15 Black Braided Hairstyles to Elevate Your Look in 2021
Braided hairstyles are rooted in tradition and can be traced back throughout history for over 5,000 years. Historically, braids were a way to define one’s tribe, status, and age. Today, hair braiding is a way to connect with your heritage and express yourself.
There is an abundance of beautiful, natural braided hairstyles for Black hair. With so many to choose from, how do you decide on the right one?
We want your 2021 to be fantastic, so we’ve put together this guide with our advice for:
- Choosing the best braids for your hair type
- Navigating our favorite types of braids for Black hair in 2021
- Finding the best stylist near you
Here we go!
Choosing the Best Braids for Your Hair Type
Three main components go into selecting the right braiding style for your natural hair:
- The length of your hair
- Your hair’s natural texture
- How long you want to keep your braids
These will all impact the style that’ll work best for you, so let’s look more closely at each of these considerations.
Hair Length
Your hair should be at least two inches long for short braided styles and four to five inches long for lengthier versions. Why? Because short hair can’t accommodate long extensions without risking damage to your hair. If your hair is longer than four inches, it should be strong enough to hold longer extensions.
Hair Texture
The natural texture of your hair is also critical to getting your braided style right. Very fine hair will perform better in smaller braids. In contrast, thick hair can handle thicker braids.
Finally, textured hair is easier to style in braids because it’ll hold them in better than slippery, smooth hair.
Time
The process to install braids takes several hours and can be quite expensive. Since they’re an investment, you’ll want to take care of your braids. The key to a long-lasting braid style is proper maintenance using a variety of natural hair care tips as part of your routine. With the right care, braids typically last between four to six weeks, although some can last as long as eight weeks.
A good rule of thumb? The thicker the braid or twist, the quicker it’ll frizz. Small, tight braids and twists will last longer.
15 Natural Braided Hairstyles We Love In 2021
It isn’t easy to narrow down our favorite braided hairstyles to only 15. However, we’ve done our best to put together a list that includes something for every hair length and texture. Most of these styles have several variations that can accommodate your needs or vision.
1. Box Braids
One of the most popular and long-lasting styles, box braids are made by dividing your hair into sections, or boxes. The list of ladies who’ve rocked these braids on the red carpet could go on and on but here are just a few style inspos:
- Tessa Thompson
- Zendaya
- Rhianna
The hair is then braided with or without additional hair extension. Box braids can be quite heavy and may take some getting used to if you haven’t had them before. However, box braids are easy to style. If the braids get in the way, you can gather them all up and style them in an updo hairstyle. This style will usually last four to six weeks.
Whether you are looking for the best box braids DC, Atlanta, or even Los Angeles offers, look no further than StyleSeat to get connected to expert stylists in no time.
2. Braided Ponytail
We admit this is cheating a little, but the braided ponytail is the perfect way to add variety to many of the styles listed here. Box, Fulani, Ghana, and many others can all be pulled back into a high or loose ponytail for a change of pace.
3. Braided Bun
Similar to the braided ponytail, a braided bun is another way to change up your hairstyle. You can vary the look by pulling all of your braids into a bun or only using the top half while leaving the remainder hanging down your back.
Braided buns also offer some hair-loving benefits, including:
- It gives your hair a rest from products and styling so your locks and grow and refresh
- It’s super low-effort style that goes beautifully with casual or formal outfits
- The plaited nature of the braids helps protect your hair from environmental irritants
4. Colorful Braids
You can freshen up any braid style by incorporating color. Threading in colorful extensions or weaving in beads is a quick way to completely change your look and add a splash of brightness to your braids.
5. Cornrows
This popular hairstyle is a winning choice for both short and long hair. The braids are typically thin and lay very close to the head. Cornrow braids also offer plenty of options for patterns as the braids are guided by how your hair is parted. You can have them installed with a straight or wavy part to make a dazzling and unique design. The cornrow hairstyle isn’t just popular among women, either. This style is a go-to for guys, as well.
6. Crochet Braids
Previously popular in the 1990s, the crochet braid is making a comeback. This style is accomplished by first braiding your natural hair in cornrows. Then, a crochet hook is used to weave the crochet hair into the cornrows. There are many types of crochet braids and is a flexible style that allows for plenty of variation, so it’s no wonder crochet braids are making a comeback!
7. Faux Locs
If you’re looking for a style with less commitment than loc extensions, give faux locs a try. Instead of becoming a permanent installment in your hair, faux locs will last for four to six weeks. To get this look, your natural hair is twisted or braided. Then, additional hair is wrapped around the twists or braids to protect it.
Keep in mind, these braids work best on medium to long hair.
Next on the list are a few variations of tribal braids. For those wondering, “What are tribal braids?” these are braids that either originated in or were inspired by several tribes in Africa. Tribal braids aren’t your run of the mill braids because you can be creative with the patterns. With that said, have fun choosing from these tribal braids:
8. Fulani Braids
One of the most popular tribal braid styles, Fulani braids date back thousands of years. They begin with a single cornrow down the center of your head. The remainder of your hair is then braided away from the middle part. This very flexible braid looks effortlessly stylish down or pulled back in a bun or ponytail.
