Braided hairstyles are the best way to give yourself a stunning look while providing you a break from styling your hair. Braids allow you to be creative and have an every day look at the same time providing you the chance to have a glamorous updo.
Choosing a new black braided hairstyle can be daunting with all of your options. From box braids, tree braids, to crochet braids, we have gathered the best braids for you below.
Best Braided Hairstyles For Black Women
Whether you want natural braided hairstyles or cute braid styles you may have to get done at the salon, here are the most popular braided hairstyles for black women to get right now!
Braided Bob Hairstyle
A braided bob hairstyle is another great summertime option, as short braid styles are cooler when it’s hot outside. Short black braided hairstyles also have some great side benefits: they’re not as heavy, so they don’t pull too heavily on the natural hair that they’re attached to, minimizing the risk of damage.
Box Braid Hairstyle
A box braid hairstyle is hands-down one of the most popular protective styles, in large part because they can shield natural hair while it grows out with less damage. Synthetic hair is weaved in with natural braids, giving you the opportunity for lots of versatility when it comes to factors like length, color, and thickness.
Box Braid Side Hairstyle
A side swept box braid hairstyle is always a cool and casual summer style. Braided hairstyles lend themselves especially well to this look, because it’s easy to add texture and height: just leave some box braids loose and experiment with braided updo hairstyles. Braiding some box braids into one larger braid adds tons of visual interest.
Braided Bun
You don’t have to fully change your hairstyle if you want to dress up: braided bun hairstyles are a simple and elegant look for a night out on the town. Want to dress it up even more? Add some hair cuffs or other hair jewelry to really personalize the look.
Braided Double Bun Half Updo
Nineties style is back in right now, and a braided double bun half updo is a fantastic way to get your hair in on that trend. It’s very Mel B (although you may want to skip out on the zigzag part she sported back then). Updo braid styles like this are great because they also evoke bantu knots, another cute and fun protective style.
Braided Ombre
Dramatically colored hair is very on trend right now, and this braided ombre is an easy way to get the look as you can purchase already colored extensions to weave into your natural hair. Something as simple as an unexpected pop of color really elevates standard braid styles into a fresh and trendy look.
Braided Part
Cornrows for black women are a classic look, and they serve as a great basis for box braids: it’s relatively simple to attach box braids to cornrows. For extra visual impact, make sure cornrows are neat and symmetrical, and place one braid perpendicular to the rest by running it down the center part.
Colored Box Braids
You don’t have to worry about matching extensions to your natural hair: multi-tonal colored box braids can achieve a similar look to balayage hair without all the time and effort. Copper-colored box braids are very on trend right now, and you can see where they begin to intermingle with the natural braids.
Crochet Braided Short Bob
A crochet braided bob doesn’t actually look braided when you see it. So what puts it in the same group with other braided hairstyles? Crochet braids (also known as latch hook braids) made from synthetic hair are attached to your head by braiding them into cornrows. The braiding technique makes the synthetic hair look more seamless as it blends into your natural hairline.
Double Cornrows
Double cornrows are often referred to by other names including dutch braids or boxer braids (and are often the center of the conversation when it comes to white women culturally appropriating black natural braided hairstyles). They are cute and stylish on their own, but they’re also a great foundation for box braids.
Feed In Braids Half Up Hairstyle
Feed in brains are similar to cornrows when it comes installing box braids, but instead of simply adding extensions to the end, feed in braids get braided into natural hair braids strand by strand for a more seamless transition. Show off your handiwork by pulling your feed in braids into a half up hairstyle, showing how well your braids blend from scalp to end.
Feed In Ponytail Braids
Of all the braided updo hairstyles, a ponytail is perhaps the simplest and most classic. Show off just how unclockable the transition is between your braided cornrows and your box braid extensions. Put in hair cuffs or other adornments to add some bling to this otherwise straightforward style.
Goddess Braids
Like cornrows, Goddess braids have a rich history as part of the pantheon of African hair braiding styles. Goddess braids are, in essence, thicker versions of cornrows. Like cornrows, they are braided close against the scalp, and can be used as an anchor for synthetic hair extensions.
Havana Twist Braids
Havana twists are made with a specific type of synthetic hair which is much coarser than what is usually used. These braids are installed using an invisible method which actually covers the root of your hair: finish up by using a two strand twist technique, which is essentially a simplified braid. The result is a textured look that’s similar to a dreadlock.
Jeweled Cornrow Updo
A cornrow may seem like one of the most simple braided hairstyles for black women, but you can add a lot of character with just a little experimentation. Because cornrows for black women are traditionally unfussy, you can actually combine a few trends together to dress them up. Try a simple ponytail updo, a braided part, and some hair cuffs.
