How to Style an Afro - Grooming | GQ

“The ladies, they love my hair.” And for good reason. GQ fashion associate Reginald Christian shows us how to maintain and style an Afro.
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For more than 50 years, GQ has been the premier men’s magazine, providing definitive coverage of style, culture, politics and more. In that tradition, GQ’s video channel covers every part of a man’s life, from entertainment and sports to fashion and grooming advice. So join celebrities from 2 Chainz, Stephen Curry and Channing Tatum to Amy Schumer, Kendall Jenner and Kate Upton for a look at the best in pop culture. Welcome to the modern man’s guide to style advice, dating tips, celebrity videos, music, sports and more.
How to Style an Afro - Grooming | GQ
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ABOUT GQ
For more than 50 years, GQ has been the premier men’s magazine, providing definitive coverage of style, culture, politics and more. In that tradition, GQ’s video channel covers every part of a man’s life, from entertainment and sports to fashion and grooming advice. So join celebrities from 2 Chainz, Stephen Curry and Channing Tatum to Amy Schumer, Kendall Jenner and Kate Upton for a look at the best in pop culture. Welcome to the modern man’s guide to style advice, dating tips, celebrity videos, music, sports and more.
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How to Style an Afro - Grooming | GQ
Starring: Will Welch

[@jayrece5003]

No problem with this video. It's a great video from a unique perspective. But I could never just slip product on my hair and wiggle it around and leave the house. If I did people would be crossing the street to avoid me... Not that they don't already do that. It's just that this is the kind of afro you see in commercials. This is the kind afro I call "the black envy". "Black Envy" because media and society has told us this is what is beautiful and acceptable, but many of us can't achieve this look and feel horrible about our image. Now, I know everybody can't have their way and it's great to get this diverse perspective; but do a video on typical afro hair. I can tell you for a fact that many... many black men with afros don't and can't do this.

[@traii8593]

word

[@sj24-]

Exactly. His technique was completely foreign to me. No pick?

[@sj24-]

+Sarkozy Which is why I said "for me"..."FOR ME".

[@yannick930]

with typical nappy hair you have to do a twist out to get those curls. It's not difficult. Even the guy in the video did it, i can see. It's not that natural. I have light skin cousins and they have nice hair but to look like this they gotta go to the "salon". This guy is bullshiting us with his i woke up like this.

[@remytv5106]

Well you limit yourself and way of thinking so quickly that you are ignorant enough to think black hair looks ONE way. So you are contradicting yourself without even realizing. I get what you say about them showing this and pushing this look to the public. But remember you saying THEY. Meaning we as blacks aren’t even pushing our own hair products or any type of advertisements that show and represent black. That’s something to say. Now, back to your comment - if we switch the situation around and only show “typical Afro hair” whatever that means, and what you say THEY don’t show enough of , the black people with the quote on quote “ good hair” will then soon start sharing the way you feel in this comment. Ending, Black comes in all colors and tones, remember that. Our hair comes in different colors, now remember that. Our hair types, curl patterns , also come different , remember that one for life . Stop limiting your thoughts and see what WE can do better to show hit broad and variety we are as a race. Check diff parts of Africa if you think we’ll all look alike as you can see diff tribes have diff features. Doesn’t make anyone less black or more. Remember to BE YOU. AND USE OUR EARS PPL. HE SAID HOW ACHIEVED THIS LOOK AND HOW LONG IT TOOK HIM. YOU ARE NOT HIM SO DNT THINK BY CLICKING THESE VIDEOS YOU ARE GOING TO AUTMATIXALLY HAVE THE PERSON IN THEVIDEOS HAIR TYPE LOL. TIP IS FIND VIDEOS ON PEOPLE WHOSE HAIR LOOKS SIMILAR TO YOURS , if you can’t find it make your videos to help the next person out . Don’t be lazy and act like we can’t do for ourself because we replying on other people. Simple

[@QuixoticUkulele]

He's just a "Becky with good hair." We need an "Angela with nappy hair" to demonstrate, please.

