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5 Ways to Jazz Up Your TWA

Not the Same Old Hairdo

By , About.com Guide

So you've done the big chop and now you're wondering what's next. How long until you can create a variety of natural hairstyles? What can you do to make your hair grow faster? How will you prevent boredom when your style options are limited?

Instead of wishing for instant growth and not enjoying your hair at its current length, try to appreciate every stage of your hair for what it is. Each length offers its own unique styling qualities. Short hair fashions itself into Bantu knots quite well, while medium-length tresses are great for wrapping.

To make the most of your TWA time, fully explore your styling options, which are often more than we may think. These five ways to jazz up your TWA just might convince you to keep it short.

1. Color

Ah, color! You know that platinum blonde color you always wanted, but couldn't try without fear of your long, relaxed hair breaking off terribly as a result? With a TWA, color can be your playground. Without straightening chemicals on your tresses, a dramatic color switch won't be as damaging. You'll still have to be careful about conditioning regularly, but your shade options have opened up like never before with a short natural. Because your hair is so short, you can easily let one color grow out as you snip the ends away and then try something completely different. If color is one area you haven't been able to fully explore in the past, get ready to jazz up that TWA with a fresh tint.

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2. Headband

polka dot headbandPhoto courtesy PriceGrabber

So many headbands, so little time. Forget those thick, plastic hair accessories with the grabby teeth. Today's headband selections are varied and in many cases, gentle enough for black hair. All colors, many textures and varieties can be found at inexpensive prices. The best bands to choose are either elastic and stretchy, or covered with a satiny material.

Try Goody brand's Satin Sashes Gentle Headbands, this cool offering found at Target stores or browse the huge, handmade offerings at a site like Etsy.

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3. Barrettes and Pins

barrettePhoto courtesy PriceGrabber
The world of hair accessories is vast, and barrettes and pins of all types fit into it. From funky to bejeweled, you'll find these little hair adornments to coordinate with anything in your closet. So they may not cling to the teeniest of the TWAs, but once your hair is about 1 inch long or so, you can slip a barrette into place for added flair. This also applies to studded or floral hairpins. Instead of a plain TWA, sport a little color or drama.
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4. Flowers

hair flower accessoryPhoto courtesy PriceGrabber
Either go the Billie Holiday route and tuck a huge flower behind your ear, or get creative in other ways. Look in the accessories section of your favorite shop and you should find clip-on florals that attach to virtually anything. Clip a large one onto a simple headband or several smaller ones to a big hair pin. If you're the DIY type, hot glue fabric flowers across the top of a plastic headband and make your own fashion statement.
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5. Earrings

earringsPhoto courtesy PriceGrabber
What better time to wear fabulous, attention-getting earrings than when you don't have to worry about long hair getting in the way and ruining the effect? When you sport a TWA, you project a "what you see is what you get" attitude because there's nothing to hide behind. So sport those huge hoops, peacock feathers, natural gemstones or any other earrings that beg for the spotlight. Everyone will see those babies! Sure, they're not exactly a hair accessory, but big, beautiful earrings can help you feel good about your TWA.
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