Large Braided Bun
If you know you like to gather your hair in braided updo hairstyles like a large braided bun, plan ahead and put goddess braids in your hair to anchor your style. You can make the braids curve around your skull more giving you a smoother foundation for creating an architectural masterpiece on your head.
Large Twist Braids
A lot of people gravitate towards tighter braids like cornrows because they’re so precise. If you prefer your style to be a little more boho and a little less predictable, large twist braids are a great option. The thickness gives you a lot of volume and character. They can even be formed into elegant updo braid styles, or be kept casual with some bantu knots on top.
Long Crochet Braids
Long crochet braids are a great choice for someone who wants to put less tension on their scalp. While weaves are sewn tightly into cornrows, crochet braids are threaded through more gently with a crochet needle and then anchored with a twist and knot. With less tension, your protective style will remain even more protected.
Long Lemonade Braids
Lemonade braids got their moniker from Beyonce’s 2016 Lemonade visual album. They can incorporate all kinds of braiding techniques – Fulani, Goddess, and more. The only hard and fast rule is that they must be braided to the side. They’re also quite versatile: you can easily transition them into elegant updo hair styles.
Long Thick Braids
Sometimes less really is more, and that’s definitely the case with these long, thick braids. Long hair is often seen as being hyperfeminine, and long braid styles are just another version of that. Going with thick extensions gives extra volume and boost to your long braids.
Long Twisted Braids
Long twisted braids look complex, but are actually an easy alternative to regular three-stranded braid styles. Twist braids use just two sections of hair that are themselves twisted individually before those two twists are twisted together. The ultimate look is cool, casual, and laid back, with lots of interesting textures.
Mohawk Cornrow Braids
Mohawk cornrow braids add an edgy twist to updo braid styles. Just braid hair in tight, straight cornrow braids along the sides of your scalp to mimic the shaved sides of a traditional mohawk. Next, twist and pile the remaining cornrows on top of your head. You can add in more box braids if you don’t feel like you’re getting enough height.
Multicolor Braids
A great thing about box braids is that you can experiment with styles that push the limits, like multicolor braids. Maybe the best part about using synthetic hair is that you don’t have to sit in the salon chair for hours upon hours getting your color done. Just get dyed braids for women and install them for a pop of color and pizzazz.
Naturally Braided Updo
When you think about braided hairstyles for black women, you probably picture a full head of cornrows. But braided updo hairstyles can use braids in just part of the hair in order to augment and highlight your loose natural hair. Use goddess braids to construct and shape your updo and gently twist your loose hair for extra height.
Partial Cornrows
If you love part of your hair but aren’t super confident with the rest, partial cornrows are a great solution. Tightly plaited cornrows minimize trouble areas and draw attention to the parts of your hair that you want to show off. They’ll look even more voluminous in comparison to neat braids.
Pigtails
When it comes to cute braided hairstyles, pigtails simply can’t be beat. And believe it or not, you’re never too old for pigtails as long as you elevate the style. Put a new spin on French braid styles for black hair by also incorporating cornrows that criss-cross with two bigger braids.
Rope Twist Braid Style
Rope twist braids are a classic style that look a lot more intricate and complex than they actually are. Simply take two equally-sized sections of hair and twist each individual section to the left. Next, take those pieces and twist them together into one bigger twisted rope braid. Repeat until you have gorgeous rope twists all over.
Short Asymmetrical Bob Tight Braids
An asymmetrical bob in general is a look that is elegant but with a little bit of an edge. Incorporating tight braids into a short asymmetrical bob adds yet another cool and distinctive element to this classic look, while hair cuffs play up the sophistication. An asymmetrical bob with tight braids is always a go-to when it comes to short black braided hairstyles.
Thick Halo Braid
A thick halo braid can look ethereal and downright heavenly. And it can even be achieved on people with short hair. You’ll need two long braids (or two long braided extensions), as well as a toothbrush and styling gel for your edges, and in no time at all you’ll look like a queen with her crown.
Thick Tree Braids
If you struggle with brittle dry hair that breaks apart easily or lacks length or volume, thick tree braids (also known as invisible braids) are a great way to make up for any shortcomings. You’ll want to use high-grade synthetic hair extensions, or even human hair if you’re up for the splurge. Experiment with different styling techniques like corkscrew curls.
Tight Braid Short Bob
A short bob of tight box braids is a flattering style for just about anyone. The bob frames the face neatly and is cool and casual for the summer, but still transitions well to an office or other professional setting. It’s one of the most versatile braid styles for women.
Tree Braids
Tree braids, much like cornrows and goddess braids, are a protective style for black hair. They are often referred to as invisible braids because when you install extensions you will not see the braids. Tree braids allow you to just see the extensions that have been attached to the braids. Many people opt for tree braids over twists or box braids because they’re less time-consuming for busy women.