A braided faux hawk is the easiest way to get all the boldness of a mohawk without touching your sides with clippers. Your curls stay protected and tucked at the sides while braids, twists, and texture build height and drama straight down the center of your head.
Below you’ll discover twenty striking braided faux hawk variations for natural hair, each with styling notes, texture tips, and occasion ideas to help you find your next statement look.
Frohawk With Braided Sides For Natural Hair
A frohawk with braided sides lets your natural curls take the spotlight while braids give the shape structure. The sides are braided or flat twisted upward in neat parallel rows that feed into the center section.
In the middle, your curls are left out, picked, and shaped into a tall, fluffy strip that mimics a mohawk. This mix of sleek sides and voluminous texture gives a high-impact profile with no heat or heavy extensions.
It’s a great option if you want to show off your own curl pattern while enjoying the edgy illusion of a faux hawk. Bold yet authentic, it celebrates your natural texture.
Braided Faux Hawk With Beads On Natural Hair
Adding beads to a braided faux hawk introduces movement, sound, and a touch of cultural flair. The sides are braided or twisted as usual while the central braids are left with loose ends where beads can be added.
Place beads only at the front for a subtle accent or load up the entire mohawk line for maximum impact. Clear, gold, or wooden beads all work and can coordinate with your outfit.
Just be mindful of weight and avoid overloading very fine strands to prevent tension. Playful and expressive, it’s a look with real personality.
Braided Faux Hawk On Short Natural Hair
If your natural hair is on the shorter side, a braided faux hawk delivers impact without waiting for extra growth. Cornrows or flat twists run up the sides toward the center, leaving the top free to form the hawk.
For very short coils, crochet braids or added kinky twist hair can build height and a fuller silhouette. This keeps your real hair protected while giving a clean, intentional mohawk effect.
Ask for neat, close-to-the-scalp braids on the sides with more volume left in the central strip so the profile really pops. Smart and stylish, it works at any length.
Braided Faux Hawk With Defined Curls
For anyone who loves showing off their curl pattern, a braided faux hawk with defined curls down the center is a beautiful compromise. The sides are braided back or upward to create a clean frame that lifts the face.
In the middle, curls are detangled, moisturized, and styled with a curl-defining cream or gel for maximum definition. Once dry, they’re fluffed and shaped into a continuous ridge from forehead to nape.
It looks especially striking on type 3 and 4 curls where the contrast between smooth braids and sculpted curls really shines. Eye-catching and polished, it’s a texture lover’s dream.
Cornrow Braided Faux Hawk For Natural Hair
Classic straight-back cornrows make a simple, stylish base for a braided faux hawk. The hair on each side is parted into vertical or diagonal sections and braided tightly toward the middle, framing the raised center.
In the center strip, you can leave your curls out, add chunky braids, or combine braids and defined curls for contrast. The sleek sides make it a great protective style for workouts and busy weeks.
Finish with moisturizing gel or edge control to keep the hairline neat, and oil your scalp between cornrows to prevent dryness. Low-maintenance and cool, it’s a reliable favorite.
French Braid Faux Hawk On Natural Hair
The French braid faux hawk offers a softer, more romantic take on the mohawk shape while keeping curls protected. Hair from the crown is gathered into a raised French braid running from the front hairline to the nape.
The sides are either lightly slicked back with gel or put into small flat twists that feed into the main braid. Because the braid sits high, it creates a ridge for that signature faux hawk outline without harsh lines.
It works well for medium to long natural hair and transitions easily from daytime to weddings with a few accessories. Elegant and versatile, it’s a gentler take on the trend.
Dutch Braid Faux Hawk For Natural Curls
With a Dutch braid faux hawk, the braid itself becomes the star, sitting on top of the hair instead of blending in. A chunky inside-out braid down the center gives strong definition and a clear mohawk shape.
The sides can be slicked, cornrowed, or flat twisted upward depending on how much scalp you want to show. It’s especially striking on thick natural curls where the braid looks full and dimensional.
For more drama, loosen the loops to make the braid bigger and fluffier, then finish with shine spray. Bold and textured, it’s a real showstopper.
Feed In Braids Faux Hawk On Natural Hair
Feed-in braids make it easy to get a long, sculpted faux hawk even on shorter or medium-length natural hair. The braider starts with your real hair and gradually feeds in extensions along the center for thickness without bulky knots.
Sides are usually styled in smaller cornrows or stitch braids that travel upward into the central braided hawk. This distributes tension evenly for a seamless, professional look from any angle.
Choose extensions that match your curl color or go bold with highlights to make the mohawk your focal point. Sleek and long-lasting, it’s a versatile choice.
Ghana Braids Faux Hawk On Natural Hair
Ghana braids, also known as banana braids, give a bold, sculpted foundation for a faux hawk. They start fine at the hairline and gradually thicken as hair is fed in, creating a strong raised pattern.
For a faux hawk, they’re directed upward and inward toward the center strip, emphasizing the mohawk ridge. The center might hold chunky braids, a twisted bun, or loose textured curls.
Because they’re sleek and close to the scalp, this style tends to last longer as a protective option. Structured and striking, it’s built for busy seasons.
Two Strand Twist Faux Hawk For Natural Hair
Two-strand twists can be shaped into a faux hawk that feels soft, touchable, and easy to maintain. The sides are flat twisted close to the scalp while the top and center are styled in chunky twists pinned up into the mohawk line.
Bend and secure the twists with bobby pins to create height at the crown and volume at the back. This gentle style works on a wide range of lengths and is kind to fragile curls.
Wrap with a satin scarf or bonnet at night to preserve the shape and control frizz between touch-ups. Comfortable and pretty, it’s a low-tension favorite.
