One of the advantages of having afro-textured hair is that you have tons of hairstyles for black men to choose from.
The wide variety ranges from short and sleek haircuts to long hairstyles with dreadlocks, twists, braids and more.
Below, you can find some of our favorite staff picks, so check them out and see which one goes with your personality.
Press play to get a sneak peek at the haircuts below, and then slide and see the rest of them (+ ideas to make them more you included!).
1. Natural Hairstyles for Black Men
If your style is the definition of cool, this is the hairstyle for you! It focuses on an abundance of small, twisted curls that fall perfectly into place with any accessory. Wear them with classy hats or without anything else at all – you’ll still be fly.
2. Creative Cornrows for Black Men
It’s well-known that cornrows are some of the all-time most popular hairstyles for black men. But what can you do to make yours more interesting (and with no cultural appropriation)?
Opt for fewer braids and experiment with different parts in between, like this zigzag and straight-line mix.
3. Temple Fade Line Up Haircut
Undercuts offer countless possibilities for bringing your hairstyle to life. While you can always go for a classic version, you can also make yours unique with shaved designs. This arched surgical line is one style to keep in mind.
4. Man Buns and Full Beards
If you prefer longer hair (and facial hair for that matter) you can mix the two amazingly. This alluring hairstyle blends long curls wrapped in a man bun with a rugged beard to match. Consider adding an undercut to shape up the look.
5. Curly Hairstyles for Black Men
This medium-length hairstyle is ideal for black men who want a natural look. It stands out through twisted curls and a faded undercut.
It’s particularly recommended for younger people, but it works just as well for men of all ages with an outgoing personality.
6. Mohawk Hairstyles for Black Men
Mohawks are also all the rage among men. If you want a more easygoing look, try out a short mohawk that fades down on the sides. You can wear this hairstyle both with or without facial hair.
7. Bald Head with Full Beard
If you want to cut the maintenance that a complex hairstyle requires, you can always go for a full, clean shaved head and a tasteful beard.
Here, you can see how rapper Common wears the look, with a well-groomed beard that frames his face in a flattering way.
8. Hair Design with Long Beard & Hard Part
Do you want an original look? Try out different lengths, shaved lines and cutting techniques for your hairstyle.
This haircut stands out through an angled top that steeps into a deep line. Afterward, it continues with a skin fade. The large beard makes it all even more memorable.
9. Long Hairstyles for Black Men
If you prefer sporting really long hair, dreadlocks are definitely one of the options you should keep in mind. The longer your dreads are, the more options you’ll have for styling. In this example you can see how wearing them half up half down would look.
10. Two Braids and Knot Hairstyles
You can wear man buns in numerous different ways. For a different approach, consider a sharp undercut and braiding the edges of the top part. This way, you’ll have a crown-like effect to add to your fresh style.
11. Short Hairstyle with Stubble Beard
Like keeping your hair short and clean cut? This fetching hairstyle is so well-kept that it can be worn in any professional or formal environment. The low fade and 5 o’clock shadow make it not only attractive but also appropriate for all occasions.
12. Tied up Messy Braids
Rapper ASAP Rocky is known for setting trends in all areas of grooming and fashion for men. He’s also renowned for his braided hairstyles, which you can get inspired from at any time. Tie your braids at the back for a comfortable and effortless look.
13. Taper Fade with 360 Waves
Waves have also been a stylish hairstyle for afro-textured hair for ages. These deep, sculpted waves are complemented by a stately taper fade that will make heads turn. It works equally well for boys, young men, and adults.
14. Temp Fade with Curly Hair
If your hair forms eye-catching natural curls on its own, don’t hesitate to accentuate them. This temp fade hairstyle not only highlights the texture of the hair, but it also transitions flawlessly to the clean-trimmed beard.
15. Natural African American Hair
Another approach for a natural look is twisting your braids into small, tight coils. This is an excellent style for men that don’t want their hair to be too short, but not overly long either. As always, an undercut can flatter the top part alluringly.
16. High & Low Fade with Sponge Twists
Sponge twisting or curling is one of the top ways to get that all-clean look. However, make sure your hair is at least about an inch long for the best results.
