27 Braided Summer Hairstyles to Ask for at Your Next Hair Appointment (2024)

Just a few of the stunning ways to wear your crowning glory.

By Bianca Kratky and Ashleigh Ashton
27 Braided Summer Hairstyles to Ask for at Your Next Hair Appointment (1)

There is something powerful—almost magical—about switching up your hairstyle. That salon chair is known to transform women into new beings with fired-up ambitions. Your beautiful hair is an extension of your your personality, and we're lucky to know an infinite amount of ways to style it.

Braided hairstyles are gorgeous ways to switch up your look and play with different identities. Not only are they versatile (seriously, there's no shortage of ways you can braid your hair), but they are protective styles for Black women and men to prevent sun damage, which makes them a go-to style for the beach, vacations, and general summer cool. And while there's no shortage of ways you can twist and turn those strands, sometimes an overwhelming amount of options is just that: overwhelming. So to make decisions more easy for you, we've rounded up 27 braided hairstyles to bring to your hairstylist or to try out at home.

Whether you choose to go the goddess braid style that never fails to make you look like royalty or a classic boxed braid look, and whether you opt for thick or slim braids, the following 27 braided hairstyles will have you fully marveling at the beauty staring back at you in the mirror.

1

Small Knotless Ultra-long Box Braids

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Give them inches on inches of long knotless braids—a look that is guaranteed to reel in tons of attention. Not only does this look have longevity, but it's easy to style and creates less tension to the scalp.

2

Messy High Ponytail

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Blake Lively is known to have stunned in a few showstopping braided looks in her career, but none have left a splash like this messy ponytail.

3

Heart-Shaped Feed-Ins

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A really talented hairstylist will be able to create shapes and designs through feed-in braids. Hearts, stars, and boxes are just a few to get you started.

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4

Short & Big Box Braids with Curly Ends

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Opt for a thicker braid, and finish the ends in cute little curls—a great option if you don't have as much time on your hands to create smaller braids.

5

Classic Box Braids

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Naturally, the next look is the classic box braids. These slim braids take tons of skilled handwork and can be considered a true work of art.

6

Loose French Braids with Open Ends

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A cute, classic, and easy look to recreate are loose French braids. Just braid one on either side of your head and tie them closed at the nape of your neck.

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7

Classic Braided Ponytail

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Something about whipping around a long braided ponytail just feels extraordinarily powerful. This classic staple is a go-to for Black women.

8

Boho Goddess Box Braids

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The boho goddess box braids, sometimes referred to as "Lisa Bonet braids," are a natural plait hairstyle with loose ends. Tie it up or let it all hang loosely around you.

9

Feed-In Braided Ponytail

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Feed-in braids never fail to look fierce. Particularly when braided up into a high ponytail, you've got one killer crown to show off.

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10

Upside-Down Dutch Braided Space Buns

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Space buns are cute on their own, but when you can have a Dutch braid leading up to them, then they're just straight up showstopping.

11

Classic Knotless Braids

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Let those knotless braids curl up at the bottom for a stunning braided look. You can have your stylist braid in different colors to create an ombré effect as well.

12

Braided Updo

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These zigzag feed-in braids are quite a work of art. Collect those long braids into a beautiful updo on top of your head to recreate this look.

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13

Braided Side-Bun

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A popular wedding hairstyle, the braided side-bun is an enchanting look that helps keep all your hair up in an artistic way.

14

Jumbo Accessorized Braids

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It's all about the accessories in this one. Opt for jumbo braids that frame the face elegantly for a short-hair look.

15

Stitch Feed-In Braids

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Here's an old classic that's been remixed and modernized. The stitch feed-in braids are a remix of the early Y2K hairstyle of fishbone braids.

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16

Two-Toned Black with Blonde Box Braids

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Try mixing in a different color for a contrasting look. This can apply to all kinds of braiding and hairstyles as well.

17

Medium Bob Braids with Side Cornrows

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This one is a '90s-inspired look that's serving endless amounts of sultry sophistication. You can accessorize with a little bead in your hair to recreate the full look.

18

Braid Frame Ponytail

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Braid the sides of your hair, tie them together, twist and pull the rest of your hair through them. This is a cute and easy way to keep your hair out of your face as you run your daily errands.

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19

Braided Bantu Knots

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The braided Bantu knots are a Central and South African hairstyle that has transitioned into a modern day protective style for African Americans.

20

Half Zigzag Braids with Extended Box Braids

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Mix in a little color when you opt for extended box braids. The zigzag feed-in braids add a fun visual to opt for as well.

