fine high density hair

10 AMAZING NATURAL HAIR RULES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS

Natural hair is fundamentally a lifestyle choice. Achieving your hair goals requires dedicated effort and a keen understanding of your unique hair type, porosity, density, and width. Think of your hair like a plant: the more you nourish it with quality products, hydrate it, and shield it from harsh conditions, the more it will thrive, grow, and transform. Here are the top 10 essential rules for maintaining healthy, vibrant natural hair!

SOLIDIFY YOUR WASH DAY ROUTINE

Your wash day is essential for maintaining healthy natural hair, as it all begins with proper moisture. Clarifying your hair is a crucial step in your wash day routine. If your hair is dirty, it won’t be able to absorb moisture effectively due to product buildup.

When it comes to shampoos, there are two key types every natural should have: moisturizing shampoos and clarifying shampoos.

Moisturizing shampoos feature gentle yet effective surfactants that cleanse the scalp by removing dirt and product buildup. These are perfect for regular use.

Clarifying shampoos, however, contain stronger cleansing agents designed to deeply cleanse your hair and eliminate hard-to-reach dirt, including mineral buildup. Shampoos with chelating ingredients are especially beneficial for low porosity hair, which often experiences quicker product accumulation.

Weekly deep conditioning is an essential rule in caring for natural hair. Its primary purpose is to condition, strengthen, and soften your hair, setting the stage for your leave-in products.

Always prioritize deep conditioning after shampooing to counteract any stripping effects from the shampoo. Opt for deep conditioners that feature emollients, fatty alcohols, and are packed with nourishing plant extracts.

USE MOISTURIZING LEAVE-IN STYLERS

Leave-in conditioners are crucial for all natural hair types, regardless of curl pattern, porosity, density, or width. These products not only offer moisture until your next wash day but also condition the hair and minimize friction.

Curly and coily hair often experiences curl interlocking, where curls and coils tangle together. This can lead to severe knots and tangles, resulting in increased breakage and shedding if not addressed.

Leave-in conditioners contain friction-reducing agents that help keep your curls manageable. They are definitely a staple in any natural hair routine. When paired with a plant-based botanical gel, your coils will stay tangle-free and frizz-free for days!

KNOW YOUR POROSITY

What’s the point of using all those expensive products if you don’t understand your hair’s absorption potential? Porosity is the most crucial rule to know about your hair. It determines how well your hair absorbs water and products, guiding you on what to use and how to apply it effectively.

Natural hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture and products. Low porosity hair has a low absorption rate because its cuticles are tightly closed, making it challenging for moisture to penetrate. High porosity hair, on the other hand, has open cuticles, leading to a high absorption rate but difficulty in retaining moisture.

If you have low porosity hair, focus on enhancing moisture absorption. Because the cuticles are tight, products often sit on the surface. Choose lightweight formulas that promote absorption and include delivery agents to help penetrate the cuticle, especially for leave-in conditioners and styling products.

For high porosity hair, which has raised cuticles, moisture retention is key. Use products with ingredients that form moisture barriers and fill cuticle gaps to prevent moisture loss throughout the week.

BALANCE PROTEIN

Protein treatments are vital for addressing protein loss caused by mechanical damage (like detangling) and chemical damage (from heat tools, dyes, and relaxers), and they should be part of every natural hair routine.

However, excessive protein treatments can lead to dry, brittle hair—exactly what we want to avoid! It’s crucial to tailor your protein treatments according to your hair’s porosity and width to prevent overuse.

Smaller proteins, such as amino acids and peptides, can penetrate the hair cortex to strengthen it, making them suitable for all porosities and hair widths.

Conversely, larger proteins like hydrolyzed wheat and collagen function similarly to film-forming humectants, creating a protective barrier around the hair. These treatments are ideal for high porosity or fine to medium strands but can increase dryness in low porosity and coarse hair.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SCALP 

Scalp health is essential for a successful hair journey, regardless of hair type. Just as we care for our hair ends, we must prioritize our scalp.

Think of your scalp as the foundation of your hair; it deserves just as much attention. If our hair ends are like the wise elders, our scalp is the precious baby!

