Beautiful Braided Hairstyles for Natural Hair

The thing about plaits is that not only are they pretty much fuss-free, but the style options. are endless. Box braids, crown braids, short and long cornrows, there are hundreds of types of braids to prefer from. It all comes down to your style and what’s trending. Whether you’re a newbie or a regular looking for some fresh takes for your tresses, here are 25 of the best braids for natural hair (for each curl type) that can inspire your next braiding session. 

How to Pick Your Braids

Like any other natural hair look, choosing a braid style is very personal. However, there are a few universal notes to keep in mind before locking into any particular look. Braids are super practical, but some styles hold up better than others. Think through when and how you’ll be wearing them.

Consider whether or not your braids will get wet. If you’re braiding with extension hair and going to be in and out of a pool or the ocean, opt for braids that will hide your natural hair securely within. When you braid your hair, it stretches out your natural curl with each braid. So, unusually with textured hair, once the braids get wet, your natural texture will shrink back up within the style. You may notice it more if your natural hair is on the shorter side, but pieces of your hair may start to peak through the braided hair. It’ll look fuzzy or frizzy on top and going down the braid. This most often happens with a style like cornrows that sits close to your scalp.

The same considerations should be taken if you exercise. Braids are great for keeping your natural hair in place when working up a sweat, but certain styles can also frizz up once your body temperature spikes. Also, if you don’t want too much-added weight when working out, consider a chunkier sized braid like a jumbo ponytail braid or a crown braid. This may sound counterintuitive, but the tinier and more dense your braids are, the heavier your overall style will be—and extra weight may mean more sweating.

Originally Published: https://www.vingle.net/posts/2944220