How to Style African-American Hair
How to work with the hair you've got.
Writer Maya Rock asks, my mom is black, my dad is white, so where does that leave me...and my hair?
By Elizabeth Flahive
Get more hairstyle advice here: Quick & Easy Hairstyles, Style Your Hair in 15 Minutes, Advanced Hairstyles
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with short tight curls
Deep condition hair three times a week with a super rich conditioner to flight frizz and breakage.
\r\n\r\nTry a leave in conditioner and a strong hold gel for the perfect mix of control and conditioning.
\r\n\r\nTry not to play with your hair as it dries, the more you touch it the frizzier and less chic it will look.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nGEL like, Ouidad Climate Control Gel, $22
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like, Motions Smoothing Shine Serum $5.99
\r\n\r\nLEAVE IN CONDITIONER like, Joico KPax Conditioner, $16
Hairstyle Handbook
long, thick, curly, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with long curly red hair
Try a leave-in conditioner and a strong-hold gel for the perfect mix of control and conditioning.
\r\n\r\nRake the product cocktail through damp hair with a wide-tooth comb. Scrunch hair to add volume.
\r\n\r\nOnce hair has air-dried, use a serum to touch up any frizz or flyaways.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nGEL like Sexy Hair Concepts Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel, $12.49.
\r\n\r\n CONDITIONER like Dove Daily Moisture Therapy Conditioner for Dry Rough Hair, $4.99.\r\n\r\n LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Alterna Hemp Leave-In Spray Conditioner, $20.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, relaxed, wavy, african-american, 30 minutes, hairstyles, brown hair, sexy hair
woman with curly shoulder length dark brown hair
Use a small curling iron (holding it parallel to your head) and wrap small sections (about an inch) around the barrel for a glam, \'40s look.
\r\n\r\nDo your entire head, curling all the way up on one side of the part. Vary how much curl you get on the other side so you leave a bit of super-smooth roots on one side.
\r\n\r\nSpray your whole head with a setting spray and a bit of shine spray when you\'re done.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\nSMALL CURLING IRON like Revlon Studio 35 Professional Styling Iron, $6.99.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SPRAY like Sunsilk ThermaShine Detangling Shine Spray, $4.49.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like Motions At-Home Salon Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair, short hair
girl with short curly hair
Deep condition hair three times a week with a super rich conditioner to flight frizz and breakage.
\r\n\r\nTry a leave in conditioner and a strong hold gel for the perfect mix of control and conditioning.
\r\n\r\nLet hair air dry and touch up with a serum to control any frizz or flyaways.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n \r\nGEL like Ouidad Climate Control Gel, $22
\r\nSHINE SERUM like Motions Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99
\r\nLEAVE IN CONDITIONER like Joico KPax Conditioner, $16,
\r\nHairstyle Handbook
long, thick, curly, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with tightly curled black hair
To get perfect, tight curls sans frizz, you need a cut that supports your curl pattern. Make sure to tell your stylist that you wear your hair naturally so she can give you the cut you need.
\r\n\r\nMake sure to deep-condition overnight so you get that extra dose of moisture coarse curls need.
\r\n\r\nRun a thick leave-in conditioner and serum through your hair.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n DEEP CONDITIONER like Burt\'s Bees Hair Repair, $7.99.
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Jonathan Product Conditioning Leave-In Gloss, $22.
\r\n\r\nSERUM like John Frieda Frizz Ease Hair Serum, Thermal Protection Formula, $9.
Hairstyle Handbook
long, thick, wavy, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, brown hair, sexy hair
woman with long wavy dark brown hair
Run a shine spray through dry hair.
\r\n\r\nUse large rollers on the very ends of your hair and let them sit for five to ten minutes.
\r\n\r\nWork a silicone-based serum through the ends to pull the curls out, leaving the softest hint of a wave.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\n
SHINE GLAZE like Frèderic Fekkai Salon Glaze, $28.
\r\n\r\nROLLERS like BaByliss Ceramic 20 Roller Hair Setter, $39.95.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SPRAY like Alterna Spray Shine, $18.60.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyle, sexy hair
girl with curly black hair
Deep condition hair three times a week with a super rich conditioner to flight frizz and breakage.
\r\n\r\nTry a leave in conditioner and a strong hold gel for the perfect mix of control and conditioning.
\r\n\r\nLet hair air dry and touch up with a serum to control any frizz or flyaways.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nGEL like, Sexy Hair Concepts Volumizing Gel, $12.49
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like, Motions Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99
\r\n\r\nLEAVE IN CONDITIONER like, L\'Occitane Shea Butter Conditioner, $17
\r\nHairstyle Handbook
short, normal, wavy, african-american, 30 minutes, hairstyles, brown hair, sexy hair
woman with dark brown bob
Work a texture cream through the ends of your hair. Take a flat iron and use a little heat at the roots so everything is straight and shiny.
