Braids for men are sure to inspire a fresh new hairstyle for you this year. Braids aren’t only for women but they can work on guys with short, medium, and long hair, too! As long as you have hair that’s at least 2 inches long, you can have a braided hairstyle. 👊
Before your next trip to the barber, check out these trendy pictures of the most popular (and masculine) braids for men!
#1: Long Box Braids in a Ponytail
If you’ve spent time growing out your hair, I suggest these long box braids in a ponytail. They will protect all your hard-earned long hair. Braiding your hair can not only add length but also acts as a protective style. It keeps your hair condensed and away from unnecessary friction and snags. Hit up your local braider for more info!
#2: Braided and Tapered
Getting braided and tapered is circling back around to becoming a favorite among men’s hair. The Nipsey 4, named after the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, is a simple yet polished stitch braid style for men. Because there is minimal design, I often suggest this look for men who need a more reserved style for their careers and lifestyle.
#3: Braided Ponytail with a High Fade
The braided ponytail with a high fade is one of the hottest looks for men this season. This style works best on thick hair, and with an oval or round face shape. To get this look, you need to ask your barber for a short to medium length on the sides. Then, combine with longer layers at the top. For styling, use a light hold pomade like American Crew’s Defining Paste. This can help you to give definition and texture to your braid before securing it in place. Finish off the look by adding hairspray for extra hold.
#4: Perfectly Braided Hair
Braids are a cool style for guys, and braided hair is achievable with the right technique. Opt for a light hold pomade on damp hair to give it texture and structure before braiding. Use your fingers to keep each strand tight as you progress down, securing at the end with an elastic band. Pull apart braid loops gently with your fingertips to give your hair extra volume. Or brush them out for a more textured effect.
#5: Box Braids with a Beard
Men are becoming more creative with their longer hair as can be seen with these box braids with a beard. When having braids done, it’s very common for a braiding gel to be used, this will hold the fly-aways down keeping it neater for longer. Once it’s all up, the barber can create the fade.
#6: Dutch Braids with Taper Fade
Ideal for thick or fine hair, these Dutch braids give the illusion of thick hair. Just keep it neat and tight for that fresh and casual effect.
#7: Box Braids Man Bun
Box braids for men are sleek and convenient. This hairstyle will stand the test of time and keep you looking cool and sexy without a lot of fuss.
#8: French Braid Hairstyle for Guys
French braid hairstyles are becoming increasingly popular for guys. It can give you an elevated look versus a regular man bun or ponytail. Try it with your next haircut and see what all the fuss is about.
#9: Big Box Braids on Gents
Big box braids on gents have gained a vast amount of popularity lately. Visit a hairstylist with hair braiding experience. Suggesting for clean, even parts with several braids is vital. Maintenance around the braids with a skin taper and sharp hairline will tie everything together.
#10: Cornrows with Box Braids
Cornrows with box braids take two different braid styles and transform them into one complete hairstyle. When you get tired of the cornrows, you can take them out and have a second style with the box braids. This style can go for an extra couple of weeks if properly maintained.
#11: Short Box Braids
Short box braids are most suitable for young men. If you are interested in dreads but not yet ready to commit to them, short box braids are the perfect option for you. A sharp hairline and or fade around the side is all that’s needed to keep this style looking crispy.
#12: Long Box Braids Ponytail
Long box braids ponytail is a style for men with an active lifestyle. With an active lifestyle, you don’t have time to style and maintain your hair. The ponytail does just that, keeps hair out of the way, and you can go on with your day with no hassle.
#13: Small Box Braids for Men
Small box braids for men are a good option for men growing their hair and do not know what to do once length is achieved. It is a style that can be left in for a couple of weeks if maintained correctly. A skin taper comes highly suggested to keep all the loose hair in control.
#14: Tight Box Braids for Men
Of course, guy braids can include dope! Spice up your tight box braids with a with a mid-length style. Perfect for any hair texture as long as there is some length to it.