[@QuixoticUkulele]

Wysteria InBloom That comment went right over your head, lol.

[@QuixoticUkulele]

Wysteria InBloom I feel so honored to have hater online. Normally, haters don't go through extreme lengths to be such assholes, but it seems you are setting the bar rather high. Congratulations and best of luck to you. Btw, clip ins =/= weave, hater.

[@apasser4234]

Dis tew much.

[@offthewalltv7536]

+Wysteria InBloom you better leave my girl friend alone 😠👊

[@QuixoticUkulele]

500,000 views Cute.

[@kabbyvarner322]

Yeah no. I'm going to need them to try again and try an actual brother. no hate towards him but that's not the hair that ppl "hate"

[@thekoalakingdomshow6319]

@NEGROIDS lmao OP means a black guy who's more typically black. As in not mixed with typical black hair.

[@yourlandladysson6395]

@@thekoalakingdomshow6319 that is def a mixed hair

[@thekoalakingdomshow6319]

@Nashiem Groce so? Theres people in Africa with straight hair. Black people have a huge amount of genetic diversity. Infact the most genetic diversity. Still doesn't change the fact that 90% of us have 4c hair.

[@yourlandladysson6395]

@Nashiem Groce your family history is mixed. Get a DNA test. You'll see.

[@thekoalakingdomshow6319]

@@yourlandladysson6395 if your African American you'll be lucky to be more than 80% black, we all are a lil mixed.

[@sonokanda9436]

Now do braids, dreads, fades, and unkept mid growth

[@smoovejl]

right!

[@p.a.681]

+Ek _Coupe To you personally.

[@jonesfredrick94]

Luce Life don't call them dreads that's what white people called it and people took on to the name dreadlocks, but they Call it that because it looks dreadful to them, just call them Locks which is what they are

[@narutouzamaki1218]

Mi a natty dread and mi a dreadfull lion ya step to eye and you'll dread it We called them dreads not why ppl you give them too much credit locks are high maintence dreads are low maintence

[@DEMON0326]

This isn't really like a legit Afro. This is just like some frizzy puffy curly type stuff.

[@jamaicansenpai9991]

Your right, no offense too him, but he should try a different afro style.

[@scool222]

afro just means african hair, doesnt really matter what it looks like as long as its grown out, even cornrows is an afro hairstyle

[@WTKB82]

+Young Edwards It is an afro, he's just wearing products in his hair. Afros are not the only hairstyle black men have, and considering our timeline, we only started wearing afros circa 1950's.

[@Angelkid190]

SWEET CHEESUS cornrows are basically braids. Afro hair is wooly tight curls like 4c type hair.

[@johnweezorak4787]

SWEET CHEESUS There's all types of Africans

[@Shante1019]

So they're not going to show any black men with 4a/4b/4c type of hair texture..?? & where's his pick? 😓 His hair is like about 3b/3c mixed together..& plus the way he put his products in his hair... 😅 My hair is 4a/4b/4c mixed in all together & I use a pick. & plus I see hair like his all over the commercials & media.. Hmm 😐😒 js

[@genovessi1290]

You can have 4 type hair and it can look like this

[@noneofyodamnbusinezz6992]

what is the 4 type hair?? It's hair. There's no special formula or specific hair type to know how to take care or your hair

[@johnberry2678]

Finally GQ giving attention to African American hairstyles

[@smoovejl]

I like your pic

[@Magoo7956]

Damn that's a fat ass, u lucky

[@isaiahwilliams3574]

+John Berry dat ass

[@p.hhenry4454]

We are not African American. We are American my friend :)

[@Cooley96]

American isn't an ethnic group. African American is however. The distinction SHOULD be recognized.

[@GodIsGoodXavier]

An Afro styles itself.

[@jddominguez17]

Afros are so difficult to style mainly when they're shorter, but they're so awesome.