Box Braids Faux Hawk On Natural Hair
If you already have box braids or want a long-lasting protective style, they convert easily into a faux hawk. The side braids are pinned or braided upward toward the center, leaving the middle to fall in a mohawk shape.
Some people create a big braided roll or pompadour at the front with braids cascading down the back. This lets you change your look without taking down the braids or adding scalp tension.
It’s a fun way to highlight colored box braids or ombre ends, since the mohawk silhouette draws attention to them. Practical and eye-catching, it makes the most of your braids.
Stitch Braids Faux Hawk On Natural Hair
Stitch braids give a sharp, graphic twist to the faux hawk, perfect if you love precise parts and detailed designs. A feed-in technique and clean horizontal sections create “stitches” within each braid on the sides.
These braids are directed upward toward the middle, where a long braided ponytail or chunky braids form the hawk. The contrast between neat stitches and a fuller center gives a runway-inspired vibe.
It looks especially striking with a subtle color like caramel or copper highlights woven into the central braid. Modern and detailed, it’s a real head-turner.
Braided Mohawk Updo On Natural Hair
A braided mohawk updo is ideal for weddings, parties, and any event where you want polished, lifted natural hair. The sides are braided tightly upward, often in curved patterns following the shape of your head.
The center section is braided, twisted, and pinned into loops or rolls that sit high on the crown for a regal effect. With all the hair tucked away, it doubles as a protective style lasting several days.
Hair jewelry or small decorative pins along the braids instantly turn this into a standout special-occasion look. Refined and dramatic, it’s made to impress.
Braided Faux Hawk With Curly Bangs
Adding curly bangs to a braided faux hawk softens the look and frames your face flatteringly. The sides are braided back or upward to build the usual structure while some curls are left out at the front hairline.
These curls can be defined with gel or mousse so they fall gently over the forehead while the rest rises in the center. The mix of sleek braids and playful curls stays edgy yet feminine.
Moisturize the leave-out area regularly so the exposed curls stay shiny and healthy. Versatile and pretty, it works for everyday wear and dressy outings alike.
Natural Faux Hawk With Blonde Highlights
Blonde or caramel highlights make every braid and twist in your faux hawk stand out more clearly. The sides are braided tightly so the lighter pieces in the center catch the light and emphasize the mohawk silhouette.
Some go for subtle balayage through the central curls, while others choose bolder panels of color at the top. Either way, the contrast between dark roots and lighter ends adds movement and dimension.
To protect your color, use a sulfate-free shampoo, deep condition weekly, and add lightweight oil to keep braids from drying out. Vibrant and dynamic, it’s color done right.
Braided Faux Hawk With Undercut On Natural Hair
For those who love a daring look, pairing a braided faux hawk with an undercut adds instant attitude. The sides and sometimes the back are trimmed very short or shaved, while the center is braided into a striking mohawk.
Choose simple straight braids or intricate patterns that highlight the contrast between shaved sections and the raised center. It’s low maintenance on the sides but needs regular lineups to stay sharp.
This bold statement still lets you enjoy protective braiding, and it can be dressed up with color, designs, or accessories. Edgy and fearless, it’s not for the shy.
Braided Faux Hawk With Bantu Knots
Combining a braided faux hawk with Bantu knots gives a sculptural, artistic finish. The sides are braided or twisted upward, feeding into strategic sections along the center part.
Instead of leaving the center loose, several Bantu knots run down the middle to mimic the bumps of a mohawk. This puts your facial features on display and works well for festivals or photoshoots.
Keep your scalp moisturized and avoid making the knots too tight to prevent tension on your edges. Creative and standout, it’s a true work of art.
Braided Faux Hawk With Marley Hair
Marley hair extensions are excellent for building a full, textured faux hawk without heavy weight. The coarse texture blends nicely with coily and kinky hair, so the added hair looks more natural along the center.
Sides are braided or flat twisted upward, and the Marley hair is crocheted or sewn into the middle to create height. Shape it into chunky twists, a big curly frohawk, or a rolled updo on the crown.
This approach lets you experiment with length and volume while keeping your own strands tucked safely underneath. Full and dramatic, it’s endlessly customizable.
Braided Faux Hawk Ponytail On Natural Hair
A braided faux hawk ponytail combines the drama of a mohawk with the practicality of a ponytail. The sides are braided tightly toward the center, and the remaining hair is gathered into a high or mid ponytail along the mohawk line.
Extensions can be added to the ponytail for length, then styled into curls, braids, or a sleek rope braid. From the front and side, the raised ponytail reads as a hawk, especially with the base wrapped neatly.
It’s a good option when you need something gym-friendly that still looks stylish for after-work plans. Functional and bold, it’s the best of both worlds.
Braided Faux Hawk Wedding Hairstyle For Natural Hair
For a wedding or formal event, a braided faux hawk can look elegant and timeless. The sides are braided in smooth, symmetrical patterns that lead into a raised center full of twists, loops, or soft curls.
The central section can be shaped into a cascading updo at the back or a structured roll along the crown. Many brides add delicate accessories like pearls, small combs, or decorative pins between the braids.
Because it keeps hair off the neck and shoulders while looking intricate, it photographs beautifully all day. Sophisticated and striking, it’s a memorable bridal choice.
Final Thoughts
Braided faux hawks give natural hair a bold mohawk effect without shaving your sides or sacrificing length. From simple cornrow versions to intricate Ghana braids, Dutch braids, and twist combinations, there’s a look for every comfort level and occasion.
Many of these styles double as true protective options, keeping your ends tucked while letting you play with height, color, and accessories. Whether you go minimal for everyday or stack on beads and highlights for events, focus on healthy prep, a cleansed scalp, deep conditioning, and gentle tension, so your faux hawk looks amazing and your hair stays strong underneath.
