While some people might be new to box braids, in some cultural circles such as the African diaspora and natural hair community, this classic style is a staple that serves as a protective style with a major appeal. Box braids can be created in a range of widths, and with a wide array of textures and colors, making it a versatile style where the only limitation is your imagination.
While there are a few tips and tricks to keep your box braids fresh, as well as best practices to protect your hair while in braids, this is a great way to express your personality. Keep reading for some major style inspo and the best practices!
Your Guide to Box Braids: Contents
There are so many ways you can style box braid hairstyles, from loose braids to half updos or messy ponytails. Here you have 61 ideas to inspire!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One thing we love about these box braids is the beautiful pattern created in the crown through the Fulani braids created here. This classic style is getting a rebirth as more and more women embrace this unique way of telling a story through their hair.
We can’t stress enough how much fun you can have with box braid hairstyles! This beauty decided to go green with a soft olive green hue that she used to achieve her small-width box braids.
If you thought that box braids were boring, this beauty is here to prove that they’re not. Her range of baby blue and baby pink hair is giving us unicorn vibes. To achieve this look, pick your favorite pastel hues and have your stylist braid the full length of the hair.
You don’t need to fear going gray with this unique style, which combines a bold blonde with icy white hair for a unique combination. To achieve this look, you’ll need your stylist to combine braiding hair of different colors to create this strategically blended look.
Versatility is a big thing with this specific box braid look, as smaller box braids are left loose on the ends, so you have the freedom to curl and style the ends as you see fit. To achieve this look, ask your stylist to leave the ends loose and opt for water wave or deep wave textured braiding hair.
Box braids give you so many options when it comes to style. Even though they’re already versatile, you can take it to the next level by creating additional cornrows in the crown, as shown here. This stunning effect is perfect for every day or special occasions.
Bigger box braids are always a bold move. But we love the one accent braid that features brightly colored thread woven throughout. And also, note the triangular sectioning at the roots for more visual excitement.
This beauty proves that blonde is a color that works for anyone as long as you find the hue that best complements your skin tones and undertones. A bolder, warmer brown sets off her skin beautifully. And the box braids are kept at a medium width to give her plenty of options between updos and volume.
If you normally shied away from color because you were concerned about damaging your hair, box braid hairstyles are the perfect solution. Here, this model takes a walk on the wild side with an uber-bright orange hair color. She keeps the look modern by opting for a shoulder-grazing bob length.
Even when you decide to pick a hair color, you aren’t limited to one shade. Here, blonde hair goes multidimensional with three hues combined in an ombre effect to create a truly unique look.
It’s easy to think that matching your skin tone might not be the move. But this beauty proves that you can wear a hair color that complements your skin tone without issue. Her warm skin tone is mirrored in the bold cinnamon box braids that are swept to the side.
Medium-width box braids are the perfect option if you want braids but want them to be a tad smaller without taking all day to have done. These ash blonde braids are perfect and give you the versatility you crave to easily wear them down or in stylish updos.
For the most versatility, opt for medium or smaller-width box braids. Here you see how you can expertly rock the mini bun trend by gathering box braids in the crown and leaving the remainder loose.
Fulani braids (flat braids on the crown) will never go out of style. And we’re loving these spicy themed braids that remind us of pumpkin spice. For added interest, place charms strategically at the roots and throughout your box braid length.
Never underestimate how important it is to properly section your hair as you braid! In addition to creating nice, even box braids, you can also create interest with the patterns your braider creates at the roots.
We’re loving the versatility with styles you can achieve with box braids. For a relaxed day, you’ll love being able to gather your braids up into a relaxed high ponytail to create a playful effect.
We can’t get enough of blonde box braids. These medium-width braids are perfect for summer and create a sleek effect.
Top knots are getting a resurgence these days, and we love these half top knots, as seen here. Large-width box braids create visual interest by using varying hues to create a unique color story. For a neat effect, have your stylist braid the entire length of hair.
Take a page from the past to channel a classic style that will always turn heads. Jumbo box braids are kept short, and hair is sectioned in pentagon style to create visual play at the roots. For a regal effect, add charms throughout the length of your braids.
We’re always here for bold color play. These bright and playful blonde box braids create visual interest towards the roots because of the contrast with her naturally dark hair. Meanwhile, the smaller width is perfect for any type of updo.
We can’t get enough of jumbo box braids. There’s no shortage of styles you can rock with them, and it’s all about picking the color that works best for you. We’re in love with the rich chocolate brown hue shown here, and of course, charms help to create the perfect accent.
There’s something interesting about seeing luxurious box braids contrasted against closely cropped sides. We love the very precise designs created in this beauty’s hair.
