Head-Turning Braids: Stunning Hairstyles You Need to Try

Head-turning braids have become so trendy and fashionable and we’ve seen these hairstyles on models, rocking them on the fashion week runways. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia. In African tribes, braids were used as a way of identifying different people from different tribes.

Braiding to Africans is a way of connecting to our roots and appreciating the beauty of our diverse cultures. Women have worn braids for years, running from complex patterns to simple plaits. Braided hairstyles are perfect for almost every occasion not to mention that it’s the best protective hairstyle and helps you to grow your hair longer.  

What are the latest braiding hairstyles?

1. Box Braids

Box braids are everywhere now, it is one of the most protective braided hairstyles. You don’t need to have a specific face type to wear box braids, it looks great on any face type. Box braids last for about three weeks and it’s a very affordable hairstyle. These are the most common type of braids.

2. Braided ponytail

This beautiful hairstyle draws your eyes up, making your face seem longer. It’s not advisable for people with a long face because it will end up giving your face an extra long unusual look. However, it can be an advantage to a person with a round face who wants to achieve a longer-looking face. 

3. Crochet braid

Crotchet braid are so in season and they have a variety of different crochet patterns to choose from. Crochet braids consume less time to be done compared to box braids and the process is also less painful. 

4. Lemonade braids

This hairstyle was made famous by Beyoncé, who wore it on the cover of her album Lemonade. The style consists of neat, even, and close cornrows that run from left to right. Lemonade braids don’t have a particular face type and it lasts for weeks.

5.Goddess braids

Goddess braids always stand out in a crowd regardless of whatever pattern you choose. Goddess braid are a thicker version of cornrow braids and you can decorate them with different accessories like beads, rings and wires to give your box braids the attention they deserve. These braids take way less time to make and are very protective but classy.

6. Knotless braid

Knotless braid, also known as feed-in braid, is the best hairstyle to protect your hair out of all he braided hairstyles. In normal braid, the stylist will normally secure your natural hair with a knot but in these knotless braids the stylist starts by braiding your hair, then feeds in the hair extensions for a seamless look.

7. Tribal braid

This braided updo hairstyle has it’s roots in Africa. The hairstyle is all about combining different techniques and braid sizes to create unique pattern and shapes. There are no limits when it comes to tribal braid, you can become as creative as you want it will still be gorgeous. Yemi Alade sure knows how to rock her tribal braids.

8. Cornrow braid

Cornrows are relatively adaptive, they can be thick or thin and combined with other  braid updo hairstyles like box braid. Cornrows are a protective hairstyle and will last you weeks with low maintenance.  

9. Fulani braid

Fulani braid are a signature look for the Fula people of  West Africa. The style involves plaiting along the sides of the head while leaving a central twist at the crown. This central braid needs to be traditionally decorated with beads and rings but hair cuffs are optional. You can place the braids strategically to suit your face shape. The Fulani braids is also a protective hairstyle and you could also rock it for weeks with low maintenance.

10.Yarn braids

Yarn braid are made from a type of extension that is made of acrylic, a non-wool extension which is great for am afro-textured hair. They can be as thick or as thin as you want. Feel free to opt for anything from mini to jumbo, depending on your hair strength. Yarn braid make a bold statement as they come in a variety of colors to choose from.

11. Butterfly braid

Its an oversized and slightly fluffy up do braided hairstyle. It always requires a hair extension and sometimes you might need to sew the braid in place. The hairstyle is meant to look natural and not too done. You can add hair cuffs or jewelry to keep the butterfly the focus of the look.

12. Jumbo box braids 

These thick plaits will make a statement that will have all eyes on you. Jumbo box braid is a great up do hairstyle that is a great choice if you have naturally thick hair. It would not be as protective if you have thin hair. 

13. Triangle box braids

Triangle box braid are just like normal box braids but shaped as triangles. They are compatible with any face shape, there are no specifics when it comes to this up do braided hairstyle. they can also serve you for up to a month when well-kept. 

14. Senegalese twists braid

Senegalese twists are a protective style because the process involves wrapping the hair extensions over your natural hair, which protects it from exterior pollution. Senegalese twists can last up to four months with low maintenance which is an added advantage.

15. Ghana braid

As the name suggests, this hairstyle is originally from Ghana. It’s made up of microbraids that are fed in until they slowly become wider and fuller. The braids can apply a different variety of patterns but the most appealing way to wear them is from front to back or in a ponytail.

16. Microbraid

Microbraids are tiny and delicate but they can cause more breakage than jumbo braids. This hairstyle is not suitable if you have dry or brittle hair and can cause hair loss. However, if well maintained they are very trendy, fashionable and easy to style. 

17. Ombre braids

Ombre braid are a safe alternative for experimenting with color instead of defaulting to natural colored extensions.  You can try Ombre braid in different shades of pink, blue, purple among others. Chanel your inner unicorn and have a fun experiment with Ombre braids. You can plait Ombre extensions in different patterns and hairstyles. 

18. Tree braid

Tree braids is a 90s hairstyle that’s making a quick comeback to the fashion world. Tree braid are a way of trying the braided hairstyles without going all the way and at the same time showing off your kinks and curls. The whole idea of the hairstyle is that the braids are not to be seen, only the ends of the extensions are to be seen. They take relatively less time to install as compared to the other braided hairstyles because the most part ends are left out.

19. Half up Half down braid  

The half up half down braid give you the best of both worlds having braids plaited upwards like a ponytail and others down like push back cornrows. It’s a nice protective hairstyle and you can have it in different lengths and colors. They could last for a month and a half or two, depending on your hair type.

20. Pushback cornrows

This is a common braided hairstyle that has managed to stay trendy over the years. It’s a protective hairstyle that enables your hair to grow. It’s a simple and yet classy up do braided hairstyle the plaits simply run from front to back, without any special pattern.

ALSO READ:10 Gorgeous Hairstyles For Natural Hair You Can Do In 30 Minutes Or Less

What hairstyles can you do with braids?

You can never have enough hairstyles with braid, you can have them in a ponytail, pushed back, in box braids, with different accessories like rings and hair cuffs. But when you are considering a braided hairstyle, it’s advisable to make sure that the hairstyle is compatible with your face shape to avoid that feeling of disappointment when a hairstyle doesn’t come out as expected.

ALSO READ: 20 Kids Hairstyles Perfect For School

What is the easiest type of braid? 

The easiest type of braid to wear are box braid. This is because they can be styled in many different ways. Box braids also don’t have a specific face shape. You can rock box braid to work, to school or to church. You can never go wrong with box braids and that makes it the easiest braised hairstyle.

How do you make a braided hairstyle?

Different stylist have different ways that they make their braided hairstyles. Just find the perfect technique that works for you and use it. There are no specifics when it comes to how to make braided hair styles because one technique that works for another might not work for you. Only the end result matters.

The several factors that can influence a person’s choice of hairstyle is the face shape or shape of the head, the hair type and geographical factors. For example; you cant have light hair in winter like the box braids, you might need a braided hairstyle like the yarn braids. As new braided up do hairstyles come up because it’s ever evolving, we make sure that you get to know about it soonest.

Feel free to leave us a comment down below about which was your favorite braided hairstyle. It’s high time you try something new, get out of that comfort zone and try a funky braided hairstyle. You’ll never know unless you try.