65 Trendy and Traditional Braids Designs & Hairstyles to Try this Season
Do it for the culture.
We’re admiring how black women are speaking up more and more about braids for black hair. While single or double braids are a type of hairstyle anyone can wear, some braid designs for black women have more cultural meaning behind them and, as such, should be celebrated not only for their aesthetic but also for their heritage and the protective qualities behind them.
Many celebrities of all ethnicities wear different types of braids for black hair, not knowing what they are called or the reference or context behind each one. No one expects anyone to know everything about braids, but these conversations shed some light on the types of braids for black hair with a powerful representation. Box braids, in particular, are a diverse hairstyle with many variations. And they’re great for men and women!
Trending Braid Styles for All Hair Lengths
Amongst the many types of braids for black hair that exist, here are some of our favorite looks. You may be wondering: What hair do you use for braids? What is the best hair to use when braiding hair? How can I get my braids to last longer? Keep reading to find out!
1. Cornrow Braids
We love this classic style in any length or color! If you want to do something different with your braids, add braid cuffs for a little bit of accessorizing.
2. Classic African Braids Styles
The term ‘African braids’ includes a range of different braided styles. The origin of these braids can be traced back 5000 years and was an identifier of sorts for different African tribes.
3. Big Box Braids
Large box braids are just what they sound like! Slightly bigger box braids that do the same protective work as their smaller counterparts.
4. Blonde Box Braids for Black Hair
Blonde box braids allow you to play with your hair color and opt for a lighter hue.
5. Bob Braids for Black Hair
We often think of long elbow-length styles when we think of box braids. You don’t necessarily have to go long, though! Consider bob braids for a shorter and spunkier look.
6. Box Braids
You really can’t go wrong with classic box braids! We love this fuss-free standard style. Keep your braids happy and hydrated with Suave Define & Shine Serum Gel.
7. Box Braids with Curls
Add a little flair to your look by opting for box braids with curls! Some added movement and texture make your box braids style a bit more unique.
8. Braid Styles for Black Women with a Weave
Need extra volume? No problem. Using synthetic hair is a cool and effective way to bulk up and lengthen your braids to achieve the exact style you have in mind.
9. Braided Bun
A braided bun is a perfect answer for those days when you want your braids up and out of your face!
10. Braided Dreads
Combine two of the most popular African braid styles out there with braided dreads. The two combinations of textures make this a unique style to try.
11. Braided Lace-Front Wig
Braided lace front wigs allow you to try any braided hairstyle you have in mind without any commitment. Lace front wigs give the illusion of the wig growing out of your head so that no one is the wiser.
Generally, the more expensive the wig, the more realistic it looks. If you’re working on a budget, you can opt for a more inexpensive option and wear a hat on top!
12. Braided Ponytail
The braided ponytail is a classic chic and simple style. With the addition of braids, this simple updo is so much more interesting and exciting.
13. Braided Updo
Braid styles include ponytails, buns, and even more intricate twisted styles. Creating a bigger braid with your small individual braids creates such an interesting style!
14. Milkmaid Braids for Black Hair
A milkmaid braid sits right where a headband does and wraps around the top of your head similarly. Keep this style and your curls healthy and hydrated with SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Leave-In.
15. Braids for Short Hair
Who said African braid styles should only be long? You can play around with lengths and also opt for shorter braids that are less heavy but still trendy! We love this lob style.
16. Braids with Curls
Braids with curls have a touch of waved or curled texture worked into the braids! Choose a nice gel to style and keep your curls firm, like Dove Amplified Textures Define N’ Moisture Styling Gel, which nourishes and styles all types of coils, waves, and curls.
17. Two Feed-In Braids
Rather than tying the synthetic hair at the root of your strands and then braiding, the hair is added to the braids farther down the shaft. This results in a natural, thick-looking braid.
18. Crochet Box Braids
Crochet box braids can last up to 4-6 weeks! Try this look for your next protective style.
19. Crochet Braids
The crochet braid technique is a method that involves crocheting synthetic hair extensions with a latch hook or crochet hook. When cared for properly, this style can last up to 8 weeks.
20. Cute Braids for Black Hair
Cute braids come in all shapes, sizes, and lengths. We are firm believers that cute braids work with any outfit style.
