Black hair short on sides long on top

♲ Photos updated on November 11, 2022

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 inspiring pictures of this year’s most popular short hairstyles for black women.

#1: Stunning 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.

#2: Egyptian-Inspired Fringe

An avante-garde twist on braids is an Egyptian-inspired fringe. A combination of braids and twists, one of the best ways to soften the fringe and make it fuller is by 2 strand twisting the ends to create the look. Wear your hair like this and you’ll be sure to turn heads with awe!

#3: Beautifully Blonde Textured Bob

#4: Curly Pixie for Black American Women

Described as a short curly pixie cut, it’s extremely feminine yet radical. This is a good example of short cuts for black women that works with any face shape. 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.

#5: Beautiful Brush Piece

A beautiful brush piece is an option for ladies who wear wigs or quick weaves. If you choose to opt for the quick weave, be sure that your stylist is a razor-cutting guru. That will help to give it an edgy and jazzy style. But my favorite, a wig, is the option that allows you to remove it when you want.

#6: Naturally Tapered Short Cut with Lightning Bolt Design

If you love curly pixies you should try a naturally tapered short cut with a lightning bolt design. If you have natural curls, you will love this crop as its shorter to longer shape not only flatters kinkier, coiled hair but will also keep the heat off your neck with the tapered design.

#7: Natural Wavy Pixie

Consider a pixie if you’re wanting to start your hair care journey over from the beginning. By chopping off mid-strand and ends, you can focus on the new growth of your roots for healthy hair. Now, unless your hair is naturally wavy, salon visits are frequent at this length for most black women in order to help maintain a good look.

#8: Sexy Natural Tight Curls

Embrace your kinks with naturally tight curls! The key to wearing tight curls is keeping them moisturized. When your tight curls dry up, they tend to tighten up more and cause breakage. Ask your stylist for the best take-home moisturizer based on your hair porosity. A daily comb-out with moisturizer will easily have you turning heads in admiration!

#9: Perfect Taper Fade for Natural Curls

A taper fade for natural curls is the perfect cut to maintain the edges of your natural hair while giving the longer top hair a place to shine. To keep the sides tapered, your 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.

#10: Chic Short Finger Waves with a 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.

#11: Sleek 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!

#12: Short Afro Mohawk with Designs

Look fresh and fun with these designs on a short afro mohawk. The curly hair twist hairstyling with dark tips definitely achieves that look.

#13: Naturally Full Curly Bob

Let your envy-inducing locks go wild with a natural short bob hairstyle for a black woman! Use your stylist-recommended products to show off your natural hairstyles structure and volume effectively!

#14: Sweet Ear-Length Straight Hair with Side-Swept Bangs

Go for an ear-length rounded bob haircut with side-swept bangs that are very sweet and sassy. The dark maroon hair color not only showcases the smooth strands but also complements the complexion perfectly! Ask your stylist about your styling options for this short hairstyle for black women!

#15: Vivid Short Purple Balayage Feathered Hair

Add some major pop into your life with a gorgeous short feathered style with purple hair color. It’s one of my favorite vibrant short haircuts for black women!

#16: Simple 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.

#17: Pin Curl Black Hairstyle

These short pin curls are on fire with this red and orange blend. The short style sure gives your hair fullness and a unique definition.

#18: Stylish 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.

#19: Edgy Undercut with a Shaved Design

The undercut designs on this short black hairstyle are a perfect example of new trends that go well with a curly pixie cut. The natural black base plus the black color in this short hairstyle with a shaved design looks dope, too!

#20: 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?

#21: Faux Locs Bob Crochet

This neck-length cut has unique crochet tresses that only black ladies can really pull off.

#22: Cute 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.

#23: Amazing 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.

#24: Versatile Side-Parted Pixie with Layered Bangs

It’s a traditional choppy pixie haircut with layered bangs and a side-part for more drama. 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 your bangs or flip them back for a versatile style.

#25: Gorgeous Silver Pixie Cut for Older Women

This is a gorgeous choppy pixie cut for older women with gray hair. The best thing about this short hairstyle is that it’s lightly curled so it goes in any direction that you want. Keeping your cut simple doesn’t require too much maintenance. It’s a great hairstyle for older ladies on the go. You will have to use a silk scarf at night, wake up and add just a little oil. If you bleach your hair to achieve this look, then oil will most definitely be necessary.

👉 See more short natural hairstyles for black women over 50

#26: Short Gold Pixie with a Surgical Line

Here’s an impressive short black haircut with a surgical line for thick hair. It requires a lot of moisturizing that consists 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.

#27: Trendy Bob Haircut with Box Braids

This look features short bob plaits and gives the braids distinct characteristics that will last. Braids in themselves are also good for hair growth if properly done and cared for. 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. Ladies must stay away from the perms! Short hair styles for black women like this one look best on ladies with long thin faces.

#28: Beautiful Pixie Waves

The best way to describe this is as a wavy short hairstyle for black women. This short pixie with waves is universal because it frames your face when styling. Your stylist will adjust the curls to lay in a certain position to accommodate and flatter your face shape.

#29: Boyish Messy Pompadour Undercut

Opt for a short hairstyle like this messy pompadour. Ladies wanting to try this look should be willing to rock this cut! The cut itself supports the style, so there is no need for heavy sprays and spritzes. This is one of the more trendsetting short hairstyles for African-American women. If you are adventurous, and a live-on-the-edge type of woman, go for it! This style is most flattering on women with fuller faces because the height and closeness on the sides give a slimming appearance.

#30: Short Disconnected Cut with Full Side Fringe

A pretty short disconnected cut is an edgy and interesting trend to try if you’re bored with long hair. The way the strands fall in the front of the face is gorgeous. Also, the layers that were created for this cropped cut are a soft, feminine touch to complete your look. This style is very low-maintenance and you don’t need to use a lot of products.

#31: Modern Blonde Pixie Cut with Waves

A blonde pixie cut with waves is bold, and vibrant, and it’s a statement! For a lady with naturally curly hair that’s thinking about this look, take a close look at the health of your 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?

#32: Teenie Weenie Afro (TWA) for African-American Ladies

This is an extra short TWA (teenie weenie afro) crop.  Short hairstyles like this can be rocked by all natural-haired women with or without color in their locks. TWA short hairstyles for black women are perfect for every type of woman. An oval-shaped face is ideal, but if you don’t have that bone structure, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear what makes you happy.

The best 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. If you’re considering wearing this haircut, make sure you are certain you would like a shorter look if going for a big chop because the grow-back process can be bumpy.

#33: Unique Cropped Cut for Natural Curls

Go for a cropped haircut for natural curls, which is one of the most gorgeous short black hairstyles. 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.

#34: Feminine Chocolate Brown Pixie Cut

Go for a curly haircut that is a fun and feminine pixie cut. 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.

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.

#35: Modern Buzz Cut for Ladies

Women with short black hair tend to have fun and bold personalities to match their looks. This shaved cut certainly brings a different kind of femininity.

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