\r\n\r\nUse a small curling iron on the ends to make them flip up a bit so you get a different sort of texture.
\r\n\r\nRun a shine serum through your hair for a more polished look.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nTEXTURE CREAM like Sexy Hair Concepts Short Sexy Hair Slept-In Texture Cream, $15.99.
\r\n\r\nCURLING IRON like Revlon Studio 35 Professional Styling Iron, $6.99.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like Citre Shine Shine Miracle Anti-Frizz Serum, $7.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyle gallery, brown hair, sexy hair
brunette with short curly hair
Try a leave in conditioner and a strong hold gel for the perfect mix of control and conditioning.
\r\n\r\nRake the product cocktail through damp hair with a wide tooth comb. Scrunch hair to add volume.
\r\n\r\nLet hair air dry and touch up with a serum to control any frizz or flyaways.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\nGEL like Sexy Hair Concepts Volumizing Gel, $12.49
\r\nSHINE SERUM like Motions Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99
\r\nLEAVE IN CONDITIONER like Alterna Leave In Conditioner, $20
\r\nHairstyle Handbook
short, normal, straight, relaxed, african-american, 30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with black bob and bangs
For a modern-looking bob, keep hair well-moisturized and massage your scalp gently even when you don\'t wash your hair.
\r\n\r\nPlace small sections of hair into large rollers and sit under a drying hood.
\r\n\r\nWhen your hair is nearly dry, remove the rollers and blow-dry on a very low heat.
\r\n\r\nFlat iron your bangs for the finishing touch.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nCONDITIONER like Carol\'s Daughter Leave-In Conditioner, $11.50.
\r\n\r\nMOISTURIZING SHAMPOO like Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural Shampoo, $4.99.
\r\n\r\nDEEP CONDITIONER like Pantene Pro-V Brunette Expressions Intense Hydrating Conditioner, $5.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
long, thick, wavy, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with wavy black shoulder length hair
Spritz a thermal protective spray through dry hair to prevent damage and breakage.
\r\n\r\nUse a large curling iron and wrap 1-2 inch pieces around the barrel, holding the iron parallel to your head. Start wrapping from just above the middle of each section so your roots lie flat.
\r\n\r\nRun a tiny but of shine serum through your hair to separate curls so they look softer.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nTHERMAL PROTECTIVE SPRAY like TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray, $4.79.
\r\n\r\nLARGE CURLING IRON like Revlon Studio 35 Professional Styling Iron, $6.99.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like Motions At-Home Salon Care Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
medium, thick, wavy, relaxed, african-american, 15 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
girl with wavy brown hair
Add bounce to a relaxed style by spritzing ends with a conditioning mist.
\r\n\r\nPut a few ceramic hot rollers in for three minutes, tops. Relaxed hair is delicate and you don\'t want to cause breakage with heat styling.
\r\n\r\nShake hair out and spray lightly with a setting mist.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nCURLERS like BaByliss Ceramic 20 Roller Hair Setter, $39.95.
\r\n\r\nCONDITIONING MIST like DevaCurl Mist-er Right, $17.95.
\r\n\r\nSETTING SPRAY like Matrix Biolage Thermal Active Setting Spray, $15.50.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african-american, 15 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with short curly hair
Apply a hair mask in the shower for a strong dose of hydration. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb in the shower. Rinse almost all of it out-however, a little residual moisture is a good thing.
\r\n\r\nWork a mixture of shine glaze and leave in conditioner through wet hair and let it air dry.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nHAIR MASK like Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Treatment, $3.93.
\r\n\r\nSHINE GLAZE like Ouidad Shine Glaze, $17.
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Bumble & Bumble Leave-In Conditioner, $22.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african american, 15-30 minutes, brown hair, hairstyles, sexy hair
brunette with short curly hair
Naturally curly hair sucks up moisture so stick with a great, emollient leave-in conditioner on soaking wet hair.
\r\n\r\nWhen you get out of the shower, towel-dry lightly. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair working from the ends up to the roots.
\r\n\r\nUse a diffuser on a low heat to dry hair partially, letting it air-dry the rest of the way for best results.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Modern Organic Products Leave-In Conditioner, $10.99.
\r\n\r\nWIDE-TOOTH COMB like Vidal Sassoon Wide-Tooth Comb, $1.29.
\r\n\r\nDEEP CONDITIONER like Neutrogena Triple Moisture Hair Mask, $6.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with short curly hair
A close crop requires heavy-duty hydration to look chic. Always use a moisture-rich conditioner.
\r\n\r\nWet hair with a setting lotion and sit under a drying hood on low heat to bring out hair\'s natural texture.
\r\n\r\nWork a little leave-in condition through a few pieces in front.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Charles Worthington London Results Leave-In Conditioner, $5.99.
