The Tomahawk haircut is a bold, edgy hairstyle that is closely related to the Mohawk.
The name is used somewhat loosely, but in modern hairstyle discussions it generally describes a cut where the hair through the centre/top of the head is left noticeably longer while the sides and back are cut much shorter.
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What does a Tomahawk haircut look like?
Think of it as a less rigid, more wearable cousin of the traditional Mohawk.
The defining elements are:
- Longer hair through the middle/top of the head
- Shorter sides and back, often achieved with clippers
- A noticeable contrast between the central section and the sides
- The longer section can be styled upward, backward, forward, textured, curly, or left relatively natural
- The sides can range from a moderate taper to a very short fade or shave
Some versions are dramatic and strongly resemble a Mohawk, while others are much more subtle and look like a conventional fade with an elongated, textured top.
Toma Hack Hair Style vs. Muhac Hairstyle
The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, which can make searching for the style confusing.
A traditional Mohawk generally has a very clearly defined strip of hair running from the forehead toward the nape, with the surrounding hair shaved or clipped extremely short. The central hair is often styled upright or dramatically.
A Tomahawk tends to be interpreted more loosely.
It can retain more hair around the sides and can have a softer transition between the longer centre and shorter sides.
In other words, you can get the attitude of a Mohawk without necessarily committing to the extremely shaved look.
Tomahawk Haircut for Black Hair
The style can work particularly well with textured hair because the central section can showcase natural curls, coils, waves or twists.
For example, you could have:
Short faded sides + longer natural curls on top
or
Tapered sides + a curly central strip
or even
Faded sides + locs or twists concentrated through the centre.
The contrast between the closely cut sides and textured top can make the hairstyle especially striking.
Women’s Tomahawk Haircut
Despite often being presented as a men’s haircut, a Tomahawk can absolutely be worn by women.
The basic concept isn’t gender-specific.
A woman could wear a softer version with:
- A tapered or shaved side
- A longer curly or textured centre
- An asymmetrical shape
- A dramatic colour
- A longer fringe
- A faux-hawk interpretation rather than completely shaved sides
This gives you the edgy appearance of a Mohawk while leaving considerably more room for personalization.
Tomahawk Haircut With a Fade
One of the easiest contemporary versions to wear is the fade Tomahawk.
The barber gradually reduces the hair from the longer central section down toward the skin around the ears and neckline.
A low fade produces a relatively subtle result, while a high or skin fade creates much stronger contrast.
This is probably the version to ask for if you want something modern rather than punk-rock dramatic.
Is a Tomahawk Haircut High Maintenance?
It depends heavily on how dramatic you make it.
A short fade with a relatively natural top can be fairly easy to maintain.
However, if you want sharply defined sides and a sculpted or upright centre, you’ll need more frequent barber visits and some daily styling.
A good rule is:
The more dramatic the contrast, the more maintenance the haircut usually requires.
Female Moha Haircut/Rambut Moha
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Photo Credits: @HolyTigerBarberShop, Joey L, Brianna Newton
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