33 Bombass Ways To Style Your Bodacious Box Braids

Zoe Kravitz, Beyonce Knowles, and Keke Palmer – apart from raising the bar in the arts world and just being amazing people, have something else in common. They have flaunted bodacious box braids! Box braids are a protective hairstyle, part of the African heritage, passed down for ages. These braids are very popular not only because of how cool they look but also because they are low maintenance, and with the right care tips and hair ties, these braids can last for months.

You know those hot sweltering summers when your hair sticks to your neck and back? Try box braids! These keep your hair tied while looking very chill! The best part about these braids is that you can either use your natural hair to try them or experiment with colorful hair extensions. And once you have styled your hair in these braids, you can style them even further! To help your inspiration flow, we have added a few of our favorite box braid hairstyles below. Scroll down.

Before You Get Started

• Box braids are done using extensions, so your natural hair must be at least 1.5 inches long to attach the braids. This means you can get long box braids even with short hair.
• Box braids can be done on all hair types and textures.
• You can choose from small to jumbo box braid designs for your hair. Pick the style that suits your personality the best.
• The entire process can take anywhere between 3 to 12 hours, depending on the kind of style you go for.

Cultural Significance Of Box Braids

Box braids may look futuristic and trendy but they date back thousands of years. Traditionally, this braiding technique was used as a form of expression in certain African tribes. Wearing these braids would symbolize social status, age, tribe, and even marital status within communities.

Beyond their cultural symbolism, box braids also served as a practical and protective hairstyle that shields natural hair from damage caused by environmental factors. Even today, box braids continue to be a powerful statement of cultural identity.

If you are in love with the look of box braids and want to do it yourself, we will help you achieve a professional look. Read on to know what you need.

What You Need

• Wide toothed comb
• Tail comb
• Large hair clips
• Hair extensions
• Hair elastics OR boiling hot water

How To Box Braid

1. Wash and condition your hair and let it dry completely.

2. Use your wide toothed hair comb to remove all the knots and tangles from your hair.

3. Now, create partitions in your hair – one from the center of your forehead to the nape of your neck, and the second from your right ear to left ear. This will divide all your hair into 4 sections.

4. Leaving loose the section you want to start with, use 3 large hair pins to clip up the rest of the sections.

5. From the very front of this section, pick up a 1 inch by 1 inch section of hair using the tail of your tail comb.

a) If you want to box braid with just your natural hair, divide this section of hair into 3 strands and simply braid it right till the end.

b) If you want to use extensions, pick one up and fold it in half so that it forms an upside down U. Divide your pinched section of hair into 3 strands, with the center strand just a little bit thicker than the side                strands. Place the fold of your hair extension over the center section of your natural hair, so that its 2 halves combine with the side strands. Braid just one stitch to attach the extension to your hair. Then,                  redivide your hair into 3 equal strands and braid it right till the end.

6. You can secure the ends with either a hair elastic or by dunking the ends in boiling hot water to seal them together.

7. Pinching the same sized sections of hair each time, box braid all your hair.

I know it can be quite a task to follow these instructions and box braid your hair. If you are still unsure how to do box braids, read our step-by-step guide or check out this helpful video by ForeverCryssy to get a better idea of what you need to do!

Check out some common mistakes people make while braiding box braids so you can avoid them.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Avoid pulling the hair too tightly, as it can cause scalp tension, discomfort, and even hair loss over time.
• Ensure each section is uniform in size for a neat look. Uneven sections can lead to messy braids and imbalance.
• Skipping products like styling gel or edge control cream can result in frizz and strays and difficulty securing the braids.
• Not thoroughly detangling hair before braiding can lead to knots and uneven tension.
• Overlooking the use of oils or moisturizers can leave the scalp dry and irritated during the process.

By avoiding these mistakes, your box braids will look more polished and last longer!

Did You Know?

Box braids have been around since 3500 BC and are said to have originated in South Africa.

