African braids are currently in vogue, and their versatility offers an abundance of styling opportunities.
Famous personalities such as Zendaya, Rihanna, Gabrielle Union, and Simone Biles have all sported various braided hairstyles. From cornrows and box braids to updos and braided ponytails.
These hairstyles are not only easy to maintain, but they also offer a striking appearance.
There is a wide variety of braids that lack women can explore, each one capable of enhancing their style.
Whether it’s the resilience of micro braids or the gentle, silky feel of Senegalese twists, there’s a braid style that will suit almost everyone.
Let’s take a look at several trendy braids for Black women and how you can incorporate these styles into your daily look.
Braided Hairstyles for Black Women: 35 Gorgeous Styles to Try
Criss-Cross Goddess Braids
Chunky cornrow braids, also known as goddess braids, are ideal for those days when you wish to give your hair a rest.
They’re also great for beach vacations when you’d prefer not to fuss over your hair styling each morning.
Box Braids
Box braids serve as a protective, easy-to-maintain hairstyle, deeply entrenched in Black history.
They provide versatility in style, allowing you to wear them long and loose or pulled back into a braided bun or ponytail.
Bantu Knots With Piece-y Braids
Zendaya’s extra-long box braids perfectly complement her red carpet outfit.
Dynamic Side-Swept Cornrows
Braided hairstyles are very popular among African Americans due to their protective nature for the hair.
When the hair is braided, it remains untouched and free from heat for several weeks.
Triangle Box Braids
This style still gives you the freedom of flowing locks, but there’s a discernible difference in the way the hair is partitioned.
It’s a slightly modified version of box braids, with a unique method of sectioning off the hair.
Beads and Bangs
Venus Williams has reintroduced her iconic beaded braids, this time incorporating an array of silver-toned beads.
This modern update to her classic look is simply stunning.
Asymmetrical Goddess Braids
Integrate braids of varying sizes into your braid hairstyles to enhance texture and depth.
The unexpected combination of thick and thin braids creates a unique effect.
Feed-In Braids
The feed-in technique offers a significant advantage by providing a more natural and less bulky appearance for cornrow hairstyles.
It achieves this by creating a slender and flat point at the hairline.
Senegalese Twists
If you feel that your hair needs a respite from constant styling and excessive use of heat styling tools, consider Senegalese twists.
Not only are they beautiful, but they also nurture your hair and encourage its growth.
Nubian Twists
The Nubian twist is a hairstyle that can trace its roots back to ancient Egypt.
The tight coiling of the hair is what sets these twist braids apart from the Senegalese style.
Center Part Box Braids
Waist-length box braids are undeniably in vogue, which Issa Rae further exemplifies. She sported hers with a meticulously straight center part.
Braided Bun
Tessa Thompson’s choice of a top-knot braided bun perfectly complemented her strapless Christian Siriano gown.
The braids elegantly draped over her bare shoulders.
Side Cornrows With Top Knot
This hairstyle incorporated intricately braided cornrows along with Negga’s natural hair, styled into a chic top knot at the front.
Braided Ponytail
Braids can indeed create fascinating protective styles, but hairstyles featuring individual plaits can occasionally feel weighted.
A cornrow ponytail is an excellent choice for a casual updo that doesn’t tug at your edges.
Curly Mohawk with Flat Twisted Sides
Rather than resorting to shaving your locks for a mohawk, consider experimenting with various braid styles.
This allows you to maintain your hair length while still expressing your edgy side.
Micro braids
Despite the multitude of braid styles available for Black women, this particular style might not resemble what you typically envision as a braid.
Unlike the diverse thicknesses seen in cornrows and box braids, micro braids are consistently crafted using very thin segments of hair.
Combination Braids
Rihana adorned her hair with braids of various sizes to match her orange gown.
Golden Touch
A delicate gold ribbon interlaced throughout lends a divine charm to Tawny Cypress’s blonde braided ponytail.
Cornrows Going Back
Even if you desire to braid your hair, it’s still possible to keep it cool and captivating.
A well-liked method to enhance style and create a standout look is to alternate between large and smaller cornrows.
Fulani Braids
Fulani braids are a popular tribal African braid style that has gained mainstream recognition.
They are distinguished by a single straight-back braid, along with other braids that crisscross across the top of the head, typically moving towards your ears.
Braided Updo
Zoë Kravitz’s signature micro braids are elegantly tied up into a red carpet-ready hairstyle that is visually deceptive.
It appears to be a bun from the front, but it’s more akin to a chignon style.
Flat Twist Braids
If you’re looking to make a statement at your next formal occasion, schedule an appointment with your stylist for flat twist braids.
Let your stylist help you create a unique style, by varying the widths and angles of each partition.
Snake Braids
For a unique twist on hair braided close to the scalp, try snake braids.
To enhance the look, add golden beads for an extra sparkle!
Chunky Mohawk Braid with Cornrows
Chunky braids are a fashionable choice for black hair. Not only are these thicker braids easier to take out when you’re ready for a new look, but they also offer a lot of versatility.
While you’re sporting this style, there are numerous ways to switch up the mohawk.
Cornrow Hearts
This cornrow hairstyle showcases a heart at its core, exuding uniqueness, intrigue, and inspiration.
Doesn’t it spark your curiosity to imagine what other shapes you could potentially create?
Studded Side Braid
Feel free to enhance the glamour of a large braid, just like the rhinestones incorporated into Alexandra Shipp’s stylish side hairstyle.
High Side Pony Braid
For a truly standout hairstyle, a braided high ponytail is a fail-safe choice.
Colorful Braids
Any braid style can be revitalized by adding a pop of color.
Introducing colorful extensions or incorporating beads into your braids can swiftly transform your appearance, infusing it with a vibrant touch.
Crochet braids
The crochet braid, which gained notable popularity in the 1990s, is currently experiencing a revival.
The process of creating this hairstyle begins with braiding your hair into a series of cornrows.
Ghana Braids
These beautiful braids are a fantastic option for curly hair.
They’re a variant of cornrows that employs a distinct braiding method to achieve a unique appearance.
Rather than inserting your extension hair from underneath the braid, you’ll be layering it over the braid.
Curvy Cornrows
This style focuses predominantly on the parts.
The cornrows continue to extend from front to back, however, the parts all curve uniformly in the same direction.
Box Braided Bob
The conventional bob hairstyle is revamped with an edgy twist, the voluminous shoulder-length box braids that are both audacious and attractive.
Waist Length
Gabrielle Union consistently showcases the flexibility of protective styles, effortlessly transitioning her braids from daily wear to red-carpet glamour.
Her waist-length braided hairstyle was no exception, beautifully accentuating her strapless dress.
Embellished Pigtails
Janelle Monae is known for her impressive adorned braids.
This playful and elegant hairstyle is a refined variation of pigtail braids that remind us of our younger years, providing a fun and nostalgic look.
Medium-Sized Cornrow Braids
The medium size of these braids is ideal for those who wish to style their hair without dedicating an entire day to it.
They are large enough for a swift completion yet small enough to have a lasting effect.
As for the color, it’s utterly captivating.
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