30 Dapper Black Men’s Hairstyles to Make You Stand Out

You're going to want to bookmark this black men's haircut guide.

Are you bored of your style or struggling to style your natural hair? Don’t worry! There are lots of fresh black men’s haircuts out there for you to try. Rooted in history and modified through the years, we have seen many iterations and styles of black hairstyles for men, such as cool dread styles, the natural afro, hair that’s buzzed short, and every iteration of a fade! No matter how you want to style or cut it, there are tons of trending hairstyles perfect for your textured hair.

We’ve compiled a gallery of some of the most stylish black men’s hairstyles. And who knows? They may inspire your next ‘do.

Our Favorite Black Men’s Haircuts

Read on to see the many black men’s hairstyles out there and find one that’s sure to work for you:

1. Baby Afro Haircut

Black man with a baby afro on the catwalk.
Keep things cool with a baby afro Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

This afro haircut is great for guys who want some length but don’t have much time to style their hair. Go for an all-over chop and maintain this look with regular trips to your barber. Be sure to use some pomade to help you create your structured and defined afro hairstyle.

2. Twist-Out — Black Men’s Haircuts

Man wearing twist out black men hairstyle.
Twist out and master this cool style for your hair. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

This hairstyle for black men works by creating curls through twisting your hair. You’ll have to maintain this look by constantly twisting your locks, but it’s so worth it to try out this stylish look.

3. Black Men’s Haircuts: High and Tight

Black man with high and tight hairstyle.
The high and tight is a classic look on black men. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Looking for black men haircuts that are easy to style? We love black men’s haircuts that are structured and easy to handle. The high and tight is all about shaved sides with some length on the top. It’s a great option for low-maintenance guys.

4. Buzz Cut Black Haircuts

Black man wearing a buzz cut.
Go for a buzzed look for your next look. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

To go one step further in the short hair department, opt for a buzzed cut. These black haircuts are a great look for summer, requiring minimal styling while looking effortlessly cool.

5. Short Dreads with a Fade

Man with short dreads hairstyle.
Go short with your look with these awesome dreads. Photo credit: Dvora

If a whole head of dreads isn’t for you, try this cut. It’s a mix of mini dreads, a high top, and the stylish Brooklyn fade. That might sound like a lot, but this look is actually fairly simple and extra cool. Loc-ing just the hair on the top of your head will feel a lot lighter, and the fade ties the style together.

6. Bold Afro Hair Men

Black man with bleached bold afro.
Go for a bold afro for your next style. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Channel the ’70s with these bold afro hair men styles tailored to black men with long hair. Whether you take it to the next level and opt for color is up to you, but you’ll have to master how to maintain this awesome shape.

Keep your afro style in check by using some SheaMoisture Men Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Defining Cream. This product gives afro hairstyles a strong hold with a defined finish.

7. Black Men with Brown Hair All-Over Curls

Black man with curly afro haircut.
Embrace those curls in this mid-afro.

Calling all black men with curly hair: embrace your beautiful texture by rocking a full head of curls. You’ll need to master your own styling routine (hair mousse is key), but once you have, you’ll be golden.

8. High Top Fade Black People Haircuts

Black man with high top fade haircut.
Go for a high-top fade for your next look. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

A high top is one of our favorite hairstyles for black men since it looks great with natural hair. The look will always exude an air of style and confidence. Add more style to this cut by creating a definition to your sides with clippings. Keep it simple with one clean line for a sharp vibe. And remember, a high top doesn’t have to have a perfectly flat top. Let your barber work with your hair texture to create the best finish for your hair.

9. Black Men with Straight Hair and Short Braids

Black man wearing hair in short braids.
Go for a braided hairstyle to embrace your texture. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Although more of a braided hairstyle than an afro, the look still involves wearing natural hair in its virgin state but with a twist. The short braids give the appearance of straight hair. Hair is kept to cheekbone length and box-braided from a half-inch from the root to the tips. Wear a middle part to maximize the look and highlight the uniform sleekness of the braids.

