Blonde Braids with Ponytail

12 Pretty African American Braided Hairstyles

‘Black’ hair is back, ladies, and the new, 21st century African-American braided hairstyles are hot, hot, hot! This time, there’s a fabulous cross-over between the mainstream trend for braids and the latest African American braided styles.

So with international hair-designs using asymmetric braid details to fabulise (okay, I just made that word up!) mainstream short, medium and long styles,it’s good to know they’re copying us – for a change!

Classy rope braids

The new generation of African American braided hairstyles have something to offer every fashion style and are not just anchored to one fashion look. I must admit that one of my all-time favourites are rope braids, they look sensational on long or medium hair!

Crochet Box Braids

To me, they always look ultra-modern and classy and, as they are broader than ‘corn row’ braids, they don’t create so much tension on your hair – so it’s a great protective style as well.

Mixing it up!

I love the way that hair designers are now starting to ‘mix up’ different textures and styles to create something completely fresh in today’s African American braided hairstyles.

For instance, try a centre-parting with braids on either side for just a couple of inchesand then curl the rest of your hair in pretty, curly ringlets. This works best on a layered haircut and you can adapt it to suit medium or long hair for a totally gorgeous face-framing look for a special date!

Blonde Braids with Ponytail

Unconventional and chic

Modern styling is themed around looks that are ‘unconventional’ and ‘asymmetrical’, so that opens up a huge range of imaginative African American braided hairstyles.

African-American Braided Hairstyles

I’ve seen side partings with slender braids radiating out from the parting and around the head in beautifully-made curves, with a lovely looped bun, hair knot or big, smooth glossy curls at the back. The contrasting textures look fantastic in this chic, sophisticated style!

Exciting new patterns

The full-head African American braided styles are gorgeous, imaginative and full of new patterns! For instance, the Celtic spiral design is popular along with asymmetrical geometrical diamonds, triangles and unusual squares in all sorts of fresh looks.

Box Braids Hair Styles with Accessorize

Curves and spirals can move around the head in an upward direction, so the ends can be tucked under a super-cool braided quiff above the forehead!

African American braided hairstyles banned by U.S. military!

Is this going to be a lasting trend? Yes, definitely! I know this because the U.S. military has, this year, actually banned African American braided hairstyles that have ‘more than two braids’ for female soldiers!

And that definitely shows it’s a hugely popular trend in the U.S.!

Box Braids

Jumbo Box Braids

Neat and Flat Crochet Box Braids

African Hair Braiding

Natural Hair Daily

summer protective Hair Style

African American Hairstyles with Braids

Brown Box Braids

So if you’re ready to have some fun with your natural hair – browse our up-to-the-minute Pophaircuts.com gallery of amazing African American braided hairstyles for 21st century style fans!

Filed Under: Afro Hairstyles Tagged With: , ,
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