Long box braids are a protective braiding hairstyle with box-shaped divisions at the roots, typically from chest to waist-length. You must agree that this traditional African women’s braiding hairstyle couldn’t look hotter without added length!
Celebrity fashion figures Zoe Kravitz, Kehlani, and Jordyn Woods sported dramatic box braid looks, from jumbo box braids to beaded center-part styles to cutesy rainbow-dyed box braids, and they had us dreaming about them! Beads, metallic cuffs, and fashion colors are only a few iterations to make your braids extra fashionable and one-of-a-kind.
Natural hair specialist and braid artist Angela Perrantes displays her different take on this versatile hairstyle. The styles you can do daily are endless, from updos to side braids to half-up-half-downs!
You don’t need to worry about maintaining it, as only a few steps need to be done – protecting your hair at night when you sleep, keeping your scalp moisturized, and washing it a few times every week. If you get these things right, these braids can be yours for about 6-8 weeks.
Before your next hair appointment, check out these photos of the prettiest long box braids hairstyle ideas.
#1: Long Bohemian Braids with No Bangs
These modern box-braided hairstyles are perfect for black ladies of all ages. These braids have an intricate grid pattern and attention to detail. Box braids offer plenty of length, movement, and bounce that is effortless. Style your newly healthy braids for maximum impact. Add accessories like gems, beaded bands, or ribbons to wear your hair uniquely. Achieve neatly parted and braided box braids by seeking a professional hair braider. They can help you decide what size and length are best for you.
#2: Long Box Braids with Loose Curls
Looking for a stylish and versatile hairstyle that combines the elegance of long box braids with the added flair of loose curls? Look no further than this trendy and eye-catching look. These braids are a chic option for black women who want a low-maintenance hairstyle that still makes a statement. The loose curls add volume and movement to the braids, giving them a fun and playful vibe. This hairstyle works best for women with medium to long hair and provides a great option for various occasions.
#3: Black and Platinum Long Braids
Take a cool approach in your next color selection and try black and platinum long braids in your next protective style. Instead of shying away from greys, embrace them and rock a cool ombre with platinum color pop, even if it is faux color. If you want longer braids with an ombre effect, start with a solid black color. Then add in ombre hair, or use a matching grey color at the ends for extra length. Wash your braids when they become full of product or residue to keep them clean.
#4: Long Box Braids with Gorgeous Curled Ends
Elevate your long box braids with gorgeous curled ends for a chic, effortless look. This hairstyle is perfect for black women wanting a low-maintenance option. To achieve this look, you’ll need to use flexi rods to curl the ends of your braids. Not only does it add a touch of femininity to your hairstyle, but it also adds a bit of volume and bounce. Remember to give your hair a break after 6 to 8 weeks to avoid damage.
#5: Amazing Green and Black Long Braids
Get into these green and black long-box braids. They are a trendy and playful hairstyle because of the color blocking. These braids offer versatility. Style them into a high ponytail or leave them down. They’re an ideal option for women looking for a low-maintenance style. Box braids are an excellent protective style if you want longevity. And the addition of green hair adds a fun twist to the classic look. When getting box braids, it’s important to ask for a light hand to install them to ensure they aren’t too tight.
#6: Pink Box Braids
Long pink box braids are an excellent way for Black women to add vibrancy and personality to their hair. This hairstyle offers a unique but beautiful look for most face shapes. If you’re looking for a way to showcase your fun side, this hairstyle is perfect. Avoid keeping the braids in for more than 6 to 8 weeks, as doing so can lead to damaged hair. For edge maintenance at home, use an edge control product. Try Style Factor Edge Booster and a small brush tool to keep your baby hair looking polished and neat.
#7: Gorgeous Ginger Box Braids
These gorgeous ginger box braids might be the best red braided style ever! If you want to try this fiery style, you might want to book a consultation with your stylist first. This will ensure that you choose the right shade of red for your skin tone.
#8: Defined Box Braids
Get more precise and spice up your look with long defined box braids! These braids are perfect for black women who want a trendy braided hairstyle. A defined box braid is achieved by using precise sections. They are created with a steady hand, product, and a small tooth comb. And they result in a sharper and crisper appearance. Ask for a high ponytail, a half up half down style, or wear them down to show off the length when trying different styles. Remember that it’s important to take out your box braids after six to eight weeks to avoid any damage.
#9: Beautiful Very Long Box Braids
One of the most versatile styles for black women is beautiful, very long box braids. To elevate the braids, you can use a wide range of colored braid hair and finish the ends with flexi rods to curl the ends. The best and easiest way to have them installed is by getting knotless box braids. It’s lighter in weight and flexible to be pulled up or down into any style.
