There are many kinky hairstyles that you can choose from if you have natural or curly hair. We have compiled a list of 90 amazing kinky hairstyles that will help to inspire you to either try the styles in the images or create something of your own. Natural as well as curly hair can be beautiful and can be styled in a way that suits your personality. You can also gather ideas that you can attempt for days when you are in a rush to leave or don’t want to spend a lot of time styling your hair in the morning.
1. Natural High Ponytail
If you have natural hair or incredibly curly hair, then you know that when you pull it up it will get a bit of a pouf. Why not embrace this pouf and refine some of the curls to get a beautiful hairstyle in only a couple of minutes?
2. Afro
Natural hair has the ability to create many amazing and fun hairstyles such as this large afro which can be styled in various different ways to create a chic look.
3. Dreads
There are very few people out there brave enough to attempt dreadlocks in their hair, and while there are many stereotypes out there that say these locks are dirty it is, in fact, the latter. Dreadlocks are very clean and should be moisturized properly to keep the hair healthy if you want to give them a try.
4. Half Braided
If you have the time and patience, this beautiful style is not only fun and unique but is a nice change from many other styles that you may rely on routinely.
5. Twisted Updo
Twists are much like cornrows and offer many of the same style options except they are thicker. The thickness of these beautiful locks can allow you to create some amazing updos with ease.
6. Comb and Clip
Hairstyles that you can simply clip up make life a little easier as they don’t take nearly as much time as other styles.
7. Curls
Sometimes curly hair can be a little difficult to style, however, if you use a curling iron to enhance your curls you will have a quick and easy style without much effort.
8. Thick Afro
Afro styles come in all shapes and sizes as well as a variety of thicknesses such as the one seen in the image below.
9. Twisted Mohawk
Twists can be styled in a variety of ways including braided into a Mohawk as each rope of hair is thick enough to create the body needed for this particular hairstyle.
10. Box Braids
Box braids are very popular and can be styled in a wide variety of ways such as ponytails, braids, and so much more.
11. Side Parted Afro
Side parting your hairstyles in an excellent option when you want a simple change and can add something a little extra to your style options.
12. French Braided Twists
You can create this style through a variety of different ways such as pinning or truly braiding the hair into the style. Having an option as to the technique you want to use can help you to save time when styling your hair in the morning.
13. Violet Box Braids
Box braids can be done in dozens of different colors and allow you to twist them into fun styles that you can either wear casually or to formal occasions.
14. Side Parted Curls
While some may consider this an afro style, it isn’t quite combed out enough, although it is a curly style with a lot of volumes.
15. Sock Bun
Named after the use of socks to create this look, sock buns are easy for anyone to do with a little patience and practice.
16. Braided Box Braids
Braiding your box braids can create a fun hairstyle and keep your hair from being overly frizzy as well as keeping the kinks controlled.
17. Updos
Natural hair can be styled into many different updos including those that require the hair to be straightened to achieve a specific look.
18. Floral Afro
If you want to spice up your afro, try adding in various decorations such as flowers, clips, and even some kinds of hair jewelry to create a fun style of your own.
19. Wild Afro
Even men can wear wild afro hairstyles that will offer a fun and exciting style that you can easily enjoy whether you are in a hurry or simply styling your hair for the day.
20. Top Pouf
When your hair is super curly or kinky you can always try to smooth it on the top of your head to pull it into a ponytail, then add extra volume to work with the curl rather than against it.
21. Cornrowed Bun
Cornrows are an easy way to deal with overly kinky hair and allows you to keep a style for a few days rather than restyling your hair every morning.
22. Clipped Faux Mohawk
For this look, you will want to dig deep into your old hair clips for a banana clip as it will help gather the hair into a faux Mohawk style atop your head with ease.
23. Big Box Braids
Since you can have box braids of any size, you can always opt for larger braids over smaller ones to achieve the same effect in less time.
24. Loose Sock Bun
You can choose the tightness of any hair style, and sometimes when your hair is extra curly it is best to put it up loosely rather than strangle it into place.
25. Braided Buns
You can style your hair using braids in a wide variety of styles including these chunky braided buns that look like a Mohawk without cutting your hair.
26. Big Bump
Bumped up bangs have been popular for a while and seem to provide a beehive style effect on the hair allowing for a lot of personality to be added to any hairstyle.
27. Beaded Twists
Whether you want twists or box braids, you can always add beads to your hair to ramp up any style you wish to wear just don’t forget the beads are there.
