As a creative person, musician and actress at heart, Stacey Bradshaw has experimented a lot with her hairstyles just out of curiosity: blunt and side swept bangs, layered haircut, long bob, highlights, dark toning etc. “Life is too long to be afraid of changes. Monotony is dull” is her motto. She is a freelance writer, keen reader, and just a curious person, who loves exploring new useful information on nutrition and beauty tips for keeping hair healthy and pretty.
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Meet Mary Allen, a writer at The Right Hairstyles Magazine with a passion for the artistry of hair, who first joined our editorial team in January 2022. With a keen eye for trends in haircutting and coloring techniques, Mary Allen explores the diverse spectrum of beauty, ensuring that her articles resonate with women from all walks of life.
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@ironyofashi
With long braids as smooth as these, all you need to do is whip hair to one side. If you’re wondering how to style box braids, one possible answer is to avoid too complex ‘dos. When done right, they’re like a cocoon that allows hair to grow, giving you a break from hardcore maintenance.
Not only do box braid hairstyles require minimal maintenance, but they also offer a unique opportunity to express your individuality and creativity by experimenting with length, color, and style. Accentuating your unique appearance box braids also protect your natural hair from heat and humidity and prevent frizz or breakage.
Whether you are trying a box braids style for the first time or aiming to wear another braided look, this guide is sure to serve you with lots of beautiful options.
@pearlthestylist_
We can’t get our eyes away from this high bun with some curls and braids falling loose. They frame the face beautifully and soften the bold style.
Box braids got their name from the braiding technique, which is parting the hair into box sections, resembling a grid, and braiding it from there. Coming from African culture and dating back to 3500 B.C., box braids have become the epitome of a strong statement of identity for African Americans acknowledging their heritage.
Before getting box braids, it is good to explore different box braid types to decide on the style, length, and diameter of your braids. From micro to Jumbo to goddess braids, the options are endless and diverse. Not to tell you can mix your box braids with curls, cornrows, and undercut designs. Below, you will find some of the most stylish and alluring braided looks suitable for any hair length and thickness.
Seamlessly incorporated into the hair rather than being wrapped around creating a knot, the feed-in knotless braids look all-natural and lightweight. They don’t put extra tension on your scalp like some other types of braids do, making them a suitable option even for those with thinner hair types.
@negatay
If you like your braids looser, pick butterfly box braids, which got their names from mimicking butterfly wings thanks to pulling the sides of braids. This style looks gorgeous in all lengths. Try it with any hair length by incorporating extensions.
@zumbahairbeauty
By leaving some curls peeking out among the braids that cascade down your back, you can add interest and goddess charm to your box braids. Voluminous and textured, this hairstyle will emphasize your playful and free-spirited personality, aiming to take risks and stand out.
@nyjuliabraids
As some braiding techniques can be quite expensive, you can opt for a more affordable yet not less stylish and attractive option – crochet braids. They are easy to install with a crochet hook, style in ponytails, buns, or half-up half-down looks, and maintain with moisturizing hair products.
@hairbyshavonna
Taking its roots from the Fulani people of Africa, this fascinating box braid style accentuates your vibrant appearance and uniqueness. The curls on top are cornrowed either to the back of your head or from the center of the scalp. The rest of the hair is braided as usual and the braids are gathered in an updo or left to flow freely, often decorated with beads.
@lenny_afrohair
A braided bob will take you back to the 90s, in the atmosphere of experiments with length and shape on the way to self-expression. The versatility of box braids allows you to try various styles: angled, layered, side-swept, center-parted, slicked-back, or half-up. Decorate it with beads to emphasize the movement of this dynamic hairstyle.
@trancascaroline
Jumbo braids deserve a special place among the most statement braid styles, but you should carefully consider your hair’s thickness when picking the braids’ size. As the extensions needed for creating large box braids will weigh down your own tresses, it may cause hair breakage. Therefore, always consult with your braider beforehand.
@anelym_studioafro
Bold and creative, tapered braid hairstyles can involve temple shaves or nape undercuts, depending on your readiness to stand out. While it is awesome to express your style, you may need a more work-appropriate look from time to time. In this case, opt for a more subtle taper fade, which can be hidden behind the braids, if needed.
@anihairbraiding
By mixing box braids with cornrows, you can achieve a quite expressive, intricate style, full of shape and dimension. Braid your hair close to the scalp along the sides or start at the hairline and move towards the nape. Continue with free-flowing braids that can be styled in an updo later on.
@manuelsbeautty_gh
Although classic box braids are made with square-shaped parts, you can try other parting styles, triangle ones in particular. Separate your hair into equal triangle sections, define them with a rattail brush, and start braiding your tresses, smoothing them with a hair gel or cream.
@luxedebeauteofficial
Even though all these hairstyles take their origin from traditional tribal braid styles, they are impacted by modern trends no less. Explore the looks that are trending now to ensure your braids keep up with fashion.
Laid-back boho braids, featuring thin braids and lots of loose curls, exude a carefree vibe of undone hairstyle, but, at the same time, look very romantic. This bohemian braid style is ideal for weddings, dates, and girls’ brunches.
@prettifiershair
Unlike boho braids, which combine braids and curls, this braided hairstyle is only curled at the ends, which gives it a somewhat undone feel. Nevertheless, the look is catchy and dynamic, allowing you to showcase your stunning hair texture while keeping most of it secured with braids.
@prescription.glam.official
If you like your curls defined and natural, don’t bother loosening them as done with Bohemian braids. Braid your hair from the roots, just like in other braided hairstyles, and stop at their ends, leaving a few inches of untouched coils.