\r\n\r\nHAIR MASK like Pantene Pro-V Strengthening Mask, $3.99.
\r\n\r\nGEL like Soft Sheen Carson Protein Styling Gel, $4.29.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, wavy, african-american, 30 minutes, brown hair, hairstyles
brunette with medium hair and bangs
Start with your bangs and spray them down with a little water mixed with leave-in conditioner.
\r\n\r\nDry them using a small round brush so you get a little oomph right at the ends. Spritz with shine spray.
\r\n\r\nDry the rest of your hair without using too much product. You want the rest of your hair to look a little more matte than your bangs.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nSMALL ROUND BRUSH like Goody Tufted Round Brush, $3.99.
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Alberto VO5 Detangle & Shine Restoring Daily Leave-in Conditioner, $3.99.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SPRAY like Matrix Color Smart Reflective Shine Spray, $14.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
medium, fine, wavy, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
brunette with medium length curly hair
Spritz a thermal protective spray through dry hair to prevent damage.
\r\n\r\nUse medium-sized hot rollers and roll two-inch sections all the way up. Let rollers sit until they\'re nearly cool (about 10 minutes).
\r\n\r\nMist with a hairspray and unroll hair for voluminous curls that stick around.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nROLLERS like BaByliss Ceramic 20 Roller Hair Setter, $39.95.
\r\n\r\nHAIRSPRAY like Got2B 2 Sexy Voluptuous Volume Hairspray, $5.99.
\r\n\r\nTHERMAL PROTECTIVE SPRAY like TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray, $4.
Hairstyle Handbook
medium, normal, wavy, african-american, 15 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with straight medium length hair
Refresh your straight style by taking a shine serum and running it through your hair.
\r\n\r\nUse a flat iron on pieces in the front, pulling each section down and toward your chin to create a face-framing shape. Keep the heat setting at a medium level so you don\'t cause damage.
\r\n\r\nSpritz with a setting mist to fight flyaways.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like Motions At-Home Salon Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99.
\r\n\r\nFLAT IRON like BaByliss Ionic Flat Iron, $85.
\r\n\r\nSETTING SPRAY like Matrix Biolage Thermal-Active Setting Spray, $15.49.
Hairstyle Handbook
long, thick, wavy, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with medium length wavy layered hair
Spritz a leave-in conditioning mist through dry hair to prevent damage and breakage.
\r\n\r\nWrap two-inch sections halfway up with hot rollers, rolling them back away from the face to create volume. Mist with a setting spray. After five minutes, undo rollers.
\r\n\r\nRun a tiny but of shine serum through your hair to work curls into softer looking waves.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like Motions At-Home Nourish Leave-In Conditioner, $3.79.
\r\n\r\nHOT ROLLERS like Vidal Sassoon 60 Second Fast Heat-Up 20-Roller Hairsetter, $35.00.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like TIGI Bed Head Girl Toys Shine Serum, $14.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
medium, thick, wavy, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with medium length wavy hair
Spritz a thermal protective spray through dry hair to prevent damage and breakage.
\r\n\r\nUse a large curling iron and wrap two-inch pieces around the barrel, holding the iron parallel to your head.
\r\n\r\nRun a tiny but of shine serum through your hair to separate curls so they look softer.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\nTHERMAL PROTECTIVE SPRAY like TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray, $4.
\r\n\r\nCURLING IRON like Revlon Studio 35 Professional Styling Iron, $6.99.
\r\n\r\nSHINE SERUM like Motions At-Home Smoothing Shine Serum, $5.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, normal, relaxed, african-american, 15-30 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with short straight bob haircut
Always deep-condition after you wash your hair. Choose a product that\'s full of replenishing oils.
\r\n\r\nBlow-dry hair in small sections keeping the dryer on low heat and angled down from the root, says Pantene stylist Tippi Shorter.
\r\n\r\nUse a flat iron sparingly to get a bone-straight finish.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nDEEP CONDITIONER like Burt\'s Bees Hair Repair, $7.99.
\r\n\r\nFLAT IRON like Hot Tools Ceramic Flat Iron, $59.99.
\r\n\r\nHAIR MOISTURIZER like Infusium 23 Leave In Conditioner, $6.99.
Hairstyle Handbook
short, thick, curly, african-american, 15 minutes, hairstyles, sexy hair
woman with shorty curly black hair
Shampooo with a sulfate-free formula once a week-it won\'t strip natural oils from your hair, which keep curls under control.
\r\n\r\nHalf a dropper of organic hair oil on very damp hair keeps ringlets looking healthy especially during dry weather.
\r\n\r\nLayer a cocktail of leave-in conditioner and gel over and let hair air-dry.
\r\n\r\nMARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nHAIR OIL like Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil, $29.95.
\r\n\r\nSULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO like Back To Basics Color Protect Shampoo, $11.99.
\r\n\r\nCURL GEL like Ouidad Climate Control Gel, $24.20.