28. Tiny Twists
Like box braids, you can get twists in any size you want to help control your kinky hair into a style that works best for you. You can then style your locks into various different styles using the twists.
29. All Natural
Some days you may not want to fight with your hair, and that is perfectly fine. Just give your hair a nice comb and smooth out some of the tangles to wear it as is.
30. Pulled Back
When you feel as though you cannot style your hair fast enough, simply pull it back whether it is in braids or twists your hair will look amazing.
31. Extra Volume
Even though you may not wear this style out, the added volume at the ends of your hair will make it seem like you have more and the kinky hairstyle is a lot of fun to let loose.
32. Smooth Curls
If you want an elegant look that will help tame your kinky hair, simply grab a curling iron and smooth out the kinks into beautiful curls. Even though this is fairly time-consuming, you can get a beautiful style if you invest the time.
33. Tamed Curls
For those of us who know the pain of curly hair, sometimes you just need to smooth the hair into place and keep the tight curls looking as smooth as possible.
34. Short Twists
Since kinky hair seems to grow slower than hair that isn’t kinky, twists are an excellent option for those who wish to tame the hair without taking scissors to it.
35. Curling and Straightening
Remember that the curler is your friend when you want to tame your frizz into something elegant and sleek like the image below.
36. Perm
If your hair is too wild, you can also take advantage of getting a perm from your hair professional as this will help tame the frizz and make your curls sleeker.
37. Long Box Braids
There are some looks that can only be achieved through extensions and box braids such as this uniquely beautiful style below.
38. Tight Afro
While some afro styles are wild, there are others that are rather neat and tidy as seen in the image below.
39. Curled Twists
If you are getting twists done and you notice your hair is a little shorter, why not try curling the ends of your twists to achieve a unique hair style.
40. Thick Twists
The thicker your twists, the thicker your hair will appear as the density of this hairstyle seems to add more body to the hair than braids and cornrows.
41. Cornrow to Twist Bun
These buns are certainly unique and fun looking, however, if you look closer they are done in twists that have been styled to create these buns.
42. Extra Large Twists
When getting twists this large you will have to keep the weight of the hair in mind as you may feel quite a bit more pulling at the follicles than you would with smaller twists.
43. Dreaded Top Knot
Dreads can also be styled in a variety of different ways including this unique and amazing top knot style which not only keeps your hair out of your face but also the back of your neck.
44. Scarves and Dreads
Scarves are handy for days when your hair is simply unmanageable or you want something different, simply pull it up and secure a scarf around your head and hair for a beautiful style.
45. Keep the Curls
When creating an afro that is neat and clean looking, remember not to over separate the curls of your hair to provide a neater appearance.
46. Pin up Styles
Even those with kinky hair can put their hair into pinup styled looks like the one below created from braids and adorned with a flower.
47. One Inch Twists
Using one-inch square sections of hair to create your twists can provide you with a large twist that can easily be done every other day so you don’t have to worry about the weight.
48. Wild Cornrowed Braids
Styling braids can provide a new world of hair styles that you may have never considered before, like the image below featuring a wild bun-like style.
49. Twisted Top Bun
Though the hair is not up in twists, the sections of the hair are twisted and secured to provide the bun shape with a braided and woven texture.
50. Let it all Hang Loose
When you know your day is going to be filled with relaxation, you have to remember to just let your hair free by simply combing it out and allow it to hang as it may.
51. Top Bun
Whether you choose to have braids or not shouldn’t stop you from trying new styles like this braided top bun that looks a lot like a sock bun.
52. Large Twisted Strand Bun
This bun is created from a braid that has each section of hair twisted to provide a unique texture to the hairstyle as well as add smoothness.
53. Tiny Braids
Smaller braids are very light in comparison to chunky braids and can be styled in a larger variety of ways including this tribal like hairstyle.
54. Smoothed Side Part
Parting your hair shouldn’t be a chore with kinky hair when all you need is a little water and a wide toothed comb that won’t pull apart your curls.
55. Let Loose
Don’t worry about pulling at your hair to get it to cooperate with you as afro styles can be beautiful and fun as well as more tamed locks.
56. Pin Curls
Small curls can be pulled apart easily which is why a wide toothed comb is highly recommended, simply part your hair and touch up some of your curls with a small curling iron.
57. Twisted Rows
Rather than cornrows, try twisted rows that you can pull up and pin into a fun and unique updo without too much hassle when you are in a hurry.