10. Dreadlocks

black mens hairstyles
You can’t go wrong.

Dreadlocks have become more and more mainstream in recent years. This look will instantly give you a cool vibe, and so long as you keep up with your hair growth, they will always look pulled together. You can wear long dreads down, in a man bun, or in a loose ponytail. Whatever works for you!

11. Full Afro

Black man with full, glorious afro.
Go natural and wear it proudly. Photo credit: indigitailimages.com

Looking for an iconic black men’s haircut? The full ‘fro is back and better than ever. Use a spray to add moisture and shine to your hair or spray onto wet hair when you need to get any knots or tangles out. Embracing your full afro is the best way to show off all of the natural volume your strands have.

12. High and Tapered Afro

Black man with high and tapered afro.
Ends that aren’t too precise give a more casual feel. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

This popular ’90s afro hairstyle has got a modern update. Instead of a round shape, 3C hair is left to grow out longer up top and tapered towards the neckline at the bottom.

The result is a narrower, “reverse triangle” look that actually is super-flattering on guys with a square jawline and sharper features. You may also need some texturizing paste to help you to shape and define your afro.

13. Cropped

Black man with cropped black haircut.
Closely cropped afros are comfy (and casual-cool) in hotter weather. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

We can’t get enough of the baby ’fro. Different versions of the cropped afro have been seen on designer runways and celebrities, and with good reason: This look keeps your head cool (literally) and ready for the workday while retaining some natural swag. Not to mention, it’s relatively easy to upkeep — simply trim every month.

14. Blocky

Man with rounded black afro.
The more conservative version of a tapered afro. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Wearing your ’fro like a curly, medium fade gives it an angular shape. The tops have a slightly rounded, natural shape, but the sides are cut more squarish (yet not shaved). The overall result is a softer and shorter version of the tapered afro, which complements men with high foreheads and guys with strong jaws. If you want a slicked blocky look, use some pomade.

15. Medium-Length Dreadlocks

Black man with medium-length dreads.
Playing with the direction of your dreads gives your hairstyle a contemporary twist. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Medium-length dreadlocks are one of the more popular afro hairstyles for black men we’ve seen out on the streets, as it marries ease of wear and a unique, creative way to rock natural hair. Instead of wearing your locs long and strong, keep sections at a shorter length (enough to still spike out). The sides of these haircuts are usually shorter and the top can be kept long enough to be styled at an angle.

16. Go Natural

Black man with natural afro hairstyle.
High and super fly: The natural Afro retains a longer length on the crown and a closely cropped neckline. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

For the classicists out there, the natural afro is (and as far as we’re concerned, will always be) in vogue. The go-to length for this year is around 5 inches up top, and slightly shorter in the neckline and sides. Wearing an afro has some responsibilities, the biggest of which is consistent conditioning. Spritzing it periodically with some leave-in conditioner can help with any frizz and keep your spirals bouncy and well-defined.

17. Close-Cropped Buzz

Black man with close cropped hairstyle.
This military cut is perfect. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

For the shortest of hairstyles, go for the buzz. This all-over abbreviated look keeps you from totally shaving your head while giving that barely-there feel. This particular cut is great because military haircuts have become so popular. Bonus: An all-over short buzz looks good on almost everyone. It’s a confident look that we think is extra dapper.

18. Black Men’s Haircuts: Clean-Cut High Top

Black man with a high top hairstyle.
A crisp, clean high top. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

If you’re really going for that clean-cut look, ask your barber to pay extra attention to your hairline. They can shave and style your hairline to get that perfectly straight look. Ask for a Brooklyn fade to get that sharp notch right at your temple for a more unique look.

19. Angled Top With Fade

Black man with angled top fade haircut.
Precise cuts create a unique look. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

For a slightly sharper high-top look, try adding in an angle. The precise cut of this look makes it extra special and stylish. To get this look, make sure you show your barber just how much of an angle you would like, i.e. not too steep, but not too low either. Aim for an angle like the above, which exemplifies the style while keeping things in proportion.