21. Feed-In Braids
Feed-in braids give the illusion of naturally long cornrow braids with extensions that are added right at the root of each braid.
22. Fulani Braid Designs
Fulani braids are styled with unique patterns that are created close to the head and then taper out. This type of braid can last for 3 to 5 weeks. However, braids towards the front of your hair tend to become frizzy faster.
23. Ghana Style Braid Designs
Ghana braids are created by intertwining your natural hair with extensions to create these thick, oversized braids or twists.
24. Goddess Box Braids
Goddess box braids are like a thicker version of cornrows! They’re rope-like and lay flat on the scalp, just like cornrows.
25. Jumbo Braids Designs
Jumbo braids are large braids that hang freely. They can be worn down, half-up, or swept up into a ponytail!
26. Half-Up, Half-Down Braids
Half-up, half-down braids are a great way to keep your braids out of your face while still showing off your length and style!
27. Individual Braids
Individual braids allow you to show off your plaits! With a skinnier width like this, doing other hairstyles with your braids is also easier.
28. Jumbo Braids
This jumbo braid hairstyle is one of our favorite variations!
29. Medium Box Braids for Black Hair
This medium box braids style is super popular and can be worn in a number of different ways! You can wear them down, up in a half-up or fully-up style, or with accessories.
30. Micro Braids
Micro braids are one of the most time-consuming braided styles in this collection. These small braids are delicate and thin and can be styled into a number of other styles.
31. Natural Braided Hairstyles
Natural braided hairstyles come in every length, color, and size!
32. Ombre Braiding Hair
Ombré braiding hair comes in every color combination and length! Create a totally customized style by choosing two shades you love.
33. Side Braids
We love this effortless and casual style! Simple braids like this give off an elegant vibe when worn to the side.
34. Tree Braids for Black Hair
This protective style is made up of tiny braids that you can barely even tell they’re there! Protective styles are some of our favorite braid styles for black women.
35. Tribal Braid Designs
This intricate braided pattern can also be tailored to your unique preferences! We love how there is such a variety throughout one style of braid. You’re supposed to find a variation you love.
36. Twist Braid Designs
Extend your natural hair with a twist style! Your stylist will use strands to lengthen your look in these beautiful twists.
37. Two Braids
Double up on the braided fun with a set of two braids. This style also lets you easily apply hair treatments to rehydrate your strands. Apply Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Spa Recovery Mask to bring moisture back to your hair.
38. Bohemian Braid Designs
Boho braids are meant to be irregular and look completely different. This creates an interesting effect within your braids!
39. Knotless Box Braids for Black Hair
Have you heard of knotless braids? If not, let us tell you all about them! They’re a great alternative to box braids and cause less tension to the scalp, as they’re installed uniquely. Care for your box braids over time with a SheaMoisture Moringa & Avocado Power Greens Hair Tea Rinse for a healthy scalp and long-lasting hairdo!
40. Rubber Band Braid Designs
Creating box braids using the rubber band method adds a cool and fun element to your braids!
41. Beads on Braid Designs
Beads are the perfect addition to any kind of braided style! This is a great option if you want to accessorize your look but don’t want anything that’s too flashy or big.
42. Crochet Micro Braids
It’s super easy to style crochet micro braids into many different styles. We love a flirty high ponytail for this style!
43. Front Braid Designs
Draw attention to the front of your style with classic front braids. This style is braided only at the front of your head, leaving the rest of your hair down. It’s a great option if you want to keep your hair out of your face or want the ability to create other styles with your braids.
44. High Ponytail Braid Designs
There’s nothing like a flirty high ponytail for just about any occasion. Gather your braids into a high ponytail to keep your strands out of your face and look cute.
45. Loose Braids
Loose braids are best worn on longer hair, giving you more room to play with the braid and loosen it as desired.
Traditional African Braided Hairstyles Always Trending
If you want to wear an African braided style as a protective style or just for fashion, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular looks of the moment.
46. Cornrows
There are many different variations of cornrow braids. This look, in particular, is called one-layer cornrows. To create this look, the cornrows are installed to mimic the shape of the head. They are braided close together to hide the parts.
47. Goddess Braids for Black Hair
This is an example of goddess braids, which are usually chunky and super stylish. These African braids start from the hairline and extend all the way down to the ends. Use Emerge Style Goals Gel to style your edges.
