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The Afro Landscape
Afro hair is a complex animal, ranging from curly to coily to kinky, often featuring a mix of all three. And let me tell you, this versatility can be both a gift and a curse. It’s why you need to know the options at your disposal and how to get the best out of what you’ve got.
Products That Pack a Punch
Alright, you’re committed to going natural. Now, how do you keep it on point? Moisture is key. Afro hair tends to be drier, thanks to its lower porosity levels, so invest in a top-notch moisturizing balm like coconut oil or shea butter. Say goodbye to frizz and hello to manageable, healthy hair.
Sulfate? Skip it. These chemicals can leach natural oils from your locks. Go for low-sulfate or sulfate-free products. And if you’re aiming for tight curls, staying moisturized and sulfate-free is your secret weapon.
Heat Protectors and Hair Picks: If you’re into hairdryers for that extra sheen or volume, don’t skimp on a quality heat protector. And forget brushes—pick up a hair pick for tangle-free, well-textured hair.
Color? Why Not.
Changing up your hair color can be a game-changer. A bit wary? Don’t sweat it. With the right care products and a skilled hairdresser, you can keep your hair healthier than a kale salad.
Cutting to the Styles
The Short Afro: Classic and diverse, it’s a reliable go-to. A trim not only gets rid of dead ends but also allows you to shape the hair to your liking.
Shape It Up: A little experimentation with shape can go a long way. Whether it’s a slicked-back look or a 90s flat-top, a unique shape might be the update your afro needs.
Braids: This isn’t just a style, it’s heritage. Braids date back to 3000 BC and serve both form and function, helping to maintain your hair’s natural moisture.
Dreadlocks: A long-term commitment but one that packs a style punch. If you’re going the dread route, pick a stylist you trust implicitly. Once they’re in, grab some dreadlock wax and a pH-balanced shampoo.
Natural Texture
If your hair is of afro texture you may decide to keep it natural, and the right products can make a huge difference in keeping it exactly how you want it. We recommend the following products to keep your afro in tip-top shape at all times, regardless of how you chose to style it.
- Coconut Oil or Shea butter– Afro hair tends to be drier than other hair types and this is due to its lower level of porosity. The drier it gets the more frizzy it’s likely to become, and using a deep moisturising balm such as coconut oil or shea butter will ensure you have manageable, frizz-free hair at all times.
- Avoid Sulfate – Hair products with sulfate in can strip away the natural oils in your hair, meaning you’ll have to add moisture to it more often. Either go for products with low sulfate or try and cut it out completely. If you want to know how to get tight afro curls, keeping your hair effectively moisturised and away from sulfate will definetely help.
- Heat Protection– If you decide to use a hairdryer to add some shine to your hair or add some extra volume, then a heat protectant is important, and ensures you’re not damaging your hair’s structure or follicles.
- Hair Pick– A hair pick is very important when it comes to keeping your kinks tangle free and looking their best. By using a pick instead of a hair brush you will be able to maintain the texture without weighing down your hair.
Make A Statement With Colour
Your hair is an excellent way to express your individuality, and adding a secondary colour can create a striking, statement look. Now, you might be a bit apprehensive about colouring your hair, but with the right hair care products and a good hairdresser adding in the bleach and dye, you can maintain a healthy head of hair.
Afro Hairstyles for Men
Men’s afro hairstyles are some of the most diverse you can get, and because of the hair texture, you can manipulate it beyond belief. If you’re thinking of changing up your look, check out some of these hairstyle ideas below.
The Short Afro
The short afro is one of the most popular afro haircuts and can be a lot more varied than you might think. Not only is trimming your hair healthy, as you will be removing dead ends, trimming your hair gives you the opportunity to shape your hair in a way that suits you.
Give your Afro a Shape
Sometimes giving your afro a new shape can be just what it needs to look it’s best. Some men chose to maintain their afro within its natural shape and others chose to give it a more extravagant shape. You can experiment with having your afro hair at different peak, by slicking it back, opting for a 90s Will Smith style flat top, or just trying out something subtle but new.
Braiding and Dreadlocks
If your hair is long enough, you may be able to braid or lock it. How long does it take to grow an afro? Well that tends to vary from person to person, but if you’ve got short, cropped hair, in a good six months or so you should have long enough hair to braid. These are more long-term hair styles and work really well if you don’t like having to style your hair on a daily basis.
Braids
Braids have a history going all the way to 3000 BC and are an iconic part of afro hairstyles. Braiding your hair will help maintain its natural moisture, and can be an excellent way to change up your look, as braid themselves can be endlessly personalised.
Don’t forget to use a balm when getting your hair braided, this will add moisture to the hair and keep it in style for longer. Black men’s hairstyles will always benefit from a good balm, so experiment with different products and brands to see which one works best for you.
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocking your hair is a more permanent solution to afro men’s hair styling, and if you’re going to take the plunge, make sure you find an experienced stylist who you trust to do the job.
Once you have them twisted its all about finding the right products for you. A good dreadlock wax is a must if you want to maintain a sleek style, and contrary to popular belief you can wash your dreadlocks, so make sure you get a PH balanced shampoo and products that aren’t high in sulfate.
Embrace Your Curls
Afros come in many different colours, textures and lengths. Some are kinky, some are curly and others fall in more of a coil shape. Embracing your curls and natural texture is a great way of giving your afro definition.
The curlier your hair is the easier you will be able to style it with the right products. Something as simple as coconut oil can be all some people need, while others might need to invest in a few more products to get the style they’re looking for.
Shave or Faded Afro
Keeping your hair short may seem like an obvious one, but it’s also the most low maintenance style out of the lot. Keeping your hair short doesn’t need to be boring, and you can experiment with different fades and patterns, or create a mini afro, to add some unique style to your look.
Final Thoughts
Afro hairstyles offer a sea of possibilities—from natural textures to shaped styles and long-term commitments like braids and dreadlocks. The products you use can make or break your game, so invest wisely. You can go low-maintenance with a fade or short cut, or flex those curls with the right care products. Bottom line: your afro, your rules. Time to turn some heads, fellas.
