How to Curl Mohawk Hair Styles for African Americans

Mohawks weren't commonly associated with African American hairstyles in earlier years. However, the Mohawk is becoming more popular for African Americans. With shows like CW's "The Game," and actors and R&B artists like Chris Brown rocking this hairstyle, it's gone outside of the stereotypical rocker look. However, African American hair takes on a different texture with the style and needs to be cut and picked in an alternate way to keep the Mohawk shaped correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Clippers
• Pick
• Brush
• Rubber bands (optional)
• Hair styling gel for African American hair (TCB, Blue Magic)
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Shave the sides of the head, but keep the remainder of the middle of the hair shaped into a rectangle from the forehead straight back to the neck.

2. 

   Part small chunks of hair to either gel the hair straight up into the air or braid small chunks from the scalp pointing up. Because African American hair is a thicker texture, the direction that the hair is braided in is usually how the hair will stand. Be careful with using too much hair oil because hair oil can make African American hair too thick to comb or less likely to shape into an upward direction. The hair oil is more commonly used on the scalp, but it helps to use the hair oil on the tips of African American hair to keep the braids from unraveling. Tying each braid with a rubber band also helps to keep the original shape so if the hair is slept on, then a pick can be used to comb the hair upwards again.

3. Brush the sides of the hair evenly so the scalp looks smooth, or shave the hair off altogether along the sides.

4. Use non-hardening hairspray to keep the braids in place. While hairspray isn't absolutely necessary to achieve the Mohawk hairstyle for African Americans, hairspray does help to tighten the braids and keep loose strands from unraveling. However, if the hair is too hard, it will be more difficult to pick the hair out to keep the Mohawk hairstyle.

5. Pick the remaining hair out to keep the hair from curling up on its own. African American hair tends to become kinky (or curly) if it's not combed out regularly.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep African American hair oiled weekly or bi-weekly, depending on how dry the scalp is. This helps eliminate dandruff and dry skin, and it also helps condition the hair.