Box braids have always been a big hit with women but recently we’ve seen more than a few men rocking them too. We’re not sure what motivated the trend but we do know that it definitely looks dope especially when you are inclined to pull your hair back or up. And while it could be difficult to find the right products and tools, learning how to handle box braids yourself might actually save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run.
We’ve seen a few braiders do their thing but if you’re into a DIY kind of look, learning how to braid hair could definitely come in handy. And if you really have no idea where to start, we have some helpful tips for those wishing to take on the trend and rock braids on their own.
1. Curtain Box Braids
Curtain box braids are a style that is a lot like the regular faux locs. It has similar styling and texture to it, but it is only done on one side of the head. These are great for men of all ages, as long as you have long enough hair. The length and thickness of the box braid can vary to suit your personal preference.
2. Triangle Box Braids
The triangle box braid is a really unique hairstyle that looks great with long hair on one side. What you’ll need to do is take the strand of hair that has the braid, then take one which is left behind and twist it around your finger, then pull it back over the top of your head. Keep doing this until you’ve gathered enough hair to cover your whole head.
3. Box Braids
You can also try this box braid with the sections of your hair that are left on the sides. To do this, hold the two parts of hair together and cross them over each other and start an over, then pull both sections back to create a braid.
4. Snoop Dogg Box Braids
The Snoop Dogg box braids are great for your classic, cool look. You’ll need to start with a small section of hair and split it in the middle. Create both sides of the braid and then wrap it around your finger so that you have an overhand loop on each side. Keep going until you have enough hair to cover your head.
5. Travis Scott Box Braids
This Travis Scott look was created by one of the best hairstylists in the world, Lacy Redway. She braided two braids into the middle by wrapping them around each other to create a box braid. She pulled the ends of the braid back to create an overhand loop, then wrapped them around her finger until she had enough hair to cover her head.
6. Faded Box Braids
Box braids look cool with a faded undercut. This is especially true, use a dark black color that compliments your skin tone and features. Start by taking two strips of hair in the back, then braid those together to create a small braid. Take the two pieces of hair on either side of the braid and cross them over each other, then pull them back over the braid to create a new loop. Repeat this until you have enough hair to cover your head.
7. Red Box Braids
This version of the box braid is great for those of you who want to wear your hair naturally curly. You’ll start off by braiding in both strands of hair from your left side. After that, take the braid and wrap it around your finger, then pull it back over the top of your head. Keep doing this until all the hair you need for your box braid is gathered.
8. Thick Box Braids
This is another natural looking box braid that works great with long hair. You’ll need to start with all the hair on your right side and then split it in the middle and begin braiding. Take those strands of hair and cross them over each other, then pull back over the braid to create a loop.
9. Ponytail Box Braids
As the name implies, this box braid is done with a ponytail. This version is for those of you who want to keep your hair natural, but still have a cool look. First, you can gather all of your hair into one ponytail, then grab the other strand of hair and cross it over it. Pull that loop out until you have enough to cover your head and then repeat this on the other side.
10. Long Box Braids
This box braid is another that’s great for a natural look. All you need to do is start by braiding in strands of hair from your right side, then cross the loops over each other, and pull back over the other side to create a loop. Keep going until you have enough hair to cover your head.
11. Fishtail Box Braids
This fishtail box braid is a great style for all of you who like long hair and want something different. Pull back the strand that you want to braid and then twist it around your finger. Keep doing this until you have enough hair to cover your head.
12. Braided French Box Braids
This is another style that allows you to have long hair and gives you a cool look too. All you need to do is start by taking two strands of hair from the back, then braid them together, then cross the braids over each other before pulling them back out again.
13. Short Box Braids
Short box braids are for those of you who want a short hairstyle and are confident enough that your hair will look good with short braids. All you need to do is grab an overhand loop and loop it around your fingers, then pull the loop out and repeat this on the other side.
14. Circular Box Braids
This box braid looks great when you take a section from the back of your head and begin braiding it. Once that’s done, take the braid and wrap around your finger, then pull up to split your braid in half. Take each half and cross them over the other one before pulling them back out to create another loop. Do this until you have enough hair on the front of your head to cover it with a box braid.
15. Box Braids with Accessories:
You can also add accessories to your box braid to make it more stylish. For example, you can use a natural bobby pin to make an accent in the front of your hair. At first glance, these box braids may seem like a regular braid, but they are much more than that. The difference is that these box braids also have an accessory like a feather or color on top of the hair. This style will be good for you.
16. Top Knot Box Braids:
This is a great look for all you messy braid fans. To begin, you’ll need to take a small piece of hair on the top of your head and create two braids by wrapping them around each other. Take those braids and tie them into a knot, then repeat on the other side.