#10: Long Gypsy Box Braids
Long gypsy box braids are the perfect mashup of box braids and gypsy curls for women who love a full head of hair. If you have shoulder-length or shorter hair, your braider can make the braids shorter, and the curly ends longer. This will give you a full gypsy curl experience. Avoid using synthetic hair since it can’t tolerate heat, water, or product for upkeep.
#11: Waste-Length Caramel Box Braids
Waist-length caramel box braids are a versatile hairstyle choice for black women. Creating a half-up, half-down style is a great way to wear them. Add a few braids wrapped around the base of your ponytail. It’s simple, and you can ask for ideas on how to style them elegantly for dress-up events. It works well with any face shape, as its versatility can be designed to tailor to your face shape. Be aware of how long you keep them installed. It’s important to remember that box braids should be removed after 6-8 weeks. This is to prevent product build-up and to cleanse your natural hair.
#12: Long Big Box Braids
The angels must smile upon you because of that heavenly box braiding hair idea! A thick long hairstyle with box braids would look nice with some hair gems at the front for a face-framing effect.
#13: Long Blonde Box Braids
Take those dark roots and twist them into long golden blonde box braids. Add beads and strings for the ultimate boho look, or keep them natural, as shown above.
#14: Small Long Box Braids
A detailed pattern like these small box braids on long hair deserves a long canvas. Feel free to style these waist-length box braids in a low ponytail with beads and cuffs to create a boho look.
#15: Long Fulani Box Braids
Long fulani box braids are one of this year’s trendiest braid styles. Ask your braider to tuck your natural hair to avoid dyeing your hair. This will make the color more prominent. With Fulani tribal style braids, the individual locks let you wear your hair in various styles. Try buns, ponytails, or letting it all hang long.
#16: Small Boho Box Braids
When small boho box braids with curls are requested, they can be a great way to make a statement. Flattering and fun, these braids look beautiful on all face shapes and hair textures. To achieve this look, use smaller sections of hair when creating the individual boxes for more intricate details. If you want to avoid frizz or flyaways, use an anti-frizz product after styling your boho braids.
#17: Long Braids with a Middle Part
Long box braids hairstyles are flattering and versatile. With a middle part, I’ve found that these braids give off a beautiful yet edgy vibe. For those with thicker hair, I suggest using smaller sections when creating the braid to ensure they stay light and lighter. To keep long braids hairstyles looking fresh and neat throughout the day, try spritzing some hairspray on your hands and lightly running them along each strand of the braids.
#18: Trendsetting Large Box Braids
To get some trendsetting large box braids, you’ll need hair accessories. One of the best ways to sharpen the standard box braid style is to wear them in jet black. The black seems to give a more sleek look. To help create a trend, get creative with hair jewelry and string on your braids.
#19: Goddess-Like Box Braids
If you’re looking for a goddess-like hairstyle, I’ve found that long box braids can help you make a statement. Ask for the style to be done in an intricate pattern with added texture and color accents to create a flattering hairdo. Use hair products like gel and oil sheen to moisturize the braids throughout the day to ensure your look is neat. With this simple yet stunning style, you’ll turn heads wherever you go!
#20: Long Braids with a Subtle Side Part
If you’re wearing individuals, long braids with a subtle side part are timeless. Mirrored to fall as if it was your natural hair, you must wear the part where your natural part falls. If you didn’t know, you can comb your hair straight back and allow it to fall to see where the part is.
#21: Extra Long Box Braids
Extra-long box braids are one of the simplest and most versatile styles. Plus, they are for women with the least amount of upkeep required. Did you know these super long box braids can be installed using the crochet method? It saves time in the chair, but the disadvantage of crochet is the limited mobility of the style.
#22: Long Knotless Braids
Long knotless braids are a protective style that can last up to 8 weeks before needing re-touched. If you need to figure out what size and length are best, ask your braider to test the strength of your natural hair. I advise ladies to consider these long skinny box braids to avoid them if their hair is weak.
#23: Stunning Long Box Braided Hair
Surprisingly, long box braided hair is a vacation style suitable for all hair types. It’s one of the best protective styles because of its minimal tension. Add some hair jewelry and string for some extra jazz if you can.
#24: Amazing Waste-Length Braids
Wearing waist-length braids is always a safe choice when deciding how to wear your braids. If your hair is in the midst of a growth journey, I suggest box braids. They last for months, have so much styling versatility, and are a great protective choice.
