If you’re natural, you’re sure to have a number of these annoying single strands knots (aka fairy knots) lurking around your hair. To be honest, they are totally normal due to the structure of afro-textured hair and there is nothing you can do to get rid of all of them—unless, of course, you choose to cut your hair. However, there are ways to keep them at an absolute minimum. Keep reading to find out how!

Over ten years ago, before natural hair became a huge trend for black women, my older sister Lydia was running around the campus of Spelman College curly and proud. “I was lazy enough to just not get a relaxer. I’d never had to really deal with my hair before on my own, so it was kind of a defacto decision,” she said. But the cultural security blanket of being at a historically black college in Atlanta protected Lydia from the trials of having natural hair around people of other ethnicities, specifically in corporate America.

Soon after graduating she started working as one of the few black female engineers at Delta Airlines, where she first encountered an adverse response to her au naturale coiffure. Changes in her natural styles were met with comments bordering on insulting.

“It was like, ‘Oh, your head changed’ or ‘Did you get a hair cut?’ As if I was another person. It was almost like if I had come to work with some really colorful wig when in actuality it was just a two-strand twist.” One co-worker at her second corporate job said she looked like “she stuck her finger in a light socket” in response to one of her natural looks. Eventually my sister, like many black women, decided her best option was to keep her hair pressed to reduce attention on anything other than her work quality.

When I was a child, African-American women like Melba Tolliver, Cheryl Tatum, Sydney M. Boone, Dorothy Reed and Renee Rodgers received national attention for the discrimination they faced while wearing Afro-centric hairstyles to work. While the black community is more accepting of natural hairstyles—now no longer solely seen as a black pride statement—the largely white corporate world isn’t totally there yet. But change is evitable and it hasn’t stopped black women from all walks of life from getting the big chop.

“Hairstyles all depend on your lifestyle, what you want to wear it for and if it suits [you],” said Amanda Charles, a natural-hair stylist at Time Studio in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn. She says her clients run the gamut, from corporate types to artists who ask for different styles to reflect their personality, but also must fit in with a professional setting.

“I’m thinking a lot of people are going to be going natural; a lot of people have been saying their hair is breaking with the relaxer and they just don’t know what’s going on,” Charles said about her clients. “[Both] chemically treated hair and natural hair require regular maintenance to remain healthy, but natural hair is definitely doable for the office and women are just now realizing that.”

At the 2011 BET awards, Keke Palmer showed up dressed to impress in a black and silver tube dress body-con number. To top it off, she styled her ombre mane in sultry beach waves that added to her soft glamour. Beach waves are a simple and stylish alternative when you want a break from straight styles or just want to add some volume and definition to your hair. Here’s what you need to get the look. Before you begin, make sure your hair is washed, conditioned and not weighed down with products. Then:

To weave or not to weave: that is the question.

No seriously, that is the question least thought about when considering whether or not to extend your tresses.  I can’t really blame folks.  The reality is that the popularity, convenience and the accessibility of hair weaves and wigs in mainstream culture has made the hair extension the informal “hat” for bad hair days.  And we just assume that if it can be sewn, boned or capped into your hair, than it is a natural fit.  Plus it doesn’t help that everyone from Beyoncé to the First Lady to your average chica shopping through the mall sports some very impressive hair extensions in different forms, styles and colors.

But just because some folks can pull a weave off, does that mean that everyone can?

Like recently I was reading an article about Gayle King (you know, Oprah’s best friend) and her new gig as co-anchor for the CBS “Early Show.” I thought that it was a good move for King, who will finally have an opportunity to shine, coming out from under the shadows of her famous gal pal.  But then as I glanced at the picture attached to the article, all the praise for her professional achievement seemed to overshadowed by the same the burning question I have always wondered about her for years and that is: “Why can’t she ever get a decent weave?”

I could understand if it is a once and a while instance. I mean, after all, not every woman can be at the top of her game at all times.  However, King’s weaves and wigs appear to always have this awkward thing happening with them. No matter the texture, the style or the color, it always looks so fictitious, so awkward, so… well, unnatural.   It probably doesn’t make sense that I used “unnatural” and “weave” in the same sentence — but a good weave is suppose to have people guessing whether it is real or not.  And a better weave shouldn’t offer any obvious distinction between your natural hair and where the weave begins.  I can always say that is NOT true for King.

Are you looking for a simple hairstyle that’s suitable for the office for your African American hair? Aside from having a fashionable wardrobe, you can use your femininity in the way you wear her hair, and how you brandish the latest style. From regular updos to layered curls extending down your back is just a representation of a defining look at the office. It proves that as an African American woman, you can still flaunt beautiful hair while following the office guidelines.

Here are some hairstyles for the corporate office:

1. Short bob

Simple makes easy and that is depicted in a short bob which you can wear to the office. This hairstyle can come in various styles fit for a business woman. You can add some personality to a chopped, layered, even cut or curly look. Of course, the bob isn’t ideal for every woman, but for those who have a round, shapely or slim face will look perfect with this style.

2. Straight and wavy

If you have straight hair, you can compliment it with a hint of waves. A style that shows versatility in your hair will likely gain some attention at the office, and lighten up your face. It’s quick and great to wear all day, at any corporate event, meeting or occcasion. Use a flat iron or curling iron to create that flawless look.

3. Easy updo or backwards style

The flipside to letting your hair down, exists in an easy updo. For the long or medium-haired woman who prefers to keep it simple and classy, can pull back the hair with a bobby pin, clip or chopsticks for the hair. During inclement weather, you can opt for this when the hair is a bit unmanageable or frazzled. In addition, you can accessorize with extra hair extensions to add fullness and length, and pull it back into a ponytail or bun. There’s so much you can do with the backwards style.

4. Classic multi-layered curl

The curly texture for all lengths – short, medium or long – adds some thickness and style to the hair unlike straight hair. And it has a long-lasting effect which is great for the office. Give the hair a layered effect in certain parts or all over the hair for a swift balance.

5. Natural, braided or locked hair

You can still maintain the natural African American hair for the office. Not only is it low-maintenance, but it liberates the hair from chemicals that is used in relaxers. Other optional styles are single braids or cornrolls going back, or refined locked hair that doesn’t draw attention.

6. Short bangs with long, medium or short tresses

Bangs are the ultimate beauty component for black hair. It adds some body in the front of the hairline with a curl, flip or cut. It’s the type of the hairstyle that’s coming back to rule all ages and ethnicities as a classic hairstyle, but especially for black women with relaxed hair.