Finger Coils on Natural Hair: Step By Step Guide

For the best results, start on freshly washed and detangled hair. It’s very important that your hair is thoroughly detangled before you start because that will make the process much easier and faster. If you’re due for a trim, now’s a good time to do it; finger coils come out best when your ends are healthy. Start on wet or damp hair and keep a spray bottle of water handy in case your hair starts to dry during the finger coil process. Since you’re using your fingers, you don’t need many styling tools, though a rat tail comb is useful for parting and separating your hair. You’ll also want to use hair clips to keep the rest of your hair separated as you’re creating the coils.

It’s important to use a styling product that will moisturize your hair and provide some hold. A curl cream and/or styling gel works well for finger coils. You want to make sure your hair is saturated with product as you form the coils, just be careful not to use too much, as excess product can cause flaking and it will take your hair much longer to dry. Section your hair, apply your styling product, and twirl the hair around your index finger until you create a tight coil. It’s as easy as that! Just make sure you start at the roots and make your way down to the ends. Repeat until your entire head is done. You can make you coils as small or large as you like, but in general, the smaller the coils, the better the results.

How you decide to style your finger coils is up to you: some people like to wear them as is while others like to separate the coils a bit for more volume. After you finish finger coiling your hair, allow your hair to dry completely. You can air dry, but sitting under a hooded dryer will speed up your drying time and may help your hair set a little better, giving you sleek, long-lasting results. If you decide to separate your coils, be sure that your hair is completely dry first. Add some oil to your fingertips and gently separate the coils, wrapping them around your fingers in the direction you styled them in as you go. For the best results, try not to separate the coils too much.

It’s pretty easy to maintain finger coils and make them last for several days and it’s one of those styles that gets better as it ages. To maintain at bedtime, simply cover your head with a satin bonnet. If you have longer hair, you can use the pineapple method to preserve your finger coils. If your coils start to dry out after a few days, you can use a moisturizer to help revive them and/or redo any coils that have gotten frizzy or lost their shape. Keep reading for 25 beautiful finger coil styles for natural hair.

Finger coils are a great option for a TWA (teeny weeny afro). This is a great way to define your curls and show off your beautiful cut.

These gorgeous finger coils are styled with a side part. You can leave them as is, or separate them a bit for more volume. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this style.

Finger coils are a great choice for medium length hair. They’re easy to maintain and you can leave them as is, or separate them after a few days for more volume if you want to switch up your look.

These gorgeous finger coils are embellished with a glittery bow. Adding hair accessories is a great way to give your styles a more customized look.

Though they may take a little more time and patience, finger coils look great on long hair too. A truly versatile style, finger coils are timeless and beautiful.

Finger coils look great on a classic tapered cut (a haircut that’s shorter in the back and along the sides). It’s also a great way to show off a little pop of color, like these subtle blue highlights.

These gorgeous finger coils are the perfect way to show off this beautiful reddish blonde hair color. Separate the coils a bit for a slightly fluffier, more voluminous look.

These juicy, medium sized finger coils look great styled with a simple head wrap and large hoop earrings. Adding a head wrap, whether it be a colorful patterned wrap, a solid colored scarf, or a bandanna, is a great way to add a little flair to any style.

These gorgeous, shiny finger coils are a stylish choice for any time of year. Play it up with a flawless makeup look and statement earrings.

The key to juicy finger coils like these is moisture, moisture, moisture! Finding the right styling product(s) to give your finger coils the most definition, hold, and hydration will give you great results.

This look proves that finger coils are a great style for natural hair of all lengths. To help preserve this style and make it last as long as possible, trying using the pineapple method and cover with a satin scarf at night.

Whether you decide to keep them intact or separate them for more volume, finger coils are a great way to show off ombre tips.

Adding a pretty flower accessory is a timeless way to embellish any style. It definitely adds a beautiful finishing touch to these flawless finger coils.

To get beautiful, voluminous finger coils, divide your hair into larger sections before creating the coils. Make sure your hair is moisturized and thoroughly detangled for the best results.

These finger coils have been gently separated for a beautiful coil out that give this look more volume and movement.

These tiny finger coils may take some time to create, but they’re worth the wait. The final results are absolutely gorgeous; this style also beautifully highlights this bold blue hue.

These pretty golden brown finger coils are styled with a simple side part, allowing them to frame your face naturally.

Even though finger coils look great on short natural hair, don’t feel intimidated about trying them if you have long hair. They may take a little more time to create, but finger coils look amazing on long hair as well.

Tight finger coils look absolutely gorgeous on these honey blonde curls. The smaller and tighter you make your coils, the longer they’ll tend to last, especially if you use styling products with lots of hold.

These pretty finger coils are slightly separated and fluffed for a gorgeous coil out. This is the perfect style to show off these reddish blonde tips.

These flawless finger coils have lots of volume and bounce. This is a great every day style but it’s perfect for special occasions as well.

Use a few bobby pins to pin up your finger coils along the sides to create a cute curly faux hawk. This is a great way to switch up your look and it only takes a few minutes to do.

To achieve slightly more elongated finger coils, coat your fingers in a lightweight oil once your coils are completely dry, then gently recoil them around your finger while pulling down slightly.

These juicy finger coils are arranged in a cute half up half down style. This is a great way to keep the hair in front out of your face and show off all those bouncy coils.

These beautiful, bouncy finger coils are styled with a side part, giving the hair a gorgeous shape. Finger coils are a great way to show off this vibrant reddish brown hair color.