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Home • Hair

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends

As the natural hair movement continues to thrive, the past 12 months were ripe with fabulous hair trends. Naturalistas coast-to-coast dazzled in sky-high topknots, stunning twist-outs and haute hair colors. Here are some of the 2012 styles that left us in awe.
By Nicole Marie Melton · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Angelique Henson attends the Naturally Happy Hair Mixer in Houston, Texas.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
02
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Tammie McNair attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
03
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Kendra Conway attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
04
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Aevin Dugas attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
05
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Melody Wells attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
06
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Celena McAfee attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
07
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Monika Ellis attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
08
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Maria Abasi attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
09
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Shana Herrdon attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
10
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Sonia Castleberry shows off her hot hair while out-and-about in New York City.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
11
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Nina Washington attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
12
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Sheron Fitzgerald attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
13
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Rochelle Bryant attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
14
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Jessica Gray flaunts her hot hair at Howard University’s homecoming in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Nyki Elle Photography
15
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Kayla McMichael stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
16
Hair Trend: Twist-Outs

Alexis Williams shows off her hot hair while out-and-about in New York City.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
17
Hair Trend: Bold Braids

Jazmine Hade Harrod attends the P-3 Beauty Tea in Atlanta, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
18
Hair Trend: Bold Braids

Erica Bell attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
19
Hair Trend: Bold Braids

Deborah Camara attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
20
Hair Trend: Bold Braids

Rhoda L. Whitfield attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, CA.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
21
Hair Trend: Bold Braids

Lakita Balden attends the Kinks and Kicks Launch Party hosted by Naturally Supreme in Houston, Texas.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Douglas Sutton
22
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Selly Raby Kane shows off her hot hair at the Lincoln Center during Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week Spring 2013.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
23
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Latoya Swoope shows off her hot hair while out-and-about in New York City.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
24
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Ashli Pace flaunts her hot hair at Howard University’s homecoming in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Shocphoto Imagery
25
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Searra Hazel flaunts her hot hair at Howard University’s homecoming in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Nyki Elle Photography
26
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Nia Testamark stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
27
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Giovanna Murphy shows off her hot hair while attending BK Fashion Weekend in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
28
Hair Trend: Sky-High Topknots

Rosemary Kokuhiua shows off her hot hair at Lincoln Center during Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week Spring 2013.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
29
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Dion Walker attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
30
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Anjoli Cody attends the P-3 Beauty Tea in Atlanta, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
31
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Karon Ward attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
32
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Christina Hardial attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
33
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Shelia Robinson attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
34
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Danielle Finney attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
35
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Victoria Facyson attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
36
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Ayana Edwards attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
37
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Joi Duvall flaunts her hot hair at Howard University’s homecoming in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Shocphoto Imagery
38
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Shalawn Willis attends the P-3 Beauty Tea in Atlanta, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
39
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Marchet Sparks stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
40
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Jessica Williams attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
41
Hair Trend: The Big Chop

Johnika Ginyard attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
42
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

April Odom attends the P-3 Beauty Tea in Atlanta, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
43
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Tammy Williams attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
44
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Athenaelle Paul shows off her hot hair at the Lincoln Center during Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week Spring 2013.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
45
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Elise Peterson shows off her hot hair while out-and-about in New York City.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
46
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Mariama Mounir Petrolawicz shows off her hot hair while attending Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
47
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Fatou N’Diaye attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
48
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Ebone Smiley attends the P-3 Beauty Tea in Atlanta, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
49
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Kisha Monagun attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
50
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Kamille Beavers attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
51
Hair Trend: Amazing Afros

Wilsar Johnson attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
52
Hair Trend: Updos

Peach Pressley attends the P-3 Beauty Tea in Atlanta, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
53
Hair Trend: Updos

Karen Wilson stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
54
Hair Trend: Updos

Kayla Charleston stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
55
Hair Trend: Updos

Elesha Sledge stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
56
Hair Trend: Updos

Nisha Williams stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
57
Hair Trend: Updos

Assata Barton flaunts her hot hair at Howard University’s homecoming in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Nyki Elle Photography
58
Hair Trend: Updos

Eilish Neely attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
59
Hair Trend: Updos

Angela Jae attends BET’s Black Girls Rock 2012 at Paradise Theater in New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
60
Hair Trend: Updos

Kim Johnson attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
61
Hair Trend: Updos

Lanisha Lenore attends the Show Up Show Out event in Harlem, New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
62
Hair Trend: Updos

Meeka AheVonderae attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
63
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Simone Ferguson attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
64
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Jacquay Stephenson attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
65
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Maisia Smith-Jackson attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
66
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Mariana Browne attends the Healthy Hair Affair event in Washington, D.C.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
67
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Naoj Andrews attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
68
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Jerrise Spencer attends the Natural is Not a Fad event hosted by Koils By Nature in Alexandria, Virginia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
DFinney Photography & Designs
69
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Tiffany Coates shows off her hot hair while attending BK Fashion Weekend in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
70
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Cassidy Blackwell attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
71
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Kierra Lewis stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
72
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Tara Hall stops by the Design Essentials booth at the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show in College Park, Georgia.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Courtesy of Design Essentials
73
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Mecca Moore attends BET’s Black Girls Rock 2012 at Paradise Theater in New York.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Hannan Saleh
74
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Myleik Teele attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
75
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Christina Coleman attends the Optimum Salon Haircare Miracle Oil launch event hosted by CurlyNikki in New York City.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends
Nicole Marie Melton
76
Hair Trend: Haute Color

Tenaya B. Ugwu attends the Fall Into Natural event hosted by NaturalSelectionBlog in Oakland, California.

Street Style: The Year in Natural Hair Trends