Do you have natural, curly hair? Do you want to get the afro curl look? This post will tell you everything you need to know about how to get African curls on a male. Get your fingers ready and read on!
This blog post is written for men who would like to learn more about how they can achieve their desired hairstyle with natural, curly hair. It doesn’t matter what type of texture your hair has or if it’s short or long – this guide will teach all of the steps needed in order to obtain the classic “afro” curl look that many people love today.
In addition to this guide, we’ve also put together a collection of male hairstyle pictures which can be used as helpful reference guides.
We have divided the blog post into sections which are listed below:
1-About Afro Curly Hairstyles
2-Thicken Up Your Strands
3-How To Get The Curls
4-Tools And Products Needed
5-Cut Your Hair The Right Way
6-Styling And Maintaining Your Afro
7-How To Maintain An Afro Without Products
8-How To Care & Style Short Afros
About Afro Curly Hairstyles
Before we dive into the actual guide we wanted to take some time to tell you about afro curly hairstyles. Afro curls are a variety of natural hairstyles that are becoming more and more popular today.
For those who don’t know, “afro” is simply a term used to describe hair that grows naturally in an afro shape, even if the person has a much shorter hair length than most people with typical afros would have.
The main reason why people like this look so much is because it’s very versatile. You can wear your afro curly style in any way that you want or need; styled up, styled down, slicked back, straightened out, texturized, and anything else you could imagine! It’s all up to you.
Here is an example of a black male who wears his afro curly hair in a low fade with long sideburns and facial hair:
The possibilities are endless! Some guys wear their hair straight down while others like to keep it high (like the gentleman on the right), or they may even wear it slicked back. It’s all about what look you’re going for so try different things out.
Thicken Up Your Strands Naturally
Before you decide on your new look, the first thing you need to do is find a way to make your hair appear thicker. All men don’t have thick hair and if yours happens to be thin then achieving the afro curl hairstyle won’t be as easy because it will take more maintenance in order for it to look good.
To help fix this problem, try using a different shampoo and conditioner in order to keep your strands looking fuller. If you don’t want to buy brand new ones then simply get one from a smaller brand or one that isn’t all that popular yet. This strategy works best when you’re trying out some of the latest styles that have just come out.
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How To Get The Curls
Getting your hair to curl might take some work but it’s not as hard as you think.
First of all, make sure that you’re using products that are specifically made for curls (like Kinky-Curly) and NOT those designed for straight or wavy styles (Suave and Garnier Fructis).
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The more natural the ingredients in your product the better job they will do at holding your curls together so be very careful when deciding which one to purchase. They do make sulfate-free shampoo now though so keep an eye out on that aspect.
Deep conditioner
You should also consider getting a deep conditioner. This is vital because without proper conditioning your strands won’t have a fighting chance against any harsh weather conditions.
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Blow dryer
The next step is to use a blow dryer in order to help your hair dry faster so that it’s not soaking wet when you’re about to apply the product. Before using the blow-dryer make sure that the nozzle is set on low and that there’s no heat from it hitting your head directly.
The point of this strategy is basically for you to get all of your strands nice and dry so that they can receive their curl through the applying process easier.
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If you happen to be close to a pool or beach then go ahead and jump right in! This will allow water to penetrate deep into your hair follicles which will result in tighter curls as time goes by.
For those who don’t have access to these places, simply wet your hair in the shower and then apply your product while it’s still dripping wet.
Gel or curl cream
When applying your gel or curl cream, make sure that you run a generous amount through each strand so that it coats every part. A good tip to follow is to start from the bottom and work your way up, this will prevent any great amounts of build-up at the end compared to if you were to start on the top.
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The next step after allowing time for everything to dry (should not be too long) is to continue with the second round of layer application. Simply go over each section again and try focusing more on where there may be some sections that are missed. This primary and secondary process should result in curls that look very natural like those of the model in the picture below.
I recommend you keep your hair all one length and not cut it up into different layers because this type of style looks best when there’s a uniform shape to it. The reason why this strategy works so well is that you’re relying on the curls in order to make your strands appear thicker, thus giving them more volume and texture which can be worn with or without any product.
As far as styling goes, feel free to dry your hair naturally after each wash but for some guys, they like having their hair dried by a hairdryer instead. If that applies to you then don’t worry about using a blow-dryer, any kind will do!