#15: Male Braids with Top Knot
These male braids and twists are one way of rocking the famous man bun. You can start with these edgy twists, then put all those locks into a high knot for a trendy look.
#16: Beaded Braids with Low Fade
Accessorized with beads, these strawberry braids with a low fade are your hip-hop look of the decade. Put it up in a bun or let it down, you’ll still ooze with swag and flavor.
#17: Braided Mohawk for Black Men
Go for extreme braided hairstyle for black men. Pull those twists into the center for a clean look combined with shaved sides to make a bold statement!
#18: Stylish Feed-In Braids
Men’s braided hair can always look creative and unique! Get thicker braids when you use feed-ins and allow yourself to use cool patterns and shapes to complete your braided hairstyles!
#19: Twist Braids Men Love
If you’re wanting to own men braids, try these exquisite designs. Keep it naturally black for contrast and make sure to work with pro braiders for the best results.
#20: Undercut with Braids Designs
If you’re getting bored with your long hair and undercut, style it with braids and use a unique design. An undercut puts more emphasis on those cool braids so be sure to take advantage of it.
#21: Small Braids in Cornrow Style for Black Guys
Get a sleek braided outcome when you choose to have thin and short cornrow hairstyles for men such as this. Work with a pro to get those head-turning neat cornrows for men.
#22: Short Dreads on Guys
Men with short hair – we’ve got you covered! If you’re not up for long locks that are maybe harder to manage, try this look by keeping the dreads on top with gold accessories.
#23: Two-Strand Twists
The timeless two-strand twists are another way to start the locs lifestyle. This look is nothing with that sharp hairline and those angular patterns that add more edge to the whole look.
#24: Braided Dreadlocks with Beard
Both an eye-catching men’s hairstyle and a powerful statement, these dreadlocks can be done on natural hair with any length using different techniques! Style your dreads any way you want to look impressive.
#25: Short Hair Braids
It’s not easy to get braids for short hair, but it’s not impossible! Opt for such braid styles for men that feature thin twists to accentuate your length and style with simple patterns.
#26: Side Braids for Long Hair
These side braids for long hair were created by braider Lewis from the UK, Words like cool, icy, Nordic, and textured braids work well with it.
“This look is suitable for men with shoulder-length hair or longer. It suits most guys, especially those with a good head shape as it’s head-hugging. Men’s braids can be varied to suit different face shapes to be either fuller or looser. I used a primer (Wella Velvet Amplifier) in the hair whilst braiding to smooth the hair and make it easier to braid then secured the look with hair spray (Wella Eimi Super Set) to catch any loose hair,” Lewis explains.
#27: Ponytail Braids with Mid-Fade
Take a close look at this cool intricate braided ponytail hairstyle that emphasizes those cleanly shaved sides. With long hair like this, you’ll have so much freedom in creating unique styles.
#28: 3 Long Braids Into 1
It’s time to try a long braid style if you’re getting tired of your man bun or straight-back long hair. Play with the versatility that lengthy hair gives you.
#29: Handsome Fishbone Braids
If someone mentions fishbone male braids, you might second guess that it could work. But this photo proves them wrong. This a fresh answer when looking for a new powerful style that can hold your hair neatly. Start with small evenly spaced cornrows, then finish with those jumbo braids for a cool look.
#30: Braid Bun with Shaved Design
A braided bun with shaved designs is a trendy style. Stylist Dyno of Upland, CA says it can be your go-to style. It’s sleek, sharp, and clean!
If considering braids for boys then you’re in the right direction. Dyno emphasizes that it’s not only a hairstyle but a lifestyle.
“It changes the way you think and the way you get treated. The maintenance is very low and still washable so that you can stay at your finest. This service is pain-free and will last two weeks. Hair has to reach your eyes to be able to braid and should be a coarse to fine hair texture. Your options are endless,” Dyno explains.
