protective hair styles for curly hair

20 STUNNING MEDIUM-LENGTH TWIST STYLES FOR NATURAL HAIR

Twists are a versatile and protective hairstyle that can be worn in various ways, from sleek and sophisticated to fun and funky. If you have medium-length natural hair, you’re in luck! There are countless stunning twist styles to choose from that will flatter your face shape and enhance your natural beauty. In this article, we’ll explore 20 of the most gorgeous medium-length twist styles for natural hair. Get ready to elevate your natural hair game with these fabulous twist styles!

Criss-Crossing Hair Twists

Natural hair offers endless styling possibilities, and twist hairstyles are a perfect way to protect your strands while showing off your unique look. Try creating criss-cross cornrows combined with sleek twists, and finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep everything in place and looking polished.

High Pony with Two Strand Twist Locs

This hairstyle features a voluminous, curly ponytail set high on the crown, with plenty of twisted strands adding texture and fullness. Loose tendrils fall gracefully to frame the face, giving it a soft and romantic feel. The twisted strands add a playful, dynamic look to the overall style, perfect for an effortlessly chic vibe.

Medium Twists Updo

Flat twists are an excellent lightweight option, making them ideal for those seeking a protective style without added weight. Have your stylist twist your hair close to the scalp, similar to cornrows, and secure them at the back, leaving a voluminous bun for a stylish finish.

Small 2 Strand Twist Hairstyle with Interlaced Design

In this style, petite twists with soft, curly ends are swept to one side, creating room for a beautifully intricate woven pattern on the other.

Captivating Twist Braid Hairstyle

Adding various shades to twisted hairstyles opens up endless options for customization and self-expression. For a softer, more feminine look, try incorporating warm caramel extensions that beautifully enhance and complement warm skin tones.

Fulani-Themed Two Strand Twist for Natural Hair

This style gets an extra touch of flair with a bold center braid paired with chunky twists, highlighting the beautiful, natural texture of type 4 hair.

Cornrows and Two Strand Twists

The blend of cornrows and short two-strand twists creates versatile and imaginative hairstyles that perfectly complement natural hair. Twist bangs add a playful touch, offering a fun contrast to the sleek, thin scalp braids.

Full-Size and Side-Parted Twists

We recommend side-parted two-strand twists for women looking to add volume to their hair while enhancing their facial features. This style provides a beautiful lift in the front, creating a balanced and flattering appearance.

Playful Half-Up Twists Style

For the best results, it’s ideal to create twists on your hair wash day when your hair is clean and detangled. After thoroughly moisturizing your hair, part it down the middle and divide it into equal sections before you begin twisting. Be sure to keep the twists loose enough to allow your scalp to breathe comfortably.

Side Cornrows and Honey Ombre

Here’s another stylish take on short two-strand twists—this version features a mix of cornrows and a stunning brown-to-honey-blonde color melt for added depth and dimension.

Voluminous Mini Twist Outs

A twist-out is an excellent styling option for natural hair, particularly for those with type 4 textures. By using smaller sections, you can create a more defined pattern that beautifully highlights your hair’s natural texture and volume.

Dip-Dye Hair with Chunky Locs

Here’s a fantastic example of voluminous two-strand twists for anyone looking to elevate their locs style with a vibrant pop of color.

Twist Braids with Heart Cornrows

Two-strand twists paired with heart-shaped scalp twists bring a touch of sophistication to your hairstyle while offering excellent protection for your hair. Whether you’re heading to a formal event or going about your daily activities, this style will help you radiate confidence and elegance.

Senegalese Twist Braids with Curly Ends

Goddess twists offer a bold and striking hairstyle that beautifully showcases the beauty of your natural hair. The playful, messy twists combined with a half bun give this look a dynamic flair, making it truly attention-grabbing.

Sweet Cinnamon Passion Twists

Twist hairstyles offer a fantastic way to express your creativity and individuality with a variety of styling options and color combinations. If intricate styles aren’t your preference, keep it simple by enhancing the visual appeal of your twists with a rich caramel hue for a striking effect.

Knotless Twists with Curly Ends

Extensions are a great way to add length and volume to thick natural hair, enabling more elaborate and creative hairstyles. When seamlessly blended with your locks, twists provide a range of styling options, including buns, ponytails, and half-updos, enhancing your overall look.

Cornrows and Twisted Ponytail

There are endless styling options to explore with twist hairstyles, and a classic ponytail paired with cornrow braids is a great place to start. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy this style is to maintain, not to mention the compliments you’ll receive wherever you go!

Rich Mahogany Bob Twists

The contrast between burgundy and black hues creates a stunning gradient effect, giving your short passion twists a multi-dimensional look. This color combination adds visual interest to twist hairstyles, similar to how balayage enhances straight hair.

Glamorous Bouncy Twists

The blend of scalp braids and a bouncy twisted bob is the ultimate hairstyle, whether you’re working with your natural hair or adding extensions! The precise twists and mini cornrows make your natural curls more manageable and help reduce frizz. Just apply a moisturizer to your dry hair before twisting to hydrate and nourish your curls.

Short Spring Twist Braids

Whether worn loose or styled into an updo, kinky twists provide a convenient and fashionable option for women looking for a natural look with a touch of flair. For a more modern and funky vibe, consider wearing your twists half-up.

