Tapered natural hair is perfect for women who want a short style with options. Long sections throughout the crown give you the ability to create a look that suits your fashion sense and lifestyle needs. The following tapered styles offer comfortable lengths and great silhouettes, as well as cool hair color ideas. Your natural hairstyle will look modern and classy thanks to tapering, so give it a chance.
@american_salon
One of the best tips to remember when it comes to unprocessed hair is to sometimes just let it be. Loading it with products or trying to mold it into different shapes can result in lackluster looks. Instead, just use a little bit of molding pomade on your hair and turn your focus onto playing up your facial features with items like false lashes and highlighter.
This gradient crop gets a colorful lift from harmonizing hues. Because your hair is so short, don’t try to cram too many colors in there. Stick with one or two complementary hues like caramel and burgundy.
@salonpk
For a retro yet cute look, channel the late Prince’s Purple Reign hairdo with a long side bang and tapered nape. The iconic style looks modern with an ornate septum piercing and chunky hoops.
@astoldbybrittanyd
Natural hair can take on whatever texture you choose as long as you know what tools to use. Surprisingly, to get really tight and thin curls in short styles, you may have the item in your home already – straws! The drinking utensil is used to create an enviable look when setting wet hair.
@njnaturalstyles
If you have a square or angular face, it can be difficult to add softness without loose layers and waves. Mimic the wavy pattern of delicate curls by having your hairline cut into a curved shape to frame the face and direct the eye to the fullest part of the cheek.
@stepthebarber
Cut with graduation at the back, this hairstyle is not only stylish, but easy to maintain too – something all of us can appreciate. Color your hair a soft burgundy hue to liven things up.
@ciliciarene
Faded hairstyles don’t need to be understated – in fact, going bold with a vibrant and statement-making color is one of the advantages of having short hair. It’s affordable to both dye and maintain. On your next trip to the salon, go outside of the box with a bright orange, cool turquoise, or an expressive hot pink.
@salonchristol
If you want color but don’t want to go too extreme, you can flaunt this trendy twist-out style without going overboard. Curly-haired girls look beautiful with just the tips of their strands colored. Have your hair cut into a short taper to maximize the coil in your curls, and then add either temporary or permanent dye in the hue of your choice.
@lisavirgo
While many graduated styles involve shearing the sides of the head, that isn’t always the case. A graduated cut can present that closely cropped signature style while still leaving curls moderately full. Simply tell your stylist you’d like to go easy on the sides.
@mrskj5
Want to soften the face and still have some styling options with short hair? Try a cut cropped at the back, with long bangs and a crown section. Allow curly front sections to graze the forehead for a softer, more feminine twist on short hair.
@deecarrington
Take a walk on the verge of the wild side with some tiger orange locks combined with a back tapering. This hairstyle allows hair to flow free and stay away from the damage that comes from daily styling – just wake up, wash, and go!
@n_baduism
Maybe your hair isn’t naturally curly, or you prefer the look of relaxed tresses. You can still experiment with tapered natural hairstyles. Try a sort of Mohawk with cropped sides and the graduated length towards the nape of the neck. Brush the top section of hair straight back and spritz with an all-day holding spray.
@sorayahstyles
We often think that short hair restricts our hair styling creativity. Try an ombre hair color on your curly black hair to liven things up. Purple, blue, green, and red are some color options that work well.
@shaddah_elyse
There are so many stylish hair options for women who want to wear their hair short. Contoured afros are chic and easy to maintain. Keep your natural curl and simply liven it up a bit with a modern cut that still looks feminine.
@scissorhappychante
Your hairstyle can become a truly beautiful statement piece. Not only does it tell the world you have an incredible sense of style, but it really looks unique. No two tapers are the same when you pair them with natural curls.
@vanitybydanit
If your curls are tight and tiny, consider this cute cut that will simplify your mornings and keep your fashion sense on point. Color your locks a fun honey blonde to liven up hair that feels dull and drab.
@salonpk
Want to try a shorter style without compromising on personal expression? Check out this cut for those blessed with corkscrew curls. Upgrade your coils with a deep hue like burgundy, dark purple, or caramel brown.
@deecarrington
This hairdo adapts to your comfort zone, letting you choose the length that suits your lifestyle. For this style, try longer, fluffy curls on top with shorter twisted coils on the sides and back. The end result? A beautiful girly style that descends in both length and texture.
@loopsalon
Accentuate your hairstyle with a side fade that is beautifully lined up on the temples. This is the ultimate in wash-and-go styling, with a mini afro on top and cropped, barely-there sides.