Basic Ways To Style Your Box Braids

• Braids: Be it French, Dutch or fishtail, there’s no braid that you cannot do with your box braided hair. In fact, the individual sections of hair created by the box braids and their inability to get knotted makes it much easier for you to do these braids.
• Ponytails: There are a ton of ponytails that you can style your badass box braids in. High, low, on the side, and pigtails are just a few that I can mention off the top of my head. The possibilities are endless!
• Updos: There are a myriad of buns and other updos that you can experiment with when your hair is done up in box braids. These work especially well when you have a formal event, like a wedding or a graduation, to attend.
• Half Updos: Half updos are a hit no matter what kind of hair they are done up in. But on box braids, they create a magical effect all on their own. Half top knot and half ponytail look especially cool and stylish.

• Ribbons: Since hair elastics can’t really get the job done the best way possible when tying up your box braids, ribbons are the way to go. You can use these in a ton of colors and fabrics to add that pop of color to your hair look.
• Jewels: Licensed hair stylist Megan Senner who has worked with 30 Seconds To Mars, among other big band names, adds, “Another fun way to accessorize box braids is to put hair jewels on them. You can find many pieces of hair jewelry in different colors, patterns, and sizes.”

Fun Fact

Box braids are a sign of wealth and readiness to get married in African cultures. If you had the time to get box braids and the money to bedazzle them, it meant that you were ready to get married and were rich.

In this personal blog, Niah Faye shares her positive experience with getting box braids, emphasizing the painless, cheap, and easy process her mother undertook, including tips on hair preparation, grip, and personalization for optimal comfort and longevity. She states, “The steps you take to prepare your hair for this style can diminish a dry, itchy scalp, tangles during the braiding process, and other avoidable tragedies one may experience when getting braids. It is important to wash your hair to avoid excessive buildup of dirt, oil, and product (i).”

Now that you know how to box braid your hair and some basic hairstyles that you can try out with them, let’s get into our top 35 picks for styling them!

33 Beautiful And Badass Ways To Style Your Bodacious Box Braids

1. Green Box Braids

Had enough of the browns, golden and red? Time to move over to some sprightly green. If you wish to experiment with a different hue but don’t exactly adore vibrant colors, then this muted green will be perfect for you!

2. Barbie Pink Box Braids

Time to step into Barbiecore and adopt stunning shades of pink and purple. The alluring half updo with front strands out and in a bold pink hue is undoubtedly my favorite hairstyle to sport this season. If you are also looking to revamp your dull style, this modish hairdo will catch everyone’s eyes.

3. Versatile Box Braids

It’s truly amazing how many different styles you can come up with when you sport box braids. Heading out with friends? Go for braids style with box twists swept to one side. Wanna look cute for a date? Then tie your braids up in an adorable bow! For a chill day at work, try out a cool half up donut bun style with your braids.

 4. Box Braids Ponytail

Our favorite (and most underrated) Disney star Monique Coleman is absolutely slaying it with her box braids ponytail. Paired with a gorgeous bodycon dress and gold hoop earrings, she is rocking that classic ponytail style like nobody’s business.

5. Simple Half Updo

You can do the simplest of hairstyles and still look like a total queen. Style your super long and jet black box braids in a simple side-parted half updo and sweep all the braids over one shoulder to create this elegant yet chic hair look.

6. Super Long And Center Parted Box Braids

Zoe Kravitz looks like a modern reimagination of a Greek goddess (Aphrodite, maybe?) with her super long box braids style. Her thin box braids flow down to her waist length and are always parted down the middle to create her signature style. Makes sense that she would always sport this look as it can be dressed up and dressed down, according to the occasion.

7. Center Parted Half Updo

When it comes to box braids, there are a ton of ways that you can experiment with its styling. One way to do so is to play around with their size and thickness. Xosha Roquemore, for instance, has gone for some thin micro box braids that look oh-so-cute. She has then parted them down the center and pinned them up in a half up style to make for a simple and demure hair look.

8. Fiery Red Box Braids

Set your style game on fire with these flaming red box braids. The popping red shade of this style is bound to grab everyone’s attention and get you on top of the fashion game. Take all your braids from the top head and secure them behind your head with bobby pins. Let the lower braids loose over your shoulder for a stylish yet relaxed look.

9. Caramel Box Braids

Give your hair a caramelized twist with these gorgeous box braids that teeter the line between blonde and brown. The rich brown shade of the extensions gives a sunkissed effect to this whole look. Simply part the braids on one side and go for super dramatic eye makeup to complement this hair look.

