Many African women can attest that African hair braiding styles are low in terms of maintenance yet so versatile in styling options. Perhaps what makes braids the ideal African hairstyle is that it’s a protective style. With braids, your hair will remain untangled even when you swim or get rained on.
Braids will always remain trendy, and there are so many styles to fit your preference and face shape. Whether you are attending a formal or casual event, with the right African hairstyle inspiration, you will look your best. The good news is that the African hairstyles for braids will never be outdated.
List of the latest African hair braiding styles
Have you ever gone to a salon and come out feeling more beautiful, confident, and younger? If you have, it means you always know the latest African hairstyle that complements your face and skin tone. Here are the different pictures of hair braiding styles that you need to try this year.
1. Braid hairstyles with weave
This is one of the ethnic braids styles you should try this year. If you don’t want the hassle of maintaining and styling long hair, you can always plait cornrows or braids and then finish up the style by adding a weave. The style should be on top of your list if you want to give your natural hair a break from daily styling.
2. Two cornrow braids hairstyle
The two cornrow braids are a timeless style that you can rock in. These African hair braiding styles pictures are achieved by an underhand braiding method that stays close to the scalp and separates the hair into two thicker braids. You can’t go wrong with this two-strand method on your head.
3. Crisscross braids
Crisscross braids have a playful attitude that is perfect for young ladies. While crisscross braids look amazing when done in a small manner, chunky cross braids are easy to take out and ideal for a beach vacation. With this African hairstyle, you can worry less about styling your strands every morning, as the hairstyle has a captivating pattern.
4. Feed in braids
Feed-in black hairstyles braids protect your natural hair and give it breathing space to grow free of any chemicals and heat. When done in cornrows, the feed-in braids protect the hair edges and give your hairstyle a natural look.
5. Short African braids
Many African ladies worldwide are ditching long tresses for simple yet unique short hairstyles. Short braids are the go-to option for many modern African women because they are less costly in terms of maintenance.
But perhaps what makes short braids fashionable is that they frame the face better and make you look lively and younger.
6. Cornrows braids with natural hair
Cornrow is another hairstyle that is popular among black people. This African hairstyle is a favourite for many celebrities, including those of no African descent.
Cornrows are flat plaits that can include a hair extension. Don’t let their simplicity intimidate you, as you can choose to get chunky cornrows, pigtail cornrows, or play around with different partings.
7. Braids-to-the-back
The braids-to-the-back look is a throwback to the classic African interpretation of plaiting hair. The great thing about this hairstyle is that the braids do not take too long to do, and you will be done in a few minutes.
You can accessorise the braids with beads or gold cuffs to make them unique and achieve the best African cornrows hairstyles.
8. Braided ponytail
Sometimes braids can make your head feel heavy, especially if you add extensions to the individual plaits. Well, now you can enjoy your hair by opting to braid it into a ponytail. The trick is to plait cornrows to the middle of your head using your natural hair and add braids to create a beautiful ponytail.
9. Snake braids
Don’t let the name fool you. Snake braids are not your typical braids. Instead, they are cornrows braided very close to the scalp in an S shape. Go for this African hairstyle the next time you want to give your hair a fresh look. Add metal beads to give the hairstyle a bit of bling.
10. Micro braids
Micro braids are tiny braids braided into the hair; they are low maintenance and fit all face shapes. Depending on your hair, micro braids can take time to braid, so make sure when you’re getting this style to do it when you’re not in a rush.
This African hairstyle can be packed into a burn, curled using hot water, or decorated with different hair accessories such as beads.
11. Twist braids
Twists are made using two rope-like braids, and in the end, you will look sophisticated and chic. They can be styled into a voluminous bun or made very thick and long, depending on your preference.
If you have long, thin twists, avoid wearing them freely, as they can cause hair breakage. You can also opt for curly twist braids that give a romantic look.
12. Box braids
Apart from twists, box braids are another protective African hairstyle that fits both professional and casual settings. Unlike twist, box braids are made using three rope-like braids, and you can wear them in different styles.
Twists are easier to undo as compared to box braids. However, box braids tend to last longer than twists.
13. Tree braids
Also known as invisible braids, tree braids are one of the most effortless African women hairstyles. It’s perfect for ladies who have to deal with dry and brittle hair.
You can experiment with different hair textures until you find a look that frames your face. A fun way to have tree braids is to go for the front braided tree braids or add a braided headband.
14. Long chunky feed-in braids
The long chunky braids have been trending for decades. They are among the cute African hair braiding styles you need to try. In order to get this look, start by braiding thick jumbo braids near your roots, then gradually create thinner braids for a more manageable braiding hairstyle. You can finish off the look by accessorising the braids with beads.
15. Mohawk braided hairstyle
You can show off your edgy side by choosing to braid your hair into a mohawk. To achieve this look, start by braiding your hair into cornrows in an upward motion so that you can gradually group the braids into a mohawk style at the top of your head.
