Braids black hairstyle types cover a remarkably wide range of looks, from individual braids such as box braids and knotless braids to scalp-braided styles such as cornrows, Ghana braids, and Fulani braids.
Some styles are rooted in specific African cultures, while others are modern combinations or variations developed within Black hair culture.
It is also worth separating braid type from braid technique, size, pattern, and finish.
For example, knotless describes how extensions are incorporated, while jumbo describes the size.
Boho describes a finish involving loose pieces, while cornrows describe braids attached closely to the scalp.
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Table of Contents
Braids Black Hairstyle Types #1. Box Braids
Box braids are individual three-strand braids created from sections that are usually square or rectangular.
Unlike cornrows, they are not attached to the scalp, so the braids hang freely.
They can be:
- Jumbo
- Large
- Medium
- Small
- Micro
- Waist-length
- Bob-length
- Coloured
- Ombre
- Curly-ended
Box braids became particularly visible in mainstream popular culture during the 1990s, although the underlying African braiding traditions are much older.
One reason they remain popular is the number of ways they can be styled after installation.
You can wear them loose, put them into a ponytail, create buns, make half-up styles, or arrange them into other updos.
Braids Black Hairstyle Types #2. Knotless Braids
Knotless braids look similar to box braids but are installed differently.
With conventional box braids, the extension hair is commonly anchored at the beginning of the braid, creating a noticeable knot or bulk at the root. With knotless braids, the stylist begins with the person’s own hair and gradually feeds extension hair into the braid.
The result is generally a flatter, less bulky beginning and a more gradual transition from natural hair to extension hair.
Knotless braids can also be made in different sizes and lengths, so knotless doesn’t describe one particular appearance. It describes the installation method.
Hairstyles Plaits Braids for Black Women #3. Cornrows
Cornrows are braids worked closely along the scalp. They can be arranged in straight rows, curves, zigzags, geometric patterns, or elaborate designs.
Cornrows have a long history in Africa and across the African diaspora.
They have served practical, aesthetic, cultural, and social purposes.
Hairstyles in different African communities could communicate information about identity, age, status, or significant life events.
Modern cornrows can be very simple or extremely elaborate. You might see:
- Straight-back cornrows
- Curved cornrows
- Zigzag cornrows
- Feed-in cornrows
- Stitch cornrows
- Cornrow designs
- Cornrow ponytails
- Cornrows combined with individual braids
Black Plaited Head Styles #4. Feed-In Braids
Feed-in braids are created by gradually adding extension hair as the braid progresses.
This allows the braid to begin relatively small and then become thicker.
Feed-in is therefore primarily a braiding technique, rather than one single hairstyle.
For example, a stylist can use feed-in technique to create several straight-back cornrows or a more elaborate patterned hairstyle.
This technique is particularly useful when you want the beginning of the braid to look relatively flat and natural rather than having a large amount of extension hair attached immediately at the hairline.
5. Ghana Braids
Ghana braids are a family of scalp-braided styles associated with Ghanaian hair-braiding traditions.
They are sometimes called banana braids or invisible braids.
They tend to be thicker than very fine cornrows and can be created in sweeping patterns, straight rows, curves, or elaborate arrangements.
A common characteristic is the way the braid can gradually become fuller as extension hair is incorporated.
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