Hairbrush
Another thing that’s very important to remember is that you should always use a smooth brush when it comes time to brushing these curls in order to prevent any unwanted breakage from happening.
I recommend getting a medium-sized round one though because they don’t cause the same amount of stress as using other products like boars, plastic, or even metal brushes.
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This step is very vital since having healthy strands will ultimately make your hairs appear thicker and more voluminous (and result in them lasting longer). As far as styling goes, be sure to be using hair gels in order to keep everything all together . They also help with the process of making your hair appear fuller, especially if you have thin and flat hairstyles.
Tools And Products Needed
It’s not a bad idea to invest in some good hair clippers so that you can have them handy at all times.
Hair clipper
If you want to save money and time, then I recommend getting one that has attachments (wide, medium, and thinning), along with various length settings.
The nice thing about investing in this type of product is because it will make maintaining your hair very easy since all you’ll need to do is turn the dials on each side until they’re both set at the appropriate level.
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Ceramic flat iron
Given how difficult it is to control curly hair, I highly recommend you go with a ceramic flat iron for styling purposes.
This type of iron works much better than any other because of its ability to provide accurate temperature control while heating up as well as its ability to evenly distribute heat.
As far as pricing goes, you shouldn’t have a problem finding one at any local beauty supply store or even online.
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Regarding what gel to use and how much of it is needed for each application, just do your best in order to make sure you use enough so that the curls stay intact. As mentioned before, avoid any product build-up because this often results in damaged looking strands (and breakage).
The hair clipper I recommend should be able to cut your hair down between 4mm and 1mm in length, try to get yourself a couple of pairs of various size attachments so that you won’t need additional tools when it comes time to maintain the style.
Depending on how much hair you have, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to purchase more than one can of pomade. Make sure it’s high quality and does not contain any harmful chemicals since those tend to cause pimples to appear on your scalp.
Lastly, if you can remember to pick up some extra sharp scissors for cutting the top layer of strands along with getting yourself a hairdryer (or using your blow-dryer), then everything else should be pretty easy.
The great thing about curly hair is the fact that it requires absolutely no product to maintain what’s already there! All you need are high-quality products for initial styling purposes, along with a few basic tools to keep everything in place.
Cut Your Hair The Right Way
If you’re looking for a haircut that will have the same results as using hair straighteners, then look no further than hair clippers.
Using a Hair Clipper
Before I get into about how to properly use one, it’s important to point out that not all of them are built equally, make sure you take your time with this process by going over certain sections multiple times. I know doing so will be annoying, but it’ll result in your strands being short enough without having to worry about them coming back too soon (as well as not causing unnecessary breakage).
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You should also try to limit the number of times per month that you decide on getting a hair cut since frequent trimming can actually weaken your strands and even cause damage to the follicles.
Thinning shears
The first thing you should do is get a pair of thinning shears and run them through your hair to make sure the length is at least 4mm. Once this has been achieved, go ahead and wash it.
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Next, take the clippers (and any attachment) that are going to give you what you want, as well as put them on top of one another (allowing the clips to interlock ). When doing so, be sure not to pull too hard, or else you’ll end up with uneven results.
If they’re causing any sort of discomfort while using them, then grab a thick towel and wrap it around your neck. Keep in mind that short hair can actually look more stylish than long hair depending on the way it has been cut, so don’t be afraid to try something wild.
When cutting your hair with clippers, keep in mind that you can use various attachments depending on what kind of look you’re going for. Going back to my previous comment about short hair looking extremely stylish, I’d recommend using a #1 guard which will produce longer strands that are perfect for an edgy appearance.
However, if you’re interested more in softening up the style , then attach a similar size attachment (generally starting at #5) while making sure to only do so when moving vertically along the head’s contours, avoid doing so horizontally since this often results in having your strands become uneven throughout their lengths.
For getting rid of the itchiness that comes with having a freshly cut hairstyle, there are numerous factors that you should be aware of. For one, you must make sure to wash your hair 2-3 times, or even more if necessary, each day since this will prevent the buildup of shampoo and conditioner which can actually cause strands to become coarse.
Anti-dandruff hair products
You’ll also want to start using an anti-dandruff hair product right away. The specific reason behind this is because such products usually contain zinc pyrithione (along with other ingredients) which help minimize scalp inflammation while helping boost dead skin cell removal.
