While a few people might be new to box braids, in some cultural circles such as the African diaspora and natural hair community, this conventional style is a staple that serves as a protective style with a prime appeal. Box braids can be created in various widths, and with a big selection of textures and colors, making it a versatile style where the only dilemma is your imagination.
There are so many ways you can style box braid hairstyle, from loose braids to half updos or messy ponytails. Here you have 30 ideas to inspire! Keep reading for some major style inspo and the best practices!
1. Warm Cinnamon Curls
Who says you can’t change texture with box braids? Shorter box braids are given more dimension by curling the ends for a fashion-forward effect. Achieve this look by setting ends on curlers using a lightweight hair mousse to create hold.
2. Soft Blonde Tresses
Box braids don’t have to be completely braided from root to ends. To achieve this look, have your braider only braid to just past your actual hair and leave ends loose. You’ll love the freedom you have to style the loose ends in beachy waves, straight hair, or voluminous curls.
3. Deep Waves
Sometimes the texture of your hair extensions is just as important as the braiding style. Switch up your look with this no-brainer option that gives you perfect beachy curls. To snag this look, opt for deep wave or water wave loose braiding hair.
4. Freedom with Ombre
With box braid hairstyles, the sky is the limit in terms of color or style. Go for a classic ombre effect by selecting braiding hair with a gradient. In this look, the roots are left natural, while the ends are a playful ash blonde.
5. The Classic Janet
If you haven’t watched Poetic Justice, we highly recommend you do just for the style inspo. There’s nothing wrong with a classic box braid style that pairs a wider plait with a natural hair hue for a sleek hairdo that’s always on-trend.
6. Big & Bold Box Braids
If you love braids but not the time it takes to install small ones, opt for larger braids. But just be sure that your braider is mindful of not installing too-large of a braid on small sections of hair, as this can encourage traction alopecia.
7. A Length Switch-Up
Who said you can’t pair a short crop with box braids? To achieve this look, consider where you want to create the drama and cut it short using clippers. Leave the rest of your length intact and head to the braider for a mesmerizing effect.
8. Keeping It Long
There’s something mesmerizing about long box braids. To keep it fresh, leave all ends unbraided, opt for a curlier texture, and leave a few braids loose even towards the roots.
9. A Little Bling
Create a unique effect by adding a few golden beads to your box braids. Choose to add them closer to the roots as shown here or place them mid-length to create visual interest.
10. A Classic Beyonce Throwback
The great thing about braided hairstyles is that there aren’t very many limitations. Channel your inner Bey from her “Say My Name” days and opt for a flat braided style through the crown before leaving the ends free. For a true Bey reimagining, go blonde.
11. Strawberry Blondes Have More Fun
There is a color for everyone with box braids. Strawberry blonde hair pairs with smaller box braids for a fresh and fashion-forward effect – extra-long baby hairs are optional!
12. Contrasting Roots
Create visual texture with contrasting roots. To achieve this look, pick a hue for your braiding hair that’s significantly lighter than your actual roots. Pick bigger braids, as shown here, or select the size that fits your personality.
13. Classic Box-Braid Buns
Nothing looks more pulled together than the rich texture of multiple box braids pulled into a neat top-bun. These buns always look best on fresher braids, although you should probably wait a few days if you’ve just had your braids installed.
14. Classic Mini Box Braids
If you’ve got the patience to sit for them, there’s nothing like small box braids to create visual interest. Whether you opt for braids that completely match your natural hair color or go for something bold, the focus is on being willing to sit for these beauties to be installed.
15. Creating a Crown
Box braids are beautiful on their own because of the visual texture they create. But you can take that look a step further by having your braider (or you!) add some contrasting thread into a few select braids to give you a crown effect.
16. Creating Shapes
In addition to focusing on clean and neat braiding, a lot of braiders make their mark with the designs they create at the root of the braid. Create more drama by asking for diamond-shaped plaits instead of simple boxes.
17. Go Micro
Nothing is more mesmerizing than looking at someone with a head full of micros. Although we all know that this particular box braid hairstyle takes a lot of work to complete, it’s well worth it when you see someone on the street with them.
18. Bold & Dynamic
There are so many options when it comes to box braid hairstyles, and we see a lot of variety in this one style without overwhelming the overall look. Ombre combines with curly loose ends to draw the eye in, while select charms are strategically placed throughout the length.
19. A Light Accent
There are so many ways to make your braided tresses stand out. We love the combination of the colorful thread on the one accent braid as well as the smattering of charms placed throughout the length.
20. Classic Black
You can’t go wrong with classic black braids. These micro box braids are paired with a natural hair hue to create a seamless effect that makes sense at the beach, the office, or when hanging out with your friends.
21. A Honeyed Affair
If blondes have more fun, we believe it! To snag this look, focus on medium-sized box braids and pick honey blonde extensions. Braid the total length for a neat and clean effect.
22. The Angled Box Braid Bob
Who said that box braids should always be long? Take a bold approach and opt for an angled bob set with large box braids. For more visual depth, have your stylist turn a few plaits into locks.
23. Create a Color Story
Create a unique look by strategically weaving color into your box braids. Have your stylist add in a few strands of contrasting color and keep it in the middle length of the braids.
24. Cinnamon, Spice & Everything Nice
Box braid hairstyles are such a playful way to switch up your look. Don’t be afraid to embrace color with a warm cinnamon brown hue, as shown here. Opt for bigger box braids for a sophisticated effect.
25. The Nubian Queen
Embrace your inner royalty with a classic yet updated version of box braids. To nail this look, keep braids medium to larger, pick natural hued braiding hair, and braid the complete length. Take your look to the next level by adding strategic charms throughout the length of your braids.
26. The Perfect Ombre
Ombres are always a yes in our book! A classic box braids style gets a modern twist thanks to a natural to a blonde gradient that’s achieved by using ombre hair extensions. For a neat and orderly look, braid the full length of the hair.
27. The Perfect Braid Combo
We can’t stress enough how versatile box braids can be. And we’re loving how in this look hair is cornrowed along the scalp and then is left free past the crown. This creates a beautiful pattern in the crown and still gives you plenty of play with the loose box braids.
28. Classic Box Braids
You can never go wrong with a classic box braid look. Traditional box braids give you parting versatility, as seen here where braids are side-swept to create a deep right part.
29. The Medium Width
We know that micros can be a serious time commitment, so might we suggest these medium-width box braids? While you’ll still need to sit in a chair for a bit, these box braids are still small enough to create the volume you want without requiring that you sit in a chair all day long.
30. A Color Story
Box braid hairstyles give you the freedom and versatility to be as playful as you want to be. If you’re not comfortable with a full head of bright colors, go for a few bright strands as this beauty did.