[@PHlophe]

Jonny, they ain't though . No hair's difficult to style unless you want a style it is not meant to accomodate , period.

[@jddominguez17]

Lechiffresix six unfortunately when you live in today's society, it becomes necessary if want to get far.

[@ibrahimhussein9383]

Kept my hair growing for 6 months and it is in the awkward stage so hard to style i wear a hat 24/7 lol

[@darion1728]

My mum always made comments about how my hair is different, never realised this type of hair had so much controversy

[@ImadeIyamu]

I don't think this is an Afro per se. It's curly hair that's frizzy.

[@eagleeyegordon9368]

+Imade Iyamu Exactly, GQ needs to know this if they are going to talk about "our" hair.

[@ImadeIyamu]

+Ek _Coupe curly hair is different from kinky hair.

[@benzz2006]

+Imade Iyamu agreed

[@ImadeIyamu]

+Ek _Coupe +Ek _Coupe kinky hair (type 4a-4c) is more tightly coiled than curly hair (3a-3c). They have different appearance, curl pattern and different characteristics. Read more here & educate yourself please www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2011/05/curly-vs-kinky-what-is-difference.html?m=1

[@eagleeyegordon9368]

Imade Iyamu yup

[@gmatic5639]

this not how a normal afro looks

[@goleft4088]

facts

[@Brizzrizz]

hair doesn't have to be kinky to be an afro, afro also known as the natural is ween a person with afro textured or really curly hair comes out all directions usually in the ball shape because of nappy hairs ability to retain , this man has a afro it is just not of the same texture, it is a biracial like texture it is a afro with his community a biracial type of fro which doesn't really have a specified name therefore it is generalized as a afro, it is different but with the same concept

[@PHlophe]

afro is by definition african , so yup you need a variety of tight curls to produce it , end of.

[@PHlophe]

Anthony Jones-Quiltmaker I use african in the continental sense. and how " specific " are morrocan folk's hair though ? plus if you have to talk about black people's variety of hair you cannot start with a random small nation. You've just displayed your inner white man,

[@ryecustard7687]

When the video said Afro were, you guys looking for something a little more SPHERICAL

[@s-wo8781]

Ain't really a tutorial though. I was hoping it was going to tell me how to get my hair to look like that texture. It basically just covered what moisturizers he uses.

[@s-wo8781]

+Lief Bennett Soo I can't rock it? I should've figured he's mixed when he said he just shakes that shit in the morning. Us brothas with the 4C texture, it's a struggle trying to pick that shit every morning.

[@p.a.681]

Not only mixed people have looser curl patterns, though. But there are many tutorials on youtube (usually by female youtubers but anyone can watch) on how to create defined curls.

[@onlygafabotwhatigafbout8495]

Here we go with this type 3 black hair bs.this man is mixed raced and doesn't have typical Afro hair. All He did was moisturize and shake..this was not educational or can be part of someone's regimen it's just what his hair natural does..

[@stephonb12]

I'm black, not mixed race and have type 3 hair. Stop shaming people for their hair, tryin to deny them their heritage. It works both way.

[@onlygafabotwhatigafbout8495]

+Wish I were witty that's nice but type 3 is a very specific hair type that the general population of black people don't posses.It is very disingenuous to click bait folks in with a hair texture that the general population doesn't posses and then to say that this is Gqs official guide to styling Afro hair when this isn't even true Afro hair.i repeat this is not education to anyone but a small group of people.

[@stephonb12]

+Linnie Shobha85 the african diaspora is incredibly varied. There are plenty different hair textures. African Americans may be a majority 4 types (though I'm not even completely sure on that) but they're are plenty of black people through out the world with type 3 and down hair textures. I get that kinky type 4 hair is stigmatized more but it does not make a person any less black or their hair any less afro if it has a more defined curl pattern.

[@stephonb12]

+Linnie Shobha85 my hair is afro because I am black not because it is the most course type 4.

