When you really want to make an appearance or stand out in a crowd, short hairstyles for black women are the perfect go-to for natural hair. Pixie and bob cuts are perfect for an everyday hairdo and a few curls added can keep you looking fun and fierce. Whether highlighted with blonde, purple or red, you can wear any of these colors with a short haircut.
Before your next hair appointment, check out these pictures of this year’s most popular short hairstyles for black women.
Taper Fade for Natural Curls
A taper fade for natural curls is the perfect cut to maintain the edges of natural hair while giving the longer top hair a place to shine. To keep the sides tapered, hair appointments every three weeks are necessary. Hydration is vital to maintain the intricacy of your curls. Make sure to use oils to keep your curls from drying out.
Short Finger Waves with Weave
Short haircuts for African-American women are chic but don’t always look modern as they get older. These short black finger waves make a more modern and younger-looking hairstyle for black women in their 40’s.
Modern Bob with a Side Part
A modern bob with a side part never goes out of style and can be modified to suit your preference. Many modern bobs don’t have layers. If you’re looking for a fuller look, ask your stylist to add texture and layers!
Short Afro Mohawk
Look fresh and fun with these highlights on a short afro mohawk. The curly hair twist hairstyling with caramel tips definitely achieves that look.
Naturally Curly Bob
Let your envy-inducing wavy locks go wild with this natural short bob hairstyle for a black woman! Use your stylist-recommended products to show off your natural hairstyles structure and volume effectively!
Ear-Length Straight Hair with Side-Swept Bangs
Featuring an ear-length rounded bob haircut with side-swept bangs that’s very sweet and sassy. The dark maroon hair color not only showcases the smooth strands but also complements the complexion perfectly! There are lots of styling options for this short hairstyle for black women!
Short Purple Balayage Hair
Add some major pop into your life with this gorgeous short wavy style with purple hair color. It’s one of my favorite vibrant short haircuts for black women!
Short Weave Bowl Cut
The straight hair texture on this short weave hairstyle gives black women a simple and everyday look that’s very easy to wear.
Pin Curl Black Hairstyle
These short pin curls are on fire with this red and orange blend. The short style sure gives the hair fullness and a unique definition.
Razor Cut Pixie for Black Women
A perfect stylish short razor cut never goes wrong on girls as long as you have the confidence to rock it. Keeping it simple makes a textured layered pixie cut, which is what you all need to look sexy in any outfit you wear.
Edgy Undercut with a Shaved Design
The undercut designs on this short black hairstyle are a perfect example of some new trends that go well with a long blonde pixie cut. The natural black base plus the blonde color in this short hairstyle with a shaved design looks dope, too!
Waves & Curls on a Black Pixie Cut
The waves and curls are a great way to spice up your standard black pixie cut. For an African-American, short hair is a way to stand out and express yourself.
Copper Pixie Bob Cut
A copper pixie bob is a bold look for black girls with bold personalities. Do you have what it takes to rock these natural curls on the chocolate rose gold color?
Faux Locs Bob Crochet
This neck-length cut has unique crochet tresses that black ladies with the right personality can really pull off.
Tapered Crochet Pixie Cut
A naturally curly short black haircut like this is a unique mix of black and dark tresses. It’s a very natural tapered cut for short black hair that any black girl can pull off.
Disconnected Faux Hawk Fade
A curly pixie faux hawk for black hair does a great job balancing the volume up on top with those playful ringlets while keeping the sides short with an edgy surgical line. Keeping your short natural haircut like this is a great way to amp up your hair. Ask your stylist for a taper fade to get the sharp edges.
Side-Parted Pixie
It’s is a traditional choppy pixie haircut with layered bangs and a side-part for more drama, created by hairstylist Tynisha Escobar of Sandy Springs, GA.
“I love the versatility the bangs give to the style. It’s one of the best cuts if you’re looking for short hair ideas. Choose to loosely curl the bangs or flip them back,” Escobar explains.
Silver Pixie Cut for Older Women
This is a gorgeous choppy pixie cut for older women with gray hair.
Stylist Shakeela from New York describes this look as simply beautiful. “My favorite thing about this short hairstyle is that it’s lightly curled so it goes in any direction that you want,” Shakeela notes.
Keeping your cut simple doesn’t require too much maintenance. It’s a great hairstyle for older ladies on the go. Shakeela continues, “You will have to use a silk scarf at night, wake up and add just a little oil. If you have to bleach their hair to achieve this look, then oil will most definitely be necessary.”
Cute Curly Bob with Bangs
Looking for an elegant short hairstyle as your daily look? These warm brown ringlets go perfect for ladies looking to frame their cute round faces.
Purple Curly Pixie for Black American Women
Described as a short curly pixie cut by Georgia-based style creator Paula Britt, it’s extremely feminine yet radical with color.