#31: African-American Rock Braids
The triangle twists are light and easy, which can be called the Travis Scott braids. The twists are a common style for men but the triangle parts add that new interesting look!
Braider Yanna Cruz of Kansas City, MO created these African-American rock braids.
The best time to receive these triangle box braids or twists, according to Cruz, is while your hair is in its natural state. He explains, “The twist comes out very nice that way. If possible, shape the twists around the face, so that way, there’s fullness portrayed.”
#32: Disconnected Dutch to Fishtail Braids
These are Dutch braids that connect all together, forming a fishtail. Made by California-based stylist Diana Gonzalez, the best thing about it is the unexpected crossings in the middle!
Braid hairstyles for men like this can be rocked in any setting. From work, dinner, to a night out with the boys. Gonzalez suggests, “Just add some pomade on each strand for a clean look and they’ll last for days.”
#33: Braid Beads for Medium-Length Hair
These braid beads for medium-length hair create a cool-looking style for gents. It’s a men’s braided style that works on natural black kinks the most.
#34: Impressive Zig-Zag Braids
These impressive zig-zag braids are a true masterpiece. A braiding style like this will catch everyone’s attention. If you’re considering these zig zag-part braids, know it works better if you got long hair on top.
#35: Bun Braids for Curly Hair
Bun braids for curly hair are a fun way to show off the natural texture. They look so cool on most dudes! To make the man bun pop out, shave the sides, too.
Designed by stylist Lena Piccininni of New Jersey, these bun braids for curly hair feature a bald fade undercut with a braided top knot/bun.
“If you want an undercut, make sure your hair is long enough to push back and/or be able to put in a bun. Thicker or coarse hair on top works best for it to be braided. The hair type could be straight or curly. Both work great with this style. The importance is more of the length and texture,” Piccininni explains.
#36: Viking Braids
The inspiration for this trendy braid design is from Ragnar from Vikings, and Pennsylvania-based stylist Dusty McEvoy ended up giving it a new twist. “I loved it because no matter what we did to it – it just all fell together,” says McEvoy.
His #1 tip is to just go for it – all ages, face shapes, and hair types would be perfect. McEvoy points out, “Braids are in and they always will be – just in their own way. I have people who have little hair and I pop one messy braid in there and some hair jewels and it’s a unique twist.”
#37: Men Braids with Fade Hairstyle
Consider wearing braids with a fade! Pairing up a clean low fade with a sharp braided pattern will highlight your swag.
This haircut is what barber Bri Stewart from Texas calls a bald fade with a half head of braids on top. “What I like about this look is that the texture of this guy’s hair was really good for the fade that I did on him, and the braids were a complete freestyle,” Stewart explains.
Making sure the hair is long enough to grab is Stewart’s advice to gents who want to try men hairstyles like this one. Stewart adds, “My preference is longer than four and a half inches. Also, be prepared for uncomfortable pulling on the scalp and maintaining the look after.”
#38: Cornrows with an Undercut
This is a popular man bun undercut cornrow design by Trish Furtado, a licensed hair braider from Florida. A mixture of small and big cornrows forming a pattern gives an extraordinary look to the man bun.
These cornrows can be in any shape, style, or size when it comes to hair braids for guys. You just have to be creative and choose a design that shows your personality.
Furtado says, “This braided style is easy to maintain whether you have thick or thin hair. This style looks great for kids and adults.”
Another great feature of this style is that you can manage how much hair you would like to grow out and choose different haircuts on the sides. Furtado adds, “With cornrows, you don’t need to worry about doing your hair every day, but you do need to wrap the braids and keep your scalp greased.”
#39: Double Man Braid Hairstyle
Longer hair creates a really impressive braid set. However, you could still get an amazing hair set with shorter hair.
#40: Cool Man Braid Bun on Black Hair
Suave braids that meet to form a nice bun are the type of sway you want. This man braid bun looks so sleek with a black hair color.