Here are some best practices for maintaining scalp health:

  • Moisturize: Use skin-friendly products to keep your scalp hydrated. Remember, the scalp is skin too, so avoid harsh ingredients.
  • Scalp Massages: Every few days, massage your scalp with nourishing oils like olive, castor, or avocado oil. Adding rosemary oil can enhance blood circulation and keep the scalp well-lubricated.
  • Gentle Hairstyles: Avoid tight hairstyles to reduce the risk of follicle damage.
  • Stay Clean: Regularly cleanse your scalp to remove oil, dirt, bacteria, and product buildup.

PROTECT YOUR HAIR

Protective styling is crucial for maintaining a healthy natural hair routine. If you’re aiming for hair growth, protective styles help retain length while locking in moisture, supporting your growth goals. To avoid any drawbacks of protective styling, follow these best practices: ensure your style isn’t too tight to prevent follicle tension, and regularly take it down for clarifying and re-moisturizing.

LISTEN TO YOUR HAIR

Mastering the art of listening to your hair can be challenging, but it’s essential for your hair journey. For instance, some people with natural hair can go a week without moisturizing, while others may need to re-moisturize every two days. Both are perfectly normal!

Remember, everyone’s hair is unique. If your hair feels dry, clear away buildup and follow up with a deep conditioner and leave-in. Pay attention to what your hair is telling you—it will show its appreciation!

UP YOUR DIET AND EXERCISE ROUTINE AS NEEDED

This year, let’s acknowledge the important connection between diet, exercise, and beauty. The saying “you are what you eat” holds true for natural hair. Staying hydrated is essential for hair growth, but making key dietary changes—like eating a balanced diet and taking necessary supplements—is equally important. Regular exercise also plays a vital role.

To boost your hair growth, focus on incorporating plenty of leafy greens and fruits into your meals. Empower yourself by understanding your body—are you missing any essential nutrients? Nutrients like iron are crucial for the hair cycle, and deficiencies can show up in your hair.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the impact of exercise. Many people with natural hair report that moderate weekly workouts help enhance their hair growth cycle.

STOP COMPARING

They say comparison is the enemy of creativity, and I couldn’t agree more. Remember, pursuing any goal is a marathon, not a sprint. Despite what some natural hair influencers may claim, hair doesn’t grow overnight—anyone who says otherwise isn’t being truthful.

Avoid comparing your hair journey to others; you are unique, and there’s no need to emulate someone else. Instead, focus on the health of your hair. Healthy hair grows! By keeping it moisturized, protected, and happy, you’ll set yourself up for success on your hair growth journey.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We can be our own harshest critics, but your hair is beautiful just as it is right now. It’s important to take a moment to recognize your achievements, growth, and progress. Remember, your hair is always growing, and it deserves your gratitude!

CONCLUSION

These commandments are a foundational guide for healthy natural hair. While individual hair needs vary, following these science-based tips and adapting them to your specific hair type will help you achieve optimal results

42 FLATTERING SHORT HAIRSTYLES FOR LONG FACES IN 2024

The goal for every face shape is to achieve a more balanced, oval look. For those with long faces, the key is to create the illusion of width. Explore these short hairstyles designed to enhance and flatter longer faces perfectly.

SHORT BOB WITH LONG SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE

This short hairstyle showcases a long, disconnected section on one side paired with a sweeping, long fringe.

SHORT PIXIE WITH BANGS

This pixie cut features longer front layers that function as a fringe, covering the forehead and creating the illusion of a shorter, wider face.

LONG TOP + SHORT SIDES

This haircut has short sides with layered longer pieces on top that cascade over the shorter sides, adding movement and an edgy vibe.

UNDONE TEXTURE

This look is perfect for those who crave an edgier, tousled style and appreciate textured hair. It’s a sassy yet highly stylish cut that makes a bold statement.

EDGY YET PROFESSIONAL

I would describe this look as both edgy and professional. After she chose to embrace her natural gray, we opted for a style that adds a touch of fun while remaining polished.

SHORT ROUNDED CUT WITH SIDE BANGS FOR OVER 60

Pushing hair away from the face helps to open it up and prevents it from appearing narrower. This hairstyle not only creates volume on the sides of the face, making it look wider, but also features a fringe that covers the forehead, contributing to a shorter and wider appearance. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for women over 60, as it can help conceal wrinkles.

LAYERED & TEXTURED

This look is full of movement and highly versatile, allowing it to be worn forward or styled to either side. With plenty of hair and natural waves, I layered it extensively and added texture to reduce bulk. It can be worn sleek and smooth or with her natural wave for a more relaxed feel.

