For Black women, styles likebox braids,cornrows, andFulani braidsofferprotective stylingand a way to switch things up.

Byrdie Tip

Looking to keep your braids looking fresh for longer?

This helps remove oils and impurities that accumulate at the scalp and on the hair," she says.

Jasmine Sanders, Gabrielle Union, and Ciara with Braided Hairstyles for Long Hair

Getty Images / Byrdie

“At night, wrap your braids in a silk bonnet or scarf to protect them from friction.

Fulani Braids

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

Fulani braidsare perfect for protecting long coils.

Channel your innerAlicia Keysand add beads or gold accessories for some extra oomph.

Zendaya with box braids at the 2021 CFDA Awards in New York City

Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

It also gives off a veryBarbievibe, which is right on trend these days.

To keep your look in place, secure your bun with Scunci’s Curved Bobby Pins.

Don’t forget to wrap a couple of braids around the base of your ponytail for some depth.

Gabrielle Union with long braids and a center part at the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports event in Santa Monica, California

Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images

Want to keep your braids in tip-top shape, control flyaways,andcare for your scalp?

“One of my favorite products for braids is LEAF + FLOWER CBD Phyto-Molecular Oil.

I apply some to my fingertips while braiding for shine and control while minimizing flyaways,” she says.

Alicia Keys with Fulani braids at the 2005 Black Ball in New York City

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

They show off your hair texture and allow the look to feel more lived-in.

Braided Crown

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Haven’t had the time to wash your hair?

Use it to your advantage and go for a look that makes use of your less-than-clean strands.

Bella Hadid with long Dutch braids at the her Paper Magazine New York City release party in 2019

Thaddaeus McAdams / Getty Images

Your natural oils and grity texture will make stylishly tucking your hair away a breeze.

Let Oribe’s Superfine Hairspray be your assistant to lock in this look, but keep the messy texture.

Pro tip: Wrap some hair around your hair tie to elevate your look instantly.

Jasmine Sanders with a long blonde braided high ponytail at the 2018 Bella Hadid x True Religion Event Campaign Party in Los Angeles

Presley Ann / Getty Images

If your hair is straight, use a curling wand to add some movement.

Grab one, and you could recreateZoe Kravitz’s look in no time.

Cornrowed Finger Waves

We still think about this Beyonce look often.

Cara Delevingne with a braided and twisted hairstyle at the Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2021/2022 show in Paris, France

Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

With the right stylist, thesefinger-wavedcornrows are totally attainable.

An XXL braid with the help of some hair extensions looks extra special.

This style is one of Olivia’s favorites.

Issa Rae with a braided bun hairstyle at the 2022 Producers Guild Awards in Los Angeles

Momodu Mansaray / Getty Images

Use a hair tie the same color as your hair to create the ponytail.

Secure the hair with bobby pins so it stays.”

Braided Locs

Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

Chloe continuously reminds us thatlocsare both beautifulandversatile.

Kelly Rowland with her braids pulled into a ponytail at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah

Cindy Ord / Getty Images

If you have locs, try adding some extensions to create braided hairstyles.

I recommend oiling your scalp twice a week to avoid itching and dry scalp.

Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil is my go-to."

Tessa Thompson with long Dutch braids and slicked-down baby hairs at the 2019 Refinery 29 ‘Little Woods’ Los Angeles premiere

Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images

Switching up which side you part your hair on is an easy way to refresh your style.

check that to leave out some face-framing strands to complete the look.

We especially love the gold accessories at the end of the braids that take the look up a notch.

Laura Harrier with long braided hair in a ponytail at the 2019 RCGD Celebration in Beverly Hills, California

Robin Marchant / Getty Images

Braided Bows

Every day presents a new way to style braided hair.

Take a look at Chloe Sevigny’scoquettespin at the 2024 Met Gala.

She wore a braided bun and elevated it with a braided bow to match on the side.

Lucy Hale with a braided crown hairstyle at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles

Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images

Braided Double Buns

Willow Smith is constantly reinventing the braided wheel.

During Paris Fashion Week, the pop star wore her box braids in two symmetrical space buns.

Complete the look by styling your edges.

Shay Mitchell with a fishtail braid at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Sculptural Braided Updo

A basic high bun isn’t the only way to stylebox braids.

She left out a few face-framing braids on the side to complete the look.

Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock embraced the two-toned look in 2023, mixing her dark hair with copper-brown extensions.

Blake Lively with a braided high ponytail at the 2009 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Janelle Monáe with an accessorized low braid at the Balmain Fall/Winter 2020/2021 runway show in Paris, France

Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

Ciara with a loose fishtail braid at the Givenchy Fall/Winter 2016/2017 runway show in Paris, France

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Lucy Liu with a half French-braided crown and long fishtail braid at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California

Steve Granitz / Getty Images

A close up of Julissa Calderon’s baby hair and blonde ombré cornrows at the 2021 Latin Heat Entertainment Latin Talent celebration in Los Angeles

Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

Zoe Kravitz with small braids in a bun at the 2021 Met Gala in New York City

Taylor Hill / Getty Images

Solange wearing a leopard-printed scarf with her braids at the 2011 Macy’s Bar III Brand and Pop Up Store Launch in New York City

Henry S. Dziekan III  / Getty Images

Beyoncé with long braids and a finger wave at the 2019 ‘Lion King’ premiere in Hollywood, California

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Rapper Latto with a long blonde braid at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City

Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images

Lilly Collins with a sleek braided crown hairstyle at the 2018 Governors Awards in Hollywood, California

Frederick M. Brown  / Getty Images

Yara Shahidi with a dramatic braided pigtail hairstyle at the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards in Los Angeles

Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

Chloe Bailey with braided locs wrapped in gold wire at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada

Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

Halle Bailey with her locs braided into pigtails at the 2018 ‘Black Panther’ Los Angeles premiere

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Chriselle Lim wearing a long braided ponytail at the Fendi Fall/Winter 2023/2024 runway show in Milan, Italy

Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

Colombian rapper Farina wearing long blonde cornrows at the 2022 Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada

Denise Truscello / Getty Images

A close up of Susan Kelechi Watson with micro braids at the 2019 ‘This Is Us’ Pancakes with the Pearsons event in West Hollywood, California

Rachel Luna/Getty Images

Cecilia Bertozzi wearing a messy side braid at the 2023 Venice Film Festival

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Tia Mowry wearing long goddess braids at the 2023 ‘Essence’ Black Women In Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles

Arnold Turner/Getty Images

Lexi Underwood wearing long, blonde goddess braids at the 2023 Variety Power of Young Hollywood event in Hollywood, California

Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

Alicia Hannah-Kim wearing side-parted cornrows at the 2023 ‘Joy Ride’ Los Angeles premiere

Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

Xochitl Gomez wearing pigtail braids with gold flower pins at the 2023 Latino Film Festival in Los Angeles

Steven Simione / Getty Images

Chloë Sevigny with a braided blonde bow hairstyle at the 2024 Met Gala in New York City

Taylor Hill / Getty Images

Willow Smith with box braids tied into two high buns at the Vetements Fall/Winter 2024/2025 runway show in Paris, France

Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

Tia Mowry with intricate braided cornrows at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles

Frazier Harrison / Getty Images

Emma Chamberlain with two long braids and ribbons all over at the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2024 runway show in Paris, France

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Danai Gurira with a sculptural braided updo that the 2024 Tony Awards in New York City

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

Taylor Swift with side-swept, side-parted hair and one long braided in the back at the 2024 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images

Leigh-Anne Pinnock with long black and brown ombré box braids at the 2023 Jingle Bell Ball in London, England

Karwai Tang / Getty Images