The Best (and Worst) Haircuts for Receding Hairlines in Black Men

Hey brothers,

Dealing with a receding hairline isn’t easy—especially for us. There’s barely any content out there made for our hair or our journey.

Why’s that?

Because not many brothers are creating it.

But now you’ve got me.

I made this simple guide for Black men who are thinning, have a widow’s peak, or notice their temples starting to fade.

I got y’all—and I added some images below you can reference.

Even if your hairline isn’t this far gone (even in the pictures featured in the tier list), it’ll help you understand where you’re at.

Thinning, Widow’s Peak, Receding Temples)

Now that you know where you’re at, let’s get into the tier list 👇

Here’s what we’re covering in this guide:

– Best Haircuts for Receding Hairlines  

– Haircuts That Can Work (But Not Always)  

– Haircuts That Make Your Hairline Look Worse  

– Barber Tips for Receding Hairlines

Best Haircuts for Receding Hairlines (Black Men)

Brother, no matter what your hairline looks like—these FOUR haircuts will 100% work for you.

Fading corners, temples, or recession… you’re still good.

A majority of the best haircuts will be short with specific styles as these will take away from your hairline regardless.

1. Bald Fade with Short Curls

This is your go-to if you want to keep it low as it blends down into the skin, and will keep the top and draw attention to the nice curls.

2. 360 Waves with Low Taper

The classic waves look with a low taper can be blended throughout your head, and move the attention away from your hairline.

Specifically if you’re thinning or your temples are starting to fade, this is perfect.

3. Buzz Cut with Beard

Perfect if you want to draw attention away from your hairline. The beard adds contrast and draws the eyes away from it.

If you’re thinning, receding, or have a widow’s peak— In my opinion, this is your best choice.

4. Full Grown Out Afro

This can work if your hair’s still thick.

A big afro adds volume and hides recession—if the corners ain’t too thin.

But if the hairline’s weak or uneven, it might expose it even more.

Shape it soft. Keep it clean.

Younger guys pull this off better. If you got the volume, go for it.

Haircuts That Can Work (But Not Always)

1. Short Twists with taper

This hairstyle can SOMETIMES work, as it’ll cover your forehead & hairline making it far less visible from the front. 

Perfect if you can get them longer or a full head.

Can work maybe for some younger dudes out there, but if you’re OLDER stick to the ones that always work above.

2.Textured/Curled Fro-hawk

Now we all know someone who rocks this cut religiously, and we may laugh at him.

But think about it like this—if your hairline is pulling back…

The textured fro-hawk adds volume at the top and takes away from your hairline and brings more attention to the hair.

For my younger guys this is a good move. Older guys I don’t know too much, but it’s up to you.

Haircuts That Will Make Your Hairline Look Worse

These are a no-go, please don’t get these under any circumstances or you will risk your entire hairline.

1. Sharp Lineups on Thin Hair

This will recede your hairline even more and result in a pushback if you’re too thin upfront.

If your corners or temples are receding, overly sharp lineups will expose them even more post-haircut.

2. Braids Pulled Too Tight

This is a death sentence to your hairline, and will recede it even further.

If this is something you’re going to do, make sure the style is worth it.

If it makes you feel more confident—cool. 

However, be aware of the consequences.

3. Box Cuts With Exposed Corners

This is the worst one you can get.

Please refrain from getting this cut if you don’t want to look foolish stepping outside.

Ok, I gave you guys 6 options to choose from that can work for any recessed hairline, corners, or temples.

You know the three to avoid, and now I’ll be sharing with you 6 things you should tell your barber before allowing him to cut your hair.

Remember—barbers will NEVER care more about your hair than yourself, so make sure you use our reference pictures when you go, and be vocal about what you WANT.

They’re the #1 cause for most of your recession anyway with the consistent pushbacks on most of ya’ll heads, so here’s how you can fight back against that.

Barber Tips for Receding Hairlines (Black Men)

First off, don’t just sit in that chair and let him do whatever.

That’s how most of y’all get pushed back in the first place.

Barbers don’t mean no harm, but they cut how they always cut unless you speak up.

You gotta be clear and let them know what you want and what to leave alone.

Tell him this:

“Don’t push my corners back.”

Be direct. Tell him to work with what’s there, not force a shape-up that doesn’t fit.

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“Keep the line natural, not too sharp.”

If your hairline is thinning, sharp lines only make it worse. A soft shape-up blends better.

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“Go easy on the front.”

You ain’t got the same hairline you used to. He needs to treat the front like it’s fragile. Because it is.

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“Fade the sides low, not high.”

A low fade keeps the attention off your temples. High fades show off the recession.

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“Don’t touch the widow’s peak if it’s solid.”

If the middle is still strong, leave it alone. No need to mess with it if it’s not fading.

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“Use guards, not razors, on the line-up.”

If you’re real thin up front, ask for clippers with a guard. Razors take too much off.

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And if your barber doesn’t listen?

Find a new one.

You’re the one walking around with the cut, not him.