Comb your hair out, apply moisturizers like holding spray or pomade and use the sponge for a few minutes.
17. Braided Long Hair for Black Men
Most black men with significantly long hair choose to style it with dreadlocks. After you get your dreads done, you can, in turn, style them as well. These half braids are one idea to keep in mind, but feel free to experiment with others too.
18. Dynamic Hairstyles for Thick Hair
If you have thick hair and want to style it in a way that brings out the best of your features, go for a creative design. Whether you opt for arched shaved lines or straight surgical lines, the sky is the limit with your possibilities.
19. Fade Hairstyles for Black Men
Another way to rock a high fade is to keep the top curly. You can balance the look with a full beard or any kind of facial hair styled according to your preferences. Keep the top as long or as short as you like.
20. Box Fade Haircuts
This hairstyle is the spinning image of fresh and clean. It is based on a box fade haircut that has a fine transition to the skin on the second half. Keep it trimmed well at all times for a polished look all around.
21. Buzz Cuts for Black Men
If you don’t want the hassle associated with extensive styling, but you don’t want to go fully shaven either, try a buzz cut. This traditional haircut is still incredibly popular and a prime choice for the athletic man.
22. Fade Hairstyles for Black Men with Short Hair
Yet another way to wear your hair short but fashionably is a buzz cut fade. It starts a bit longer on the top and continues with a subtle gradient until it reaches the fully shaven part at the back of your neck.
23. Dread Hairstyles
Dreadlocks are versatile, a quality that you should always take advantage of as a man with afro-textured hair. These medium-length dreads can be worn down or tied up casually. You can style them towards the front for a rugged look.
24. Edgy Afro-Textured Hairstyles
Twisted hairstyles are also generous for black men. You can easily shape your hair however you’d like, such as this faux hawk look with a faded undercut. Try pairing it with a beard for a captivating outcome.
25. Temple Fade Haircuts
This low top temple fade is also part of the trendiest hairstyles for black men. It shines through a perfect 90-degree angle on each side, and a subtle transition from top to bottom all around.
26. Short Curly Hairstyles for Black Men
No matter if you have naturally well-shaped curls or you use a sponge to obtain them, this is a hairstyle that will contour them appropriately. As opposed to many other hairstyles for black men, it doesn’t include a fade.
27. Hairstyles for Black Men with Thick Hair
Free-form dreadlocks are a smart choice for black men with thick hair. The ones shown in this example are just the right length if you want balanced results. You can also tie them up if you want to free your face.
28. Pompadours
Due to the coarse texture, natural black hair is, unfortunately, challenging to style in a pompadour. However, with the right hair product and the suitable length, you can enjoy this dapper hairstyle.
29. Small Natural Dreadlocks
As you most likely know by now, dreadlocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Neglect or free-form dreadlocks can start taking shape even if your hair is an inch or two long. This is a haircut that will help you get them.
30. Professional Hairstyles for Black Men
Sadly, many corporate environments don’t allow complete freedom of hairstyles for their employees. If this is the situation you’re in, here is a professional, office-friendly haircut you can think about.
31. Frohawk Hairstyles
Among hairstyles for black men, you will also find the idea of frohawks. As the name suggests, it combines the idea of an afro with a mohawk. It’s a voluminous hairstyle that has just enough edge to it.
32. Braided Hairstyles for Black Men
You already know that braids and man buns can be mixed, but what about colors? This temple fade haircut stands out through a lighter brown color on top, contrasting with the dark roots.
33. Curls and Undercuts
This high fade undercut is perfectly complemented by a full top of curls. You can get this look either with or without a beard, as long as you take good care of your curly hair on top.
34. Twist Hairstyles for Black Men
A twisted hairstyle is just what you need if you have ear-length hair. It’s best to have your twists done by a specialist, but you can also do it yourself at home if you have a quality hair product to help you.
35. Modern Day Flat Tops
We usually associate flat tops with hairstyles for black men in the 1990s. Nevertheless, this hairstyle can be as fresh as ever if you give it your own twist. Here, you can see how a shaved line made the entire difference.
36. Medium Locs with Undercuts
These locs are medium length and, as a result, easy to style. If you add a small undercut to the hairstyle, you can wear them all tied up or half up half down any time you like.
