-wet hair. Apply a leave-in conditioner, followed by a curl-defining cream or gel, working section by section. Rake the product through and scrunch gently to encourage your curls to clump. Then let your hair air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat.

Maintenance Tips

Refresh your curls each morning with a spritz of water and a little leave-in. At night, sleep on a satin pillowcase or wrap your hair in a satin bonnet to protect that definition.

Why It Supports Healthy Hair

Because the wash-and-go relies on moisture rather than heat or tension, it keeps your strands supple and reduces the risk of breakage. Well-hydrated curls are happy, resilient curls.

Twist-Outs

The twist-out delivers soft, stretched curls with beautiful definition and bounce. It's a versatile look that flatters every length and texture.

How to Achieve It

Section damp hair and apply a curl cream or butter. Divide each section into two strands and twist them around each other from root to tip. Let the twists dry completely, then gently unravel them with oiled fingers to avoid frizz. Fluff and separate for volume.

Maintenance Tips

Retwist smaller sections at night and cover with a satin bonnet. This keeps your definition crisp and extends your style for several days.

Why It Supports Healthy Hair

Twisting stretches your hair without heat, which minimizes shrinkage stress and helps you retain length over time.

Flexi Rod Sets

The flexi rod set is a heat-free styling method that gives you gorgeous, defined curls with a bouncy, romantic finish. Flexible foam rods come in different sizes, so you can customize your curl size from tight spirals to loose, flowing ringlets. It's a wonderful option for anyone looking to stretch their natural texture without any heat damage.

How to Achieve It

Begin with freshly washed, damp hair and apply a generous amount of curl cream or setting lotion throughout. Section your hair, then wrap each section around a flexi rod from the ends up to the root, bending the rod to secure it in place. Allow your hair to air-dry completely or sit under a hooded dryer, then carefully unravel each rod and gently separate your curls with oiled fingertips.

Maintenance Tips

Sleep in a satin bonnet to preserve your curls overnight. In the morning, refresh any flat sections by lightly misting with water and a leave-in, then scrunch to revive the shape. Your set can last several days with gentle care.

Why It Supports Healthy Hair

Because flexi rods rely entirely on tension-free wrapping rather than heat, your strands stay strong and hydrated throughout the process. The method also stretches your hair gently, helping to reduce shrinkage while protecting the integrity of every curl.

Braid-Outs

Similar to the twist-out but with a different texture, the braid-out gives you crimped, wavy definition that feels bold and elegant.

How to Achieve It

Braid damp, product-coated sections into three-strand plaits. Allow them to dry fully, then unravel carefully and separate. The tighter your braids, the more defined your waves.

Maintenance Tips

Preserve your waves overnight by loosely re-braiding a few larger sections and wrapping your hair in satin.

Why It Supports Healthy Hair

Like twist-outs, braid-outs stretch the hair gently, reducing single-strand knots and tangles that lead to breakage.

Need Help Styling Your Natural Hair? Come to Hair By Shawn!

Visit my salon in Westwood Village today. To schedule your appointment, or to request a consultation, contact me on our website or call me at 310) 953-3657.