Im Hakan, a mens grooming specialist with over 10 years helping clients refine their look through modern cuts and confident styling. Braids for men are no longer niche — they suit a wide range of hair textures (curly, coily, wavy, and straight with length), face shapes, and lifestyles from creative professionals to athletic builds. In this guide Ill walk you through five reliable braid styles, who each one flatters, and realistic maintenance tips. Practical advice includes choosing the right braid based on hair length and density, avoiding over-tight braiding to protect the hairline, using leave-in conditioners and light oils for scalp health, and when to book a barber for professional cornrows or complex patterns. Whether youre new to braids or managing them long-term, these pointers will keep your style clean, comfortable, and sharp.
Mens Cornrow Braids with High Skin Fade — Modern Braided Undercut
Sharp cornrow braids paired with a high skin fade create a modern, textured look that suits men seeking edge and structure. Face shape suitability: best for oval, square, and heart-shaped faces—the lifted braid lines and clean fade accentuate cheekbones and jawlines. Men with round faces should keep extra length on top to add vertical balance. Styling technique: start with clean, damp hair and create precise parallel sections using a rat-tail comb; cornrow each section tightly toward the crown, secure ends with small elastics, then clipper-cut the sides into a blended high skin fade. Tools needed: clippers with guard set, rat-tail comb, sectioning clips, fine-tooth comb, spray bottle, small elastics, and a handheld mirror (or pro barber). Products required: lightweight braid gel or edge control for hold, anti-frizz serum, light matte paste for crown texture, and a gentle clarifying shampoo. Difficulty level: intermediate — basic braiding skill or a barber visit recommended. Maintenance tips: keep braids moisturized, sleep on a satin scarf, cleanse the scalp weekly to avoid buildup, refresh the fade every 2–4 weeks, and loosen braids after 6–8 weeks to reduce tension.
Tight Cornrows into Long Braids — Mens Protective Braided Hairstyle
These neat cornrows feeding into long, free-hanging braids offer a modern, low‑frizz look that works great for men seeking a protective style. Face-shape suitability: ideal for oval, oblong and diamond faces — it sharpens jawlines and can visually lengthen round faces. Hair type: best on medium to coarse, textured or curly hair; extensions can be added for length or thickness. Styling technique: section the hair with a rat‑tail comb into even rows, lightly mist with water, apply a leave‑in conditioner and a light braid gel, then three‑strand braid tightly along the scalp, continuing into longer braids. Tools needed: rat‑tail comb, sectioning clips, fine-tooth comb, spray bottle, edge brush and hair ties. Products required: moisturizing leave‑in, lightweight pomade or braid gel, braid/scalp oil and a satin bonnet or pillowcase. Difficulty level: intermediate — consider a professional for the initial install to ensure even tension. Maintenance tips: oil the scalp weekly, refresh edges sparingly, sleep on satin to reduce frizz, and redo or tighten every 4–8 weeks to prevent matting and avoid traction-related hairline damage.
Mens Tight Cornrows with Shaved Side Design and Long Braids
This tight cornrow look with sculpted shaved sides and long hanging braids works best for oval, square and heart-shaped faces — it adds structure and elongates rounder faces. Technique: start with clean, damp hair, use a rat-tail comb to create precise parallel partings, then braid each section tightly to the scalp, finishing with three-strand braids or palm-rolled ends; add the shaved lines with a clipper and detail trimmer before or after braiding. Tools needed: rat-tail comb, sectioning clips, clippers (with guards), trimmer, small elastic bands and optionally a crochet needle for added extensions. Products required: leave-in conditioner or moisturizing cream, braid gel or edge control for neat parts, light pomade or shine serum, and a scalp oil to prevent dryness. Difficulty level: intermediate — professional barber or braider recommended for clean parting and fade/shave precision; DIY only if you have braiding experience. Maintenance tips: sleep on a satin/silk scarf, oil the scalp weekly, cleanse gently with diluted shampoo every 1–2 weeks, avoid excessive tension to prevent breakage, and refresh shaved lines or loose edges every 2–4 weeks. Expect 4–8 weeks of wear with proper care.
Mens Cornrow Top Knot with Tapered Sides
This look pairs close tapered sides with cornrowed or twisted sections gathered into a high top knot — a versatile, modern style that suits oval, oblong and diamond face shapes best, and also flatters round faces by adding vertical height. Technique: section the top into neat rows, braid or two-strand twist each section toward the crown, then pull the lengths into a secure bun. A skin or low fade on the sides cleans the silhouette and emphasizes facial structure. Tools needed: clippers for the sides, rattail comb for parting, braiding comb, elastic bands, hairpins and a blow-dryer with diffuser (optional). Products required: moisturizing leave-in conditioner, curl cream or twist butter, light edge control or pomade, matte paste for texture, and a lightweight scalp oil or spray. Difficulty level: intermediate — professional braiding or barber assistance recommended for crisp parts and fade. Maintenance tips: sleep on a satin scarf or pillowcase, refresh edges and apply oil 2–3 times weekly, co-wash weekly, and visit your barber every 3–4 weeks to re-taper the sides and refresh the cornrows to prevent buildup and breakage.
Tight Cornrow Braids with Short Sides — Mens Braided Hairstyle
This tight cornrow style with trimmed sides suits oval, square and oblong face shapes best — it emphasizes strong cheekbones and a defined jawline while visually elongating rounder faces. Hair should be at least 2.5–4 inches long on top to create clean, even braids. Technique: section the hair into straight, parallel parts using a rat-tail comb, dampen with a leave-in or water spray, apply a lightweight braiding gel or cream, then braid close to the scalp using three-strand or feed-in cornrow technique. Tools needed: rat-tail comb, clippers or trimmer for the sides, sectioning clips, small elastic bands, spray bottle and a handheld mirror (or pro stylist). Products required: leave-in conditioner, braiding gel or light-hold pomade, scalp oil (jojoba/argan), and a calming anti-frizz serum. Difficulty: intermediate to advanced — a barber experienced with braids will give the cleanest parts and tension control. Maintenance: sleep on a satin/silk cap, oil the scalp every 2–3 days, gently cleanse with diluted shampoo every 7–10 days, and retouch or remove after 4–6 weeks to avoid breakage. Avoid excessive tension to protect edges.
Braids for men are versatile, protective, and a strong style statement when done correctly. My professional advice: pick a braid that matches your hair texture and daily routine, avoid excessive tension during braiding, and commit to a simple maintenance routine — gentle cleansing every 1–2 weeks, daily scalp hydration with a light oil or leave-in, and nightly protection with a silk/satin wrap. Rotate styles to reduce constant stress on the same hairline areas and schedule touch-ups with a trusted barber for complex patterns. If you experience tenderness or thinning, loosen styles and see a specialist. Confidence and care go hand-in-hand; braid smart, maintain regularly, and your look will stay sharp and healthy. Suggested images (use as blog visuals or social posts): 1) Close-up of tight cornrows on a man — alt: Male cornrows close-up; 2) Box braids shoulder-length — alt: Man with box braids; 3) Two-strand twists on medium-length hair — alt: Mens twists hairstyle; 4) Top knot with braided sides — alt: Braid undercut with top knot; 5) Aftercare routine: oil bottle and silk wrap — alt: Braids maintenance kit —Hakan
