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The Editors
Updated on December 21, 2022
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Black men have a rich choice of haircuts, ranging through traditional lengths: short, medium and long. Most men stick to short and medium-length haircuts though, because they offer a stylish and low-maintenance look.

If you are an African American, your naturally thick kinky hair provides you with a bunch of options as to how you can have your hair cut and styled. Your haircut can tell much about you. Active, sporty men, for instance, opt for attractive short hairstyles or imaginative Mohawks. More creative personalities often choose a natural curly look or braided hairstyles. Younger guys love somewhat messy hairstyles with a cool mean look that drives girls crazy.

The Most Popular Haircuts for Black Men

Look through our selection of the best haircuts for African American men popular in 2023 and learn to describe your preferences to your barber. Pinning some stylish images and showing them to your stylist will also help you get the haircut you want to try.

1. Bleached High Top

Black High Top Fade

Instagram / @miami_barber

Do you have thick hair that you can’t seem to manage? Try embracing your robust, textured curls. Grow them out on top and throw in some bleached tips. The highlighted short dreads brighten up that hair and make it look more interesting and unique.

2. Jet Black Flat Top with Shaved Designs

Prove that hairstyles for black men are anything but predictable by etching a cool design around your head. You can make it as simple or intricate as you want, just make sure it reflects your specific style and flair.

African American Flat Top Fade

Instagram / @modernsalon

3. African-American Textured Hairstyle

Show off your natural hair in a fresh, new way by letting it roam free … on the top of the head, anyway. The combo of faded temples and textured curls will add some structure and shape to your look that is containable and manageable. Yes, please.

Afro Temple Fade

Instagram / @eazyfadez

4. Twisted High Top

If you thought long, textured locks on top were cool, try adding a cool design or two into the mix and watch the hair sparks really fly. Etch a long line around the entire half of the head to complement the full head of wild curls up top.

Black Long Top Fade With Designs

Instagram / @modernsalon

5. Black Closely Shaved Fade

Dynamic black male hairstyles don’t always suggest keeping the hair long (or even medium) on the head. A super-short, barely-there buzz cut leaves little hair up top, but you can make up for it by growing out your beard. This way you can still have some hair on your head, without needing to style or maintain it all day, every day.

Extra Short Skin Fade With Beard

Instagram / @fabo_esco

6. Male African-American Temple Fade

Fades are among classic male styles, and it’s easy to see why. The cut delivers a clean, sophisticated look that is far from boring. It’s perfect for those with jam-packed schedules that leave them with little time for grooming.

Short Line Up With Temple Fade

Instagram / @starlinerz

7. Designed Mohawk for Black Men

Take your faux hawk fade to new heights by throwing in a cool shape or line on the side. Let your hair be your wearable art and an avenue where you express your creativity. So pick up that razor and start shaving.

Men's Short Mohawk With Head Tattoo

Instagram / @barber_wheelz

8. Black High Fade with Textured Top

Hairstyles for black men are at their best when they show off the natural texture of the hair. Expose your curls with a cool curly hairstyle and opt for a high skin fade if you love stark contrasts.

High Skin Fade With Afro Top

Instagram / @don_rommel

9. Retro ‘90s Cut

Remember that flat top haircut made popular in the ‘90s? Well, it’s back and better than ever! Give it a test drive by flattening out your grown-out hair on the top of the head and channeling your inner Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

High Top Fade With Line Up

Instagram / @famos

10. African-American Super-Short Line Up

Short haircuts are ideal for men on-the-go, as they require little-to-no maintenance. So, if you’re a busy guy with places to go and people to see, try a close cut with line up, and you’ll have a stylish, stress-free grooming routine.

Short 360 Waves Hairstyle For Men

Instagram / @fabo_esco

11. Black Boxy High Top Cut

Some black male hairstyles don’t need to be groomed or touched too often. For instance, the retro high-top with a full, robust beard is quite a statement-maker, but is far from high-maintenance.

Black Line Up

Instagram / @smashthalegend

12. African-American Curly Low Fade

The best part about rocking curls is, well, rocking curls. Don’t hide your natural ringlets! Let them grow out and apply some styling gel to keep them looking great throughout the day. Don’t settle for a curl-free life! With a low fade and line up, you’ll have a neat style with natural texture.

Line Up Cut With Nape And Temple Fade

Instagram / @criztofferson

13. Natural High Top for Black Men

Some of the cutest high top fades with long hair on top come out for natural hair type 4C. Combine with a high fade that works in pair with a line up. This look is great for those who like to have a little fun with their hair and get funky once in a while.

African American High Top Fade

Instagram / @zeke_the_barber

14. Clean Black Fade with 360 Waves

The most stylish black men’s hairstyles are classic styles with small individual touches like a temple and nape fade, line up, shaved design, etc. Train your hair into 360 waves if you additionally want a textured yet smooth look.

