backshot of woman with medium sized box braids styled into a half up half down bun hairstyle

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11 Ways to Rock Loose Box Braids like an A-Lister

Get ready to fall in love with these celebrity-approved loose box braids styles!

Amra | October 7, 2019

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Loose box braids are a type of individual braids that end partway down the hair, leaving the ends of the hair unbraided. Fast becoming the hottest protective hairstyle to rock, many members of the glitterati have already been spotted wearing box braids with loose ends, giving us major mane envy.

Whether you’re obsessed with Poetic Justice braids or are contemplating giving them a go (or maybe you’re wondering what loose box braids even look like?), take some style notes from these celebrities who are slaying box braids + loose ends, below.

Curly Loose Box Braids

Chanel Iman with loose box braids hairstyle at coachella, wearing boho outfit — Exude boho vibes with these curly box braids ends. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

It’s no secret we’re huge fans of fun coloured box braids, but there is a way to make them look even more enchanting. How? When paired with curly ends, of course. Just look at how Chanel Iman rocks the trend and you’ll understand what we mean.

Her box braids ends are undone, curly and perfectly complete the boho look she’s going for. Oh Chanel, we wish we had your mane!

Loose Box Braids + High Ponytail

Loose box braids: Close up shot of Serayah McNeill with medium brown box braids with curly ends, styled into a high ponytail. — Ponytails really are a girls best friend. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Another hairstyle that’ll stylishly show off box braids ends? A high ponytail — isn’t that right, Serayah McNeill?

Next read: Box braids ponytail hairstyles you’ll love.

Zoe Kravitz Braids

close up shot of zoe kravitz with curly box braids ends, wearing black crop top and mustard skirt — Zoë Kravitz is the queen of loose box braids hairstyles! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Let’s face it, Zoë Kravitz‘ braid game is always on-point – and this showstopping example is certainly no exception.

We love how she has paired her baby box braids (AKA micro braids) with wavy ends, which help add a beachy touch to this otherwise simple style.

Editor’s tip: Want to ensure your hair is taken care of while it’s in box braids? Then you need to try the TIGI S Factor Papaya Leave-In Moisture Spray!

This amazing product will help keep your box braids + loose ends looking and feeling softer, smoother and more hydrated, all while adding a divine scent.

Loose Box Braids Bun

Loose box braids: Back shot of Zoe Kravitz with box braids with loose ends styled into a sleek, low bun. — A bun a day keeps bad hair days at bay. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

When you’re attending a fancy event or heading to work, you can easily look the part with this sophisticated, low bun hairstyle.

Crimped Box Braids Ends

Loose box braids: Close up shot of Amandla Stenberg with shoulder-length, grey loose box braids hairstyle, on the red carpet. — Crimped loose box braids are the unexpected trend we’re currently loving. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Get ready to travel back to the ’90s with this crimped box braids hairstyle, which we spotted on Amandla Stenberg!

As you can see, she’s undone her medium box braids from nearer the top, showing off some crimp-tastic waves (sorry, not sorry!).

Psst: Grey is the colour of the season, so earn yourself some extra sartorial points and get the hue in your box braids, too.

Side-Swept Box Braids with Loose Ends

side shot of amber dixon brenner with curly box braids with loose ends on the red carpet, wearing black top — Love curly hairstyles? Then this gorgeous look is destined for you. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Have you always wanted to channel your inner silver screen siren? If so, you need to take mane notes from Amber Dixon Brenner, who’s giving us all a lesson in natural hair styling.

As you can see, her side-swept micro box braids ends have elegant, classic curls incorporated into them, giving an effortlessly romantic vibe to her overall look. Honestly, you’ll be the belle of any ball with a ‘do this fab!

Feathery Loose Box Braids

Tia Mowry with long box braids with loose sides, swept to the side on the horrible bosses red carpet — Go down the subtle route with feathery loose box braids. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Ease yourself into the box braids + loose ends trend by copying Tia Mowry’s feminine feathery look. As you can see, her long box braids ends are subtly undone, which she cleverly shows off with this side-swept hairstyle.

Accessorised Box Braids Ends

shot of solange knowles with platinum box braids with loose ends that have chandelier hair accessories, at levi's anniversary — Accessorising your box braids ends, a la Solange, is the way forward. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

But the best thing about box braids with loose ends? You can accessorise them, too. We didn’t believe it either until Solange Knowles (AKA our natural hair hero) schooled us in the art of doing it.

Notice how her box braids ends have faceted crystal beads attached to them, creating a sparking chandelier effect? Now that’s what we call creative!

Mermaid Box Braids with Wavy Ends

Loose box braids: Close up shot of Tessa Thompson with long, dark brown box braids with loose ends, decorated with pearls, wearing a white dress and posing at an event. — Rapunzel box braids with loose ends look amazing with pearls. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Getting long box braids has its pluses! Just like Tessa Thompson, you can channel serious mermaid vibes with these long braids and wavy ends.

Completing the look with pearls will make your look extra runway-worthy.

’90s Box Braids with Loose Ends

Loose box braids: Close up shot of Selah Marley with medium-length, dark dookie braids with loose, triangular ends at an event. — You’ll be a ’90s babe in no time. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Our goal for a night out is to feel as chic as a ’90s babe. This TLC-inspired hairstyle will let us do just that. See you on the dance floor!

Edgy box braids

Loose box braids: Side shot of Mary J. Blige in concert with platinum blonde long box braids and an undercut, wearing denim and singing on stage. — Take your box braids + loose ends to edgy heights with an undercut. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

If curly loose box braids aren’t enough, you can take the edge up a notch by teaming your hairstyle with a fierce undercut, like Mary J. Blige has done.

We also love how she’s fashioned her mane into a half-up, half-down ponytail hairstyle — how about you?