If you walked into a room with Post Malone five years ago, you’d probably recognize him by the mess of curls or that signature "White Iverson" braid setup. Today? It’s a completely different story. Most people still associate the "Rockstar" singer with a specific brand of beautiful, chaotic bird's-nest hair, but the reality of Post Malone hair has shifted into something far more deliberate—and, honestly, a bit more vulnerable.
He didn’t just wake up one day and decide to cut it all off. There’s a whole saga here involving scalp tattoos, medieval imagery, and a very public battle with self-confidence that most casual listeners totally miss.
The Braids That Started a Revolution (and a Few Arguments)
Back in 2015, Posty hit the scene with cornrows. It was the look that defined an era. It was also the look that sparked a thousand "cultural appropriation" debates. Love it or hate it, those braids were iconic. They gave him a silhouette that was instantly recognizable on a festival stage.
But braids are high maintenance. Really high maintenance.
Eventually, the braids turned into "two big ass dreads," as Austin Post himself famously tweeted. He was terrified people would stop listening to his music if he changed his hair. Think about that for a second. One of the biggest artists on the planet was genuinely worried that his vocal cords were somehow tied to his follicles.
Then came the "Man Bun" era. It was lazy. It was effortless. It was basically every guy in 2016 who forgot to book a barber appointment for six months. But on Post, it worked because it matched the vibe of Stoney.
The Great Chop and the Skull Beneath
In 2018, everything changed. He lopped it all off.
We’re talking a "Shia LaBeouf fell into a face tattoo" kind of transformation. He went for a short, curly crop that looked almost... normal? It was jarring. People on Twitter were comparing him to Dustin from Stranger Things. Seth Rogen even joked that Posty stole his hairdo.
But there was a reason for the buzz.
He started using his head as a literal canvas. You can’t see a giant, detailed skeleton or Japanese wave patterns if you’ve got a mop of curls in the way. Shaving his head wasn't just a style choice; it was an expansion of his art. He’s gone on record saying he gets these tattoos because he’s insecure. He told GQ he thinks he’s an "ugly-ass motherf***ker," so he puts something cool on his face to look in the mirror and feel okay.
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The Post Malone hair journey is actually a confidence journey. When he’s rocking a skin fade or a Caesar cut, he’s showing off the ink that makes him feel like "him."
The Evolution of the Posty Cut: A Quick Timeline
- The White Iverson Era: Clean cornrows and braids.
- The Rockstar Era: Long, messy curls, often tied back in a chaotic bun.
- The Great Reset (2018): Short, curly crop. The first time we saw his actual hairline in years.
- The Ink Era (2020-Present): Buzz cuts, high fades, and full scalp exposure to showcase the massive skull and barbed wire tattoos.
Is He Actually Balding?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the hair transplant rumors.
If you look at photos from 2017 and compare them to 2026, his hairline looks... suspiciously sturdy. In the early days, there was some definite thinning around the temples. It’s the classic "male pattern" look that hits most of us in our late 20s.
Speculation has been rampant. Some hair restoration experts suggest he might have had an FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) procedure, possibly involving 2,000 to 3,000 grafts. There's also talk about a beard transplant because his facial hair suddenly went from "patchy teenager" to "lumberjack chic" in a very short window.
Posty hasn't confirmed it. He’s usually pretty an open book, but he hasn't sat down to give a play-by-play of his scalp surgery. Honestly, if he did get work done, it’s some of the best in Hollywood. It looks natural. It doesn't have that "doll hair" pluggy look from the 90s.
How to Get the "Posty" Texture (Without the Tattoos)
If you have naturally curly or wavy hair and you want that "lived-in" Post Malone look, you have to stop over-washing it. Seriously.
Posty’s hair always looks like it’s seen a bit of life. To get that volume without the frizz, you need a routine that doesn't involve stripping every ounce of oil from your scalp.
The Essentials for the Look:
- Sulfate-Free Everything: Sulfates are the enemy of curls. They make your hair look like a dry sponge.
- The "Scrunch" Method: When your hair is damp, use a curl cream and literally scrunch it upwards. Don't brush it. Brushing curly hair is how you end up looking like a poodle in a thunderstorm.
- Matte Clay: If you’re going for his shorter, textured crops, a tiny bit of matte clay gives you that "I just woke up like this" grit.
- Salt Spray: This is the secret weapon. A few spritzes of sea salt spray gives you that grit and "festival" texture even if you haven't left your house in three days.
The Verdict on the Mullet
We can't talk about his hair without mentioning the country era. As he leaned into his Nashville roots, the mullet made a guest appearance. It’s a polarizing look. It’s business in the front, "I own a camouflage truck" in the back.
But that’s the thing about Austin Post. He doesn't care.
He’ll go from a polished Caesar cut to a greasy mullet in a single tour cycle. He treats his hair like he treats his music—a mix of genres that shouldn't work together but somehow do.
The most important takeaway from the Post Malone hair saga isn't about the specific cut. It’s about the permission he gives himself to change. He’s not stuck in 2015. He’s not afraid to show his receding hairline, and he’s not afraid to cover it in ink.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Hair Journey
If you're inspired by Posty’s constant evolution, here is how you can actually apply it to your own style without regretting it later:
- Consult a Barber on Scalp Health First: Before you go for a buzz cut to show off your "edge," make sure your scalp is healthy. Use a salicylic acid treatment if you have buildup.
- Test the "Short" Look with an App: Before you do "The Great Chop" like Post did in 2018, use a filter. Seriously. It’s a huge shock to the system.
- Invest in Silk: If you’re growing your hair out for those long curls, sleep on a silk pillowcase. It sounds bougie, but it stops your hair from breaking and tangling overnight.
- Embrace the Insecurity: If you're changing your hair because you're bored or insecure, lean into it. Hair grows back. Tattoos, well, they don't—so maybe start with the haircut first.
Post Malone proved that you don't have to be defined by one "look." You can be a rapper with braids, a pop star with a man bun, and a country singer with a buzzed head. Your hair is just a temporary accessory to who you actually are.