@joicerocha_trancas
While this look will take you significantly more to recreate, considering the micro size of braids, it puts less tension on your natural hair, allowing it to grow freely. Additionally, the smaller the braids, the longer they will last.
@yasminoliverst
Once you decide on the style, it’s time to pick the length that is quite right for you and your hair type. Choosing between short, medium, and long braids is easier when you have references, and below you will find some.
Since a short afro is not a good canvas for extra-long braids created with extensions, it is better to pay attention to something shorter, requiring less effort and maintenance. We recommend opting for short braids or twists ending at the neck or shorter, whether natural or multi-colored.
@thamy_melchior
Bob-length braids look sassy and alluring but also work great for easy and low-maintenance everyday styling. Braiding helps you grow your hair effortlessly so that it can reach the collarbone length pretty fast.
@danelook_ht
Medium braids provide a good “transitional” length for women who aim for longer braids but, for some reason, can’t have them or simply enjoy this golden middle. If you have fine hair that may break under too long hair extensions, this is your ideal solution in the braids length chart.
@trancasdasa
Hip or waist-length braids take a special place among braided styles in the community but you should only go for them if your hair’s thickness allows. Or, select looks that involve micro braiding, as smaller braids have less tension on the scalp.
@sistersbraidsnl
With the diversity of cute styles to do with braids, it is quite simple to find an easy hairstyle that keeps your curls in place and secured. But let’s not forget the importance of finding your signature, creative style through styling braided hair differently once in a while. Here are some trendy ways to style box braids for you to try.
Whether low or high, a bun is a classic that suits various occasions and accentuates women with different features. Define the place for your bun, gather box braids and wrap them around, clip with hairpins, and finish with a medium- or strong-hold hair spray.
@houstonbraidstyle
Collect half of your braids on top of the head or closer to the nape in a bun or a ponytail. Leave the rest down to embrace the beauty of your braided hair.
@helen_trancas
For a low-maintenance braided ponytail, gather box braids on top of your head. You can also wrap one braid around the pony. Leave it as it is, or embellish it with cuffs or beads and spray with a hydrating product for ultimate shine and smoothness.
@dare2beslayed
If you feel nostalgic for the 90s, separate all or half of your braids in the middle into two parts, making two voluminous buns. Your “space princess” look is ready.
@slaybaddieee
Face-framing braids, either one or a few, can become the center point of your hairstyle. You may braid all your hair and put it in a neat updo or sweep your curls in a bun, but the main thing is to leave braids at the front to frame your whole appearance.
@style_cupid
For this look combine cornrows at the top with box braids at the back. Create a bun, leaving some of the box braids hanging loose. The front area must be cornrowed shaping the swoop bang.
@no_need_for_boring_hair
Doing box braids in bright or contrasting hues is a good way to increase their allure and get yourself a truly unique and creative hairstyle. You can experiment with ombre, highlights, or solid color options, but, most importantly, choose the suitable shade to match your complexion. Below are the most popular colors for black women to enhance their natural hair color or try something new and totally unexpected.
Blonde must be the most popular color option to mix dark brown and brunette hair with, and you can go as light as you want. Subtle blonde streaks that gently boost the dimension of box braids are a common choice for those who prefer minimalistic looks. Also, you can try a lot of warm blonde tones and cooler shades.
@carrietanner_comicstyles
A pop of red color can look quite impressive on women with dark skin tones, making you stand out and showcase your boldness. Choose among cherry, magenta, and burgundy tones and consider your skin undertone: darker and deeper hues for warm skin undertones, more cool-toned violet ones – for cool.
@crespohair
The golden tones of honey blonde hair color complement different complexions with warm and neutral undertones aiming for a sun-kissed glow. Whether you’re trying short and thick or long and micro box braids, this shade will brighten up your flawless hair, boosting your confidence and radiance.
@macsbraiding
Women with darker skin tones can benefit from contrasting hair colors like platinum blonde or icy white. Without braids these shades incur bleaching, and quite an intense hair care routine if you wish to maintain healthy locks. Box braids with extensions protect your natural hair from additional damage and breakage associated with dyeing, so you can try different shades of blonde as often as you wish.
@style_cupid
Ombre hair coloring technique, which implies a mid-shaft gradual transition of color, will be always in trend. Depending on your base color, you can go for lighter and brighter or darker and deeper tones, achieving a perfect multitone look. Extensions that are used for creating box braids will save time and effort on dyeing your natural locks, so feed any color you crave, be it a bold shade or something very soft and almost unnoticeable that will create the sombre (soft ombre) effect.
@justbraidsinfo
Box braids are the perfect reason to try peek-a-boo braids, featuring colorful braids “peeking” underneath the natural color, as instead of dyeing your locks you can play around with extensions. Pick the colors that contrast and show up your base hue, enhancing your overall appearance. Pink, red, or orange for rich black hair; violet, blue, and green – for brown.
@trancascaroline
Hair accessories are the perfect addition to box braids, as they infuse movement and passion into them.
@ecostinhahair
Braid in golden or silver rings into some of the braids, add colorful strings, or attach beads and shells to the ends.
@hbraids.estiloafro
If following the proper haircare, box braids may last up to eight weeks, but it all depends on the particular style, as small braids tend to stay with you longer than Jumbo ones. First, don’t overwash your hair, and focus on the scalp. Use hydrating shampoos and conditioners once every two weeks and moisturize the braids regularly with water-based moisturizing products and leave-in conditioners. Also, avoid tension on the edges when braiding the tresses.
Find your perfect combination of length, color, and style and follow the haircare advice to enjoy your healthy-looking braids for as long as you want.
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