This is a good example of short cuts for black women that works with any face shape. Britt adds, “Although texture plays a significant role in the way that the curls lay, it can be achieved with the use of a flat iron and minimal product.”
Short Gold Pixie with a Surgical Line
Here’s an impressive short black haircut with a surgical line for thick hair.
According to hair artist Greg Gilmore of California, “This is a very bold look and one that takes a confident person to wear. However, it can also inspire confidence in the wearer as well.”
“I would say that this would require a lot of moisturizing and that would consist of regular, weekly deep conditions with an intense moisturizer such as Design Essential’s Almond and Avocado Conditioner and or Design Essentials Coconut, and a Mono Moisture Masque,” Gilmore explains.
Bob Haircut with Box Braids
This look features short bob plaits, styled by Florida-based braider Kisha Jackson.
“I love this look because it gives the braids distinct characteristics that will last as long as you care for it properly. Braids in themselves are also good for hair growth if properly done and cared for,” Jackson emphasizes.
To maintain its shape, always sleep with a bonnet to keep the short braids to a curve and to prevent frizz. If possible, hair no longer than shoulder-length works best for this style and preferably it has texture.
Jackson also wants to point out that ladies must stay away from the perms! She adds, “Short hair styles for black women like this one looks best on people with long thin faces.”
Pixie Waves
The best way to describe this is as a wavy short hairstyle for black women. It was created by hairstylist Bo Lenoir of Lakewood, CA.
Lenoir states, “This short pixie with waves is universal because it frames the face when styling. The stylist will adjust the curls to lay in a certain position to accommodate and flatter the woman’s face shape.”
Messy Pompadour Undercut
Opt for a short hairstyle like this messy pompadour, made by Monika Parham, a stylist from Georgia.
Ladies wanting to try this look should be willing to rock the cut! Parham explains, “The cut itself supports the style, so there is no need for heavy sprays and spritzes. I did style this particular look with a holding spray.”
This is one of the more trend-setting short hairstyles for African-American women. If you are adventurous, live on the edge type of woman and go for it! Parham says this style is most flattering on women with fuller faces because the height and closeness on the sides give a slimming appearance.
Short Disconnected Cut
A pretty short disconnected cut is an edgy and interesting trend to try if you’re bored with long hair.
Philadelphia-based stylist Karen D. Wilson says, “I love the way the strands fall in the front of the face. I also love the layers that were created for this cropped cut. They are a soft, feminine touch to complete the look.”
Wilson adds, “This style is very low-maintenance and you don’t need to use a lot of products. The magic is all in the cut!”
Blonde Pixie Cut
A blonde pixie cut is bold, vibrant, and it’s a statement!
Hairstylist Brian Andrew of Bronx, NY states “For a lady with naturally curly hair that’s thinking about this look, take a close look at the health of the hair and ask a lot of questions such as:
How often do you visit the salon?
What is your current care regimen?
Do you have an active lifestyle?
Are you currently on medication?
Do you have any concerns?
Teenie Weenie Afro (TWA) for African-American Ladies
This is an extra short TWA (teenie weenie afro) crop, cut by Vernita Ali, a barber from Ewa Beach, HI. Short hairstyles like this can be rocked by all natural-haired women with or without color in their locks.
States Ali, “My favorite thing about the TWA is the different ways it can be styled. It complements a woman in a way that says she’s fierce, serious, and confident. I am currently rocking this look and short hair just makes me feel exhilarated. I am at my best with short hair.”
Ali advises women who consider wearing this haircut to make sure they are certain they would like a shorter look if they’re going for a big chop because the grow-back process can be bumpy.
TWA short hairstyles for black women are perfect for every type of woman. An oval-shaped face is ideal, but Ali emphasizes that just because you may not have that bone structure doesn’t mean you can’t wear what makes you happy.
Cropped Cut for Natural Curls
This is a cropped haircut for natural curls, which is one of the most gorgeous short black hairstyles. This type of cut is based on a number of factors regarding suitability. A cropped haircut is ideal for a woman with soft features, a reluctance to spend hours styling their hair, and a preference to look and feel unique. Ask your stylist for a sharp design if you wanna step this cut up a notch.
Chocolate Brown Pixie Cut
This short hair is a fun and feminine pixie cut, described by curly haircut specialist Beth Johnson from Atlanta, GA. A lot of women with natural curls are afraid of short hair because they think it won’t be flattering to their face or they won’t look feminine. Even with thin hair, this look is all about shape.
Johnson explains, “Short locks can take less time to style, but they may need to be styled more often. When your hair is long, it’s easy to throw it up into a bun or puff until you’re ready to wash. Hair this length will need a little more care throughout the week to look its best.”
Modern Buzz Cut for Ladies
Women with short black hair tend to have a fun and bold personality to match their look. This shaved cut certainly brings a different kind of femininity.
