Braiding your hair? In the past, braids were thought to be for women only, but now, fashionable and stylish men like you could also experiment and try different braided hairstyles that will surely turn women’s heads around.
The two of the most common braided hairstyles for men include the cornrows or the strand twist. But then, braiding your hair can be a challenge the first time. You may want to ask someone’s help to teach you or a professional hairstylist to do it for you. In the following, learn the basics of men’s braiding so that you can start working on your new hairdo.
Preparing for men’s braided hairstyles
How do you prepare your hair for the braided style? Check out the following simple steps.
- Wash your hair with a gentle clarifying shampoo especially on the scalp. Get your hair as clean as possible with it, and then apply moisturizing conditioner that will fortify your hair so that it can be as soft as possible before braiding it. Note: See to it that the hair care products you’re using are for your hair’s texture.
- For the best results, you should use a non-sulfurous shampoo, or else, your hair can be dried out and damaged especially if it is coarse or dry.
- Detangle your hair with a comb or brush, and make sure to get all the tangles and knots out of the way. As a tip, use a wide-toothed comb if you have curly or coarse hair. But then, you might have to rewet your hair if it has dried out, and then brush it once more until it is smooth without the knots and tangles to make braiding easier and faster. To remove them, you can start at your hair ends and then start working your way up to the hair roots. In the middle of your head, make a center using the comb. Start dragging the comb’s teeth across your head to divide hair into two sections.]
- To create additional parts, use the comb. In between these sections is the hair that will be the braids, so always keep it in mind when dividing hair into sections.
- Consider how many braids you are looking to achieve as well as how large you want them to be when making parts.
- Moisturize your hair to soften the strands and make braiding easier. Some options include Argan oil, Shea butter, olive oil and some other organic moisturizers.
#1: Clean + Groomed Beard
#2: Drop Fade + Top knot
#3: Gold Highlight + Braid
#4:Full Classic Braid
#5: Classic Braid + Drop Fade
#6: Fade + Braid + Man Bun
#7: Twist Clean braid
#8: Long braid + Sharp Fade
#9: High Braid
#10: Braid + Mid Fade
#11: Travis Scott inspired
#12: Braid + Part Design
#13: Top knot + Part Design
#14: Simple braid + Fade
#15: Clean Full Braid
#16: Ash Blonde Highlights Braid
Starting with the braids for men
Clip up the sections you have made. Hold the bunched up hair with a bobby pin or a hair clip. You can repeat the same process for the hair that you have just moisturized. There should be visible parts and then the hair in between these parts should also be held by hair clips or bobby pins.
Choosing the braided hairstyle for men
The hairstyle to pick must be according to the length of your hair. If your hair is short, you may use the two-strand twist. Do not use the Dutch braid hairstyle because it is difficult to do on short hair. You can choose it if your hair is at least 2.5 cm or one inch.
Experimenting with braided hairstyles
You can make wavy braids instead of straight parts. Wavy braids can be made by moving the comb’s teeth side to side while you’re making parts. You can braid your hair in the same you would along each part to determine their braids’ shape as well as make those wavy effects.
Getting creative in placing the part
Cornrows aren’t the only styles to do. Once you mastered braiding, you can start mixing up the placements. You can also make parts that will run horizontally across the head, not just be stuck on front to back cornrow styles. Additionally, you can make parts based on your head’s shape or try forming letters or a zigzag braid.
Creating a bun braided style
If you have longer hair, you can create this interesting style! So you can comb the non-braided parts and then tie it to the braid’s end using a rubber band, making a man bun and giving your style a new twist. However, the style will only work on longer hair lengths, such as two or three inches.
Tips to maintain braided hair
- Cover the braids by wearing a silk or satin hair cover or bonnet. You may also want to use a silky pillowcase if you don’t like coverings.
- Cleanse your hair and scalp daily.
- Do not braid tightly along your hairline.
- Braids should not be left past its prime. The shorter is the lifespan of bigger braids. The hairstyle should last only up to a maximum of eight weeks.
- Give your hair a break before moving on to your next men’s braided hairstyle, so let it breathe for up to two weeks.
There you have our guide on men’s braided hairstyles! Hope you picked up something and start applying the tips we’ve shared above.
If you want to share your very own braided hairstyle story, feel free writing us. Finally, spread the word and share this article on Facebook today!
Credit: SUPERIORITY BARBER STUDIO, @juju_braidz
