How to Get an Afro Fast

A sassy Afro is an attention-grabbing style not for the timid.

Although it was made popular as a political statement in the 1970s, the Afro is a hairstyle that remained a part of black culture as a low-maintenance, attractive way to wear your natural hair. Since the Afro highlights rather than changes the natural texture of your hair, it can be created more quickly than other hairstyles because no lengthy chemical or heat treatments are necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing shampoo
• Water-based hair moisturizer or natural oil
• Wide-toothed plastic pick

Instructions

1. Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and then dry with a towel until damp. You do not want to remove all of the moisture.

2. Braid slightly damp hair into cornrows or individual braids. Ideally, you should allow your hair to air dry to prevent heat damage from blow-drying. However, depending on how quickly you want to create your Afro, you can use a hand-held or bonnet style blow-dryer to dry your hair fast.

3. Remove the braids after your hair is dry. Your hair will have achieved a fullness which will assist in creating an Afro.

4. Apply a moisturizer to your hair to relieve dryness and to make it more manageable and easy to style. Natural oils, such as jojoba or tea tree, work well for creating moisture. You can also use a water-based spray, lotion, or cream. Hair should be hydrated without being weighed down. Never use heavy products like petroleum jelly or those containing mineral oil, which creates a heavy, visible buildup.

5. Pick your hair out to create an Afro shape. Insert a wide-tooth pick into your hair at the roots and move to the ends to detangle. As your hair begins to become less tangled, begin to pat it into the rounded Afro shape as you go.

References

• Afro Glitz; 2009