These Man-Braids Will Make You Forget Man Buns Exist

For the past few years, man buns have been the “cool guy” hairstyle for men with longer locks. But lately another male hair trend has been taking over: man-braids.

Just like the man bun, man-braids add an element of style to a guy’s look. Whether the man-braid is sleek, messy, down the back, or along the sides, there’s no “wrong” way to rock man-braids. However, there are a few pointers that’ll make putting the hairstyle together much easier.

Here’s what you need to know if you want to take your hair to the next level with man-braids.

Any hair texture is suitable for a man-braid, but like the man bun, man-braids do demand a certain length of hair.

The longer the hair, the easier it will be to braid. For a noticeable man-braid that doesn’t unravel, at least a few inches of hair is required. Good news for short-haired guys: A man-braid can be created with even three or four inches of hair. Feel free to keep the sides buzzed or trimmed; just maintain a little length on top for the man-braid. You can help support the hair growing process by taking a hair growth supplement specially formulated for men’s hair, like Nutrafol for Men. 

With proper care, man-braids will last up to a month. The tighter the man-braids, the more likely they’ll stay in place. Cornrows are one of the longest-lasting braided hairstyles; however, they are more intricate and require more maintenance, so if you want this style, you might want to pay a visit to a professional for braiding.

Whatever type of braid you choose, be sure to moisturize the braids with hair oil. When washing your hair, pat the shampoo onto your head and massage your scalp to keep the braids intact. You can also wear a hair net to minimize the chances of accidentally undoing the braid.

Just remember to take your man-braids out when they feel uncomfortable (no matter how much you like them!). You don’t want to pull on your hair and put too much pressure on the hair follicles.

As for choosing a style of man-braid, the possibilities are endless. From braided parts to side braids to man bun-braids, there are many, many ways to style and braid men’s hair.

Get inspired by these man-braids.

Long and neatly braided straight down the back, this man-braid is a classic. The loose end helps give the braid a more laid-back feel. 

Pull one or two braids out toward your forehead to frame the face.

A bright, colorful man-braid spices up the standard mohawk. 

Inspired by the hairstyle commonly worn by Scandinavian Vikings, warrior braids are perfect for men looking for a bold style.

Multiple braids cascading down the side of the head give this set of warrior braids a tough twist.

Switch up the thickness and direction of each braid for an eye-catching style.

A simple, asymmetrical braid is a great way to ease into the man-braid trend. 

The more braided details, the better.

Rather than wear your braids straight down your back, you can gather all of your braids and push them to one side of your head. 

Blonde man-braids stand out against darker strands of hair. 

Not ready to give up the man bun? No problem. For a breezy look, loosely braid the sides of your hair before tying up the rest of your hair in a bun. 

This clean style is proof that man-braids are even wedding day-worthy.