10. Ruby Red Box Braids

Wanna glitter and shine like a bright ruby? Then try out this gorgeous long box braids look for size. These red-toned box braids are quite elegant while still being brilliantly eye-catching. Pair this look with some nude makeup and a neutral toned outfit to keep all the focus on the beautiful box braids.

11. One Side Undercut Box Braids

Why follow just one trendy hairstyle when you can follow two at the same time? You heard that right! Check out this badass hair look that has a shaved undercut on one side and box braids on the top and the other side of her head. No one will question your straight edge nature after you sport this look.

12. Flower Crown Box Braids

Bored of your simple box braids but are too lazy to remove them right now? Well, fancy them up and infuse new life into them with the help of a gorgeous flower crown. Not only will you have refreshed your drab old box braids, but also look like a flower princess.

13. Patterned Box Braids Bun

Just because they are called ‘box braids’ doesn’t mean that you have to follow a box pattern when partitioning your hair to box braid it. As pictured above, you can follow a diamond pattern (or any pattern really) to add a funky twist to your look. What’s more? You can actually tie your hair into a high bun to show off your cool patterned scalp to the world!

14. Carnival Box Braids

What comes to your mind when you think of going to a carnival? For me, it definitely has to be the copious amounts of cotton candy that I get to consume while there. And that is exactly what this box braids style reminds me of. The quirk level of this style can be notched up into a rolled-up half bun and white flowers can be added to its crown.

15. Pink Ponytails Box Braids

Let out your inner Harley Quinn with this insanely cool box braids hairstyle. This hair look is the perfect combination of cutesy and crazy with its bubblegum pink braids tied up in two ponytails on either side of the head. Pair it with a quirky patterned outfit and head out for a fun day at a music festival.

16. Magenta Ombre Box Braids

Add a touch of glamor to your everyday hair look with some ombre locks. These box braids are unique in their color scheme as they start out black on the top and slowly transition into a vibrant magenta. With a bright pink lipstick to match your braids, there will be no stopping you from absolutely killing it.

17. Silver Box Braids

Metallic shades are all the trend this season. From lipsticks to handbags, no fashion product has been left untouched by shades of gold, silver, and bronze. So, of course, they made their way into the world of hairstyling as well! These silver box braids look super edgy, and when tied up in a high ponytail, they give you a unique look.

18. Violet Box Braids Long Bob

Go crazy with violet with this box braids style that is simply wow! A long bob style (achieved by using shorter extensions) is a beauty with the purple shade. Just tie a long scarf in a contrasting shade around your head to complete your boho-chic look.

19. Spaced Out Box Braids

You don’t always have to go for the same box braids style to get the look of natural hair. Here’s an interesting way to style them. Instead of placing the box braids super close together, space them out and use thicker extensions to create this edgy look.

20. Mermaid Box Braids

If you want to look like a true blue mermaid, here’s a box braid look that you definitely need to try out. These gorgeous navy blue box braids fade into a pastel blue to create a fascinating look. You can pin up the braids on the sides and put on a bright and colorful outfit to complete your mermaid look.

21. Ginger And White Box Braids

Now here’s a box braids style that will make all your anime dreams come true. Yes, it makes use of ginger red and white box braids that are super cool and all. But the highlight of this look are the two flat half buns sitting on either side of her head, making her look like she has just stepped right out of an anime.

22. Box Braids Crown Bun

Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you’re anything less than a fierce African queen. And show everyone just that with the help of this deep brown box braid look. The box braids have been wrapped in an elaborate and big bun at the top of her head and left super long and loose at the back to create this out-of-the-world look.

23. Turban Box Braids

Go for a mysterious desert princess vibe with this interesting styling of box braids. The black braids are in perfect contrast with the vibrant multicolored turban that she has wrapped on top of her head and it helps pull the whole look together.

24. Lime Green Box Braids

Is there any color more refreshing than bright green? I don’t think so. So what better way to brighten up your look than these incredible lime green box braids? These super fine and long box braids are bound to make you look like a neon queen.