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Styling And Maintaining Your Afro Curls
The first thing you want to do is properly style your hair so it has some definition. Start by washing your hair with a good, moisturizing shampoo and use an afro curling gel like the one I’ve linked below. This will help your curls stay in place once they are dried out.
Next, you’re going to want to towel dry your hair before using a heat protectant spray (I recommend this one ).
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Once your hair is completely dry, use some hot rollers for curly hair and let them sit in the device as long as possible. This will give you chemical-free curls that are soft and shiny. If you don’t have any hot rollers, don’t worry, there is still hope! Just pick up a curling iron and use it on sections of hair towards the bottom of your head.
After curling your hair with the proper tools, all you need to do is go back over each section and add some hairspray. Do this carefully so you don’t get too close to your scalp, but make sure that every strand has an adequate hold.
To maintain your curls after the first day, just get in the habit of using a moisture-rich pomade. The one I linked is perfect because it isn’t too shiny and will keep your hair feeling smooth and healthy all day long.
You should also make sure to brush out your afro curls every night before going to sleep (do this gently so you don’t break any strands). This will allow them to stay soft and won’t cause any unwanted frizz. Never brush wet hair though, wait until it’s completely dry!
In short, you want to:
- Wash with a moisturizing shampoo
- Use an afro curl gel/cream
- Blow-dry with a heat protectant spray
- Curl with hot rollers or curling irons
- Go over each curl with hairspray and pomade (for smoothness)
How To Maintain An Afro Without Toxic Products
If you don’t want to use products on your hair, here are some steps that you can take:
The first thing you need to do is learn how to wash it properly. You should wash your afro curls regularly (every other day), but avoid using shampoo! Instead, use a natural conditioner only.
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This will remove the residue from your scalp and leave you feeling fresh after every shower. If needed, get an extra-gentle conditioner for colored hair.
I also recommend going natural because it will help your afro curls grow thicker. If you know that you won’t be able to resist using chemical products on it, then try the Nubian Heritage Jasmine & Shea Butter Moisturizing Hair Lotion.
To maintain your hair’s health while it grows longer start by brushing it out with a wide-toothed comb. This will get rid of any knots and stimulate your follicles (which may cause them to grow).
You can also buy mousse for natural hair that isn’t too shiny. As always, let your hair dry completely before using this stuff!
The last thing you need to do is a condition all over after showering. Try not to put a bunch of conditioners in the same places every time or you’ll be building up product buildup. It’s better to put a small amount in multiple spots instead of putting a ton of it in one place.
In short, you want to:
- Wash with conditioner only (every other day)
- Learn how to brush out your afro curls with a wide-toothed comb and mousse for natural hair that isn’t too shiny
- Put some extra love into the very ends of your afro by using products like leave-in conditioners and oils!
How To Care & Style Short Afros
If you’ve been growing an afro for a while but have recently cut it into a cute short style, here are some helpful tips on styling and caring for it:
Hair pomade
The first thing you need to do is use a styling cream or pomade to dampen your hair and give it some hold. This will help keep your shorts afro neat and looking sharp.
Try using something that isn’t too shiny like this one here. If you decide to go with a gel, make sure that you only apply a tiny bit at the base of each section/strand.
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After styling the front parts of your hair, just comb everything over towards the back and secure the sides with bobby pins. Try not to use too many because they can easily ruin an otherwise decent style!
To complete the look, get in the habit of parting your hair on both sides instead of just one. This will allow you to part it slightly in the middle (where most short afros are parted) and give your hair a more symmetrical look.
For extra hold, tie an elastic around your head like this. Make sure it’s not too tight though or else you might end up with headaches! If you want to use hair products, make sure they have aloe vera or argan oil in them.
These are natural ingredients that not only help keep your hair looking shiny and healthy but also provide some much-needed moisture for those who don’t wash their hair every day.
In short, you should:
- Use styling cream/pomade on damp hair
- Part the short front sections of your afro towards the center
- Part the back sections slightly on each side and secure them with bobby pins
- Use an elastic to give it extra hold
If you follow those steps, I’m pretty sure your short afro will be looking nice in no time! If that still doesn’t work for you, try:
Cutting or trimming your hair regularly (every few months) Deep conditioning treatments Drying it out/blow drying it every once in a while Using products that have aloe vera or argan oil.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it helped you find an optimal strategy when it comes to styling afro curly hair. Feel free to share your thoughts with the rest of us in the comment section below!