42 Box Braid Beauties to Help Inspire Your Next Protective Style
Here's the answer to "What hairstyle should I try next?"
Box braids are one of my favorite styles when giving my natural, 4C hair a break from constant manipulation and heat. Box braid hairstyles are literally how they sound—a braided hairstyle with singular, parted braids. When the braids are parted, it looks like a box with a braid, hence box braids. (Unless you get fancy and go for a triangle part). Depending on where you live, the size, and the length of your box braids, pricing can be anywhere from $80.00 for jumbo box braids to $1000.00 for microbraids a la Zoe Kravitz. Box braids are a great protective style for natural hair; however, they can damage natural hair if you keep them in for too long. Box braids can last 4 to 6 weeks. Sometimes, with care, you can keep them in for 2 months, but don't go past that.
Treat box braids like you would your natural hair. Use your favorite shampoo for curly hair and conditioner, and apply a light oil to lock in moisture and give your hair some shine. If you are unsure what products to use, we found the best products to help you maintain your protective style.
There are a plethora of ways you can install and style your box braids. You can opt for short or long box braids, incorporate color or stick with your natural hue. There are many ways to style your braids, ranging from elegant updos to braided bangs, and adding fun accessories like beads or even a scarf.
If you're here, you are probably looking for your next box braid or protective hairstyle. We found the best celebrity hairstyles, street style box braid looks, and user submissions (yes, from you!) to round up 42 box braid hairstyles to inspire your next look. Your hairstylist will thank you.
Updo Box Braid Hairstyle
Zoe Kravitz is the queen of box braids on the red carpet. This elegant updo hairstyle shows off the beauty of micro box braids.
Big Box Braid Hairstyle
Who has the time to sit 12 hours to install box braids? Not me and not Zendaya. If you are antsy in your hairstylist's chair, then opt for some jumbo braids. 12-16 braids should take an experienced braider no more than 2.5 hours.
Get Red-y
Whose better hairstyle inspiration than Rihanna? Her deep red braids are a perfect color for a Fall or Winter look.
Small Box Braid Hairstyle
Eva Marcille shows off these super long, small, blonde box braids. She added some colored yarn, beads, and other hair accessories, which makes an every day look even more interesting.
Knotless Box Braid Hairstyles
Brandy is the first person that comes to mind when I think of celebrities with braided hairstyles. She's been rocking braids on red carpets, television shows, and the stage for years. These beautiful brown, knotless, waist-length box braids show off her melanated glow.
Braid Within A Braid
Storm Reid shows us that you can style braids with a braid! This front braid is a cute and easy way to keep your box braids off your face and hide new growth if it's time to take them out.
Top It Off
An easy way to style your box braids is in a half-up, half-down style. This messy top knot has an effortless appeal.
Brooklyn Box Braids
"I absolutely adore box braids. My mom was a hairstylist when I was growing up; she taught me how to style and manage my natural hair. I've always been natural and styled my own hair, but it wasn't until the quarantine that I learned how to finally style my own box braids from start to finish!" ~ Edolia Stroud, Brooklyn, NY
Go Green
Adding color to your box braids is a great way to play with fun colors (like this green!) without a long-term commitment or potentially damaging your natural hair.
Pigtail Party
I consider it a box braid hairstyle if it's more than two braids. Didi Stone opts for four large braids in pigtails—this is a quick style that you can keep in for a week or two.
Elegant Box Braid Hairstyle
Long box braids have a naturally elegant look. Push them all to one side for a photo-ready look like this stunning street style star.
Jumbo Box Braids
Large box braids are an easy-to-try, DIY option. Since there are fewer braids, ensure you have straight, clean parts.
Box Braid Hairstyle With Beads
When in doubt, just add beads. Clear is always a good choice if you can't choose a color or are afraid it will clash with your look.
Brown Braided Beauty
Light brown box braids look great across all skin tones. On darker skin tones, brown brightens up the face.
Braided Bang Beauty
“I enjoy wearing box braids because they’re a great low-maintenance protective style for my 4C hair. I’ve been wearing them consistently for the past 2 1/2 years and I love that they’re so versatile. I’ve discovered so many new creative styles while experimenting with my box braids.” ~ Camri Hewie, New York, NY
Two Toned Cutie
The same way you can add highlights to your hair, you can add them to your braids. This woman opted for red and it looks oh-so-good!
Half Way There
We love this cute half-up, half-down hairstyle with two ponytails. This would also be a cute box braid hairstyle for little girls.
Dunn It Again
Jourdan Dunn has done it again! This cute box braid ponytail shows off her stunning face.
Box Braids With An Edge
If you are in the process of growing out a short cut or have shaved sides, you can still get some length. Install box braids using the longer parts of your hair. Pull it in a ponytail to show off those shaved sides!
Goddess Box Braids
Give your box braids the royal treatment. Goddess box braids are box braids with curly hair braided throughout or at the end of the braids.
Danielle James is the Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. Previously, she was the Fashion and Beauty Director of HelloBeautiful.com and MadameNoire.com. She’s bylined for The Cut, InStyle, Allure, Business of Fashion, Nylon, Essence, Good Housekeeping, The Grio, and Huffington Post. Danielle enjoys sailing, thrifting, Japanese whiskey, Naomi Campbell’s runway walk, and Rihanna in the comment section.
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