#25: Long Burgundy Braids in a High Pony
Consider getting long burgundy braids worn down or in a high pony. Knotless braids, an updated version of box braids, are in high demand. Because they’re lightweight and versatile, women can obtain these types of braids and continue to get different styles at home or the salon for a few months! This is an excellent choice for low-maintenance styling with endless styling options.
#26: Long Box Braids with Blonde Ends
Long box braids with blonde ends are an easy go-to protective style. Because of its versatility to be worn in multiple styles, I would choose this look for a long-term braid style. Remember that the universal rule is to have your hair tucked in box braids. This is key to longevity and protection.
#27: Long Light Brown Gypsy Braids
Consider getting long light brown gypsy braids as another close option to knotless goddess braids. Because these are traditional box braids, you can usually wear your hair longer. Remember that the curls are best with human hair, as this will help with longevity.
#28: Chunky Long Box Braids
Looking like lady Rihanna! You better work, work, work those chunky long box braids in, honey!
#29: Long Box Braids with Blue and Pink Hues
Long box braids with blue and pink hues are perfect for an adventurous, protective hairstyle. Experiment with colors you always wanted to try without the commitment while you enjoy the versatility of long box braids.
#30: Brown Ombre Box Braids
Brown ombré box braids will get you that color you want without the commitment. Long box braids and the transition from adding brown ombré add flair to the overall look.
#31: Boxy Micro Braids for African American Women
Try boxy micro braids for African-American women to wear trendy protective hairstyles. Micro braids require time to install and remove. These braids are best suited for women with medium to thick hair to preserve the hair follicles.
#32: Long Box Braids with Curly Ends
After going for a tidied-up long box braid, add some pizzazz at the end, leaving the curls all loose and fabulous. Keeping your box braids long will give you versatility, for sure.
#33: Long Box Braids with Shaved Sides
Perk up your look with these blonde box braids for long hair! Leave it to a braided bun updo on top of the head. Keep your small box braids long to achieve the bulky updo. Add hair tattoos to make you shine, too.
#34: Long Bob with Box Braids
A long box braided bob with golden cuffs and string? If you’re a girl with a round face shape, keep the length a few inches beyond the shoulder area for an elongating effect.
#35: Long Jumbo Box Braids
To add to the party, use extensions, beads, or strings for the ultimate long box braids hairstyle. Short braids are fun, but wait ’til you rock longer hairstyles.
#36: Long Medium Box Braids
You can pancake chunky braids to achieve these long box braids with long hair. Flatten them out to make them wider, thus a little bit bigger.
#37: Long Crochet Box Braids
The fellas would want to align with your gorgeous long box braid locks! A little box braiding goes a long way when you combine box braids and curly crochet braids.
#38: Long Triangle Box Braids
Get creative with some tri-pointed waist-grazing box braids on your locks! The more patterns, the better, right?
This look is what professional braider Yaki of Windsor Mill, MD, would call the triangle part box braids. They are waist-length and range in pricing from $160 to $200, depending on size and length.
Yaki says, “The best thing about these long box braids is it doesn’t take long to do like most of the styles like regular box braids and cornrows.”
These braids look amazing on all hair types, from 1 to 4c hair. The braid style eliminates having to wake up every morning and struggle with getting your hair ready for the day.
Yaki adds, “This style can last for up to 2 months depending on your routine of maintaining the style, meaning wrapping your hair at night with a scarf can help keep it looking fresh.”
#39: Long Box Braids with Beads
This hairstyle features three-stranded long box braids that start from being thick to having small fine strands at the ends to bring out that gorgeous shape. The best thing about box braids is the way the shape of the boxes looks and the fact that the braids are flexible right from day one, with an additional touch of beads on the braids, look, goddess!
An example for black girls with natural hair is – heat does not work with natural hair, as we all know. Therefore, they must use a heat protector on their hair before drying. In this way, the heat doesn’t damage the hair. Styling is one important part. Styles like up-ties (ponytails), lazy buns, or just simple buns are must-do styles. They save you so much time.
#40: Long Box Braids on Red Hair
These red long box braids are what is known as a protective style. It can be done on any hair type. Dressed down or dressed up, it’s suited for all occasions. It’s the perfect vacation hair.
“My favorite thing about this long hairstyle is its flexibility and longevity. It also promotes hair growth,” says braider Natalia Moses of Trinidad and Tobago.
Moses advises ladies to avoid pulling on their edges or hairline too tightly when styling long box braid hairstyles, which can cause hair loss. If you have a very active lifestyle, Moses also suggests getting them lightweight, as they can be heavy depending on how it’s done.
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