Afro Pick Hairstyle Guide: How to Get and Style It
Learn what the Afro pick style is, who it looks good on, and how to keep it fresh every day.
The Afro pick hairstyle is all about volume, shape, and pride. It lets your natural curls stand up tall and round. An Afro pick is a special comb with wide, long teeth. You use it to lift your hair up from the roots. This gives your hair a full, soft cloud shape.
Who Can Wear This Cut?
This style works best for tight curls, coils, and kinky hair. In barber terms, this is type 4 hair. Your hair needs some natural spring to stand up on its own.
If your hair is wavy or straight, an Afro pick will not give you this shape. You also need some length. Your hair should be at least two to three inches long all over so it can puff out.
Matching Your Face Shape
A picked-out Afro can look great on anyone, but the shape of the cut matters:
Round faces: Ask your barber to leave more height on top. This makes your face look a bit longer. Long faces: Keep the top a little shorter and let the sides stay wide. This balances your face out. * Square or oval faces: A classic, round shape works nicely because your jawline is already sharp.
What to Tell Your Barber
When you go to the barbershop, tell the barber you want to wear your hair picked out. It helps to pick your hair out before you go in. That way, the barber sees the true size of your hair.
Ask for a round taper or a temple fade if you want clean edges around your ears and neck. If you want the classic look, ask them to just line up your hairline and trim the ends to make a neat ball shape.
Daily Upkeep and Care
Taking care of an Afro takes a little work, but it is easy once you get used to it.
Never pick your hair when it is completely dry. Dry picking snaps your hair and causes frizz. Instead, spray some water on your hair first. Add a leave-in conditioner or a light oil.
Push the pick into your roots and gently pull outward. You do not need to pull the pick all the way through the ends every time. Just lift the base to create height. At night, sleep with a silk or satin bonnet so your hair does not get flat or dry.
See the Look on Yourself First
Cutting or growing your hair out can feel like a big step. You might wonder if a tall, rounded shape fits your head. You can find out your face shape for free on the HairMatch AI app. Then, you can buy a small photo pack starting at $0.99 to see the Afro pick cut on your own face before you visit the shop.