Afro hairstyles for men are more relevant than ever. There’s a lot more to it than letting it grow out, whether you’re growing your natural hair for the first time or you’ve had an afro for years and you’re looking for a fresh direction.
This is the most popular afro hairstyle for men at the moment, as well as some honest styling and maintenance tips. No overthinking, just what works.
Why Afro Hairstyles Are Worth Embracing
The Afro is no joke. It has been linked to cultural identity, pride, and self-expression for decades. However, it is also one of the most versatile natural hairstyles that you can have. It can be short and sharp, full and round, or even shaped with a fade or go freeform all the way.
The options are actually quite extensive, and the proper afro style can make a huge difference in how you conduct yourself on a day-to-day basis.
10 Best Afro Hairstyles for Men
1. The Classic Full Afro
This is the foundation. The full Afro is a round, well-groomed look that allows for natural curls to shine through. It wraps around the head in a crown-like fashion, and is best suited to tightly coiled hair types.
To keep a full afro looking clean, you should regularly use an afro comb to pick up the hair, use a good leave-in conditioner to keep moisture in the hair, and trim the afro every few weeks to keep it even. This style will work on most face shapes and frames the face well.
The full afro is an easy-to-wear and good-looking style for those who are looking for an effortless look.
2. The Tapered Afro
The Afro is tapered to keep it full in the top, then cut short and close on the sides and back. One of the more presentable afro hairstyles, and men are opting for it since the hairstyle is natural but still looks polished.
It is suitable for professional use and is not a dramatic change. Your natural hair is still in place, but the taper adds structure to it. This is something that most barbers can comfortably do, and this shape stays in place between visits.
3. The High-Top Fade Afro
This one dates back to the late ’80s, and it’s still good. High-top fade is a fade that has longer flat hair on top and a sharp fade on the sides. This is all about the contrast of the clean fade and the natural texture on top.
It needs to be trimmed on a regular basis by a barber to keep sides in place and lines sharp, but it’s a daring, defined look that’s all on its own. Few styles are as characterful as this one, if you have the patience to keep it.
4. The Curly Afro
Some afros don’t feature tight coils. If you have loose curls, then you should accept them and not try to fight them. The curly afro is a style that lets curls be curls and lets them define the style, in a more open and soft style.
This style requires plenty of fluids. A curl-defining cream applied to damp hair, then air-dried (or using a diffuser on low heat), will help keep curls from frizzing out and will help keep curls bouncy and separated.
5. The Short Afro
A short afro is close to the head and is easier to manage than longer ones. A good option for those who are switching from a fade or close cut and looking to add some natural length.
A light moisturizer daily and a nice clean shape around the edges is still good for the short afro. At this length, it’s not a big deal if there is a little tangling, and the texture is apparent without too many products.
6. The Afro Fade
Afro fade is a full natural top with a fade on the sides; it can be a low, mid, or high fade. It’s one of the most popular styles of the moment in barbershops, and it’s not hard to see why.
The fade provides a cleaner look to the afro; the natural volume on top appears more deliberate, and the fade itself is relatively easy to maintain with regular touch-ups. The top can be rounded or shaped as desired.
7. The Coiled Afro
The coiled afro is for men who have tight and defined curls in their hair. Rather than combing the hair into a round shape, the coils remain in place and defined. This creates a rich, dimensional effect and a great personality.
The main factor here is moisture. Coils will shrink when dry, so if you use a leave-in conditioner or curl cream on damp hair, you will have longer, more defined coils that will last all day.
8. The Twist-Out Afro
The twist-out will provide a more textured and stretched look to the afro. You take wet hair and part it into sections, twist each section, air dry them overnight and unravel them the next morning. This creates a looser, wavy look that has a lot more volume than a regular coil.
This is a technique that takes some practice to master, but once you do, it’s one of the more attractive natural styles that are available. The twist-out is also a great choice if you’re looking for a break from your daily afro without cutting anything.
9. The Freeform Afro
The freeform afro is what it implies: freeform. You let your hair grow and form on its own without manipulating the coils into any particular pattern. Some sections may start to loc naturally over time. Most don’t, and you end up with a full, layered look that has genuine character.
This style is a patient one and needs frequent moisture and light scalp oil to keep it healthy. Don’t be careless; let your hair be what it wants to be.
10. The Bleached or Color-Treated Afro
Color can be used to enhance an already daring look, adding a touch to an Afro. Men are freely bleaching their hair to a lighter tone, adding highlights or going platinum.
Here, it’s about the health of the hair. If you choose to go the natural hair route, chemical treatments will dry out your hair even quicker, so deep conditioning treatments are a must. Apply a good protein treatment once a month and a moisture conditioner weekly to prevent hair from becoming brittle.
Afro hair care tips – How to take care of your Afro!
Regardless of your choice of style, afro-textured hair requires some knowledge of its needs.
Moisture comes first. Natural hair, particularly tightly coiled hair, is drier than other hair textures as the natural oils from the scalp are less able to get down the curl. It is a good habit to pick up to leave in after every wash.
Wash less frequently. Excessive shampooing will remove the moisture that the hair has. This is typically 1 or 2 times per week. If you do, use a sulfate-free shampoo.
Use a satin or silk pillowcase. Cotton absorbs moisture from your hair while you sleep at night. You will see and feel a difference in your afro when you switch to satin.
Line up your edges. Even if you’re rocking a full natural look, having a clean cut from your barber every two weeks helps to keep the overall look tidy and purposeful.
Use the correct tools. You will need a wide-tooth comb or an afro pick. Don’t use brushes that pull and tear hair. Gently detangle from ends to top.
Which Afro Style Suits Which Face Shape
This is a common question that is posed, and the answer is simpler than most guides suggest.
- For round faces, height is a plus. A high fade or a taller full afro will give length and balance the width.
- If you have an oval face, you have the most options. Most Afro styles will look great on an oval face shape.
- If you have a square or angular face, you can fill in the sides of your afro to help even out the shape of your face. The classic, round afro does this by itself.
- If you have a longer or narrower face, width is your ally! A fuller afro with more volume on the sides will help balance it out
Conclusion
Afro hairstyles for men come in a variety of styles, from sharp and structured to full and natural. The appropriate style will vary based on hair type, maintenance level desired, and desired look.
They all have in common that they are most effective when the hair is healthy and moisturized and is shaped with purpose. Just find a barber who knows about natural hair, establish a basic care plan, and the rest is history.
FAQs About Afro Hairstyles for Men
When should I go to the barber if I have an afro?
Once every 2-4 weeks, depending on your style. For those with a tapered afro or a fade, it’s closer to two weeks before it becomes messy. A freeform or full natural afro will last longer without frequent visits.
What is the best product to use for men with afro hair?
The essentials are a sulfate-free shampoo, a moisturizing conditioner, a leave-in conditioner, and a light oil such as jojoba or coconut oil. If you desire more definition in your coils, curl-defining cream will help.
Can any man have an afro, or is it fair for some men to have an afro?
Men with type 3 and 4 hair types (typically curly or coily) look best in Afro hairstyles. Afro hairstyles do not have to be for men who have wavy or curly hair. Afro hairstyles are not just for men who have wavy or curly hair.