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
Though admittedly not for everyone, a cropped cut makes textured hair look instantly polished. This style requires professional relaxing but not a ton of maintenance. Use a fine mist of spray-oil to impart sheen, moisturize your scalp, and smooth fly-aways. The right shampoo, used sparingly, and a healthy application of conditioner will keep your locks healthy. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nSPRAY OIL like \r\nSoft & Beautiful Oil Sheen Conditioning Spray, $2.99\r\n
SHAMPOO like \r\nJonathan Product Shampoo Weightless Smooth, $20\r\n
CONDITIONER like \r\nOptimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Stay Strong Conditioner, $5.49\r\n\r\n\r\n
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
A great way to go from day to night: add curl to a straightened look, even if your hair is already dry. Start by misting a heat protection spray and a wave spray onto the bottom half of your hair. Without opening the clamp, twist small sections around a curling iron, from midway to the ends of the strands. \r\nUse hairspray to hold it all in place. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nHEAT-PROTECTION SPRAY like \r\nTRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray, $4.75\r\n
WAVE SPRAY like \r\nSally Hershberger Wave Spray, $12.50\r\n
HAIRSPRAY like \r\nSebastian Original Shaper Hair Spray, $12.99\r\n
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
\"Thickening spray can give you the illusion of having a lot of hair, even if you don\'t,\" says Miami\'s Brownes & Co. stylist Liliana. She recommends spraying a volumizer all over your damp hair before you blowdry. A root-lifter at the crown, along with some gentle back-combing, will create even more lift.\r\nTo get your hair to grow to its maximum length, use a leave-in conditioner every day - it will prevent breakage and split-ends. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nTHICKENING SPRAY like \r\nKérastase Resistance Expanseur, $24.95\r\n
ROOT-LIFTING SPRAY like \r\nNioxin Volumizing Reflectives Root Lifter, $11.99\r\n
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like \r\nAussie Leave-in Conditioner, $3.99
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
This softened version of a long bob has shoulder-length layers and face-framing angles. Your relaxed hair will need to be thoroughly blown-out and flat-ironed. Begin by running a leave-in conditioner through the ends and spraying a heat-protector all over. Then, working in small sections with a round brush, bend hair under and dry completely. Lock in the style with a flatiron. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like \r\nMiracle 7 Leave-in Conditioner, $12.99\r\n
HEAT-PROTECTION SPRAY like \r\nIon Heat Protection Thermal Spray, $7.49\r\n
FLATIRON like \r\nChi Ceramic Flat Iron, $74.99\r\n
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
A Cleopatra style - think blunt, eyelash-grazing bangs and thick, straight locks - works well for most hair types. To get it just right, use a leave-in conditioner and a straightening balm on wet hair. Divide it into sections and blowdry with a round brush. Then, flatiron the top layer, pulling downward.\r\nFinish it off with shine spray - more is better; you want it really sleek. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nLEAVE-IN CONDITIONER like \r\nPaul Mitchell Original The Conditioner, $17\r\n
STRAIGHTENING BALM like \r\nPhytoPhytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $26\r\n
SHINE SPRAY like \r\nPhilip B. Shin Shine, $27\r\n
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
To evoke an authentic \'70s-era style, all you need is your natural hair, a wide-tooth comb and detangling spray. Mist your dry hair with the detangling spray; you\'ll want to use enough to make it slightly damp. Then, separate small sections and hold them between two fingers. Gently rake through each piece with the comb, pulling up and out. (Holding it prevents tension on your scalp, which causes breakage.) Keep going until you\'ve combed out all your hair.\r\nFor much-needed hydration, apply a deep-conditioning mask every time you wash. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nDETANGLING SPRAY like \r\nGraham Webb the Untangler Light Detangling Spray, $11.49\r\n
WIDE-TOOTH COMB like \r\nConair Styling Essentials 3-in-1 Comb, $1.87\r\n
HYDRATING MASK like \r\nMotions at Home Deep Penetrating Treatment, $5.99
Hairstyle Handbook
hairstyle gallery, syndication, hairstyles
ethnic hairstyles
A blowout is the best way to make short, thick hair look polished. Start by distributing a liberal amount of blow-dry lotion throughout your tresses. Separate top and bottom sections and begin drying underneath, curling hair around a round brush. Then, do the same with the top section. Smooth fly-aways with shine serum. Patience is important-the more time you spend, the better it will look. MARIE CLAIRE RECOMMENDS
\r\n\r\nBLOW-DRY LOTION like \r\nRedken 02 Satinwear Ultimate Blow Dry Lotion, $19.50\r\n
ROUND BRUSH like \r\nConair Performers Full Round 100% Boar Bristle Brush, $10.99\r\n
SHINE SERUM like \r\nGHD Shining Serum, $18\r\n\r\n