37. Afro Hairstyles
It’s crystal clear by now that the afro will never go out of style. It’s an exceptional way to celebrate natural hair, regardless if you’re a man or a woman. Just make sure you shape it often with the help of a barber.
38. Modern Hairstyles for Black Men
Another way to rock an afro is in a relaxed, laid back way. To get this look, make sure your curly hair is well moisturized and long enough to be able to style. After that, it’s all in your attitude.
39. Dreads & Fade with High Top Hairstyles
This is an example of how you can wear medium dreadlocks tied up. The look comes with a high fade, while the dreads match with a high top hairstyle. It’s easy to wear for all types of events.
40. Hairstyles for Young Black Men
Now this little man is what we call stylish. Not only does he have a perfectly constructed taper fade, but his sponge curls are on point. The look is topped off with a flawless surgical line as a side part.
41. Low Skin Fade Lightning Part
One of the best parts about these types of hairstyles for black men is the tattoo effect created. The haircut is a low skin fade that is customized with a lightning shaved line that adds dynamism.
42. Medium Hairstyles
There are more than enough medium hairstyles for black men that you can choose from. In the photo above, you can see a picture-perfect example of a high taper ombre mohawk with a temple fade.
43. Locs and Buns
Your dreadlocks can start with small, twisted locs in the front and continue with thicker dreads in the back. If they’re long enough, you can style them in a bun or ponytail.
44. Hairstyles for Black Men with Receding Hairlines
Receding hairlines are often difficult to tackle. However, if the rest of your hair is thick, you can enjoy a full head of dreadlocks. Alternatively, consider dreadlock extensions to balance out the look.
45. Asymmetrical Flat Tops
Another creative take on the classic flat top is to have yours cut asymmetrically. Keep one side high and gradually steep into a shaved side part on the opposing side.
46. Double V Haircuts with Reverse Fade
Tattoo-like effects can also be obtained through a reverse fade like this one. The hair is cut in a double V fashion in the back, and the second V is prepared with a reverse fade.
47. Faux Hawk Hairstyles for Black Men
A faux hawk like this will undoubtedly make heads turn. Not only is it spiced up by having two colors, but it also has a clean shaven design at the nape. It recreates a mohawk without fully shaving the sides.
48. Barber Hairstyles
Most barber hairstyles for black men include shaved lines executed with surgical precision (hence where they get their name). This look also has a perfect gradient on the lower half, as well as an expertly styled curly top.
49. Wavy Black Men Hairstyles
If your hair texture leans more towards the wavy side, you can get a short haircut that defines it. The impeccably trimmed beard is also a nice touch for the outcome you desire.
50. Long Zig Zag Cornrows
Lastly, this hairstyle takes a classic braiding technique and adapts it to current trends. The cornrows are braided in a zigzag pattern and then tied at the end. You can untie them at your convenience.
51. Blonde Tips
This is a short haircut with brunette dreads and blonde tips. It also has a hard part on one side and an undercut to complete this modern and edgy look. Not to mention the accessories and polka dot shirt which are to die for.
52. Turquoise Hairstyles for Black Men
This hairstyle looks exactly like turquoise wisteria in full bloom. Or a big bowl of spaghetti, depending on whether you’re a glass is “half full or half empty” type of person. But we do love the half of a tiger tattoo.
53. The Usher
Do you remember that time in the 2000s when Usher was a huge star, and everyone wanted to copy his short and curly hairstyle? He looked amazing when he danced with Beyonce in her video.
54. The Mohawk
We could call this a curly Mohawk, a burst Mohawk or a fauxhawk. They are all correct names since this is a variation on the traditional Mohawk with gelled spikes of the 70s and 80s.
55. Blue Hairstyles for Black Men
Did you know that non-traditional colors are the biggest hairstyling trend of the year? Among them, neon colors reign supreme. Not to be confused with marker colors, which are a completely different thing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all of these hairstyles for black men are admirable choices for anyone sporting afro-textured hair.
It’s highly recommended that you speak to your local barber about getting a haircut that reflects your personality, and which is styled accordingly.
Read More: MHW’s Guide To Proper Hair & Beard Care
This article was updated in June 2019.