25. Undercut Half-Up Box Braids

Now here’s a way that you can totally rock that biker chick look. And a bonus to this look is that you will need half as many extensions as you would need to box braid your full head. All you need to do is shave off the hair on either side of your head to create an undercut. Then, box braid your hair at the top and back of your head. Easy peasy.

26. Dual Pastel Box Braids

If you are a flower child at heart and want your hair to reflect the same, boy, have we got a hairstyle just for you. To get this totally whimsical and cute style, all you need to do is box-braid some purple to pink ombre extensions. Style them however your want and go out in your most colorful clothes to look like the epitome of fun.

27. Box Braids Bantu Knots

Why go for just one protective style when you can go for two? You heard that right! Now you don’t need to worry about choosing between box braids and bantu knots because you can get both. Just roll and pin up the extensions at the front of your head into Bantu knots to make them look like a crown. Throw in some blue braids along with your jet black ones to highlight the knots.

28. Ultra White Braided Box Braids

Look like a badass from one of those Fast and Furious movies who always seems ready to jump on a bike and go fight someone with this box braid look. The ultra white box braids have been tied up in a thick braid that looks insanely cool. Just perfect your Resting Bitch Face and you’ll be good to go.

29. Blonde Ring Box Braids

I actually had to remind myself to take some deep breaths after looking at this hairstyle because it literally took my breath away. I mean, LOOK AT IT! These blonde box braids may have been simple by themselves. But after adding accessories with a crap load of silver rings, they are enough to bring anyone to their knees.

30. Gold Highlighted Box Braids

If you like to keep things subtle when it comes to your hair but still want to add a pop of color, check out this awesome look. While box braiding, this gorgeous lady has used one gold colored extension with two black ones to create this highlighted effect. So simple, yet so effective.

31. Sunshine Yellow Box Braids

Ahh, yellow. The color of joy and happiness. And what better way to spread sunshine in everyone’s life than with sunshine yellow hair? Get these vibrant yellow box braids and tie them up in two funky buns to spread the cheer all around!

32. Triangle Box Braids

Enhance your appearance, flaunt those edges, and fall in love with the stylish symmetry of triangle box braids. This versatile and protective hairstyle works well with a range of hair lengths, hues, and even accessories. The triangular shape gives a distinct, visually appealing look to the braids which exude individuality and confidence.

33. Purple Box Braids

There are many easy braided hairstyles; however, finding the one that resonates with your personality is the key. In the list, the Purple box braids make for a vibrant, eye-catching hairstyle. These braids are a great way to add color and statement to your hair, whether you prefer soft lavender tones or deep plum tones. In addition, this easy braided hairstyle adds a different level of uniqueness to your look.

Infographic: 7 Best Ways To Style Your Box Braids

There are a variety of original and fashionable ways to wear box braids, from chic updos to modern half-up styles. These styling methods will enable you to embrace the adaptability of this hairstyle, whether you choose a traditional and refined look or a strong and edgy statement.
Check out the infographic below to learn more about the best ways to style your box braids.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do box braids damage hair?

If the hair is pulled too tightly when making box braids, hair can get damaged right at the roots and break off easily. This may also lead to hair loss. Since the roots are affected, the scalp might hurt or swell up as well.

How long should you keep box braids in?

You may keep box braids in for 4 to 6 weeks. Keeping them longer than that may damage your hair as dust particles and product build-up will accumulate on your hair.

How do you sleep with box braids?

You can wrap your head with a satin or silk scarf while sleeping to prevent friction. Also, make sure to sleep on a silk pillowcase for the same.

Do box braids help hair grow?

Box braids are a protective hairstyle but do not boost hair growth.

Illustration: Bombass Ways To Style Your Bodacious Box Braids

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to style your box braids in 20 easy and beginner-friendly ways! Check out this video to create protective styles that will keep your hair healthy.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Megan SennerLicensed Hairstylist

 

Megan Senner is a professional hairstylist who has spent the last 10 years doing hair with some of the biggest bands in the world, including 30 Seconds to Mars, Misterwives, Vinyl Theatre, and Smallpools. She is obsessed with hair color, trending hairstyles, and all things fashion.

Read full bio of Megan Senner

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

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Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

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