by
Chinwe
By Chinwe of Hair and Health
A couple months ago, I wrote this post for my short-haired ladies. Since I do not want to leave you medium-length naturals hanging, this post is for you all:
1. Jumbo Twist Updo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PhaZGtPcEs
Now this gorgeous style is one you can rock almost anywhere, be it a party, a date, the office, … almost anywhere. Toyaboo starts on partially stretched natural hair, and within fifteen minutes, creates this masterpiece. Watch the video for step-by-step instructions!
2. Two Cornrows Updo with a Side Part
Nyla is one my favorite YouTubers when it comes to styling her 4B/4C hair. In this video, she transforms a simple updo with two big cornrows into pure elegance. Check out her tutorial!
3. Banana Clip Updo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHHadVDb2aA
Chrissy uses a banana clip to create this beautiful yet simple updo. Oh, the creativity! Check the video for a detailed demonstration.
4. Two Cornrows Updo with a Middle Part
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Z_msc3htA
In this tutorial, Koku demonstrates two cornrows with a middle part, which is a variation of the above side-part version. If you prefer a middle part, then you might want to check out this look.
5. Funky Three-Sided Puffs
Simplycre8eve is simply creative! Who would’ve ever thought to turn three puffs into a cute hairstyle? For this look, she starts out on blown-out hair. Check out the video for details.
6. Repost! – Chunky Twists Updo
You might have seen this tutorial in my last styles post, but I just had to include it here as well. Starting on stretched hair, lydvina turns a combination of chunky twists and small twists into this gorgeous updo you see.
7. Textured Updo with a Scarf
VeePeeJay turns a chunky twist-out into a chic updo in this tutorial. I think it is a great style to fall back on if you’re having a bad hair day or if you simply do not know what to do with your hair for the day. Check it out!
Ladies, would you wear any of these styles?
10 Responses
Creative, livley and cute. It makes me want to try all of these styles.
I have recently started doing two strand twist (small not mini), I will be natural a year in May after a 20 month transition. I have arm pit length hair and I prefer to pin my twist up into a bun…like a pin and tuck.
The first time I stretched my hair with pins and after twisting on damp hair the last time I stretched my hair by blowing drying my roots only and my ends are still curly. Its now my go to style!
I love most of these styles and would wear them.
My issue is, my hair frizzes/”rubs out” of a style super easily. Especially when my hair is stretched- any moisture and it likes to revert, coiling up as soon as a strand can wriggle its way free. My go to style is a mohawk whenever my hair is not in a protective style. I keep my hair “up and out of the way” 90% of the time because of this styling issue.
After the Big Chop, I would simply do WnG’s. Now that my hair has grown a little and WnG’s don’t look as cute as they used to, I HAVE to find a nice style besides a ‘hawk. Today, I wore my first “dry” braid out since I’ve cut my hair. The first 2 that I actually wore and didn’t pic out were damp. My hair hadn’t dried from the night before, but I still took the twists out anyway. Though they were cute, I don’t like walking around work with wet hair (sometimes with product still on full display).
I’ve tried the Just for Me edge control, and that works fairly well, but I can’t use it on my whole head… can I?
This post was too beneficial thanks BGLH!!
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A lot of YTers seem to style on very stretched or blowdryed hair esp Nylak who favours serious threading. I find the stretching part time consuming and never have the time they seem to have to devote to just hair. I’m afraid that for me it’s a snatched Saturday or Sunday night, after or before work comes around. My skills are also not as amazing as most YTers. I cannot get the hang of finger positioning on my own head. I once mastered it briefly and then became all thumbs again. I want to believe that I can achieve styles but a tapered cut is always in the back of my mind.
“A lot of YTers seem to style on very stretched or blowdryed hair esp Nylak who favours serious threading.”
You read my mind. I noticed this as I was searching for styles to post here as well. I wanted to find more like the one in number 7 (starting from a simple chunky twist-out), but it was difficult. On the other hand, a few of these styles can be modified to be done on not-so-super-stretched hair. But I definitely hear you. :o)
I agree! I often do styles like these with my two strand twist for this very reason. I seldom have my hair super stretched out cause I loose volume and it takes up way too much time.Number six is very pretty, want to try that one soon.
I’m currently wearing my stretched hair in a faux-bun…which is my term for a standard pulled-back ponytail with the ends tucked into the elastic. I have a bobby pin on either side to catch the hair that’s too short to fit. This style takes less than a minute to do and works in both casual and professional environments (in my experience). IF I feel like it and/or I have the time I’ll try something a little fancier, but even then I’m not spending tons of time on it because practice has helped to make me faster.
On wash day — several days ago — I ended by letting my hair dry overnight in about 8 plaits. Each night I replait into 4-6 plaits, usually on dry hair but every few days I will VERY LIGHTLY spritz each section with diluted AVJ before plaiting. This takes maybe 15 minutes tops. I will do it until my next wash day, which will probably be sometime next week.
The point I’m trying to make is this: Updos in particular, and natural hairstyling in general, does not have to be difficult. These styles are great but they only represent a small fraction of possibility. Don’t knock yourself out of the game just yet…
Two additions to the above post:
1) Including taking down the plaits — I apply whipped shea butter to the ends of each plait before taking it down — and doing a light finger-combing, the faux-bun takes about 4 minutes tops.
2) I have mostly-4b hair that’s approaching APL at its longest layers (stretched, of course).
Yes, I personally don’t want to blow-dry my hair first. I like the look of a blow-out and I used to do blow-outs the first two years I was natural because I wanted to see my length and because I felt that my hair was easier to work with in a blow-out. But now I find blow-outs too time-consuming. I also personally don’t like all the raking with the pic attachment and blasting my hair with heat using the concentration nozzle. Then if it’s hot or drizzling I have to worry about my blow-out getting frizzy or shrinking . . . I just don’t feel like it. However, too each her own. I know blow-outs have made de-tangling and styling easier for a lot of naturals and using heat provides a sleeker look but it’s not personally for me. I do like number seven though “Textured Updo with a Scarf” because VeePeeJay is working with her texture without heat and the updo is quick and simple.