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Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to wear my hair braided.

Classic Box Braids

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Classicbox braidsare always a good idea.

long braids portrait

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These braids work on all hair typesand it doesn’t take much effort or tools to achieve the look.

Byrdie Tip

Channel Kelly Rowland’s jumbo-sized ponytail in a few easy steps.

Complete with a tiny rubber band at the end.

Ebonee Davis with a braided cornrows and curly puffs at the 2019 Diaspora Dialogues Live in Los Angeles

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Braided Lob

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Danai Gurira is the queen of versatility.

From the beads to the finishing afro puff, everything about this style feels fresh and absolutely stunning.

Braided Locs

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Chloe and Halle Bailey always showcase the versatility of locs.

Zendaya with brown box braids at the 2020 Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California

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Here, a couple of mini braids and satin headbands help the duo’sbeehivestyles shine.

Throw in some hair charms of your choice and you’re good to go!

My personal favorite is a bright red lip and dewy skin.

Kelly Rowland with a jumbo-sized, jet-black high ponytail and a one-shoulder black latex dress

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Don’t be afraid to frame the face with loose pieces of hair to add texture.

you’re able to wear her cornrowed crown with the back of your hair pulled up or down.

She completed her ‘do with sleek, swirly edges.

Danai Gurira in a braided lob at the 2019 ‘Vanity Fair’ Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California

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Micro-Mini Braids

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Zoe Kravitz is the queen of rockingmicro braidsover the years.

She also used a bit of gel to style her edges as a final touch.

Any of the 26 styles above are great options for natural hair.

Tia Mowry in a braided topknot hairstyle at the 2014 Actor’s Fund in Hollywood, California

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One that can easily be done at home is cornrows.

They are an easy natural braided hairstyle that can be worn for just about any occasion.

Yara Shahidi with Fulani braids with multicolored beads and curly puffy bun

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Lupita Nyong’o in a braided updo at the 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles

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Tracee Ellis Ross in an ultra-long braided cornrows and a bright green suit

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Chloe and Halle Bailey posed together with braided locs and black headbands

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Gabrielle Union in a black one-piece bathing suit and side-parted box braids with brown beads

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Woman with natural twisted hairstyle with gold charms all over

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Amandla Stenberg with short copper brown and silver box braids cut into a bob

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Tessa Thompson in a printed blue and green mini dress and brown braided crown hairstyle

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Zoë Kravitz with sleek braided back cornrows at the 2019 Met Gala in New York City

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Beyoncé wearing middle-parted honey brown Fulani brads at the 2016 BET Awards in Los Angeles

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Skai Jackson wearing box braids in a high topknot bun

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Ciara wearing a messy golden blonde and brown braided crown hairstyle at the H&M Fall/Winter 2016/2017 show at Paris Fashion Week

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Serena Williams sitting near the water with a braided cornrow scalp and a voluminous curly ponytail

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Kehlani wearing a low braided bun

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Alicia Keys wearing an elaborate twisted topknot bun and braided cornrows on the sides at the 2024 Tony Awards in New York City

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Ayo Edebiri wearing side-parted box braids into a casual pinned-back updo at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California

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Zoë Kravitz wearing middle-parted micro braids at the 2023 reopening of The Landmark at Tiffany & Co in New York City

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Justine Skye wearing middle-parted micro box braids into a low bun at the 2024 Billboard Women In Music Awards in Inglewood, California

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Normani wearing long goddess braids and a burgundy blazer set at the 2024 Variety Sundance Studio event in Park City, Utah

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Willow Smith wearing a knitted crop top sweater and long box braids into two pigtails at the Acne Studios Fall/Winter 2024/2025 show at Paris Fashion Week

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Tyla wearing cornrows into a high ponytail at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles

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