@starlinerz
Afro hairstyles certainly don’t need to stick to the basic black. In fact, pretty much any hue looks gorgeous on black hair, providing you with endless options. Try a golden blonde to add a luxurious sheen to your curls.
@haircolorkilla
Instead of dying the entire head, go for just one or two signature sections. A brightly colored accent can be placed at the nape of your neck, to the side, or even in bangs. There really aren’t any rules – it’s all about style and individuality.
@shaddah_elyse
The long hair taper is currently very popular among women and men. It gives you plenty of strands to curl and set in whatever position you find it to be most flattering. Large curls free of sticky, crunchy styling products are a great option.
@360_hairstudio
If you want to refresh your style, experiment with an accent color and teeny tiny ringlets that are easy to manage and fun to wear. If your hair isn’t naturally this tightly curled, you can get it set as such during your next salon visit.
@rimmysparkles
Wavy hair looks a bit more subdued but certainly still just as stylish. Like many tapered natural hairstyles, this cut looks smart and professional, making it ideal for everywhere from the office to the club.
@sorayahstyles
One of the best styles is what Mother Nature has given you – with just a bit of help added in. Let your hair grow in its own natural texture and direction, and then clip the sides and back. Add in some accent color, and you’ve accomplished a breezy, laid-back style for natural hair.
@haircolorkilla
Twist-outs bring definition, volume, and versatility to natural hair in a way few styles can. Simply wash, condition, and twist your hair in sections, allowing them to dry at night. For shorter pieces, twirl pieces around your pointer finger to create coils.
@consciouslylisa_
Take your hairdo to the next level with a fun pop of color. Red is perfect because you can also brighten your face with a lipstick in the same hue. Make sure that the rest of your outfit is neutral to keep distractions at bay.
@american_salon
Shaved designs in Black hairstyles are nothing new, as men have been getting unique cuts at barbershops for decades. Now, ladies have taken over the trend and made it their own with feminine flair like the flower petals shown here.
@moiso_london
Just because you have a haircut with graduated sides and back does not mean that you have to sacrifice length. By keeping just a small section shaved and the rest chin-length or longer, you can create many different styles. Blow dry and part down the middle for a bob, or pull it up for a flirty, fun look.
@timasamad
If you have a round face, but want to wear your hair in a short afro, this is the right way to do it. Often referred to as a “shape-up,” shaving a tapered edge around your hairline adds sharp angles and structure to curvy cheeks.
@thechrissiewise
Curly hair looks best when it is not weighed down by a bunch of hair products. To define spirals, ask your stylist for soft highlights that will give your hairdo dimension and shape.
@modernsalon
When choosing tapered natural hairstyles, the main thing to take into consideration is face shape. If you have a wide or round face, a narrow Mohawk style will only make your visage look fuller. Remedy this by coordinating the width of your hairdo with the high points of your cheekbones.
@being_melody
Thick, coarse hair can be hard to highlight, especially if it is short. Instead of opting for fine sections of color throughout, create an ombre effect by only coloring the crown of the cut. A few shaved lines will also add visual interest.
@reginastylistandbarber
This tapered pixie is styled using flexi-rods to create lush spirals without heat. To get the look, just wrap sections of wet hair at night and wake up to a head full of bouncy curls.
@modernsalon
It can be hard to find a color that really pops on short graduated haircuts and still looks sophisticated. By mixing brown and red, you can create a deep wine hue that is vibrant and rich.
@naturalhairrebel
If your mornings are more “grab coffee, go” than “twist and fluff,” this cut gets it. Short, tidy, and always ready – no mirror pep talks required.
@welldiva
Let your natural beauty shine through with a haircut that doesn’t offer any distractions. Soft, cropped curls and slick baby hair draw attention to bold brows and beautiful eyes. Plus, this easy look is the epitome of a wash-and-go hairstyle.
@modernsalon
Tapered hairdos usually have more length throughout the crown with shorter sides and back. But you can also choose a look that is slightly spiked at the front with an even length around.
@sunflowersandscissors
It’s amazing how textured hair can be transformed by simply adding an etched line. The design makes the hairstyle modern and trendy. Plus, when you grow tired of it, all you have to do is let your hair grow out.
@amadivabeautysalon
Less is more does not always apply to tapered haircuts for natural hair. If your personality is over the top, you deserve a hairdo to match. Bright blonde highlights and an intricate design are just what you need to set your style apart from the masses.
@alexisdontgiveafunk
Tapered natural styles leave plenty of room to play. You can keep it simple with a close crop or lean into color, texture, or shaved detailing – whatever feels most like you. It’s a shape that adapts, not one that limits.
