Conk hairstyles are named after the relaxing solution that was once used to straighten out men’s African-textured hairstyles.
Men tend to use different products if they want to relax kinky hair. Because relaxers are strong chemical treatments, they are best left to a licensed stylist, and many of the looks below can also be created with a flat iron.
The Popular Conk Hairstyles
Conk hair actually fell out of fashion during the Civil Rights era in America. This is because people like Malcolm X believed that men with African-textured hair should not be forced to relax their hair if they didn’t want to.
After this period, natural kinky styles became far more common amongst successful African-American men. Some people choose to relax their hair using safer products to pay homage to these styles. It can also produce a cool retro hairstyle for men.
#1: Conk Hairstyle with Highlights
When you want highlights, you need to choose a lighter color that suits your skin tone. In this case, a copper shade will fabulously suit your straight, comb-over hairstyle. Define your beard and keep it short for a modern casual look.
#2: Pompadour
When you love hairstyles that don’t pass without a fuss, this straightened hair styled with short sides and a Pompadour is certainly going to stand out. Add a pomade or hair gel to make the hairdo last the whole day.
#3: Coarse Top
Getting straight hair was a harsh process back in the day, and the products used for early relaxers could damage the hair. Today, you can get a similar sleek finish at home with a straightening iron and a heat protector spray.
#4: Comb Over
Inspired by the retro conk hairstyle, this hairdo features shorter sides and a straightened top. In the twenties, the mix contained a corrosive ingredient called lye that was mixed with potato paste and eggs. Black men use different techniques and styling procedures when they want their hair to look less curly. These are by far less damaging!
#5: Retro Blues Look
Back in the day, black men wanted a hairstyle that was easy to manage. Between the 20s and the 60s, men used congolene as a hair straightener. It was a very common mix that helped them pull off a conk hairdo, even if it was quite damaging for their natural hair.
#6: Quiff
Conk hair can be pulled up into a quiff style at the front of the head. To give your hair a more quiff-like look, roll your hair around and back onto itself. This gives your hair a beautiful wave shape.
#7: Asymmetrical Style
Relaxed hair can be styled into a multitude of different looks. This asymmetrical hairdo is quite retro and styles like this were very popular in the 1980s. However, hair like this is making a comeback and can be seen on some big musical stars.
#8: Conk Hairstyle Pompadour
Conk hairstyles look great when they are styled into high rise pompadour looks. The pompadour is a great hairstyle for men who want to evoke the 1950’s greaser or teddy boy look.
#9: Spiked Up Style
Relaxed natural hair can be pulled up into perfect spikes which line up with the angles of your face. Shave the sides of your hair to make sure that the hairstyle looks masculine and angular.
#10: Mini-Curls
In this type of conk hairstyle, the natural African-textured curls have been relaxed before softer baby curls have been styled in. Soft mini-curls were popular in the 1940’s, but now many men prefer their own natural African-textured curls.
Although conk hairstyles have an interesting history, some men still love to style their hair with a relaxed look. If you do want a chemical relaxer, have a licensed stylist handle it, or reach for a flat iron to get the look at home. If you want to leave your African-textured hair in a more natural style, you can take a look at some of our other lists of kinky hairstyles.