#9 Ghana Braids
These lovely braids are an excellent choice for curly hair. They’re a type of cornrow but use a different braiding technique to create a unique look. Instead of feeding your extension hair in from beneath the braid, you’ll feed it over the braid. Ghana braids are also often thicker than some of the other styles listed here, making them a perfect fit for girls with thicker locks.
Talk to your stylist about these stunning Ghana braid styles:
- Twisted Ghana braids
- Horizontal Ghana braids
- Angled Ghana braids in a low bun or high ponytail
- Angled Ghana braids in a top bun
- Chevron Ghana braids
#10 Goddess Braids
When you want a style that won’t be installed for a long time but will give you a glamorous, fresh look, try the goddess braid style. These thick braids are done by braiding the hair close to the scalp. The result is a soft and flexible hairstyle that’s perfect for when you want to grow out your hair.
#11 Jumbo Braids
If you’re looking for a variation on the traditional box braid, consider a jumbo braid style. These braids are done in the box style, but instead of many small braids, you’ll end up with between ten and fifteen larger ones.
This is a better choice for long hair as the braids will be too heavy for those rocking short hairstyles.
#12 Knotless Braids
Wondering, what are knotless braids? Also known as feed-in braids, knotless braids are an alternative to styles that wrap the extension hair around your natural hair. Instead, knotless braids rely on hair that’s fed in as you go. This puts less stress on your natural hair and creates less tension. People love knotless braids because:
- Because there’s less tugging and pulling–they’re practically painless.
- There’s much less breakage involved in the braiding
- They’re not as heavy on your head
- They’re wonderful for fine hair
If you’re prone to headaches or your hair is thinning, knotless braids vs box braids can provide relief while looking stylish at the same time.
#13 Micro Braids
As the name implies, micro braids are tiny, delicate braids. They’re so small that they can look like regular strands of hair. They’re time-consuming to put in, but can last for up to eight weeks when properly cared for. You’ll want to have an experienced stylist do them for you as improper installation can lead to damaged hair.
#14 Senegalese Twists
We love this unique style. Your hair will be divided into sections just like it would for box braids. However, the sections are only divided into two pieces instead of three. These two sections are twisted together rather than braided with the extension pieces fed into the twists.
The one con of this style is it’s more prone to coming undone than the others since twist braids are less secure than conventionally braided hair.
#15 Stitch Braids
The last braid style on our list is the stitch braid. This style uses an alternating pattern of thick and thin braids to create a stunning look. Your hair is divided into five to seven sections. Between each of these thicker sections, you’ll leave a thin segment. Then each part is braided close to the head. The result resembles Ghana braids but with the variation of the thin braids in between the bigger ones.
There you have it—the looks we’re loving for 2021. To achieve your perfect style, you’ll need to make sure you pick something that works for your hair. Don’t just pick a popular braid style because it’s on trend. It would help if you also had an experienced stylist who would ensure that your braids are installed correctly and will last for a long time.
Elevate Your Look with StyleSeat
There are so many gorgeous Black braided hairstyles to choose from. The trick is to know your hair’s specific features and how it’ll react to each braid style. But because these hairstyles are intricate, it can be challenging to determine how to find a good hair braider on your own. At StyleSeat, we connect you with professional stylists who know all the latest looks and will give you advice on the best options for your hair.
You can use our online booking app to search for qualified stylists or a hair salon in your area, see what services they offer, and even book an appointment that works for your schedule. Get started today and finish 2021 with a brand new style.
Sources:
Amplify Africa. The Rich History of Braids. https://www.amplifyafrica.org/post/the-rich-history-of-braids
Refinery29. What You Need to Know Before Getting Box Braids. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/box-braids#slide-1
Onchek. 6 Popular Braiding Styles and Their True Origin. https://www.onchek.com/theinsight/6-popular-braiding-styles-their-true-origin
Carol’s Daughter. 25 Stunning Braided Hairstyles for Natural Hair. https://www.carolsdaughter.com/blog/hair/braids/braided-hairstyles-for-natural-hair.html
Curl Centric. Crochet Braids. https://www.curlcentric.com/crochet-braids/
Naturally Curly. The Difference Between Faux Locs and Loc Extensions, According to a Professional. https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/the-difference-between-faux-locs-and-loc-extensions-according-to-a-professional-bi
I Want You To Know. How to Choose the Perfect Braids (if You’re a Little Bit Clueless). https://iwantyoutoknow.co.uk/2017/10/how-to-choose-best-braids-for-afro-hair-texture.html
Curl Centric. Ghana Braids. https://www.curlcentric.com/ghana-braids/
Curl Centric. Goddess Braids. https://www.curlcentric.com/goddess-braids/
Hair.com. Micro-braid Styles. https://www.hair.com/micro-braid-styles.html