Temple And Nape Fade

Instagram / @criztofferson

15. African-American Burst Fade

Natural afros have been in since 1960. Embraced and popularized by music and movie legends, the afro has deservedly become one of most loved black classic style. Upgrade your rounded afro with the popular today burst fade and line up for a modern look.

Black Male Fauxhawk

Instagram / @modernsalon

16. Curled Mohawk

Mohawks for black men are all great, but a textured, curled mohawk is the stuff of legends. This style is incredibly trendy and unexpected, and it gives your look an interesting edge. You’d be surprised how easy it is to style, too!

Short Dreadlocked Mohawk For Men

Instagram / @eazyfadez

17. High Black Fade with Lines

Black hairstyles for men take on sleek and chic forms when lines and 360 waves are involved. A faded cut with a thick, shaved part running from a forehead corner is incredibly cool and funky, without being too outlandish. In other words, it’s office-friendly.

Skin Fade With Shaved Part

Instagram / @modernsalon

18. Angular Line up

You’ve probably seen a lot of fades with designs carved around the sides or back of the head. Well, why don’t you break the mold and try throwing your creativity to the front of the house, er, hair. Etch a line at the top-front of the hair to give it a cool spin.

Medium Fade With Line Up

Instagram / @cool_cutz

19. African-American Undercut

Get a little crazy with your hair and let it grow out nice and long – like, really long. You’d be surprised what wild, free locks can do for your look and self-esteem. Just make sure you keep them frizz-free with moisturizing products, curl-defining serums and/or mousse.

Black Curly Taper Fade

Instagram / @mattjbarbers

20. Close and Clean African-American Haircut

Show the world how smooth and sleek African-American men hairstyles can be. Grow the hair out a bit and treat yourself to a flawless line up with a temple fade. This will give you some texture while keeping the hair close, manageable and oh-so nice.

Short Black Temple Fade

Instagram / @famos

21. Cornrows

Cornrows are a popular theme for Afro-American hairstyles, both male and female, as they are perfect if you want to tame your naturally curly hair. Cornrows coupled with a neat buzz cut look stunning on younger guys.

Mid Fade and Cornrows Hairstyle for Black Men

Instagram / @herb_the_barber

22. Mohawk Dreadlocks

If you are in search of a more unusual alternative to a head full of dreads, consider pairing your look with a mohawk. Whatever length or quantity, this cool style will work for any guy that wants to draw attention with a nontrivial look.

Dreadlocks with Taper Fade

Instagram / @lua_bandeiras

23. Fade with Shaved Lines

This is a great example of how natural black hair can be flawlessly cut for an impeccable smart look with geometric precision. One of the most popular classic haircuts for black men, it can be spiced up with hair design to create a totally new look. The temple fade and perfectly cut beard add a nice touch, too.

Short Lines Haircut for Black Men

Instagram / @seuelias

24. Twistouts and Freestyle Design

The burst fade is among the cool haircuts for black men who strive to show off their hair texture. Without any doubt, tight curls and impressive hair design make up a mind-blowing combination. By the way, this style can be adapted to suit different hair textures and lengths. For instance, you can go for longer hair on top, creating even a more striking contrast between the faded sides and the twistouts.

Freestyle Design Haircut for African American

Instagram / @agno_black_red

25. Short, Edgy and Wavy

Short hair doesn’t have to be plain and boring. This one is a very trendy haircut, based upon the contrast of lines and accentuated by the natural hair texture of black men – a very worthy option to try.

Wavy Natural Hair Cut with Curled Line

Instagram / @andyauthentic

26. Short Afro with Temple Fade

Check out this awesome low skin fade featuring a sculpted afro top with steep sides. Add an angled line of hair growth, and you’ll get one of the best haircuts for black men ever!

Curly Afro with Temple Fade

Instagram / @donjuliothe3rd

27. Awesome Waves

This eye-catching waves haircut is all about texture. Use a good quality conditioner, a pomade and a wave brush to maintain the hairstyle. The waves get only more defined over time, helping you get an effortlessly cool look.

Sleek Deep Waves for Black Men

Instagram / @modernsalon

28. Twisted Hi-Top Fade

We love this amazing afro style with hair twists on top and clean steeply tapered sides and back. This haircut requires frequent trimming to keep it in shape, but it’s worth it, undoubtedly.

Natural Black Hairstyle for Men

Instagram / @smashthalegend

29. Male Box Braids Square Parts

It’s safe to say that a braided hairstyle is a great option for guys with long hair. First and foremost, a braided style is low maintenance and even more so with this medium fade. In addition, you might want to get this protective style to help grow longer hair.

Male Box Braids for Black Middle Length Hair

Instagram / @lushbraidsbyb

30. Mohawk Hairstyle

Black hair boasts a unique texture that allows for a variety of mind-blowing haircut styles. Natural curls perfectly combine with the finely tapered sideburns, temple, and neckline to create a cool look.