[@onlygafabotwhatigafbout8495]

BWish I were witty I repeat Type 3 hair is not a typical hair type that is found on black people but it is considered Afro textured but it is not common enough to be showcased on a gq guide to Afro hair with out representation of the typical Afro texture.

[@SincerelyUrsJay]

I was going bottle to bottle myself and having big hair can be tricky. Expensive as well. The hair milk works well but i just went with the "Kyra's Shea Medleys" brand and got all my stuff in one jar. Great tips tho. Definitely going to implement. Good job GQ!

[@PHlophe]

use mustard oil , concount and a bit of rosemarie oil and you'll be fine. it ain't expensive. plus you'll smell goooood

[@DorotaGabal]

That's some beautiful, healthy hair!

[@YourDad-te9fg]

If you completely pick out your hair everyday it won't be curly it's not that complicated guys

[@Yehamarin]

Best hairstyle ever

[@lindohlabisa9557]

I'm just happy GQ featured black hair

[@allhellbreaksloose312]

That is not coily and kinky hair. That is curly hair that is on mixed people. My goodness

[@nebulaj6437]

When did anyone ever say it was kinky and coily?

[@allhellbreaksloose312]

+NebulaJ6 Those are the correct terms to describe the true texture of African hair.

[@nebulaj6437]

I get what you're sayin

[@noneofyodamnbusinezz6992]

everybody is mixed no matter how light or dark their skin is OR if their hair has a loose curl or a tighter curl plus everybody hair is different

[@PHlophe]

Just like someone said. he is a mahogany coated Becky.

[@ltnjinx9780]

This isn’t an afro im sorry, just curly hair. It can’t be an afro because afros are tight curls and they’re called afros for a reason. Afro, as in afro american and the hairstyle tht started it all was tight curls in a rounded ball shape on the head. This dude has curly bed head and the way that 90% of african americans hair grow and what an afro really looks like, we can’t just wake up and dump product in our hair and call it day. This works for people with hair like his, but this isn’t an authentic afro. This like an afro remix.

[@goleft4088]

this is probably what the white guys at my job want my afro to look like. homie def ain't got that *afro* afro. he just got curly hair 🤣🤣

[@Jojo_Flake]

Afro is a style not a hair texture If your talking about textured hair , what you mean is kinky/coily hair.

[@kidFlash808]

How to style a High Fade you guys should bring Iman shumppert

[@hamsburhan2388]

Eritrea 🇪🇷❤️

[@jillhbaudhaan]

I might try his regimen for my own mane.

[@greenElement]

Why would you ask him if he doesn't shower? You don't have to wash your hair every shower, that's why we have shower caps

[@kitsunumber1298]

Love that guy's 3c hair

[@jbrew7396]

This dude can wash his hair with hand soap and be ok

[@Ambitious_Prospects]

I was at the hospital sick on day And one of the doctors was rushing to see a patient, stopped ran time and said “OMG MY SON HAS THE EXACT SAME HAIR” and she started just playing with my hair 😂

[@fabulouss3462]

The video title said "how to style an afro". I'm yet to see the styling part. I'm kinda disappointed. Title very misleading

[@jordanlee6332]

What about making your hair like lightly curly with a mini fro

[@PrintLUK]

Lmfaoo if it was only that easy🤣can’t relate with 4c hair🤷🏾‍♂️

[@viscosity7893]

"Girls love it" Alright afro it is then

[@christopherscott8936]

Hair Goals.

[@Producingmoments]

He has the same hair texture as me and im mixed raced this is not what people though they were going to see when clicking on this video they want an actual 100% black mans afro

[@user-vy9tf4wn1o]

How about tips for brothas who don't rock afros? GQ? Ya'll listening?