27 Braided Summer Hairstyles to Ask for at Your Next Hair Appointment (2024)

FAQs

What hair do I get for braids? ›

Best known for looking and feeling like human hair, Toyokalon braiding hair has a softer and silkier texture than other types of braiding hair. Unlike Kanekalon, Toyokalon braiding hair isn't crimped and is gentler on fingers when braiding. Toyokalon braiding hair is also more heat resistant than hair fibre.

What do your braids say about you? ›

Braids. Braids indicate that you are loyal to a fault and that your energy never wanes when it comes to protecting the ones you love. Sticks and stones certainly don't break your bones, but if you overhear someone picking on friends and family, you are the first to jump in to defend them.

How to do hair for summer? ›

SUMMER HAIRSTYLES TO KEEP YOU COOL IN HOT WEATHER
  1. Half-Up Top Knot. This casual style can be worn by anyone, from those with bobs to bottom-skimming locks. ...
  2. Messy Updo. ...
  3. Half Updo. ...
  4. Low Updo. ...
  5. Plait Updo. ...
  6. French Braid Updo. ...
  7. Braided Bun Updo. ...
  8. Bun Updo.

What braids make your hair the curliest? ›

If your hair is naturally wavy, a loose side braid will give you relaxed curls. If you have straight hair, try tight braids for more uniform waves. You can then maintain your curled hair so it looks polished and pretty.

What braids make your hair look thicker? ›

French Plait

French plaits are a quick, easy style to do. "You can literally part your hair down the middle and do a feed in for two cornrows on each side," says Sims. Parting your hair down the center and splitting the difference makes thin hair look thicker, and helps to cover up any patches.

What are two braids called? ›

In the context of hairstyles, the usage of the term pigtail (or twin tail or twintail) shows considerable variation. The term may refer to a single braid, but is more frequently used in the plural ("pigtails") to refer to twin braids on opposite sides of the head.

Do braids stress hair? ›

“For individuals with fine hair, larger braids may exert excessive weight on the strands,” the stylist explains. “Generally, medium-size braids are a safe choice, provided they are not overly heavy. The most harmful braids are those that are excessively tight and carry significant weight.”

Why do girls braid their hair? ›

Braids are a commonly adopted style to protect naturally thick and tightly curled hair from the effects of heat and humidity.

Why don't knotless braids last? ›

Knotless braids tend to get frizzier a lot faster than regular braids as they expose more natural hair at the root. So, if you're looking for a protective style that can last longer than two months, regular box braids are a better option.

Which is better, knotless or box braids? ›

If you want less scalp tension and better manageability, go for knotless braids. But if volume and longevity are at the top of your needs, then box braids are the better choice for you. Whichever look you go for, the great thing is both hairstyles is that they can be styled in very similar ways.

How many months should you keep your braids in? ›

The longer your braids stay in, the harder it might be to maneuver around the build up. Some people end up having to cut their hair after leaving braids on for too long. So how long is safe? I'd recommend 6 to 8 weeks and if you want to go longer, you have to really take good care of it to avoid a lot of breakage.

What hairstyle is good for summer? ›

What hairstyle is good for summer? A short bob or pixie cut is a great option for a summer haircut as it's easy to manage and won't make you feel too hot. If you prefer longer hair, a loose, beachy wave style is also a popular choice for a summery look.

What hair color is best for summer? ›

Summer Hair Color Trends
  1. Bright, buttery blonde. ...
  2. Cappuccino blonde (a.k.a. “bronde” hair) ...
  3. Brown toffee and strawberry brunette. ...
  4. Luxe brunette. ...
  5. Pastel peach. ...
  6. Crimson red and copper tones.

What is best for hair in summer? ›

Hair serum is the best way to protect your hair from heat and keep the split ends and frizz at bay. A small amount goes a long way, and leaves your hair with a shine that can be spotted from miles away. During the summer,hair serum also creates a barrier and keeps your hair protected from harsh UV rays and heat.

What is the best human hair for braiding? ›

There are two types of human hair – Indian Remi and yaki. It is down to preference and the desired result for which one you choose. Remi hair is considered the best grade for quality. It's sourced from a single (human) donor which means the cuticles are aligned in one direction.

Can 3b hair get braids? ›

Alternatively, you can go for a less-sleek micro-braid style, like Zoë Kravitz's signature look. “I usually redo them once a month and [sometimes] in between,” Zoë told Refinery29. She totally embraces the frizz along the way – and it looks magical. Jumbo box braids are another great option for 3b hair.

Can 3A hair get braids? ›

Absolutely! “All of the braid styles can be worn by 3A hair,” explains Ashley. Just be sure whichever style you choose isn't too tight or causes tension, which can lead to hair and/or scalp damage, and in severe cases, even hair loss.

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