CONCLUSION

Medium-length natural hair offers a canvas for a myriad of stunning twist styles. From classic two-strand twists to intricate patterns and accessories, the possibilities are endless. By experimenting with different techniques and products, you can achieve a look that is both stylish and protective.

Remember, the key to maintaining healthy, beautiful twists is proper care. Keep your hair moisturized, avoid excessive heat styling, and protect your twists at night with a satin scarf or bonnet.

15 BEST MEDIUM-LENGTH HAIRSTYLES FOR BLACK WOMEN

A mid-length hairstyle is the perfect choice for those who want a balanced, low-risk look. Despite being “mid-length,” these styles are far from dull. Their versatility offers a happy medium between the upkeep of a shorter bob and the commitment of extra-long hair. Mid-length cuts are both stylish and practical, making them an appealing option for many. Take a look at our top 15 mid-length hairstyles below!

SHOULDER LENGTH BOB

Kahlana Barfield Brown’s shoulder-length bob always gives me major hair envy. If you’re looking to recreate her waves, a curling wand is an easy go-to tool. One pro tip I picked up while straightening my own hair is to pin curl it at night after styling. This helps keep the waves intact and looking fresh the next day!

Asymmetrical Lob

The lob, or long bob, is a collarbone-grazing style that works beautifully for all curl types. To give it a more edgy, relaxed vibe, try parting your hair off-centre—this will add extra volume on one side and create a less “polished” finish.

Locs

Hair discrimination against Black women remains an issue in the workplace, particularly for those with locs. However, trailblazers like Ava DuVernay inspire us to embrace and celebrate the hairstyles that are unique to us, reminding us to wear them with pride.

Layered Curls  

If you’re lucky enough to have thick, bouncy curls, a layered cut might be perfect for you. This style is designed to create a softer, more rounded shape and is often done on dry curls to ensure the best result. To enhance your natural curls with added texture, a curling wand is your go-to tool for defining those layers even more.

Curly Puff with Fringe

Yara Shahidi always nails her look. If you’re not ready to wear all your curls down, a puff with fringe is the perfect compromise, offering a stylish way to showcase your curls without going all in.

Curly Fringe

Add a touch of allure to your curly hairstyle by incorporating a fringe. Whether you let a few curls fall softly over your forehead or sweep a fuller set forward, a fringe can instantly create the look of more volume and bounce, enhancing your overall style.

Bold Colored Wig

Regina Hall’s Met Gala look was a whole vibe. It wasn’t just the sleek middle part and silky texture that stood out—the pop of color added an unexpected twist. While achieving shades like pastel pink can be risky for dark roots due to the damage from bleaching, that doesn’t mean you can’t rock the look. A great wig and a boost of confidence are all you need to pull it off without compromising your curls.

Angled Lob

For a chic and sophisticated look, try an inverted lob. This style is cut slightly shorter in the back, allowing for a front that frames your face beautifully. It’s the perfect way to show off your wild locks while adding a touch of elegance to your overall look.

Faux Locs

Protective styles like faux locs offer a great way to switch up your look while giving your hair a much-needed break from daily styling. You can wear them as they are for a sleek, natural vibe, or add colorful hair accessories or highlights to make your locs stand out even more.

Straight Lob

The collarbone-grazing long bob is ideal for straight hair, particularly if your locks lack natural volume. As the ends hit your décolletage, they’ll create a natural flick. To style, use a round brush while blow-drying to curve the hair under your chin, or keep it sleek and straight. Tucking one side behind your ear adds an impression of texture and effortlessly enhances the overall look.

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots serve a dual purpose: they act as a protective style while also stretching coily hair. By twisting wet hair into bantu knots and allowing them to dry, you can achieve stunning beachy waves once you take them down. This technique not only protects your curls but also enhances their natural texture in a stylish way.

Textured Lob

Even the straightest hair can gain texture with the addition of layers. These layers help frame your face, accentuating features like your eyes and cheekbones. For extra volume and texture at the roots, try light backcombing and finish with a spritz of hairspray to hold the style in place.

Hair Wraps

During my journey growing out my Big Chop, wraps became my go-to accessory. Not only did the printed fabrics enhance my wardrobe, but they also helped my hair grow by minimizing manipulation of my 4C coils. While learning to tie a wrap can be tricky, I recommend watching a few tutorials to find a method that suits you best. With a little practice, you’ll be able to style them effortlessly!

straight Side-Parting

A simple way to elevate your hairstyle is by opting for a side parting. Whether it’s your natural part or not, shifting your hair to one side creates a cool, edgier vibe. This is especially effective if you have more hair on one side; parting it on the thicker side can help create balance.

Side Swept Afro

If you’re searching for a style that’s perfect for a special occasion or want to highlight your cheekbones, Kia Marie’s side-swept fro is an excellent choice. This look beautifully frames the face and adds an elegant touch to any outfit, making it a standout option for any event.

CONCLUSION

The journey to finding the perfect hairstyle for natural hair is a personal one. It’s about discovering what makes you feel confident and beautiful. Whether you opt for a classic look like the Afro or a trendy style like the locs, the key is to embrace your natural texture and experiment with different styles. So, go ahead and explore the 15 hairstyles we’ve presented in this article. With a little creativity and care, you can rock your natural hair with style and confidence.