TAILORED BOB

This tailored bob features strategic color placement and is known for its clean, sleek appearance. I love how it accentuates her features with its precise cutting and thoughtful coloring. Keeping the length above her shoulders draws attention upward, creating the illusion of a shorter face. A side part further enhances the balance of her overall look.

MODERN & EDGY

This haircut is modern and edgy, perfect for a woman who feels her hair is overshadowing her style. I transformed her long, abundant locks into a short, sassy cut that’s both manageable and versatile, ready to rock any occasion with confidence.

GRADUATED TEXTURIZED A-LINE BOB

This look features a graduated, textured A-line bob. I enjoy creating this style because it combines a sassy, professional edge with the versatility to be dressed up or down. It’s a technically challenging haircut that allows me to highlight and enhance a client’s natural beauty and features.

SHORT CHOPPY THIN CUT

A short, choppy cut is a flattering choice that adds balance to the face. The framing and layering help reduce the appearance of length, creating a more balanced look.

SHORT HAIR WITH FRINGE AND LAYERS

Here’s another super short hairstyle that complements a long face shape, thanks to the fringe. The layering in this cut enhances the roundness of the head, giving the face a rounder appearance. The curved perimeter also contributes to a softer, more rounded face shape.

CLASSIC TEXTURED INVERTED BOB

This haircut is a textured, short inverted bob. I’ve added an edgy twist to this classic cut by removing excess weight and texturizing it. I love this style for its versatility—it can be adapted in various ways to highlight your personal style.

HAIRSTYLE WITH TEXTURE

Adding texture, especially with ends that point outward, helps make a hairstyle more flattering for longer face shapes.

UPDATED A-LINE

I would describe this look as a modern take on the classic short A-line bob. I love the angled transition from back to front and the textured interior layers. The bangs add a fresh, youthful touch to the style.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH VOLUME AND FRINGE

The side part, fringe, and volume on the sides of the face all contribute to making this hairstyle particularly flattering for longer face shapes.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH CURLS

The glamorous curls on this bob add significant volume to the sides of the face, making it an ideal short cut for a longer face shape.

SHORT BOB HAIRSTYLE WITH VOLUME

This bob features more volume on the sides than on top, and its silhouette helps create a rounder appearance for the face.

SHORT ASYMMETRICAL BOB HAIRSTYLE

This very short asymmetric bob is flattering for elongated face shapes, thanks to the fringe that covers the forehead. The horizontal coverage helps make the face appear shorter and wider.

SHORT HAIR WITH SWEPT FRINGE AND PINK ENDS

Here’s another hairstyle that suits longer face shapes, with curled-up ends adding volume. The side part and fringe further contribute to making the face look shorter and wider.

NECK-LENGTH TEXTURED CUT WITH FRINGE

Adding texture to your hair creates width and helps it expand. This hairstyle works best for longer face shapes with medium-textured and medium-density hair.

NATURAL WAVY HAIRSTYLE WITH TEXTURE

Naturally wavy texture can also enhance the width of the sides of the face, making it appear broader.

SHORT WITH CHOPPY FRINGE

This hairstyle falls just below the chin and above the shoulders, featuring a full and choppy fringe.

SHORT WITH LONG FRINGE AND CURLS

A long fringe combined with curls makes this hairstyle especially flattering for a long face shape.

VERSATILE UNDERCUT PIXIE

This versatile undercut pixie is easy to style in various ways, from sleek to textured. The longer, angled fringe flatters her face shape and draws attention to her eyes. The overall look complements her skin tone and personality.

VERSATILE BOB

 This versatile bob offers a variety of styling options. It can be worn sleek and straight or textured with a bit of curl or product. The fringe can be parted to the side for a modern look or straight down the middle for a 70s vibe. With just one cut, you can achieve four different styles.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH FLIP

Flipping hair outward adds width, making this hairstyle ideal for long face shapes with medium-textured and medium-density hair.

TRIANGULAR BOB

This triangular bob features a slight angle forward with minimal layering and plenty of texture for a relaxed look. What I love most about this style is its effortlessly messy vibe, low maintenance, and versatility, making it suitable for a variety of lifestyles and ages.