Clearly, Fulani braids are a very popular option. But we love how here the braids closest to the ears are braided in the opposite direction.
Jumbo box braids are the perfect casual way to switch up your look for a few weeks. We love the side-swept rich chocolate braids, as seen here.
If you thought that Fulani braids were only for the crown, this beautiful look will make you rethink that impression. We’re loving how the stylist created a side-swept look thanks to how the braids are laid throughout the crown and sides.
While not required, some people love to create a very defined part with their box braids. Here, large box braids are strategically placed to create a defined side part on her left side.
We can’t get enough of box braids paired with fantasy hair colors. Here, a black into a rich royal blue gradient is used to create an ombre effect that will have heads turning.
There’s no limit to how you can style box braids, especially when they’re longer. We’re loving the low pinned-back look created here that gives the effect of turning her braids into a beautiful crown.
If you have the patience, micro box braids can be a gorgeous way to express your style. We’re especially in love with the Fulani style created through the crown before falling into individual braids.
We’re obsessed with box braid hairstyles that play with texture and color. Here medium width plaits get the full effect treatment with a bold ombre color gradient that shifts from a medium brown into a rich cinnamon hue. And for more impact, the ends are left loose and curled to build on the texture.
If you’ve been obsessed with the angled lob but were feeling a bit bored with so many of them, try it with box braids! We’re in love with this very long angled bob that’s kept short in the back and long in the front to create drama.
Box braids have been around for centuries. But thanks to social media and the power of visuals, more and more people are being exposed to a hairstyle that has often been considered a staple within the African diaspora.
One of the most famous protective styles, box braids are three-strand individual braids styled by sectioning squared-off parts or boxes, hence the name. As compared to other braiding styles such as cornrows, box braids offer more versatility because the individual braids are not woven tightly to the scalp. This means that after the braids have been created, the wearer can then further style them in a myriad of ways.
Depending on your style goals, you either use only your natural hair or also add extensions to create the desired length, texture, or color. While you can use a range of colors or extensions (like crochet hair synthetic extensions), box braids are also a time commitment with a minimum of three hours for large-width braids and as many as 10 hours for micro-width braids.
For many African cultures, braiding styles were a way to distinguish between cultural groups. And some experts believe that the more intricate a braiding style was, the more it expressed the wealth of the wearer. It’s important to note that there are many different braiding styles, and box braids are just one of many.
Box braids can be traced as far back as 3,000 years ago from the Himba people of Namibia and are a derivative of the Eembuvi braids as well as the chin-length bob style braids seen on women from the Nile Valley.
Braiding has always been viewed as a social activity, with elders teaching younger children how to braid hair. These valuable social skills were passed down to generations and continued to be important even in other parts of the world where Africans and their descendants lived, such as the Caribbean and the Americas.
Often, braiding hair was a way to share messages – specifically escape routes – to help slaves reach freedom. And many times, accessories such as shells, beads, and jewels were added to braids to further establish important messages such as wealth or coming of age.
While we know the style as “box braids”, the reality is that this name wasn’t given to the braiding style until the mid-1990s when Janet Jackson often wore the style in movies and music videos.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably were aware of a not-so-new hair trend that took the mainstream beauty world by storm – and not necessarily for the right reasons. While box braids are just one type of braid, another classic braiding style, the cornrow, was rebranded as “boxer braids” when seen on the likes of Khloe and Kim Kardashian and other people that weren’t of the African diaspora.
So, what was the big deal?
The issue wasn’t so much that a person who wasn’t of African descent was wearing a classic African braid style, but that the media praised and lauded the style as if it was a new invention – while ignoring that often when people of the African diaspora wear traditional hairstyles, they’re often mocked and called ghetto or unprofessional for doing so.
Likewise, even Khloe’s sister Kim came under fire more than once for rocking another iconic African braided hairstyle and conveniently crediting a white person, Bo Derek. While Bo Derek did look nice in her Fulani braids, she was not the originator of the style since it also has African origins.
So, what’s the takeaway?
No one is barred from wearing braid styles. But at least be culturally sensitive to understand that what may seem like “no big deal” can be problematic and come across as erasure when many people of African descent are either name called or find themselves running afoul of work and school dress codes for wearing a hairstyle that’s emblematic of their culture.
The fun thing about box braids is that you can make them as narrow or as big as you like – as long as you’re willing to sit in a chair long enough to have your hair braided! So, considering that the sky is the limit, what can you do (and not do) with box braids in terms of width and texture?