48. Ghana Braids
This look has been taking the internet by storm as of late. Ghana braids are also known as one-layer crazy cornrows. The name describes the different sizes of cornrows used to create the style. To create the look, your braider will space the hair loosely to create various braid sizes.
49. Boxed Braids with Burned Ends
You can style the ends of your box braids in many ways. If you’re looking to get this style and wear it for a long time, you may decide on having the ends burned. If this is the look you want, be sure to consult your stylist so you can buy the appropriate type of braiding hair. Not all braiding hair can be used with fire.
50. Box Braids for Black Hair
Box braids are one of the hottest types of African hair braiding. They are versatile, low-maintenance, and also encourage your natural hair growth. If you love experimenting with updos and different hairstyles, box braids are for you.
51. Micro Braids
These braids are also individuals. To create the look, the hair is divided into tiny sections to create the micro braid effect. One caveat about this style is that it can take hours to install and hours to remove. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful braid hairstyle.
52. Colorful Braids
Try colorful box braids if you’re looking for a cute braided hairstyle. To create this look, you have to buy the color of hair you want, and your braider will install it for you.
53. Tree Braids
Instead of opting for a traditional weave style, a lot of women like to get tree braids instead. The braids at the roots are what hold the braiding hair to your own hair, and the ends are left undone. You can style this hair as you would any straight hair.
Keep your strands and scalp healthy and hydrated with SheaMoisture Wig & Weave Tea Tree & Borage Seed Oil Residue Remover Shampoo and SheaMoisture Wig & Weave Tea Tree & Borage Seed Oil Residue Remover Conditioner.
54. Cornrows with Designs
This cornrow style is designed with a mix of zigzag and straight braids. There are many different ways in which you can style cornrows. Opt for straight braids, or make the look fun with various designs.
55. Yarn Braids
If you’re looking for braid hairstyles with a thicker texture, you can opt for the yarn braid style. We love the mix of colors used to create this chunky box-braided look
10 Braid Styles Trending on TikTok Right Now
From box braids to cornrows, goddess braids, and everything in between, no matter your hair type or length, there are bound to be braids for black hair you will love. Keep scrolling down to see the top braided hairstyles for black women to try now.
56. Knotless Braids for Black Women
Here’s another knotless braid style with cute pink beads!
57. Twist Braids for Black Hair
These jumbo twists are so cute.
58. Braided Bun
There’s no single way to rock a braided bun, from loose braids to cornrows. So which style will you pick? Will you wear these braids as a low bun or high bun for black women’s style?
59. Jumbo Braids
The Good Stuff
The Good Stuff Frizz Control Oil
The bigger the braid, the better the hairstyle! Looking for a quick way to install box braids for a look you don’t plan on keeping in for too long? Then jumbo box braids are the way to go. Help to prevent frizziness or flyaways on this box braid style with The Good Stuff Frizz Control Oil.
60. Crochet Braids for Black Hair
Crochet braids for black women are a technique used to attach extensions to your hair to help create a host of braided styles, or like above, let loose
61. Half Cornrows, Half Box Braids
Can’t decide between box braids and cornrows? Create the perfect hybrid with this half-and-half style. Keep your roots looking sleek with For Every Hair Type Revitalizing Hair Oil.
62. Braided Updo for Black Women
The sky’s the limit when it comes to braided updos. From power ponytails to beautiful buns, which braided updo will you choose?
63. Faux Locs
Whether they’re real or faux, locs never fail to impress. You can even braid your locs to create more braid hairstyles!
64. Boho Braids for Black hair
The point of boho braids is for them to look undone and carefree, which is why they’re perfect for festival lovers.
65. Curly Braids for Black Women
You can score the curls of your dreams by leaving half your box braids for black hair undone like this and curling them in hot water.
It can be overwhelming to sift through the different kinds of hair available for braiding and to figure out which works best for your style! Some women prefer real human hair, while others go to synthetic roots. When it comes to using human hair, you should be prepared to pay a higher price per unit. It’s also best to look for human kinky hair as it will hold better in the braids.
Whether you opt for synthetic hair or human hair, you can customize your braid styles for black women depending on the length and color you prefer. These variations will differ depending on the style you choose.
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