How to Cut Your Hair Like Rihanna's Faux Hawk

A Faux Hawk is less punky than a Mohawk

Rihanna changes her hairstyle on a regular basis. One of her most eye-catching styles was the faux hawk she sported for the first time in July 2009. Since the original cut, she has had many different variations of this trend. A faux hawk is similar to a mohawk but not as drastic. Typically mohawks have shaved hair on the sides. On a faux hawk, hair will be obvious, and shorter, on the sides, but there is still a large amount of hair on the top of the head. Faux hawks can be achieved even with fairly long hair on the sides; the side hair is combed and set to the head with styling products. Rihanna's faux hawk did have the sides quite short in 2009.

Things You'll Need

• Comb
• Electric hair cutters
• Scissors
• Molding wax
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Find a picture of Rihanna with her faux hawk. Decide whether you want to copy her original one from 2009 where she still had some hair on the sides or her more recent shaved version.

2. If you want to go for Rihanna's recent cut, put the number three guard on a hair trimmer. Get a hairdresser or a friend to trim the hair on the sides of your head. It is possible to do this yourself, but the result will likely be neater if you get a professional to do it for you.

3. Cut the top section of hair to the desired length. Rihanna's longest pieces are usually about 10-15 cm. Taper the sides so they increase in length as you reach the top of the head. Shave the very back of the head to the same length as the sides. Make the top section taper down towards the nape of the neck.

4. Apply molding wax to the top section of hair. Tease the front of the hair with a comb so it curls forwards and then flicks back, similar to a quiff. Comb the side sections towards the head. Try to style it so the hair is full at the sides, but has a ridge along the top where the hair meets.

5. Spray your newly styled hair with hairspray once you have the desired shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Rihanna changed the color of her faux hawk from black to caramel in January 2010. Dye to the top section only if you want to follow this trend.

• Cutting your own hair can be dangerous, and result in a disappointing look. For best results find a picture of Rihanna with the style you want and take it to a hairdresser.

References

• Style Bistro: Rihanna Hair
• Cool Means Hair: Faux hawk (Fohawk) Hairstyles
• Style Hair Magazine: Faux Hawk Hair Style