If the thought of sitting 10 hours to get your hair braided makes you faint, don’t worry, we get it! In that case, you should focus on larger box braids, often known as chunky or jumbo box braids. These braids are the quickest to braid (or have installed), but they do come with drawbacks. With braids in general, you should avoid a braider who braids too tightly, as it can lead to hair loss if you consistently wear this style.
Jumbo box braids can pose the risk of leading to more hair loss because of the added weight from the extensions being installed to each small section of hair. However, jumbo box braids can be harder to maintain in terms of keeping the roots neat.
Also known as pencil-sized, these box braids are a medium width and are an ideal middle of the road option for someone who wants box braids but is concerned that jumbo braids may be too weighty yet doesn’t want to sit for micros.
As the name implies, micro box braids are truly tiny in width. In addition to taking the longest to have installed, there’s also the risk of damaging your hair follicles as you’re now using less hair to hold the weight of each micro box braid.
So, much like with jumbo braids, you need to be sure that your stylist doesn’t braid too tightly. However, micros do give you more scalp access, making it easier to clean your scalp regularly.
While anyone can get their hair braided, the reality is that the width may depend on the state of your hair. Box braids can be worn by any hair texture, but the thickness of your hair will also dictate how large or small your braids should be.
If you have very thick hair, micros are not recommended, as it will potentially create too much volume and weight as your stylist attempts to install the small micro braids in your hair. As a general rule, those with thinner hair should focus on smaller box braids, while those with thicker hair should opt for medium or larger braids to minimize bulk.
Although box braids can seem intimidating, there’s no reason that you can’t install your braids – regardless of whether you decide to create braids with or without extensions. While it will take time, and you might need practice to properly keep them even and neat, learning how to install box braids is a valuable skill that can save you money in the long run.
When done properly, installing your braids could mean that at most, you only pay for the cost of braiding hair. In contrast, having them installed by a professional braider can cost you anywhere from $65 to 300 dollars.
Whether you feel your hair is long enough, or you don’t want to deal with braiding in additional hair, using your natural hair for box braids is perfectly acceptable. First, you need to confirm that your hair is long enough to be effectively braided. Typically, your hair should be at least shoulder length when stretched to achieve a successful box braid hairstyle.
Especially with extensions, you want your hair to be long enough to effectively grip the braiding hair and prevent it from slipping. And regardless of whether you’re braiding your hair with or without extensions, you should always start on clean hair that has been thoroughly detangled and blown out.
So, you’ve decided to install box braids, and you don’t want to use extensions. Follow these steps to make the process easier:
While there are two main ways to create box braids with extensions, the easiest option for most at-home braiders is to treat your hair as the third part in the three-strand braid. Typically, you will need six to eight packs of braiding hair.
It’s always a good idea to buy extra hair just in case you might need more. The choice between synthetic and human hair is up to you. But if you want to be able to easily style your hair with hot tools, opt for human hair. While pricier, it’s designed to better withstand heat as opposed to many synthetic hair brands.
Still, some synthetic hair brands are designed for use with hot tools on lower settings. So always determine your styling goals before buying hair extensions.
Most box braids can stay in your hair for six to eight weeks with proper care. But that doesn’t mean that you should just leave them unattended for that long. If you don’t properly care for your box braids and hair during your install, you could encourage matting, extreme dirt build-up, and even hair loss when you take them out.
So how do you wash box braids?
There is a range of options here that you can use, from creating a shampoo and water mix in a squeeze bottle to using specialized scalp cleaners that are designed for people wearing braids and locks. And even among braiding experts, there’s no clear consensus on what the best practices are for washing box braids.
However, most experts agree that chlorine and saltwater exposure requires washing your box braids. If you’ve been jumping in the pool or ocean, you should most definitely plan to wash your hair. Saltwater and chlorine can create havoc for your natural hair.
While you shouldn’t opt for a traditional shampoo wash, you should, at the minimum, rinse your hair to remove any saltwater or chlorine. But it’s important to note that frequent hair washing can shorten the lifespan of this ‘do since it can lead to premature frizzing.
But even for people who aren’t jumping in pools and the ocean, they might experience itchiness on their scalp. In that case, it’s okay to opt for a gentle co-wash, where you use a conditioner to cleanse your scalp and hair as opposed to a shampoo that can strip your hair and scalp of critical natural oils.
It’s important to note that box braids need to be thoroughly dried when washed, as failing to do so can lead to mildewing. And that can lead to a nasty odor that will ruin your cute ‘do and may lead to damage to your natural hair. Also make sure to use hair oil or moisturizer regularly to keep your scalp and hair healthy during the time you have your braids on.