17. Box Braids Bun Men
To start, gather all the hair back into a ponytail and then take a few strands and braid them together. Keep doing this until you have enough hair to cover your head. Pull the loop back over your head and then wrap it around two fingers before pulling it out. Next until you have enough hair to cover your head with a bun.
18. Two Box Braids Bun
This is another great style for all of you guys who like to keep their hair messy but still want something trendy. To begin, take a small amount of hair on each side and braid them together. Wrap them around your fingers to create a loop, then pull the braid out until you have enough hair to cover your head. Take that loop and wrap it around two fingers before pulling it back over the bun again.
19. Chris Brown Box Braids
One of the most recognizable box braids hairstyles is Chris Brown’s version. To get this look, start by gathering your hair into a ponytail, then take a few strands of hair on either side and braid them together. Continue doing this until you have enough to cover your head and then pull back over the ponytail. Now grab another piece of hair from either side and braid them together. Once you have enough hair, pull back over the ponytail again.
20. Straight Cornrows
Straight cornrows is one of the most popular box braids for men, mainly because it’s easy to do. All you need is take two or three strands of hair and loop them on your fingers before wrapping them around the top of your head. Keep doing this until all the hair on your head is gathered together and then pull the loop out to create a cornrow.
21. Undercut with Box Braids
The undercut is a fairly new hairstyle to the box braids and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular trends, especially among hip-hop artists. The undercut is accommodating for many different hair lengths and textures, but unlike box braids, this look is not best suited for natural haired males. However, if you do have long hair, there are plenty of ways to create the effect without all of those clipping combs and bad boys that you’ll need for this look.
22. High Top Box Braids
Box braids with high top men are very popular, especially among African American and Latino males. They look fabulous with short or long hair and both cut or uncut. With this style, you’ll need to take a length of hair that is left on one side, then put it through the box strands lengthwise so your ends will meet at the top.
23. Flat Top Braids
Flat top braids are extremely easy to create, especially for those with long hair. The best part about these is that anyone can create these and it only takes a few simple steps. First you need to secure your hair at the front with bobby pins, then follow up by wrapping the front section of your hair around the strands of hair on one side while leaving the back part free on both sides.
24. Box Braids with Designs
Box braids with designs look absolutely incredible with all types of hair. You can add intricate, natural looking designs to these, or you can go the extreme route and get some pretty funky patterns going. Make sure that you plan ahead of time and take some time to really design unique looks for your box braids, lest you end up looking like all those other guys out there who have a box braid and highlights on the top.
25. Twin Boxed Braids with Dyed Highlights
The twin folded box braid is considered one of the more complex styles, but it’s definitely worth the effort and effort is not that hard. What you’ll need to do is take two separate strands of hair and secure them with your bobby pins in a U formation. Then twist both sides through and around each other so that you’ve got a nice look. You can then choose to add some color highlights if you’d like.
26. Spider Braids
Spider braids are one of the most popular styles among male box braids. The spider braid consists of long strands of hair that you can choose to style any way you’d like. You can even color it and make it look just like dreadlocks, but without the maintenance.
27. Highlighted Braids
Highlighted braids for men is another very popular look right now and it’s pretty simple to create. What you need is to take a strand of hair that has a box braid, then move that strand over one inch while keeping the rest of your hair behind it. Once you’ve done that, then take a wide-tooth comb and comb the hair in an upward motion as much as possible. Then brush some mousse or styling cream through and finish off with some hairspray.
28. Braided Top with Designed Sides
This is a creative box braids style that you can use to add a little flare to your look. Take and pull it back into a braid on the top of your hair, then secure the end with bobby pins. After that, take the rest of your hair and wrap it around the first one and secure them together with more bobby pins. This will give one huge braiding pattern display, so make sure that you have enough hair so that it’s covering every inch.
29. Braided Bun and Fade
Braided bun and fade is a pretty simple look that anybody can create. The first thing that you’ll need to do is part your hair to the side, and then make sure that you have an even amount of hair on each side. Then take two sections of hair from one side and put it through the braid, then put two from the other side through. Keep doing this until the end; then take some wax or hair styling product and sculpt your bun.
30. Box Braid Mohawk
Box braid mohawk is a new twist on the Mohawk hairstyle that will definitely make heads turn. The best part about this is that it’s incredibly simple to create and it looks great with both short and long hair. What you’ll need to do is take the length of hair on the left side, then bring the strand back down so that it goes through the braid then bring that one down as well. Do this all the way up until you get to the end of your hair, and then just quickly flip upside down and pin it in place.
