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.
Read full bio Editorial guidelines
@_jazitup
It’s a cool idea to create a crown to diversify your braids. The middle part allows you to create an intricate, symmetrical style encircled by a braided crown. Shaved lines on the side ensure that this is a look truly fit for a king.
If you’ve grown tired of your man bun, but can’t seem to part with the versatility and attention of long hair, it’s time to try braids for men. Whether you go with a full-out fishtail, or edgy cornrows, there’s a style for any man looking to add some texture to his tresses.
Today’s braids are not just for those with shoulder-length, or long hair. Those with popular long top, short sides haircuts or long top undercuts often wonder how to style their longer hair up top. Modern braids offer a fresh solution. Let’s check out various braid styles for all hair lengths and types.
@soniaflowershair
Ponytail braided hairstyles work well for men who want to show off a fun dye job. Whether you have a faded blonde ombre, or a fun bright hue, this look will allow you to give your color saturated strands their time to shine. Balance the look with a rugged beard.
Braids give you infinite freedom to experiment with designs. You can get creative with your parting, or you can actually manipulate the braid into the shape of your choice.
@magicfingersstudio
Just because you have short hair does not mean that you have to miss out on plaits. You may play with extensions as well. Box braids use thick yaki braiding hair to create bold plaits – combine different colors for a highlight effect.
@adriennelucina
If you want a style with some staying power, it’s best to gravitate towards smaller cornrows instead of chunky French braid styles. The latter will come apart more easily with wear and tear. The second benefit of a smaller pattern is that it can be manipulated into more intricate designs as shown above.
@resie_braids
Men who have already embraced the long Mohawk style can get more bang for their buck by incorporating chunky double braids. They are perfect for a beach vacation or a guy’s trip when the last thing that you want to worry about is hair products and styling.
@africanhairbraidingla
Braids offer a unique way for men to create bold, stylish looks, including edgy faux hawks. This versatile style can be adapted to suit various hair types, adding texture and personality to any haircut.
@modernsalon
Probably one of the most recognizable braided looks thanks to early 2000s rappers like Xzibit, Jim Jones, and scores of others, straight-back cornrows are a classic style that men can’t get enough of. The bushy “lumbersexual” beard gives the look a modern hipster vibe.
@saucemoney88
Braids can also be a great accent to an androgynous look. This slightly inverted braided bob features thin box braids in a deep and glossy shade of black. The lack of facial hair makes the hairdo the focal point of your appearance.
@hongkongbraid
Have some fun and combine two braid designs into one look. Instead of doing something outrageous, opt for two simple styles like wavy and straight plaits so that they can complement each other. The result is an interesting-yet-low key hairstyle that works for medium to long strands.
@africanhairbraidingla
Just because you don’t have long hair doesn’t mean you have to give up on your braided dreams. Thankfully, with a little styling pomade you can fake it until you make it. Twisting a few pieces in the front to mimic a braid pattern will give you a similar effect.
@lincooln
If your hair is longer in the crown but still too short for a flowing braid, this is for you. The hair won’t have enough length for a tight weave, which will create a cool petal-like texture. Secure with small elastic to keep it from slipping during the day.
@kwaangkawin
Blond hair warms complexions with gold and red undertones. Thanks to Fetty Wap’s and Jaden Smith’s experiments with different shades of blond, you are sure to be on trend with this style if you have a similar skin tone.
@stylesbykaykay
Combine a bunch of subtle details to make one impactful look. Double braids, short sides, a small bun, and blonde highlights seem simple on their own, but together they make up a unique style.
@maneattractionsalonphx
It’s a cool idea to create a crown to diversify your braids. The middle part allows you to create an intricate, symmetrical style encircled by a braided crown. Shaved lines on the side ensure that this is a look truly fit for a king.
@_jazitup
Think of a braid as an accent for short hair instead of the basis for the overall style. A small inverted braid is perfect for adding pizzazz to the standard man bun.
@kwaangkawin
Tattoos are a commitment no matter where you put them on your body. But etching one under your hair is great if you want the option of covering it later. Braids will pull your hair back in a stylish way to show off your new ink.
@modernsalon
Learn the art of accessorizing your braids. Headbands and barrettes might not be your thing, but a subtle black ribbon will add a little drama without doing much.
@modernsalon
Flat braids are ideal for guys who want to wear a style that does not need to be touched up as frequently. The sleek style may last for over a week and will be getting rugged in a good, stylish way.
@modernsalon
Another benefit of a braided style is the volume that you can achieve within the crown. Simply tease the roots before you have your hair braided. For an additional twist, use a different pattern for the tail of your style to create some contrast.
@dyfre_barber
Braids don’t have to be complicated. A side braid is great when you want a no frills style with just a bit of edge. Experiment with different colors or just keep a natural hue.
@ssarit
Thanks to the perfectly precise center parting and undercut sides, these sleek, tight braids combined with a bun are all about elegance and style. This style is achievable on all hair textures.
@the_braidaholic
There’s no wonder box braid hairstyles are so popular with men. Apart from being a cool protective style, they are relatively easy to create and amazingly versatile. Box braids can be adapted to look right on both short and long hair, and any hair texture.