Still, most braiding experts agree that a scalp cleanser is your best bet, as it helps to gently cleanse and refresh your scalp without risking frizziness through the length of your braids. Scalp cleansers are often made with clarifying ingredients, such as tea tree oil, spearmint, or peppermint, and can be lightly applied directly to the scalp and then removed with a cotton pad.
No matter the size or the style you opt for, it’s not recommended to keep in your box braids for longer than six to eight weeks since your hair continues growing, and keeping them in for longer can lead to hair loss and damage.
Once your braids begin to grow out, or you’re itching for a new ‘do, it’s time to take down box braids. So, what’s the best way to safely remove them that’s efficient but won’t cause unnecessary damage to your hair?
Just like putting them in was a process, so is removing them. Don’t rush through this process, as you can find yourself dealing with unnecessary knots or even damage from being too aggressive as you remove box braids.
Pick a day where you don’t have plans to spend with others or go out later that evening. And the smaller your box braids are, the longer it will take to remove them.
If your braids are significantly longer than your natural hair because of extensions, you have the option to cut off the excess past where your natural hair stops and then detangle from there.
This is a faster way to remove braids, but it does require that you pay attention and note where your hair ends before you start snipping unless you like looking like you’ve endured a botched haircut. If you or your braider secured each braid with a knot, this is a good guideline to use for cutting off the excess.
Whether you cut off excess extensions or not, the logical process is to begin by unraveling the bottoms of your box braids and working your way up to the root. Depending on the size of your braids, you can use your fingers or a rat tail comb to work the braids loose.
If you’re wearing micros, you should rely on a rat tail comb to help you through this step. Unless your hair is especially tangled at the root, as you reach the beginning of the braids, they should slide out fairly easily.
You might be tempted to take all of your braids out and then detangle your natural hair, but this is a mistake. Doing this encourages the risk that you might overlook a section of hair or rush through the detangling process. The issue with this is that when you then wash your hair, you can encourage more tangling. And that can lead to knots so intense that your only option is to cut them out.
Instead, take the time to thoroughly detangle each section of your natural hair as you remove a braid. Invest in a good detangler to help fully saturate your hair and then work from ends to root to remove shed hair and dirt. While this might feel tedious, it’s the most thorough way to tackle a box braids takedown.
Keep in mind that you’ve had your braids in for weeks. Normally the average person sheds 50 to 150 strands of hair a day. So, it’s not unusual to see a significant amount of hair shedding during the detangling process.
While box braids are a protective style, it still leaves your hair prone to dirt build-up and damage depending on how well you cared for your hair while it was in braids. After you’ve finished removing your box braids and detangling them, invest in a good deep conditioning treatment. This will help to baby your hair and give it a little more TLC to make up for the many weeks where it wasn’t getting as much attention.
A common question people ask about box braids is if they cause damage to your hair. The tl;dr answer is “not unless you don’t care for your hair while you wear them.”
When properly installed or cared for, box braids are a great way to protect your natural hair from excessive manipulation, extreme weather – hot or cold – and give your hair a break from constant styling. For many people, box braids and other similar protective styles give their hair a chance to grow and thrive without the risk of unnecessary damage from hot tools or incompatible products.
Still, box braids do have the potential to cause damage.
One of the biggest drawbacks of box braids – or any style that relies on braiding – is that it’s easy to make them too tight or to install too much extension hair on an individual section of your natural hair. Often braids are made tighter so that the style “lasts longer.”
However, that tension, along with repeatedly installing tight braiding styles, can lead to traction alopecia. When this happens, the actual hair follicles can be damaged and lead to hair loss.
Another common issue is that some people leave box braids in for far too long. While you want to get your money’s worth when you sit in a chair as long as 10 hours, experts agree that eight weeks is the maximum that you should keep your box braids in your hair. When you keep them longer than this, your hair grows out significantly, and matting can occur at the point where the braids and your natural hair meet.
This is a great question, and it depends on a range of factors. Specifically, installing your box braids will always be significantly cheaper than having them installed by a braider. When you do box braids yourself, you only need to pay for the cost of the extension hair if you use it.
However, if you decide to go to a braider, the price can vary from as little as $65 to more than $300.
So why do the prices vary so widely? The main reason has to do with time and the complexity of your braids.
Jumbo box braids take less time to install than micros. Likewise, shoulder-length box braids are a quick process, while braids that stretch down to your waist will take significantly more time. So, keep these factors in mind as you head to your favorite braiding shop.
If you want the cheapest option possible, consider the largest and shortest braid length. But if money is no object, and you want to channel your inner Beyonce or RiRi, then be prepared to spend more time in the stylist’s chair and open up your wallet.
Photos via Instagram