Black hair is an expression of identity, culture, and even history. From short and wavy to kinky curly, Black hair is incredibly diverse and boats an impressive range of textures and thicknesses. But only recently has Black hair been given its due and celebrated in mainstream media, and it's thanks in part to the stylists and barbers of Hollywood's leading men showcasing the versatility of natural-textured hair in films and on TV.
Whether it's short and cropped or styled in box braids, the best hairstyles for Black men are decided by men like celebrity barber Faheem Alexander. We asked him to weigh in on some of the best haircuts for black men with tips and grooming resources for guys to keep in mind, and he delivered with specifics.
“In Philly, the best hairstyle is a dark or low caesar,” says the Philadelphia native. “There is also the wave length cut—there’s a big wave community for black men."
If you're trying to change up your look with a fresh new style, Alexander says to start by identifying your face shape. Every face shape has hairstyles that accentuate it the best, but that's not to say you're confined to one or a few styles. Hairstyling, like fashion, is personal. You have to find your own unique style, and sometimes that means trying out a few different looks.
Searching the internet for trending styles and finding a barber whose clientele reflects the look you're going for is key. “You wanna go to a barber that has style, is creative, and works in a place with a great atmosphere,” notes Alexander.
For beard grooming gear, beard products, and general haircare knowledge, Alexander looks to legacy grooming brands. “King C. Gillette offers great tools for black men being introduced to beard care,” he says. “Everything from beard care tutorials to beard oils are easy to access on their website. You can go online and watch barbers use those products.”
Still not sure what style would suit you best? Check out our line-up of the 17 best haircuts for Black men right now.
Read more: How to Get Waves
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Box Fade
Khalid
Box fades were made infamous by some of the hottest rappers and ball players back in the late '80s and early '90s. You can still rock this high with a 3-5 cm top or a bit shorter for a tighter look. Who knows, this look may inspire you to write a demo.
Hard Part with Fade
Jamie Foxx
This is a step up for the guy looking for a new cut, but wants to keep his look simple. Without going too far outside of the box, a hard part adds some extra flair to your classic fade. The part can be straight, adjacent, or curved—whatever suits your vibe.
Afro Taper Fade
Jimmy Butler
An afro taper fade is similar to a box fade but allows the top of your hair to grow naturally. If you're growing your hair out, but want to spruce it up slightly without too much upkeep, try this.
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Line-Up
Barack Obama
Also known by black barbers around the globe as a shape-up, this undefeated cut is a go-to for many black men. Created to maintain a more precise hairline, line-ups clean you up for any look you're trying to accomplish.
Buzz Cut with Beard
Jesse Wiliams
Feel like breaking some rules? Save money and create this cut on your own to add to that edgy vibe you’re feeling. Buzz cuts, contrary to popular belief, are not exactly a baldie, it’s just close enough to leave you with a shadow of hair. These cuts are style statements—black men included.
Read more: Best Hair Clippers for Men
Box Braids with Fade
Travis Scott
Rappers—such as Travis Scott and ASAP Rocky—have reintroduced youth culture to the appeal of box braids. You gotta let your hang time (length of your hair) swing! This look is for men who are bored with the norm—flex your creativity with this unique style.
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Temple Fade with Twists
Antonio Brown
A temple fade with twists is one of the most dapper looks you can rock. Source a talented barber who can do the styling on top, as well as your temple fade (and tip that man well!) Rock this look with your weekend gym fits and your freshest suits.
Frohawk
James Harden
Work hard, stunt harder, right? This is a bold look and a great statement look for black men. While some men might be too timid to try this 'do, we say 2020 is the perfect time to try a new look. If you find Harden’s barber, link us.
Curls with Fade
Rome Flynn
This breezy look is cool for the summer. Examine the texture of your hair, and if the natural curl pattern is more relaxed than super coiled, this is the perfect look for you. If you have tighter coils, look into curl gels and enhancers to create this wavy definition.
Read more: Best Curly Hairstyles for Men
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Dreadlocks with Undercut
Ty Dolla Sign
Dreadlocks with an undercut make a great impression when styled or dyed. For black men, dreadlocks resonate deeply with our heritage—it’s totally fine to rock them with a twist.
Caesar Cut
Michael B. Jordan
Most notable and favored of all, caesar cuts are top choice by black men. This cut features remarkable low and dark fade techniques, which also enhance wavy textured hair. You’ll find this classic cut from every basketball court to every award show red carpet.
Curly Top with Burst Fade and Design
Odell Beckham Jr.
Coming in hot with another style that is far outside of the box, the burst fade cut with personalized designs is one for the most creative of barbers to execute. From the edgy fade to the neck design, this is a unique look to flex. Mix up the design/hair color combo to make it your own.
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Low Fade with Full Beard
LeBron James
Low fades are super fresh, especially when you rock one with a full beard. The fade may be low maintenance, but purchase a good beard oil to properly condition and moisturize your beard for a fuller, softer, and more controlled look.
Clean Shave
Mahershala Ali
Men with clean shaven looks are extremely confident in their style and themselves. If you’ve gone the buzz cut route while in quarantine, you should now have a good idea of whether this look would suit you. Brush up on your shaving skills and try this refreshing hot weather look now.
Read more: Best Beard Styles for Black Men
Full Afro with Line-Up
The Weeknd
The line-up is merely the supporting role in this winning duo for black men. What could be better than completely ignoring societal stigmas around the cut of your hair and going au naturale? This is the easiest of all the hairstyles for most black men and one that we should embrace more for 2022 and beyond.
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Short and Curly
Kevin Hart
As trends evolve and curly hair becomes more popular, men are finally starting to embrace their natural curl. Kevin Hart's short and curly look draws attention towards the top of the head while creating enough contrast to make his tight curls pop. The curls are short, but still add enough volume for the hairstyle to stand out. Use a curl-enhancing cream to keep your coils well-moisturized and avoided the dreaded frizzing effect.
Box Braids
Kenrick Lamar
Whether he's rocking dreads, twists, cornrows, or a temp fade with a short afro, Kendrick Lamar's hair always fresh and on point. These two-strand box braids are one of his best looks, as it's more of an experimental twist on the traditional cornrows, which feels very true to his music and fashion style. The addition of the colored string adorning some of his braids makes this hairstyle red carpet-ready, but the natural ends give it an more natural, casual feel.
Cristina Montemayor
Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture. Her work has appeared in Very Good Light, BRIDES, Elite Daily, among others.