@braidedbykris
Dutch braids are a great choice for men with straight hair. With limitless styling options, it’s easy to achieve them with different types of cuts. Coupled with a full beard and taper fade, this hairstyle looks rugged yet chic.
@theheroine_
Searching for an alternative to traditional box braids? This sophisticated hairstyle will leave no one indifferent. Elaborate braids, smaller and bigger, look enchanting when paired with a fresh fade and a classic man bun.
@sweetstylez.braiding
Temple braids are a great solution if you prefer keeping things minimal. Two braids on the sides can replace the traditional undercut, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds – sport trendy braids and wear shorter hair on top.
@thestrandsa
You can create braids even on short hair. With the right approach and a bit of know-how, braid styles are fairly achievable on any hair length over two inches. Small braids look really cool and sassy, especially when they come with a neat undercut.
@kaylazbraidz
It’s safe to say that cornrow styles are one of the most favored natural hairstyles. Fair enough, since they do a wonderful job in taming kinky natural hair. In addition, cornrows are easy-to-maintain braids. And yes, you can ask your stylist to create an intricate pattern on your head like this one to make your braids stand out.
@natalystyles1
Cornrow braids are a cool option for hot summer days that can last for weeks with proper care. They always look neat and work just great on both thick and fine hair.
@salondubaihairstylist
If you crave braided hair but don’t feel like waiting for your tresses to grow out, no worries, you can get chic braids with the help of extensions. Also, you can use this trick to make your thin braids look fuller.
@studiotereretata
Braided buns are always a good idea when you need to arrange medium to long hair. To make braided hair look even more eye-catching, consider getting multiple criss-cross braids on the crown.
@menbraidslondon
If you’re looking for something unusual, consider this intricate braid hairstyle. Such an awesome braided pattern will undoubtedly make you stand out from the crowd. Cornrows look exceptionally good when combined with fade.
@braidsby.lj
This hairstyle looks really sassy on dark hair with highlights. It may take you two trips to a salon to get your hair highlighted and get it braided. Give your strands a two-week break as they tend to get brittle write after the bleach.
@topclassbeautysalon
A cool, daring Mohawk like this is what you need to make a statement. Two braids on each side and a braided ponytail make it even more unique. Pair it all with a full beard and shaved sides, and you’ll get a super stylish look.
@menbraidslondon
A fishbone braid is a popular type of African American braid plaited closely to the scalp with a thick braid in the center and thinner cornrows attached to the main braid at an angle. Fishbone braids are a great solution if you want to diversify your everyday look.
@salondubaihairstylist
Cornrows hold a special place in our hearts. Easy to maintain and protective, they facilitate healthy hair growth and help your hair look flawless at all times. Try these intertwined cornrows to change up your style.
@pelhina4538
We’ll never get tired of saying that braids are stunningly versatile! An impressive variation of traditional box braids, spider braids look like a growing trend. Diagonal cornrows transitioning into box braids create a bold dynamic look that blends structure with fluidity for a unique, modern style.
@blackqueen.hmo
An unusual pattern can make your plaits truly unique. If you have medium to long straight or wavy hair, intricate cornrows have a high chance of becoming your favorite everyday hairstyle.
@braidbabe509
The uniform thickness of the braids and their curved shape creates a cool terraced effect. The braids are decorated with hair cuffs and culminate in a neat top-knot.
@charme_black_
Your braided style will automatically turn into a masterpiece if enhanced with crisp geometric patterns and matching hair design. This is what people call unconventional braids, indeed.
@cryscrowned_em
By adding interesting details to your hairstyle, you’ll get a bombshell combination that is sure to turn heads. This braided style is absolutely stunning due to a mind-blowing combination of hair design, textured braids, and bright colors.
@glamgarage_hairdetailing
This super cool hairstyle features long braided bangs that frame the face, a neat braided bun, and a high fade. By the way, you don’t even need to have long hair for long braids: get any length you wish with feed-in plaits.
@noquesalon
We love this minimalist braided hairstyle for its simple, neat, and ultimately stylish appearance. Zigzag braids gathered in a ponytail are a cool everyday option for men with coarse natural hair.
@braided_melanins
By braiding your long locs together, you’ll get a really outstanding look. You can choose a Dutch braid like this to get a bonus Mohawk, or try a fishtail braid for a softer look.
@mrnaturalz
No doubt, ombre box braids with bleached ends are a standout styling choice. They are an excellent option if you love braids and feel like experimenting with color but don’t really want to get a permanent hair color done as of now. The contrast between black and honey blond grabs attention and adds that edgy early 2000s vibe.
@pelhina4538
Long box braids look amazingly hot when gathered in a tight bun. Combined with shaved sides, they look neat and elegant, which makes them an excellent idea for an office-approved braided hairstyle.
@salondubaihairstylist
There are many options within the braids for men category which depend on your personal preference. The pattern and texture alone will certainly turn heads, but you can always take the look a step further with fun colors and designs.
Enter your email to get this picture to your inbox 💌