The mohawk-inspired braided hairstyle is ideal for women who want to show off their facial features and jewellery.
16. Half updo braided hairstyle
Having long African braids allows you to play around with various upstyles. The half updo style is definitely unique and a great inspiration for women who want to wear iconic African braids.
You can complete the look by curling the bottom half of your hair with some thin, bouncy curls.
17. High wrap-around bun
If you do not like long hair, you can tie your braids up into a high wrap-around bun. To achieve this style, braid your hair in an upward motion so that you can easily tie your braids up into a neat wrap-around bun. It is one of the best professional hair braiding styles you should try this year.
18. Box braids with an undercut
When you can’t decide between shaving off your hair or keeping it as is, box braids with shaved sides deliver the best of both worlds. You can emphasise your undercut with some interesting stripes if you want to rock in this hairstyle. Remember to style your hair up into a bun to reveal the undercut.
19. Crotchet braids
Crochet hairstyles are created with crochet braids, a special method of braiding that adds extensions to the hair. With the synthetic hair attached to a crochet braided cap wig, it’s even easier than the braids method.
All you do is slide it over your cornrowed natural hair and snip-snap! Before you know it, you’ll be looking glorious and brand-new.
20. Side parted braids
The side-parted hairstyle is suitable for square and diamond face shapes because it draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones while showing off your angular jaw. Side parting creates a soft and feminine look. It pairs perfectly with thicker styles, such as goddess braids.
21. Rainbow lemonade braids
The hair is beautifully braided into a long side-swept style. The hair starts black, and then different colours are added to six of the braids. Maintaining rainbow lemonade braids is easy because the braids stay in place. The beautifully designed braids look great on women of all ages.
22. Knotless box braids bun
Knotless box braids are a go-to protective style for many women. The hairstyle features simple and long knotless braids that are styled into a sky-high bun. It creates less tension and protects the edges.
23. Trendy patterned braids
For this hairstyle, the different braid thicknesses and the simple pattern really make a statement. You can wear these braids regardless of your age while looking stunning. The braids do not strain the hairline and are easy to maintain.
24. Blonde lemonade braids
Drift away from the usual protective styles and go for one that’s truly distinctive. These braids are long, beautiful, and have a simple and stunning braided pattern. This is also a versatile look, and to switch things up, use hair accessories such as beads.
25. Gorgeous zig-zag twist braids
Guiding your braids to the back and twisting them into a tight and beautifully textured low bun is a good idea. The diversity of these twisted braids knows no limits. You can style chic, sophisticated hairstyles for special occasions or rock your twists every day in simple and effortless styles.
26. Chunky braids with triangle parts
Triangle braids are box braids with triangular parts. They are among the best hair braiding designs and can be styled into big, small, jumbo, poetic justice individual braids. Some women love to have tightly bound twists, while others go for a looser, more romantic look.
27. Ombre braided bun
Are you looking for cute and stunning ombre braiding hair colour ideas that will inspire your next hairstyles? Ombre braided bun will be the best choice for you. As the braids are tied up, they show a stylish pattern underneath too. The braids also have an ombre colour which gives the bun that trendy multi-tone look.
28. Criss-Cross Goddess braids
Chunky cornrow braids, referred to as goddess braids, are perfect for days when you want to give your hair a break. The braids of this size don’t take too long to do and are easy to take out. If you prefer a toned-down look, choose darker braids.
29. Simple braided cornrow bun with hair cuffs
This is a beautiful braided bun that is styled high on the head. There are no bold colours or trendy patterns, just a simple and stunning bun that is easy. The sleek cornrowed style is appropriate for all ages and occasions.
30. Asymmetrical Goddess braids
Asymmetrical Goddess braids involve mixing plaits of different sizes into braid hairstyles to create texture and dimension. Combining chunky and thin braids is unexpected. It is also a lot more exciting than regular plaits.
Which African hair braiding styles are you going for?
If you are looking for the latest African hair braiding styles to rock this year, you should check out the above African braids styles pictures to identify the one that suits you best. With these hairstyles, you can forget about hair styling for months and give your hair some rest. You can play around with different colours to stand out from the crowd.
Tuko.co.ke published an article about 20 cornrows with shaved sides hairstyles that are stylish. Are you looking for fantastic ways to style your cornrows with shaved sides? Hairdressers have devised different popular approaches to do so. Most ladies have rocked every twist-out and blow-out, and a break is necessary. How about trying out some less common fabulous cornrows styles?
A hairstyle shouldn’t look old-fashioned and exhausting. Cornrows can give you a stylish allure that’s easy to maintain. As the world rapidly changes, so does the idea of styling your hair. Cornrows, for example, have been modified and fused with shaved sides. The style has become quite popular.
Tips of 2023 Braids
Bringing Sexy Back!
