Some men like their natural afro curls, but they would rather try a short afro hairstyle because they do not want their hair to look too big or feel hard to manage. And a short hairstyle does not mean there is only one variation. In this article, we have picked our 15 favorite short afro hairstyles for men.
Short Afro Hairstyles for Black Men
These are some of the most popular short hairstyles for men with afro curls to explore.
1. Classic Close-Cropped Afro
A simple short afro haircut is a very practical style that does not require a lot of products or styling every morning.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces.
How to style: Trim the ends regularly to the desired length. Clean up the hairline at the forehead with a subtle taper so the curls still look natural, but the haircut feels neater.
2. 360 Waves with a Temple Fade
You will love this style for its simplicity and precision.
Ideal for: Round and oval face shapes.
How to style: Use clippers to shape the temple fade and keep the wave pattern crisp with regular brushing.
3. Sculpted Hard Part Afro
The defined part and temple line give this short afro a more geometric shape that can flatter softer facial features.
Ideal for: Round and heart-shaped faces.
How to style: Once you cut your hair to the desired length, use a hair trimmer to create the skin fade and the line that acts as a part, making the hairstyle look sharper and more structured.
4. Short Afro for a Receding Hairline
As opposed to a big afro, a short afro can work well for men with a receding hairline. It sits neatly against the forehead and blends well with the rest of the face.
Ideal for: All face shapes.
How to style: Regularly maintain the short length.
5. Curly Mohawk with a Disconnected Undercut
Be brave enough to play with a classic mohawk and a disconnected undercut.
Ideal for: Round and square face shapes.
How to style: Using clippers, create the drop fade and smooth skin fade, then even out the rest. Shape the mohawk so it is widest at the top and narrowest above the nape of the neck.
6. Bleached Short Afro
If your hair has not been colored before and you want to try something new, bleaching can make a short afro feel even bolder.
Ideal for: All face shapes.
How to style: Using bleach, a dye brush, gloves, and some foil, lighten your hair carefully according to the product instructions. If you want to match your beard, use products made specifically for facial hair. Trim both the beard and the ends of the hair to keep the finish fresh.
7. Short Afro with Tapered Sides
Creating contrast between the hair on top and the shorter sides helps visually elongate your face and makes it appear narrower and more structured.
Ideal for: Square and round-shaped faces.
How to style: Use a hair trimmer to taper the sides and create a clean fade. Trim the top to shape it and leave it natural without any extra styling.
8. Low Fade Afro with a Sharp Beard
If you like simple hairstyles, this one leaves enough room to play with the beard and the sideburns. If you are handy with the trimmer, this short afro and beard combination is for you.
Ideal for: Square and oval-shaped faces.
How to style: Create the low fade using a hair trimmer. Also, trim the beard short and carve it out carefully. The hair on top requires no styling.
9. Short Twists with a Fade
If you do not like the uniform shape of a classic short afro, you can try creating twists on top and combining them with a clean fade.
Ideal for: Heart and round-shaped faces.
How to style: Shape the fade and the sides into a square outline. Section your hair and intertwine the strands to create twists.
10. Buzz Cut Fade with Geometric Lines
Afro hair cut into a buzz cut looks sharp and clean. It can also bring out a subtle wavy texture that looks especially striking with shaved lines.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces.
How to style: Using your hair trimmer, cut the hair to an even short length. Then create a clean fade and carve out the lines.
11. Curly High Top Fade
This short afro hairstyle not only has an elongating effect, but it also has a playful finish that is hard not to love.
Ideal for: Round and oval-shaped faces.
How to style: Shape the fade and the part with clippers, then cut the hair on top evenly.
12. Soft Natural Afro
This haircut is just long enough to keep the soft, full shape of a classic afro.
Ideal for: Heart and round-shaped faces.
How to style: No styling is needed.
13. Curly Fohawk with Graphic Lines
If you like eccentric hairstyles, you can try this geometric look. It is not the easiest to create, but it definitely stands out.
Ideal for: Square and round-shaped faces.
How to style: Adjust the temp fade to your hairline. Carve out the lines on the sides and trim the hair beneath them. Trim the beard and add a line to it too. Shape the short afro and make sure to leave it a little longer on the top.
14. Short Mohawk Fade with Lines
Trying the mohawk hairstyle is worth it for anyone who loves to have fun with their hair.
Ideal for: Round and heart-shaped faces.
How to style: Using clippers, shape the temp fade and the skin fade precisely, then carve out the geometric lines behind the ears. Cut the mohawk to a short length, making sure it is slightly shorter at the front.
15. Close Crop with a Beard
The charm of this very short hairstyle is in how simple and effortless it looks. In reality, the shape-up, fade, and beard lines need to be kept very precise for the cut to look this clean.
Ideal for: Square and oval-shaped faces.
How to style: Make the length of the hairstyle even all over. Carve out the temp fade, the sideburns, and the goatee beard precisely.
Hopefully, after seeing the variety of short afro hairstyles to choose from, you have been inspired to wear your natural afro curls in a way that best suits your face shape and personal style.