Create the Perfect Afro Puff Even On Hair As Short as 3 inches

There will probably not be a time in your natural hair journey that will be more exciting than the first BC (big chop). However, the fear turned excitement turned liberation can quickly turn back into fear when you realize you have no idea what to do with your ‘do.

The period following the BC is the perfect time to start building a relationship with your kinks, coils and twists. It is also the time when your hair needs the most loving care and when you will teach it how to retain moisture.

Instead of covering it up and waiting for it to grow out, try these cute and easy variations on the classic afro puff.

All of these styles should begin with damp, moisturized hair. If it is not wash day use a spray bottle to dampen hair and apply a creamy moisturizer. This style will work with hair as short as 1 inch.

Tools

 Spray bottle-to dampen hair

Creamy moisturizer

Pomade, gel or edge control product

Wide tooth comb

Soft bristled brush

Hard bristled brush-for taming nape and edges

Large ouchless headband

Satin scarf (optional) to tie down edges for extra sleekness

View the video below to see the variations of the afro puff:

Puffed Up

 The secret to a full puff on short hair is to not put the hair in a ponytail but to use a headband to create the puff.

1. Moisten hair and apply moisturizer
2. Use wide tooth comb and soft bristled brush to direct hair upward to the top of the head
3. Place the large headband around your neck
4. Apply edge control, pomade or gel around the edges and nape and smooth with the soft brush
5. Pull headband up to forehead and using both hands slide the headband upward until desired puff side is reached. The farther back you slide the band the smaller the puff will be
6. Fluff out puff, smooth edges and add hair accessories if desired

Puffed Out

 1.  Complete steps 1-5 above

2.  Instead of pulling the headband straight back pull one side of the band over to the side

Ex. If you want the hair to fall to the right pull the left side of the band over to the right

3.  Continue to step 6 above. Fluff hair to cover the band.

Puff Around

 1.  Part hair from ear to ear and create a short side part on whichever side you prefer

2.  Create a braid or flat twist on each side of the part to frame the face (use of a holding product is optional)

3.  Use bobby pins to secure the ends of each braid at the back of the head

4.  Fluff out remaining hair

Optional: For each style you may tie a satin scarf around the perimeter of the hair for a few minutes to further tame edges and nape.