Black braiding styles are a style of braiding hair typically worn by African American women, particularly in the Great Lakes States.
Exclusive black braiding styles are preferred to the traditional box braid or french braid. Instagram, YouTube videos, and websites like AfricanAmericanStyles all feature these looks. TV has guides on how to make them or improve your black braid game, as well as a slew of additional hair-styling tips.
These hairstyles can be created using different hair textures such as kinky, curly, wavy, and straight. If the style is worn with metallic hair strands or hair extensions, they are called “metallics” and are commonly worn on events and special occasions.
The styles start with a base style, and then several other braiding techniques can be added to create a more complex style for a night out or special occasion. Exclusive black braiding styles are made by many different people and are not trademarked or patented.
1. Box braids
Box braids can be done in various ways, but the most popular form is with the cornrows. Braids are installed one by one, beginning at the top of your head, where they are pulled together in five or six braids. It is these braids that form your box braid pattern. Box braiding could be categorized into two types: flat-twisted and plaited. To create a flat-twisted box braid, you fold the hair in half and then braid it with the end of each strand twisted as you go. To create a plaited box braid, you put your hair in two sections and then double each team individually.
2. Cornrows
A cornrow braid is a distinctive style of braiding hair, in which the hair is repeatedly divided into individual strands, then pulled through an open loop, typically made from a section of cotton thread. The number of braids needed varies depending on the desired effect. Cornrows are usually done for men, but some women also wear them. Cornrows styles are sometimes referred to as rat tail or fishtail braids and can be done in any color or pattern.
3. Faux locs
Faux locs, also known as faux locks, weaves, or hair extensions, are extensions that add length and fullness to your natural hair. When worn with the proper care, they can be a beautiful and natural-looking enhancement. Faux locs can be created on either a stretched or unstretched head. The most popular faux locs are single-strand extensions attached to the hair strand by strand with braiding hair (no sewing).
4. Crochet braids
Crochet braids are the newest trend in braiding hair and the most popular hairstyling method. Crochet braids are very easy to do, require minimal time to complete, and are always in style. You can utilize various crochet braid techniques, some of which are more intricate than others. Crochet braids come in all sorts of colors and patterns that vary according to your personality and style.
5. Dynamic Side-Swept Cornrows
One of the new side-swept styles for cornrows is the Dynamic Side-Swept. This style has waves and curls that extend down to the natural hair. It’s a perfect style for someone who wants more volume or wants to avoid having a flat, straight look with their cornrows. The waves start at about mid-brow and then fan out towards the back of the head. The result is a beautiful, sexy, pulled-together look that can be worn on almost any occasion, from prom to work. If you want something more extravagant than your regular braids but don’t want something too outlandish, then this style is perfect.
6. Half-Afro Braids
Half-Afro braid is a hairstyle that has been popularized recently. This style is characterized by two small braids coming down from the left and right side of a person’s head, meeting in the middle in front of the forehead, and then looping up as one braid to tie off at the back. The style is reminiscent of an Afro but without the hassle of such an infamous hairstyle. And while it has been worn by young girls most often in recent years, it can be just as easily worn by anyone with long enough hair.
7. Small Braids
Small braids look great when they are piled up on the head. They can be done in various styles and colors, but it is best not to allow more than three braids at a time. This style will also work well with thin hair, which is often difficult with bigger braids.
8. Mixed-Size Braids
The braids in this style use strands of hair of different sizes. Thicker pieces are used to form giant, bold, and dramatic twists and braids. Thin slices create lacy and delicate accents for the thicker hair strands. This is such a gorgeous braiding technique that can be styled in so many ways! From a low-key updo for work to an intricate braided bun for the weekend — we have you covered with these braid tutorials!
9. Sunkissed Braids
This braids style can be worn as a protective style or as a day-to-day hairstyle. It is versatile and can be styled in different ways, from messy to sleek. The sunkissed braids take a while, but they are worth the wait.
10. Crisscross Braid
A black braiding style is often done with a single braid in the center, and an alternating pattern of two or three braids on each side crisscrossed. It is similar to a French Braid but focuses more on crisscrossing the plaits. This style can also be done on men’s hair instead of women’s hair. Crisscross Braids are becoming increasingly popular and are trending for everything from hairstyles to art pieces.
11. Thin Braids
Thin braids are an appealing, low-key, and sophisticated style for bobs. They’re defined by a narrow strip of hair wrapped around the head in one direction and then another thin strand following in the opposite direction. This technique is typically used on longer hair lengths to draw attention away from the scalp.
12. Mixed Braids
This is a term that the African-American community uses to describe hair styled in two different ways, such as having a braid on one side and a weave on the other. It can also mean two different hair types, like mixing natural hair with curly extensions. A popular style among black women these days is mixed braiding styles. Here are five unique and attractive options for your next protective hairstyle.
13. Super-Sleek Braids
Braiding hair into super-sleek braids is a great way to get some funky, edgy looks for your hair. Braids are easy to do yourself and can be styled in many ways depending on how tight you make them or what accessories you put in them.
14. Chunky Braids
The chunky braid is a popular style in the African American community today. Chunky braids are large, sometimes loose waves that frame the face and complement any hair length. They can also be done in cornrows or four-strand twists.
15. Textured Braids
Textured braids are a DIY hairstyle that can be achieved by simply knotting your favorite hair strands together, making sure you do not create any holes. Many people who enjoy textured braid hairstyles will also partake in the textured chop. This is done by adding various things like beads, colored yarns, or even other textures such as fabric for visual interest and texture. You can see multiple examples of achieving these effects in the slideshow below. Tons of tutorials are available online to help you get started with this simple style.
16. Braids With a Topknot
There are a mind-boggling number of braid and knot styles out there, but one that’s worth checking out is the tichel (or sometimes spelled tichels). This ancient Jewish tradition allows you to cover up your hair without wearing a wig or scarf. It’s also not just for women who keep their hair covered; all different people wear it in their way.
17. Braids With Pigtails
It might sound like a contradiction, but braiding hairstyles – specifically with pigtails – are all the trend and the talk of the town. These styles are characterized by their simplicity, yet intricate and striking beauty. As you may know, braids take some time to do correctly. So before you go ham on those pigtails of yours or head out in public wearing one of these “cool” braids, make sure that you have sufficient knowledge about what you’re doing! We have provided plenty of materials for this purpose below.
18. Knotless Braids
Some of the more popular black braiding styles that you can find on the market are knotless braids. Knotless braids are often worn by African Americans and people of African descent. Knotless hairstyles have earned their name because they do not require any knots to be tied, making them more convenient than many other weaves.
19. Boxer Braids
Boxer braids are a variation on cornrows and a popular protective style. They are also called Kalindi braids, or the cornrow style owned by actress Halle Berry. The boxer braid is very versatile, as it can be worn in several ways. They can complement any hairstyle or occasion, depending on how you wear them. The name “boxer braid” was coined because it resembles that of the twists boxers use to protect their hands during the fight.) They are often done with two tracks of hair instead of one for broader coverage.
20. Side Braids With Weave
This unique style of braiding is exclusive because it is a scarce type. For this style, the hair along the side of your head will be wrapped around and coiled in a way that hangs down from the crown of your head. This design would look best on African American women with natural transitioning hair textures or short weaves with enough healthy hair for this style.
