2017 was another year to explore my range in fashion, particularly in hair fashion. With 12 styles, you’d think that I had purposely had a different do every month. That was not the case though.
There were several stints of them same hair cut only switching up the design. Then, I’d have an event to host or play some front role, then I’d switch up hair-dos.
To be more honest, each cut or reshape was born out the creative direction of my barber, Reggie Winston, the owner and visionary of The Bar Ber Shop in Raleigh, NC. I’d just sit in the chair and let him go.
To his honor, i wish i took all my photos immediately after I got my hair cut. This way you could see it fresh. Timing between cuts and work and shoots wouldn’t allow that most times.
Here are my 12 favorite cuts/ afro shapes (that I had photos of.) Maybe this will give you some ideas of how to restyle your fro.
From left to right:
- High and teased and slightly twisted. This was about 13in of hair lightly twisted with a sponge. I liked the height but it can be an awareness adjustment when you drive a car with a low ceiling. Also sleeping is a little different. To keep it as neat as possible i was sleeping with the tip of my head off the pillow. I didn’t own a silk wrap or silk pillow then.
- The PompoFro. This shape was an improvisation between barber visits. Instead of keeping the box shape, i simply teased the front backwards. I tucked the front hairs in with the rest so that it would stay, giving it that rounder front shape. It was kinda pompodory but too much fro to make the cut. It’s a cool look to rock with something more dressy than casual without cutting any hair.
- Classic High Top. It’s a lot easier to manage an exact shape. Even with humid days, spray in leave-in-conditioner and holding spray and you keep that box straight. The only struggle is wind and getting in and out of cars.
- Faded Side Stripes. I love when my barber takes artistic liberty. Unfortunately, i can’t speak to the technique he used to create this fire look. I got it done for a trip to St. Jude Hospital for media training. That weekend I went from lounge wear to street wear, to a day suit, to a fundraiser ball outfit. The cut look great with each fit.
From left to right
- Graffiti Sides. Lived in this look for NY Fashion Week Men’s of 2017. This is one of those magic looks using temporary color and makeup. The white makeup is so that my lines pop and stay fresh. Thankfully so, because sweating is the most trendy thing in NY at that time. You would think with such a busy highly inhabited city there would be more head covers and shady places. Then again I guess you will keep it moving if it’s too hot or too cold to just stand in one place.
- Zag Horizon. Just a well executed zag all around my head something simple but noticeable. This was for the Carolina Music Awards where I hosted the Fashion Lounge, interviewing guest for social media and event recaps.
- Back Slope. Sorry, this another one i wish i took some photos as soon as I got it cut. At least for the designs, the shape held up for a while. This was the first time mid summer, my barber took to curving the back of the fro. It was a strange but nice to touch to reshaping my hair.
- Classic High top with Rounded Edges. The front of this do looks like slight mushroom. The rise of the hair is really tight but the top is rounded. This cut had a whole lot of character to it with no side designs. I rocked it for The 2017 Beauty And Barbers United Award show produced by Tim Johnson International.
From left to right
- Hightop with simple sides. It is what it was.
- Pik and Tazed. This was somewhat of a collab between two barbers, same shop tho. This one was introduced in the spring. A cool somewhat unkempt on top but sharp on the sides and shaped with a little temporary color to make the lines stand out. My beard was also faded in this look.
- Silver Hair Minimal Twist. My barber did do this one. I improvised the whole thing. Using temporary hair color, a wide pick, some Toppik, and oil sheen, i create my edge up and just light twisted my hair with the silver hair wax. This do lasted for about two days. The wax dries out and will flake. You’ll have to use leave-in-conditioner to bring it back, use water or just wash it out and start over. It takes like 10 minutes to redo it.
- Added hair and Reshape. Say what, add hair? Yep I can’t wait to talk about this in depth later on the blog. Lets just say this look was a nice small flex for my barber. There is the curved back and sharp lineup. I also got my brows threaded for the first time for this look. And of coarse, the beard magic also happened.
What do you think of my 2017 Afro Shapes? Would you rock any of these or want to know more about any of these hair styles?