58. Fluffy Dreads
Dreadlocks do go through fluffy phases, and while the style may seem a little more untamed than usual, you can rock this style by arranging your dreads into a wide ended look.
59. Banana Clipped Braid
You can weave your hair into a braided style full of volume then pinch the style between a banana clip to achieve a stylish Mohawk up do with very little fuss.
60. Tiny Dreads
You can do a lot with dreadlocks and the smaller they are the most manageable they happen to be allowing for fun and creative styles like the ponytail below.
61. Large Pullover Twists
One of the best things about braids or twists is that you can pull your hair over to create a part that isn’t really there, adding volume to one side of the hair style.
62. Braided Bang and Stretch Comb Pouf
When you have a little more time to spend on your hair, you should try this style as the bangs are braided around the front of the style allowing everything else to be pulled back by a stretch comb.
63. Zigzag Dutch Braids
Anyone can try this style if they have the patience since you simply section triangular sections of hair then Dutch braid each section creating a zigzag styled part.
64. Curled Dreads
You may have never thought to try this with your dreadlocks, however, you can curl them with a high enough temperature on your curling iron or try clip curlers and some hairspray.
65. All Curls
Adding volume with curls is time-consuming, however, if you have the time to tidy up your curls you can create a beautiful and almost mythical style.
66. Kinky Mohawk
Traditional Mohawks do require you to shave the sides of your head, however, nobody said you couldn’t shave in fun designs like these lines in the image below.
67. Super-sized Twists
While these twists probably contain extensions to achieve the size and volume they create, you can also achieve this size without much difficulty by using larger sections of hair as well as spice it up with your own style.
68. Extra Volume Updo
The hair that has been braided has likely been teased for extra volume, however, it looks extra elegant with the smoothed sides and added bun in the back.
69. Dread Bee Hive
Beehive styles aren’t seen much anymore however they have a gorgeous and surreal look to them when done in tiny dreadlocks. This look may be a bit more difficult to achieve in a short amount of time, however, you can do it with a bit of patience.
70. Dreadlock Ponytail
Some people may tell you that standard ponytail holders won’t work in dreaded hair, so why not try large scrunches’ or scarves to get the look you want.
71. Clipped Braid Afro
Styling an afro can be a bit time consuming, however, this clipped braid look can be done easily as the hair is simply clipped loosely into place.
72. Grown Out Box Braids
Over time your box braids will likely grow out and you may find yourself not having the time to have them redone. However, you can still style your hair and smooth down the baby hairs that have come out of the braids.
73. Top Knot Dreads
Dreads can also be styled into a top knot and you can also let loose a few of them to create a fringe without spending a lot of time getting ready in the morning. Whether you choose to let some of the dreads fall from the bun or secure them tightly into the bun is up to you.
74. Long Tight Curls
When you have kinky hair you may notice that the more you comb it the less your curls come out, however, you can keep your curls by running your comb through less to get a beautiful long hair look.
75. High Ponytail with Dreads
It may seem strange, but putting your dreads into a high ponytail can create an interesting style that is quick and effortless when you are running behind.
76. Full Bodied Curls
Getting a full effect with your curls is easy, simply part your hair around the crown and run a comb through your hair then drop the hair from the top of the head to ensure your curls remain intact.
77. Super Long Curls
The longer your hair is, the bigger your hair will appear when combed or brushed creating a larger hair style without creating an afro effect.
78. Headbands
You will find that headbands can turn any simple hairstyle into something a bit dressier without putting in the effort to style your hair before beginning your day. Simply pulling your hair into a ponytail then adding an ornate or decorative headband can dress up your hairstyle with no extra effort on your part.
79. Half Top Knot
When you cannot decide whether you want your hair up or down, you can always put the top half of your hair up into a ponytail or top knot. While the image below shows a top knot, you can create a variety of different buns or simply clip your hair up to keep it from your face.
80. Banana Clip Mohawk and Bang Bump
Using a banana clip to create a Mohawk like a style, then creating a bang bump in the front can create a fun hairstyle that will fit in both casual and formal settings with ease.
Creating and gaining inspiration from several different kinds of hairstyles can allow you to try out various new things you may not have thought of. While you may not like some of these hairstyles for yourself, they should still bring you some inspiration as to styles you can create and enjoy. Your hair can create an endless number of styles if you have the time and patience to experiment with a variety of techniques to find what works best for you. Each of these styles can be created from kinky and curly hair or straight styles with a little time as well as practice and prep.