Long Twisted Top with High Fade

Instagram / @zeke_the_barber

31. Flat Top

This is a hot and attractive afro hairstyle for guys, featuring contrasts in lines and hair length. You will love it because it’s quite original and easy to maintain.

Long Flat Top Haircut

Instagram / @max_dossantos

32. Two Strand Twists

If you’re looking to upgrade your short to medium-length curly hair, scroll no further. Two strand twists are really cool, aren’t they? By the way, you can pair it with a drop fade and add rings to make the style even more outstanding.

33. Pompadour with Temple Fade

This guy rocks his kinky curly hair cut into a rounded pompadour shape instead of the more common flat top. A skin fade at the sides contributes to the classic pompadour shape.

High Rounded Top Black Men's Haircut

Instagram / @max_dossantos

34. Long Dreads

If you consider getting box dreadlocks but want them to look unique and smart, here’s an idea: you can combine dreads with an undercut. Afro fade enhances the dreadlocks guys can find boring to wear.

Long Dreadlocks with Undercut

Instagram / @herb_the_barber

35. Skin Fade with Waves

Kinky coils begin to cause you styling troubles only when they are long. And keeping them short and well-trimmed, you are gaining enviable density and fabulous texture. This cool short haircut allows you to showcase your natural hair texture and looks incredibly stylish thanks to the stunning high skin fade.

Short Haircut for Black Men

Instagram / @v12barbering

36. Mid Fade Mohawk

The mohawk fade is a popular haircut for black men who aren’t into cutting their hair short and strive to achieve an edgy, daring look instead. The mohawk fade is a modern variation of the classic cut that offers a versatile and stylish take on black men haircuts.

Long Afro with Undercut for Men

Instagram / @yakuzabarber

37. Waves with Hair Design

If you don’t like fade haircuts, you might love these buzz-cut waves. Bold and stylish, this buzz cut flatters the gorgeous natural hair texture black men can boast. A unique hair design at the nape is everything you need for the perfect finish.

38. Short Haircut

We’re convinced that high fade is ideal for black men who have curly hair that they’d like to tame. Fair enough, a short high-fade haircut is too short to cause any problems. A full beard and original hair design such as this shaved line make this look really awesome.

High Fade Line Haircut and Long Beard for Black Men

Instagram / @andyauthentic

39. Colored Mohawk

This mohawk fade stands out due to the bleached twisted curls that help to bring out the texture of the dense kinky coils in a rather daring way. Without any doubt, this cut looks awesome on teenage African American guys.

Bleached Mohawk Hairstyle for Black Men

Instagram / @jose.crespo_

40. Man Bun

Man bun is obviously all the rage today, so if you look for perfect long hairstyles for black men – steal this idea. High skin fade, sophisticated hair design, and a touch of blonde definitely make this hair stand out.

Undercut Man Bun on Natural Hair

Instagram / @zeke_the_barber

All in all, you can create an absolutely amazing look to rock your black natural hair. No matter what you choose – waves buzz, taper fade, or Afro hairstyle with dreadlocks, it will definitely flatter your hair texture. We’re sure that with our ultimate compilation of black men’s hairstyles you have no doubts about the number of hairstyle options black hair offers. Just pick a couple of faves, give each of them a go-to, and come up with the one you’ll find the most flattering.

Black High Top Fade African American Flat Top Fade Afro Temple Fade Black Long Top Fade With Designs Extra Short Skin Fade With Beard Short Line Up With Temple Fade Men's Short Mohawk With Head Tattoo High Skin Fade With Afro Top High Top Fade With Line Up Short 360 Waves Hairstyle For Men Black Line Up Line Up Cut With Nape And Temple Fade African American High Top Fade Temple And Nape Fade Black Male Fauxhawk Short Dreadlocked Mohawk For Men Skin Fade With Shaved Part Medium Fade With Line Up Black Curly Taper Fade Short Black Temple Fade Mid Fade and Cornrows Hairstyle for Black Men Dreadlocks with Taper Fade Short Lines Haircut for Black Men Freestyle Design Haircut for African American Wavy Natural Hair Cut with Curled Line Curly Afro with Temple Fade Sleek Deep Waves for Black Men Natural Black Hairstyle for Men Male Box Braids for Black Middle Length Hair Long Twisted Top with High Fade Long Flat Top Haircut Two Stand Twists for Men High Rounded Top Black Men's Haircut Long Dreadlocks with Undercut Short Haircut for Black Men Long Afro with Undercut for Men Heartbeat Nape Shaved Design High Fade Line Haircut and Long Beard for Black Men Bleached Mohawk Hairstyle for Black Men Undercut Man Bun on Natural Hair
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