Whether you have a head full of curls, dapper dreads, or a taper collecting second glances, the sky’s the limit with men’s modern hairstyles. With popular celebrities sporting longer, textured styles (Jason Momoa, The Weekend, need we say more?) it’s easier than ever to feel empowered embracing your hair’s natural look.
Not only are there tons of styles to choose from, but there are also endless ways to tailor each style to you. Sometimes all it takes is coming up with a men’s curly hair routine that truly works for you.
Read on to explore practical tips for defining your curls & coils & review the hottest elevated hairstyles for men including the iconic afro, classic fade & the unforgettable high top.
First Thing’s First: Stocking Your Product Lineup
Whether you have short tight coils or long braids for days, understanding your curl pattern & the products worthy of supporting your texture are essential for taking your look from every day to replay.
While there’s an endless variety of hairstyles for men with natural hair, many cuts require products with a few key ingredients for protecting your curls & keeping them lustrous. Here’s an overview of ingredients to look out for when you’re after well-defined hair:
- Jojoba Oil – When you’re scouring for your next best hair product, keep an eye out for options that contain Jojoba Oil, which closely resembles the oil your scalp naturally produces. This holy grail ingredient can help reduce frizz, maintain a healthy scalp & boost hair growth (no wonder you’ll find it in many PATTERN products like our Jojoba Oil Blend & Medium Conditioner).
- Aloe Vera – If you’ve ever had to soothe a sunburn, you may already be familiar with the calming effects of Aloe Vera. With more than just a cooling feel, this plant actually contains enzymes that can help repair dead skin cells on your scalp, leading to healthier hair. No wonder, we’ve formulated products like our Cleansing Shampoo, Hydrating Mist & Detangling Nectar with this key ingredient.
- Coconut Oil – Curls & coils require some extra attention when it comes to hydration, so try to seek out products, like our Hydration Shampoo & Lightweight Conditioner, that contain a natural emollient, like Coconut Oil, to help lock in moisture. This superior oil can penetrate the hair shaft, helping to prevent water loss during the drying process & maintaining a healthy moisture balance.
On natural hairstyles for men, ingredients are key, so make sure to find a hair cream, gel or mousse designed for your unique hair type. If this sounds right up your ally, we recommend our Styling Cream, Curl Gel or Curl Mousse.
Embracing the Iconic Afro
Nothing says iconic quite like an afro. If your naturally coily hair allows you to rock this style, lucky you! But with great style comes great responsibility. Caring for & maintaining your afro requires a few key techniques, including:
Apply Moisturizing Leave-In & Styling Cream
Keep your afro hairstyle looking its best with hydrating leave-in conditioner & curl cream. Tight coils require more hydration than other curl types, making it crucial to care for your afro by applying products like PATTERN’s Palo Santo Leave-In Conditioner with ingredients like Jojoba Oil & humectants like Honey & Aloe to help attract hydration.
Stick with Low-Manipulation Styles
To maintain your afro’s juicy volume all day long, opt for low-maintenance, low-manipulation styles to keep your style looking & feeling its best. This means that when your hair isn’t down, choose looks that help you keep your hands out of it (like buns or roll styles) & allow your coils to maintain their natural shape.
Opt for Silk or Satin Pillowcases
As with other types of hair, tight coils grow an average of six inches a year. If you’re interested in growing your afro hair a little longer, you’ll want to avoid breakage.
Silk or satin pillowcases are a multifaceted technique for caring for your afro—& you don’t even have to be awake for it. At once, they minimize friction that can cause natural hair breakage while also helping maintain the moisturizing oils on your hair & scalp.
If you’re wearing braids or shorter styles, you may opt for a durag to keep hair fresh.
Elevating with Braids & Twists
From intricate braids to artistic twists, there’s no shortage of protective hairstyles for men. Not only do these men’s haircuts look stylish, but they can actually prevent breakage by avoiding the stress & friction of daily styling.
Here’s a look at how these popular styles differ to help you choose which statement style you want to choose next.
Creative Braids
If you’ve never dabbled with braids, now’s your chance. They’re a timeless look with tons of room for customization. From faded cornrows to tapered locs, these styles can vary in length, texture & tightness.
Of course, simple braids rooting from a center part are always a classic look. But you can get infinitely creative with them, too. Try Bantu knots for a little bit more pop, box braids to frame a smoldering jawline, or fewer, larger braids starting from the hairline back on longer hair.