[@offenseliontv8803]

i got an afro and people tell me to cut it its annoying

[@Foreverdensword]

Oh you to

[@chocolatecoils8200]

Afro is the shape not necessarily the texture, if your hair is 3b/c yet you have a round cut shape to your hair you have an Afro same as if you have type 4a/b and pick out your hair, Afro i could get an Afro if a pick out my curls but I do wash n go on my 4a/b hair so there for I keep it curly

[@ricardowilcox191]

how long have been growing your hair. I'm to I just need a few tips for better growth..my hair is about 3-4 inches.

[@danieldonoghue8563]

HOW TO STYLE CURLY HAIR PLEASE

[@MiguelGebremedhin]

SMH people are so mad that they didn't get a ''real'' afro. Afro's can be found in type 3 hair as well, they just require a different approach. Most people here complaining probably have type 4 anyway.

[@Jojo_Flake]

i know these comments are weird , most of them getting terms wrong when it comes to textured black hair and afro

[@kingbenjyy]

Did anyone notice the white guy said you don't shower in the morning just because he has a fro

[@zene2550]

Same for me with my hair, stops wanting to touch it

[@cjasmin00]

there was no need for the other guy to be in the shot loll

[@RocTaylor5]

Thank you GQ

[@markp.6639]

I’m sorry NO WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD BE INVOLVED OR DISCUSSING HOW TO STYLE A BLACK PERSON’S hair! Regardless of texture, the white perspective is always “do something with it” he can wear his hair just as it is “how to style an Afro” Chile BYYYEEEEEEEEEEE

[@alexkpi1h_iykwim879]

lol 1:41 I have a friend named reggie who also has a huge Afro

[@jaden-yi8gb]

You should do dreads @gqmagazine

[@blount_man]

Can't do this with my afro

[@justnick6710]

finally GQ

[@SincerelyUrsJay]

Lol @ the "rustle & pop" aka the go-to move. Lol

[@bionicbinky]

someone quickly tell me what type of afro this is so I can start to grow it out

[@sjackhammer]

$20 for that miracle milk? expensive

[@ennergyspotato5566]

Should have known it was an ad

[@pandaonsteroids5154]

Awww.. Poor him. Y'all calling him a fake brotha. This video really showed nothing though.

[@RandomTvv]

A afro is normal sticking up to the sky reaching to heaven this is not really an afro until you pick it out and blow dry it but everyone haves their own style

[@noneofyodamnbusinezz6992]

it's an afro just not a tight curly afro

[@Jojo_Flake]

yes , it’s a hairstyle that can be made if someone has type 3 or type 4 hair

[@chalimutangama5840]

This is a two strand twist out guys. His hair might actually be nappy

[@BlackTheEngineer]

wish I would saw this when I was growing my afro

[@loljk360waver]

You didn't want it bad enough

[@Kayan2.0Radio]

+Yah LMAOO

[@NagatoUzu]

Brother needs some more coconut oil, argan oil, and some leave in conditioner.

[@funthirstictm3098]

I'm sure my hair will grow that way...that is why i already started to grow them.

[@raywoods5213]

This is what months of grooming can accomplish.

[@ernestbanks8391]

What Is his ethnicity his hair is amazing

[@aproverbs31woman59]

Love it!

[@mt-_-zyan5665]

I have a afro now but its not long. Its not shoulder length

[@stephd9409]

Beautiful man 😣😤👌✊

[@k.7544]

👀

[@gnelson1118]

can you do a vid for dreads?

[@hudappadoocater4978]

They just got some random darker skinned man with curly not kinky hair to represent afros, that's dumb

[@lmaoadriana7067]

when u have the exact same hair as this guy

[@DEMON0326]

This isn't really like a legit Afro. This just like some frizzy puffy curly type stuff.

[@1bandzzz]

Made by Dark And Lovely I used dat once

[@samguy7654]

I have a problem with keeping it in a good perfectly round shape

[@tn-ur1vi]

уσ ʝυѕт иσ

[@Guavawey]

Well this is cool

[@swagnexttuber-boombeach7092]

hair is like cleaning brush 😆

[@MrLillywhite2011]

Thanks for zero advice

[@ALBERTABERTASENNAH]

Dampen the hair a little then add product.

