35 Transitioning Hairstyles for Short Hair

In general, the shorter your hair, the shorter your transition will be because you’ll eventually reach a point where your natural hair is longer than your relaxed hair and you’ll likely start to get the urge to chop. Those with long hair sometimes cut their transition short once they reach a comfortable length, and many people end up cutting their hair sooner than they planned, for a variety of reasons. Some of the universal challenges associated with transitioning include breakage, especially at the line of demarcation (the point where your natural hair and relaxed hair meets), tangles, and finding styles that allow you to blend both textures. Some people also struggle with excessive dryness while they learn how to keep their “new” natural texture moisturized.

Despite the challenges, there are several benefits to transitioning as well. For starters, it gives you the time to “mentally” transition and get used to seeing yourself with textured hair. This is important because it’s something that’s often overlooked. It’s very common to cut your hair and feel self-conscious about your new look. Transitioning takes some of the shock out of that process and lets you move at your own pace. Transitioning also give you an opportunity to practice styling and caring for your natural texture. Styles like the braid and curl and rod sets are great for transitioning and by the time you cut the rest of your relaxed hair, you’ll have a variety of styling methods under your belt. Here are 35 transitioning styles for short hair to help make your transition a little easier.

This simple but cute style is great for those new to transitioning. It’s easy to do and low maintenance, so you should be able to get a least a few days out of it before it’s time to restyle. Cover your hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to preserve overnight.

Perm rod sets are one of the best styles for transitioning hair because they allow you to easily blend the two textures and create pretty curls. Use a moisturizing styling product with lots of hold for the best results.

The braid and curl is another great style for both transitioning hair and natural hair. Using perm rods allows you to create curls on your straight ends to help them blend better with your natural hair. Use a product with moisture and hold to make this style last as long as possible.

Here’s another great braid and curl style for transitioning hair. To achieve this style, you can cornrow all of your hair and add perm rods to the ends, then leave some of the cornrows intact to create a really beautiful final look.

Pin curls are a classic styling method that works great on short transitioning hair. This also a great option if you haven’t yet mastered other methods of creating curls (like twists or braids). Start on damp hair and use a styling mousse or another product with soft, flexible hold.

If you start your transition with a tapered cut, then the sides and back of your hair will be the first to become fully natural. Styling the rest of your hair with a rod set is a great way to work around this and blend those two textures.

Bantu knots are another great method for creating uniform curls on transitioning hair. For the best results, start on damp (not wet) hair, and use a styling product with flexible hold.

Protective styles like kinky twists are a great option for transitioning hair, especially if you’re in a styling rut. Kinky twists will allow you to take a much needed break from daily styling.

Here’s another great braid and curl style for short transitioning hair. For more defined curls, make your braids smaller and use smaller perm rods on the ends. Use a pick or your fingers to gently separate the curls after taking them down, but be careful not to separate them too much.

These gorgeous chunky flat twists are a great option if you want a transitioning style that will keep your ends tucked away.

These pretty dutch braids can be done on any texture, but they’re a great option for transitioning hair because they’ll keep your fragile ends tucked away.

This simple but pretty flat twist low bun is an easy style to execute on transitioning hair. It’s low-maintenance, so you can wear it to work, to the gym, or wherever else your busy schedule may take you.

This gorgeous style on short natural hair can easily be replicated on short transitioning hair with the help of the right products. Make your twists small and use small perm rods on the ends. Flat twist the hair around the hairline to finish off the look.

These pretty chunky halo braids can be created with or without the help of added braiding hair. In general, adding braiding hair will allow your styles to last a little longer.

Here’s another cute way to rock a braid and curl on transitioning hair. Leaving a braid partially intact is an easy way to switch up your look. Use larger perm rods to create more voluminous curls.

This is a great transitioning style for short hair. Flat twist the hair towards the crown of the head, add gold beads, and arrange the hair into a high bun. Add braiding hair to help create the bun, if desired.

These neat, chunky flat twists are a beautiful, regal way to style short transitioning hair. This style will also help protect your hair from breakage.

Here’s another gorgeous Bantu knot out on transitioning hair. Leave a few of the Bantu knots intact to recreate this look.

This is a gorgeous style for short to medium length transitioning hair. Style the front of the hair into neat flat twists and use flexi rods to create soft, loose curls in the back.

To create this style, simply flat twist your hair straight to the back, then arrange the ends of the twists into a chic low ponytail.

If you have a short tapered cut, use different sized perm rods to create this look. Use a pick to gently fluff your curls after takedown.

For this gorgeous style, flat twist the hair towards the crown and curl the ends with perm rods to create a cute curly frohawk.

This chic flat twisted updo is a perfect option no matter where you are in your transitioning journey.

If you have trouble getting your Bantu knots to stay in place, try using bobby pins to help secure them, as pictured here. This is a great way to create pretty curls on transitioning hair.

Here’s another cute style you can create with flat twists. Just bobby pin the twists into place at the nape of the neck.

Try blowing out your hair and creating a beautiful braided Mohawk like the one pictured here. This is a great way to get used to seeing yourself without bone straight hair.

You can never go wrong with box braids. Create these gorgeous bob-length box braids with or without added braiding hair. Add a few gold beads for embellishment.

This pretty Bantu knot out leaves three Bantu knots intact on one side of the head. Wrap a little gold cord around the Bantu knots for an elegant touch of embellishment.

This beautiful transitioning style combines cornrows and soft curls created with the help of perm rods.

This is a simple but pretty way to style transitioning hair. Simply braid your hair and add some colorful beads to the ends.

These gorgeous halo braids are a great option for short transitioning hair. They’ll keep your ends tucked away and help you seamlessly blend the two textures.

These pretty braids are adorned with wooden beads. This is a great way to switch up your look while you’re growing out your hair.

Here’s another cute frohawk style for short transitioning hair. Use perm rods to create the curls and gently separate and fluff them with your fingers to create more volume.

This style combines flat twist and curls which can be created by twisting the hair and wrapping perm rods around the entire length of the twists.

When all else fails, you can’t go wrong with flat twists. These flat twists are styled into a chic chignon at the nape of the neck.