Top 60 black natural hairstyles for medium-length hair in 2024
Natural medium-length hair is pretty versatile when it comes to styling and plaiting. There are hundreds of black natural hairstyles for medium-length hair to choose from in the present-day world. The look you choose should match the shape of your face and flatter your best features.
Modern African women are embracing black natural hairstyles, especially protective ones. Fortunately, ladies with natural hair can try plenty of options and look unique. You can experiment with those that catch your fancy from the list explored in this article.s
Black natural hairstyles for medium-length hair
There are numerous black natural hairstyles for the present-day African woman with medium-length hair. Check out the looks below for inspiration.
Medium flat twists
The flat twist involves parting the hair into cornrowed sections but flat twisting the hair to the scalp. It takes a short time to achieve this style. The best thing is that it is not too harsh on your scalp and can prevent traction alopecia.
Fancy school girl
School-going girls, teens, and young women normally need simple styles that do not take too long to make. A good alternative to straight-back school lines is the look above.
Loose dreadlocks
Dreadlocks keep your hair in a permanent protective style. Letting your locs loose is perfect for medium-length hair. The best part is they are low maintenance because you will not have to manipulate your hair often.
Good old afro
The good old afro is timeless. If you have naturally kinky, curly, and Afro-textured hair, rock this look. Beware, it requires specific hair products to maintain and some time to comb or style sit every morning.
Twisted dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are low-maintenance, versatile, and are a permanent protective hairstyle. There are numerous ways of styling them. Twisting them makes you look fancy and playful.
Coil twists
Curl enthusiasts have used coil twists for centuries to create intricately detailed hairstyles and protect tresses from breakage. This look is also known as straw twists.
Side-swept braids
If you have medium-length hair, you can do side-swept cornrows with your natural hair only. You can also add hair extensions to make them appear bigger and neater.
Jumbo Bantu knots
Bantu knots are a native African style that allows hair to retain moisture, thus reducing dryness. Besides, they are an easy protective style for growth and length retention.
Medium Bantu knots
People with medium-length hair can also rock medium-sized Bantu knots. The good thing about this style is once you feel the knots have served the purpose, you can unravel them to get loose curled hairstyles.
Dyed naturalista
Allowing your medium-length natural hair to remain loose is a fantastic option, especially after periods of braiding. You can dye your hair in your favourite colour for some extra oomph.
Dreadlock buns
Tying your hair in two cute bun is a fantastic hairstyle for teens and young adults. Besides looking cute, it is an expression of style. You can also add a couple of cowrie shells or beads.
Cornrow-curls combo
If you do not like hair hanging off your face, the look above is perfect. The cornrows at the front of the head keep hair out of your face.
Straight-back cornrows
Straight-back cornrows are timeless. They can be worn to any function. Medium-length African hair is perfect for this style. You can add braid extensions for a neater look. Did you know you can have them in black or any other colour you like?
Fishbone style
Fishbone cornrows are plaited close to the scalp with one thick braid in the centre and thinner cornrows joining the main braid at an angle. This look is good for formal or informal events.
Loose sisterlocks
Sisterlocks are a versatile natural hairstyle that consists of tiny-sized dreadlocks. Unlike dreadlocks that are twisted or rolled, sisterlocks are created using a special tool that builds the locks from the ends of the hair to the root. Letting them loose is fun.
Single jumbo twist
The style above is perfect for a bride who wants to rock her natural hair on her big day. The jumbo twist holds the hair in place and takes it off the face.
Updo braids
One of the most common looks for Black women with medium-length hair is three-strand braids. These last long and are beautiful. You can ask your hairdresser to make medium braids using extensions and style them in a bun.
Authentic Atida
The Atida hairstyle is a traditional look that the modern artistic woman can wear. This look is perfect for women who do not like looking conventional.
Ponytail (with extension)
People with medium-length natural hair can have it blow-dried or heat-treated to style it. They can have it in a pony. Since the hair isn't long, they can add extensions for longer ponytails.
Cornrow updo
Updo cornrows are timeless. They get hair out of your face and are long-lasting.
Short faux locs
Unlike dreadlocks, faux locs are not real and use either synthetic or human hair to achieve the style. People with medium-length hair can install this long-lasting style and let the locs loose or style them however they want.
