Cute Style Options for Short Natural Hair....Office Suitable.

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  A major concern I intially had about doing a complete big chop wasn't really dealing with my natural texture. It was moreso about style options that would be available because I do not like wearing my hair the same way day in and day out. Another understandable concern I faced as a career woman was having short natural hair in a VERY conservative career environment. In an ideal perfect non-bias world  my hair should not matter as long as I can complete my job duties...however I live in the real world and yes my hair does in fact matter along with my overall appearence. So I've had to find ways to not only please my self but also my employeer. My low fade haircut has now grown to a ear length afro, and its kind of a wierd length to deal with, especially when the shrinkage element is added into the equation. Dont get me wrong I'm stoked about the growth as this means I'm closer to my goals of a fierce full blow out fro....BUT this ear length has its limitations.
    My hair health is first and foremost no matter what style I chose to rock for the day.
 I'm all for protective styles especially during this winter season and of course full wigs provide ultimate style versatility. However I can no longer just throw my wig cap on my head without first securing my tresses. Now to avoid tangle issues and single strand knots I always fingercoil my hair after I co-wash.
 It is a easy process of sectioning the hair while wet so its easier to manage, applying moisture to the hair and coiling the hair around the index finger. Their are other techniques including using a comb to coil...or even using the boar bristle brush and brushing in circular motions. I prefer to finger coil for a tighter coil and to avoid tangling during the process.

Also using a curl enhancement cream is ideal to ensure the ends fully coil and are not frizzy. I suggest a full natural mixture of Shea Butter and Olive Oil, or a product I currently enjoy is Organics Shea Moisture Smoothie. Simply apply your choice of moisture product thru the hair and coil. Once the hair is fully dry *either naturally overnight or I will sit under a hooded dryer* I then put a satin wig cap over the coils and secure a wig over it as a style.
 I personally do not like to wear the set fingercoils as an actual style, but I do enjoy the coilout as a cute natural look.

  Later during the week normally 3 days or so after the intial co-wash, I then wear my hair as a coil out, as shown above. You don't comb the coils that may cause un-required damage. You simply loosen the coils by twisting them in the opposite direction that you coiled it. Once the coils are lossened then massage the scalp to blend together any parts or sections and make a more uniformed style. I really enjoy this look and the versatility of it as a low manipulative styling option.

   Shingling is another short hair option that I have grown to adore. I dont do this option very often because it requires that I comb my curly type 4A/B hair. Which is fine...but only in moderation. The key to minimizing any damage with this style is to fully detangle the hair in the shower and only shingle the VERY wet hair. Also use leave in conditoner that is very moisture rich so the comb literally glide thru the hair as much as possble.

Miss Jessies Curly Pudding

Some people prefer to use products such as Miss Jessies Curly Pudding to Shingle the hair, because it is thick and provides a moisture buffer enabling the comb to glide thru. I however again prefer to use Organics Shea Moisture Smoothie. In my opinion the Miss Jessies product can be to heavy on the hair and leave it feeling like a built up gooky feel, that I do not care for. Whatever product you decide the technique is the same. For best results apply your moisture curl enhancement product all over the hair and rub it thru.  Re-wet the hair to make sure its as wet as you can tolerate. Then in small sections use a rat-tail comb and camb the product thru the hair. YES you read that correctly...rat-tail comb! So it is inparitive you really detangle your hair, make sure each section you are working with is saturated wet and take your time to gently comb thru small sections at a time. If you rush thru in large sections the curls may not "pop" as well and you could snag and pull your hair. Its also very much okay to be heavy handed with the curl enhancement product..its quit normal to see your hair look white with product before its fully dry...

Completed Wet Shingling using Organics Shea Moisture Smoothie

Once the hair fully dries it should not be white or see any residue or product. To help move the drying process along, you could use a blow dryer with a diffuser attached on a low setting. This can help enhance the coil/curl texture. Also do not further manipulate the coils as this will lead to frizzy hair once dry.

Shingling is a beautiful way to really show your natural texture in any style. For a more secure hold you could also shingle with hair gel such as Eco-Styler, S-Curl Activator gel or pomades.
And of course don't be afraid to accessorize:0)...headbands, cute flower and feather clips, etc...are awesome with shorter hairstyles as well as long hair.
I hope these suggestions help ease the anxiety of what to do with your hair once you decide to go for the chop. Please Subscribe and thanks so much for reading.