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What Is Up With This Hair?

An exploration of how the 'braided fade' became a trend.

As Black men, unfortunately, sometimes our hair choices are extremely limited. We don't have much to choose from. The “1” “2” or “3” Caesar cut (for those who don’t know what numbers mean, it’s the level of length you want your hair to evenly be — 1 being very low to 3 being very full), and “the fade.” Currently, "the fade" is in by the way!

If you have a head full of hair, braids or dreds are always an option, of course. 

But it's 2017 and, though we might not have a lady president yet, boy, have we evolved! Men are now taking hair styling as seriously as our female counterparts. The generation of self-expression!

Last year, men went through an exploration of several options. You might remember the popularity of man buns, but now we are incorporating a hybrid. Hairstyles and haircuts have become one. 

Enter the “cornrow fade.” I asked a couple of my celebrity barber friends in Los Angeles and New York the name of this style and they all said “fade with braids,” so we're calling it the “Braided Fade.” The look has been trending for almost a year and is predictably super popular among musicians, as they tend to be the most experimental with their looks. 

Here are some of my favorites who I think pull the style off the well. 

Omarion, who refers to the style as the “Fly O’2.” 

Chris Brown, who rocked the same Caesar cut since 2005 but grew his hair out and converted to the look.

(Photo: Chris Brown via Instagram)
(Photo: Chris Brown via Instagram)

Quincy Brown has made this style his signature look while filming the new show Star.

(Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Smile Train, Inc)

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Smile Train

(Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Smile Train, Inc)

Jason Derulo, who doesn’t mind trying cool looks with his hair but always manages to look dapper and fresh, rocked the style. 

(Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Jim Spellman/WireImage

(Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

The Game has even given the style his stamp of approval!

(Photo: The Game via Instagram)

The Game via Instagram

(Photo: The Game via Instagram)

It is always encouraging to see men take risks with their style, but do we think the braided fade trend will be short-lived like the high-top fade? 

Although, if you ask Iman Shumpert, that look is still hot. 

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