CHIC FRENCH-INSPIRED BOB

I love this haircut for its versatility. Whether you want a textured or sleek look, this chic French-inspired bob can be styled to match. It’s a super low-maintenance cut that works well with all hair textures, so feel free to experiment with various finishing products.

INDUSTRIAL AND EDGY

I’d describe this look as industrial and edgy, inspired by steel and rust. We applied a styling cream to damp hair for hold and body. This style works well for finer hair or medium textures with a natural curl. After blow-drying smooth, we used a heat protectant spray and added curls, piecing them out with a medium-hold putty to achieve a great natural texture. It’s super easy and perfect for a quick, stylish look!

CARE FREE

This look has a carefree vibe, with the bangs adding a playful touch to the bluntness of the bob. Given the short length of the bob that frames the jaw, we opted for lighter bangs that don’t fully cover the forehead. The angled bangs create a triangle on her brow, which helps to maintain the elongated appearance of her face.

VERSATILE PIXIE HAIRCUT

This pixie haircut features a shaved undercut with short-to-long layers throughout, while maintaining length in the fringe. My favorite aspect of this cut is its ease and versatility in styling. It’s perfect for clients who want to highlight their jawline, neck, and cheekbones. The shaved section makes it very low maintenance, yet the longer fringe adds a feminine touch.

ASYMMETRICAL A-LINE

I’d describe this look as highly versatile, suitable for both daytime and nighttime with minimal maintenance. It’s an A-line bob with an asymmetrical cut, allowing the fuller side to be styled straight, curly, wavy, flipped out, or pieced into an edgy look. The version I created is more of a glamorous evening style, perfect for pairing with statement earrings and dressing up. I used a Sutra Beauty infrared flat iron for the curls and Kevin Murphy styling products to enhance fullness and shine. My favorite aspect of this look is its timeless quality.

CLASSIC & CLEAN FOR OVER 40

I love how classic and clean this look is. The side-swept long bang softens her features and helps balance the length of a long face. For those with a long face, this is a great way to break up the length. Chin-length hair also adds a rounder appearance to the face.

BADASS BLONDE

I’d describe this as a badass blonde look because it perfectly captures her style in this picture. What I love most about it is the versatility in styling. With the length on top, she can go for a sleek, straight look, a bold, lifted style, or add some edgy, curly texture.

SLEEK YET EDGY

This style is a quintessential bob, defined by clean lines and precise angles. It maintains a sleek appearance with a touch of edge. What I love most about the bob is its timeless quality; it’s a true fashion staple that instantly conveys confidence and femininity.

BLUNT BOB WITH PRECISE BANGS

This blunt, chin-length bob with straight, precise bangs is a timeless look. What I love most about it is that it remains stylish and on-trend due to its clean, contemporary lines combined with a classic shape.

SHORT SLEEK BOB WITH FRINGE

The horizontal fringe of this bob highlights the eyes and covers the forehead, creating the illusion of a shorter and wider face.

PHYLLIS

The longer side of this cut adds width to a narrow face, while the shorter side contours closely to create a rounder silhouette. The fringe covers the forehead, contributing to a shorter and wider appearance.

SARAH

This sleek neck-length bob is ideal for long face shapes, offering a sophisticated style that softens features. The subtle layers and inward curve enhance natural volume, giving the hair a fuller appearance. The blend of natural gray and silver highlights adds a modern, elegant touch, perfect for women who embrace graceful aging with ease of styling. Ideal for everyday wear, this hairstyle is low-maintenance and well-suited for a busy lifestyle.

FUN & SASSY

I love this look for its fun and sassy vibe, offering plenty of styling possibilities. This client has been growing out her hair from a short pixie cut, proving that the growing-out phase can be an exciting opportunity to experiment with styles you might not have tried before. This style is perfect for someone in the process of growing their hair, as it allows the top layers to catch up with the perimeter length. It’s also a quick style for straight hair—just a power dry and some wax will add direction and texture. However, if your hair is wavy, this length might require more daily styling to achieve the same effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, finding the right hairstyle for an elongated face can be a challenge, but there are countless flattering options to choose from. The key is to find a style that balances your facial features and complements your personal style.

Whether you prefer a pixie cut, a bob, or a lob, there are many short hairstyles that can help to visually shorten your face and enhance your natural beauty. By experimenting with different styles and techniques, you can find the perfect short hairstyle to flatter your elongated face and make you feel confident and beautiful.