[@ErickSanchez-wi8tv]

There is no video for a mexican fro like really

[@perryknowsbetter510]

😂😂 ha can’t tell me how to rock a fro

[@m00dsw1ngs]

Thats how long im growing mine

[@GeometryDashDyno]

Is this achievable of any black person with curly hair, or do you naturally have to have hair that is more loose?

[@sincerelucas2915]

GD Dyno Nah you have to have good hair

[@GeometryDashDyno]

Sincere Hoodlum We all have good hair but thanks.

[@greyalien826]

who lied to you to make you feel better

[@lolawm9381]

What about a "how to bald heads"?

[@Bylug706]

Bevel shaving system. Look up bevel razors

[@benzz2006]

Always count on the masses to continuously get this WRONG.

[@narutouzamaki1218]

He blantly says he washes and DETANGLES his hair brother has natural 4a 4b 4c hair he just puts product styles it and picks like all us brothers you can acheive this my guy talking bout "becky with the good hair" twist out or two strand twist will do this so don't fret

[@rydercdaniels4475]

Naruto Uzamaki You are VERY wrong. He does NOT have type 4 hair at all. His natural hair is in the type 3 range around 3b/3c. Unlike regular black folk with kinky/coarse type 4b-4c hair,doesn’t need to do twist outs to achieve this look because this is his NATURAL fine textured/loose curl pattern.

[@bluejay9968]

All curly haired people detangle their hair. I have hair like him.

[@DXXMR]

I have a jewfro

[@duperjordienebrvrd9702]

What's the Afro guy instagram

[@F.REEDOM]

This is not an afro! It's cute but it's not a 100% black person Afro. He is mixed with something else. Which means his texture will be different. bYE

[@johnathanfiske14]

I'm jealous I can't grow one.

[@disasterwolfjay2749]

My fro got messed up coz of this

[@eagleeyegordon9368]

SOOOO nice to see someone with my hair texture for a change, its NOT many floating around the tube. But that Carol's Daughter and Mizani stuff is so expensive, I like to use lots of oil in my hair moreso than the conditioner. Cudos to him showcasing the black products. Esp on the ends. ALSO GQ, this texture of hair is not just an Afro, this is a kinky/curly texture. Meaning not all black people have the curly pattern that this guy and me has, many others have just kinky hair. If you look at his as opposed to someone like Questlove, it is different, so not every black person can style it like this, so the title doesn't universally fit. Just a little knowledge for you if you are going into the urban hair dept. because it is totally different from what you are used to.'

[@PHlophe]

your hair look kinkier than his though .i don't see the similarity. but i hear ya on the false representation.

[@eagleeyegordon9368]

Lechiffresix six my hair is kinky/curly just like his. in this picture is is blown out. In it's natural curly state it is just like his

[@meechlady19]

Dreamy

[@Holy1OfIsrael.]

This guys some kinda black Mexican. Type 3a hair, yes a type just not a 4c fro. Its a nice look though.

[@PHlophe]

if he was half mx he would be very short like our regular chicano. he ain't/

[@carlosurbina8252]

Um, I could have given way more info lol

[@leonelestevao9648]

How to style for dreadlocks ? #askGQ @GQmagazine

[@thequintessential5503]

That haiirr

[@gidwensmoline5966]

Impossible

[@blueheavn4550]

this is a joke

[@niellll20]

beaitiful

[@positivea1205]

"Ok your gonna use products our sponsors sent just act like their in your everyday routine"

[@kellyspence1972]

That's not an African afro. Dark skinned brother are never represented to the fullest.

[@Producingmoments]

Kelly Spence im darkskinned and have the same hair texture as him

[@youngstunna323]

Theordinaire I too am dark skin and have hair similar enough to where I apply product to damp hair, rub it in, shake and go. Kelly, Can you please explain WTF an "African Afro" is?