Timeless Twists
Twist hairstyles are trending for men & they're another style that will always be in. Tailored for those with a tighter hair texture, twists are a go-to protective men’s hairstyle for natural coils if that’s what you’re after. Plus, coil twists look great on short hair, long hair & pretty much everything in between.
Try smaller twists if you have short hair, & larger, thicker twists if you’re working with more length & volume. Twists are also a great complement to other hairstyles: twists & fades, twists & braids—endless opportunities.
Opting for the Buzz Cut
For an effortlessly cool style, a buzz cut is a no-brainer. This classic look highlights your facial features while making it easy to wake up & go. Whether you’re a man with a plan who needs a versatile cut or you have long hair & want to switch things up, you can’t go wrong with a buzz.
You may be wondering: Does this short cut get you out of styling? While you may be able to opt out of curl defining creams & leave-in conditioners, giving your scalp the TLC it needs is still important.
Regularly shampooing & conditioning your hair is key, & keeps it healthy in case you ever plan to grow it out longer than a buzz cut. For an added boost, check out PATTERN’s line of scalp care products to give your scalp & hair the cleansing & nourishment they need.
Showcasing Dapper Locs
The energy a person with locs carries in a room is unmistakable: there’s a natural confidence, ease & suaveness. That’s probably why loc styles have withstood the test of time & are as popular as ever.
While classic locs feature thick bundles of hair hanging freely from your scalp, there are plenty of ways to add even more modern flair to this timeless look. If your strands are long enough, you can gather your locs into a sophisticated low, loose ponytail, or get a little more edgy & an undercut to the base. & don't forget the importance of using specialized locs products to maintain their health & vibrancy!
Opting for Classic Fades
While looks from the 90s may be back in style, a classic fade has never lost its cool factor. A fade is more than just a haircut; it’s a means of self-expression, where you & your barber craft a seamless transition from longer hair on the top of your scalp to a “faded” design that speaks your style to the world.
While any hair type can sport this hairstyle, your curl pattern & density allow you to craft a unique look that enhances your unique hair texture.
When it comes to caring for & maintaining your fade, using the right, high-quality ingredients is crucial. For a polished feel, opt for a product with light hold, like PATTERN’s Styling Cream, which can help sculpt the longer section of your cut so you can show off the style in all its artistry.
Standing Out with High-Top Style
A high-top, or high-top fade, is a sleek & polished look with no shortage of volume. With a close shave along the back & sides of your scalp, this style makes an entrance with several inches of length on top of your head. It’s best suited for coily hair & natural afros, but it can be done with natural curly hair, too.
One of the many benefits of tight curls is its ease of sculpting & shaping. Whether you’re looking for a rounded, short high-top with a close shave or a classic, sky-high cut with clearly defined edges, the sky is truly the limit with this style.
Styling the Pompadour Twist
For vintage vibes, there’s no better style than the pompadour twist. Packed with flair, this hairstyle has passed the test of time, transcending decades of men’s hairstyles & remaining an excellent example of iconic men’s fashion & grooming.
Whether you want to make a bold statement with an asymmetrical pompadour or you’re stepping right into the classic 50s cut, the hallmarks of this style include its voluminous, cascading top complete with a trimmed & tight shave along the back.
Dawned by none other than James Dean & Elvis Presley, it’s no wonder this versatile look has never gone out of style. Pairing a pompadour with a full beard adds a layer of ruggedness to your polish, all the more reason to give this hairstyle a shot.
Sport Your Style with PATTERN
No matter the length or style of your tresses, PATTERN has the products you need for a variety of natural curly hairstyles for men. Packed with high-quality ingredients like Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil & Avocado Oil, our line of curl defining products will quench your coils & keep your style looking better, longer.
Shop our full collection by category or texture & find your style secret weapon today.
Sources:
Healthline. 13 Reasons to Add Jojoba Oil to Your Skin Care Routine. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/jojoba-oil-for-face#hypoallergenic
National Library of Medicine. ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
National Library of Medicine. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/#:~:text=Coconut%20oil%2C%20being%20a%20triglyceride,penetrate%20inside%20the%20hair%20shaft.
The Fashionisto. The Pompadour Haircut: Vintage Vibes, Modern Twist. https://www.thefashionisto.com/pompadour-hairstyles-men/
