Twists, Braids & Beach Days: Top 10 Black Hairstyles for Summer
By Presley Sam and Zaina Mwangi
It’s already May, and summer is only a month away. With the warm weather on the horizon, you would like to be looking your best when you’re outside having fun, which is why we are giving you the list of our top 10 best hairstyles to wear and dominate during the summer.
- Bantu Knots
To start our list, Bantu Knots are more than just a hairstyle, their cultural root gives you a sense of pride when you wear them; they are also one of the best protective styles that maintain moisture and encourage the growth of healthy hair. They also look incredible on black people.
- Butterfly Locs
Next, we have butterfly locs. An older style, butterfly locs are thicker and have a larger variation of dreadlocks consisting of a textured and distressed appearance. This style was popular amongst black women around 2020-2022 and while older, it has never looked wrong, and a potential return this summer could have heads turning.
- Afro
Not much explanation is needed here. Afros are one of the most classy and professional styles one could wear. While it is very high maintenance, the hairstyle will be worth it in the end for that summer-glow look.
- Boho Braids
In my opinion, Boho-style Braids are one of the most unique styles one could get. It’s hard to go wrong with this look. The term “Boho”, short for Bohemian, refers to the relaxed, “undone” look with the braids. The style can also be accompanied by various hair dyes and colors for an even more unique look. Great style for those looking to explore creative options!
- Mini-Fro with Taper Fade
For our men, this is one of the most attractive hairstyles one could get. The style itself is very simple, but you know what they say, “less is more.” It is low maintenance but has a high impact. With the taper fade, you will look cool and clean 24/7 in the summer heat.
- Two Strand Twist
Made by twisting two thin strands of hair together, two-strand twists are a style that can go with any type of hair and fit the style of many different occasions. Both men and women could rock this hairstyle with or without locs. The best part isn’t even having the two strands themselves, but instead the twist-out you achieve once you take out the strands, which really is a two-for-one!
- Locs
Possibly the most popular hairstyle among the black community, dreadlocks, shortened to locs, consists of hair that is tangled and twisted together, forming into a strong “locked” ropey appearance. Locs can be styled with many types of hairstyles, including wigs! Locs are very low maintenance, but will have you looking good!
- Barrel Twist
A gender-neutral style, barrel twist has to be up there for the most classy, professional, clean, and neat styles one could get. There is no way to go wrong with barrels. You could do half barrels with half two strands, barrels with braided ends, and more. Personally, Barrel twists are my go-to style when I get a re-twist, and I will definitely be spamming this style throughout the warm months.
- Cornrows
Whew! Don’t even get me started on cornrows. The gender-neutral style, big forehead or not, will look good. They make your facial features pop, and when fresh, are very neat, creating a nice, professional, clean look. Within cornrows, you can do many style variations as well, making it versatile. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with cornrows.
- Fulani Braids
Fulani Braids—boy, oh boy, where should we even begin? I’ve never seen Fulani Braids look bad on someone. The origins of this hairstyle are rooted in the Fulani people of West Africa, and focus on the geometric patterns they form. Fulani Braids deserve the number one spot because, as we mentioned earlier, they look great on anyone, rounding off our top 10 Black hair styles of the summer!