A clean, perfectly aligned built-in weave is one of the hallmarks of a proper French braid. Photo credit: Dvora 2. French Braid They’re most often installed with extensions and come in various lengths, sizes, and colors (as you’ll see ahead). When creating the style, synthetic hair is braised into box-shaped parts of hair, achieving a longer style that forms a protective barrier around our natural strands. “When natural hair is over-manipulated, it tends to cause breakage, so a protective style like box braids protects it from being harmed,” says Ursula Stephen, celebrity hairstylist and global ambassador for Suave, Tresemmé, and Dove. You can step out with a braided crown or headband without going to the next level. Opt for careless beach waves instead of curls to embrace a more casual aesthetic. If you’re looking to keep your curls and get creative, this simply style is for you. Refresh day 4 curls and a few braids on the side of your head and you’re off! 7. Lemonade Braids Ponytail

There are so many ways to style micro braids. To achieve this curly look, use a curling iron to create ringlet curls on your braids. Just be sure your extensions are able to withstand heat! 7. Milkmaid Braid-Inspired Style Update your curly hairstyle with a milkmaid braid style. There are so many ways to style long curly hair, but of course, since we’re having a moment with braids and curls, we’re totally digging this Dutch crown braid style. 24. Tiny and Chunky Dutch Braids Give your Dutch braid a fun twist by creating this fishtail braid look. Paula L. W. Sabloff, ed. (2001). Modern Mongolia. Reclaiming Genghis Khan (1sted.). University of Pennsylvania. p.73. ISBN 0-924171-90-1 . Retrieved 2013-10-14.

8. Braids to the Side

If you’re looking for the perfect style to complement lived-in curly hair, consider trying this messy braid hairstyle. Add some height to your crown for a beehive-inspired look. 9. Office-Friendly Loose Braid Style Chic loose braid look for work or play We love how this red hair color pops against dark skin tones. Make your hair color stand out even more with a set of coily and defined curls on your box braids. 8. Comb-Over Curly Box Braids We love the combo thin box braids with curly ends. Pink and blue are two colors that often go hand-in-hand because they are complementary shades. This makes this the perfect combination for the split-dye hair trend. This coloring technique is incredibly popular at the moment because of the E-Girl aesthetic, but also because it lets you have fun with your appearance and express yourself. More and more women are being drawn to hair that genuinely reflects who they are. For the woman who is fun and adventurous, this is the choice for you! That said, wearing your braids with these colors can take some serious confidence to pull off and may not be a good choice for all settings. If you work in a more conservative environment or your workplace has strict grooming codes, this is something to consider beforehand.

Fishtail braids make a splash on mermaid-colored hair. Photo credit: Verity Jane Smith 5. Fishtail Braid How to Braid: A Glossary of the Most Popular Braids and Techniques Easy as 1, 2, 3: The three-strand braid is the basis of almost all techniques. 1. Regular Three-Strand Braid Los Angeles-based braider Asia Monae favors Rastafri hair for her braiding sessions. "It doesn't tangle, comes in a variety of colors, and even comes pre-stretched, which is perfect for feed-in and box braids." Pre-stretched hair, by the way, is feathered out at the ends, which keeps the braids from unraveling and tapering as you install them. "When the hair isn't pre-stretched, you waste time and sometimes some of the actual hair trying to stretch it."

18. Bob Braids with Curls

Box braids are a favorite for many, but this style is great to show off curl definition and versatility. 4. Feed-in Ponytail Braids This style is super easy to create if you buy hair extensions that get curly when wet. A hairstylist will usually dip your braids into hot water to create a curly effect. 17. Curly Braid Accent Braid Add a special element to your curly styles like this accent braid.