20. Curly Top

Black man with curly top haircut.
Texture and style? Done and done. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

For a cut that is right in between a high top and a mini ‘fro, try the curly top. It’s got the sharper shape of a high top with the curly appeal of an afro, and it looks particularly fresh with a fade. Depending on your curl structure and preference, you can keep your curly top longer or shorter. This medium length looks great on a lot of jaw structures.

21. Mini Dreads With Fade

Black man with mini dreads and fade haircut.
A fade can update any cut.

We love the look of short locs with an undercut fade around the ears and neck. It takes this classic style and makes it totally modern.

Make sure when you have dreadlocks to keep them clean and hydrated with a moisturizing shampoo. We like SheaMoisture Men African Black Soap & Tea Tree Oil 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner because it’s a one-and-done! Curly hair tends to run on the drier side, and having hair in dreadlocks is no exception. That is why it’s important to use a hydrating shampoo for extra moisture.

22. Waves and Low Fade

Black man with waves and low fade haircut.
Double up on textures and lengths.

Double on textures and lengths by pairing waves with a low fade and styling with SheaMoisture Men Argan Oil & Shea Butter Waves Pomade. Thanks to the argan oil and shea butter infused in the formula, this pomade will help moisturize and nourish your hair. It’ll also make it easier to define and create a 360 wave style.

23. Tall Flat Top Taper Black Men’s Haircuts

Black man with tall flat top haircut.
Get in on some structured volume.

The tall flat top is one of our favorite taper haircuts for black men. The style adds volume and structure to your look while gradually getting shorter and thinner towards the base of your head.

24. Caesar Fade

Black man with Ceasar fade haircut.
Play with length and dimension.

Love a put-together, polished black men’s haircut? The high low Caesar fade is a classic. You can’t go wrong with this sharp hairline — we’ve seen this look on so many celebrities! It’s an instant favorite.

25. All-Over Curls

Black man with all over curls haircut.
Let your curls run wild.

Let your curls do the talking and wear them soft and naturally grown out. Sometimes the best style is to just let your natural texture and volume do all the work. The phrase “woke up like this” has never looked so good!

26. Closely Cropped Buzz Cut

Black man with closely cropped buzz cut hairstyle.
A buzz cut always looks tough and edgy. Photo Credit: indigitalimages.com

Keep it short and sleek with a closely cropped buzz cut. This buzzed look requires minimal effort and easy upkeep —  perfect for those days you want to look put together without actually trying.

27. Full Buzz

Black man with full buzz cut hairstyle.
Keep it short.

To get this look, simply ask your barber to carefully buzz your hair close to the head, giving it that barely-there effect. Talk about an easy-to-care-for look! It’s also a handsome way to frame your face. 

28. Black Men with Long Hair Natural Full Afro

Black man with full afro haircut.
A full afro totally steals the show. Photo Credit: indigitalimages.com

Spring runway styles were all about showing off natural textures, and full afro styles featured heavily. For all of the black men with long hair, this afro look is great for you to try. However, maintaining any natural Afro look requires some care. To keep your style clean and hydrated, use Suave Men 2-In-1 Ocean Charge Shampoo + Conditioner whenever it’s time to give your hair a wash.

29. High Taper Fade Black Male

Black man with high-tapered fade haircut.
High fade cuts are retro yet cool. Photo Credit: indigitalimages.com

If you want a natural hair look that’s daring and exciting, a high fade cut always looks sharp and on-trend. To get this retro-inspired black hairstyle for men, ask your barber to carefully buzz the sides and bottom part of the head, keeping enough hair on the top part of your head.

30. Thick Curly Styles

Black man with natural curl haircut.
Natural curls are making a comeback. Photo Credit: Dvora

If you want a look that’s full of texture, don’t be afraid to show off your natural curls. However, keeping your curls nourished is key, so invest in a good conditioner or leave-in product. And mousse will do wonders to help define your curly hair!

Are you thinking about trying out one of these Black men’s haircuts? Be sure to snap a picture and tag us @AllThingsHairUS! Also for more men’s hair inspiration, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below.

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