49 Black Braided Hairstyles To Get You Out Of A Beauty Rut

The traditional African braids started to catch on around three decades ago, which paves the way for a period of iconic black television, movies, and music. Have you ever seen Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice (1993) and then dreamed about box braids? If the answer is yes, you are not alone! Women around the globe were so obsessed with this hairdo that many resorted to their hairstylists for it. But what exactly it is? If you are the uninitiated, here’s everything you need to know, along with a ton of amazing looks that’ll definitely inspire you!

What Are Box Braids?

Box braids are generally three-piece hair plaits. They are more defined and better held than standard braids as the tension applied to the braids is sufficient to prevent fly-aways. They are also not braided flat against the scalp unlike cornrows but sectioned off into shaped squares on the scalp, and get braided down its entire length.

In recent years, box braids have still been the ideal hairstyle for those who want to rock a stunning look. It is known as a terrific protective hairdo as it helps protect your hair from some harsh weather conditions that over time can take a toll on your hair, prevent breakage, allow your hair to rest, and facilitate sustainable growth. Added to that, it’s also low-maintenance and super versatile. Hence, in case your hair is shredded and suffers split ends, then don’t overlook this protective style.

How to Choose Your Braid Size?

Choosing your plait thickness is considered the most difficult step of getting box braids. However, making a decision is simpler than considering your environmental and physiological factors, your purpose, and the duration of this hair braiding style.

• Environmental and Physiological Conditions

By considering this factor, you can greatly streamline the search. If you still doubt your choice, then don’t hesitate to consult hairstylists or even trichologists.

• The braid duration

Before deciding on the size of the box braid, you’re going to have a clear idea of how long you want to wear the braids. The duration you can keep your hair in braided style is around four to six weeks.

• The size of the parts you want to have

In general, the bigger the part of the braids is, the less volume you get in braids. In contrast, the smaller the part is, the more volume and tension you get on your head. The size of parts, therefore, does matter your ultimate look. However, if you want to avoid excess tension on your hair, make sure that the parts are not smaller than the braids. If this is the case, your hair underneath that braid is carrying more hair than it should.

*Pro tip:

To ensure that the size of box braids you choose is right for you, ask your braider to place the very first braid in front of your hair so you can see it. Don’t let her get too far without checking.

Over to you

Now that we’ve laid out some useful information you need to know about box braids. The following list of different ways to rock this style will ideally inspire your new look. Ready to give it a shot? Check it out right now!