Loose twists
Two-strand twists are neat and beautiful. Beware that they unravel faster than three-strand braids.
Medium-length braids
Three-strand braids do not always have to be long. You can make them as long as your hair is. They can be curly or straight at the ends.
Styled twists
Two-strand twists can be styled to make them last a little longer. Besides, styling them gives them a unique twist, pun intended.
Fulani-inspired
Fulani braids are known for their signature accessories, including beads and cowrie shells. Accessorising your braids makes you stand out in a crowd.
African bun
Rocking an all-natural bun is fun. The look is easy to maintain. Note that you have to have thick hair to rock the look. If you do not, you can add natural-looking bun extensions.
Zigzag cornrows
Zigzag cornrows are beautiful and give a unique twist to the straight-back style. They are best done on natural hair and braid extensions.
Natural bun with a twist
If an all-black natural bun feels a tad too boring for you, you can spice it up by dyeing the ends of the hair in your favourite colour. You can also add subtle twists to your bun for some oomph.
Half Bantu knots with curls
Bantu knots are quite easy to make when you have natural hair. You can choose to have just three of more knots at the front of your head and let the rest of the hair down. With this hairstyle, you will also show the volume and texture of your natural hair in the best way.
Jumbo natural braids
People with thick, medium-length hair can rock jumbo three-stranded braids effortlessly. This look is ideal for the holiday season when you want to relax and enjoy life.
Twist fishbone
The twist fishbone hairstyles above are elegant and stylish. They are ideal for the modern working woman who embraces her natural hair.
Cornrow-straw twists combo
An interesting way of styling your medium-length natural hair is combining cornrows with straw twists. This look is perfect for casual events.
Twistouts
Twistouts are made by unravelling Bantu knots or regular two-strand twists on natural hair. You can do this style with black or dyed natural hair.
Two jumbo cornrows and a bun
With medium-length natural African hair, you can achieve the two jumbo cornrows and a bun look. You need a seasoned hair stylist to achieve this look.
Wavy cornrows
Wavy cornrows are elegant and classy. They are ideal for young adults and children. They can be worn to formal and informal events.
Criss-cross bun
Fancy fishbone styles
The double fishbone above is perfect for kids. Another elegant alternative is to have mini fishbone buns.
Criss-cross pigtails
Criss-cross hairstyles have become quite common in recent years, especially among cornrow lovers. They are unique, elegant, and classy.
Fancy natural cornrows
Hair stylists have become quite creative. Cornrows can be styled in whichever way you desire. You can use different hair accessories to make your style stand out.
Curly sisterlocks
Sisterlocks are all the rage right now because they are cute and low-maintenance. This is one of the natural hair styles for ladies to try soon.
Cutie pigtails
The combination of cornrows and pigtails above is exquisite. This look is ideal for young kids, especially over the holidays. You can accessorise with cute bows or scrunchies.
Which are the best black curly hairstyles for medium hair?
The best natural hairstyles for medium hair include braids, twists, twistouts, afros, faux locs, sisterlocks, and dreadlocks. Check out the styles above for inspiration.
What are some easy black hairstyles for medium hair?
If you are looking for easy natural hairstyles for ladies with medium hair, you can try cornrows, braids, twists, or Bantu knots. These can be styled in whichever way you desire.
Which are the top natural hairstyles for Black women?
The top natural hairstyles for Black women include braids, cornrows, twists, faux locs, Bantu knots, and many others.
There are many black natural hairstyles to choose from in the present-day world, and many that flatter your best facial features.
Legit.ng recently published a list of ideas for knotless braids with curls. Knotless braids with curls have acquired appeal in the fashion industry.
They are a trendy, natural-looking protective hairdo. Besides, they are versatile when it comes to styling and suitable for any occasion.
Source: Legit.ng
Regina Stets (SEO writer) Regina has been working as a reporter since 2017. She has written numerous publications on various topics, including celebrities, lifestyle, news, and many more. In addition to writing, she is also an English teacher, translator and a volunteer. Her interests are art, psychology and travelling, and she believes in equal rights for everyone. reginastets@gmail.com
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the 2023 Writer of the Year Award. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com