For anyone who relies on protective styles to keep their hair healthy and happy, spring and summer offer the perfect opportunity to finally put your hair in box braids because they're effortless and worry-free. We all know box braids look beautiful as they are, it's always fun to switch things up your style and explore different ways to wear them depending on your vibe. With that being said, it's also easy to fall into the trap of never touching them after four hours of sitting in the braiding chair. So, if you've been on the hunt for new and trendy ways to wear your box braids, you're in the right place.
To provide you with inspiration long before you lock down your next hair braiding appointment, we've scoured endless Instagram posts and pin-pointed the trending box braid styles we'll be seeing everywhere in 2025 and beyond as worn by seven of the app's most fashionable Millennial and Gen Z content creators. Feeling ready to screenshot? Keep scrolling to see which ones braided styles we'll be recreating and the best products to keep them fresh and healthy for weeks of wear without breaking the bank.
Milkmaid Braids
Lean into your coquette side by sporting sweet milkmaid braids as your next box braid hairstyle as worn here by model, dancer, and content creator Camri Hewie. Part your box braids in the middle and then braid them downwards in two separate braids. Next, cross along the nape of the neck and pin to keep them in place. If you'd like to add some extra texture to the look, take notes from Hewie and create a thicker braid using any left over individual braids to disguise hair elastics and pins.
"Poetic Justice" Half-Turban
This Janet Jackson–inspired look is straight from her 1993 movie Poetic Justice opposite Tupac Shakur. Here, content creator Aysha Sow wears her box braids pulled up into a high ponytail before wrapping a long white scarf around the nape of the neck and guiding it to meet the edges. This one takes some creativity and patience (especially when it comes to folding the hair scarf into shape), but practice makes perfect.
Sleek Pony
You can never go wrong by deciding to wear your box braids in a stylish high pony like Amaka Hamelijnck wears in this pic. To keep your braids protected and long lasting while up in the ponytail, select a silk scrunchie or hair tie with no metal or exposed rubber parts that can snag your gorgeous braids (which, in part, will help you extend the wear time of your style and avoid another long braiding session before you're ready).
Gem-Embossed Edges
Lean into the glam Y2K-inspired aftereffects of HBO's Euphoria by adding sparkling details to your eye-catching swooped and swirled edges. After guiding your hairs into place with your favorite edge brush and gel, select your favorite few face and hair gems to bring on the glam as worn here by content creator and model Joyjah Estrada. I opt for gems in a variety of shapes and colors depending on my outfit for the day.
Half-Up, Half-Down
Here's another quick and easy style we've been loving lately. Spotted on New York–based model and fashion content creator Imani Randolph, all this style requires is a messy high bun and a few loose braids to frame the face. It can be done in minutes (or seconds if you have quick fingers), and only takes a hair elastic and some concentration. To add a fun touch, opt for a unique part and an untucked strand in the bun.
Braided Braids
Loving the look and texture of your box braids? Don't stop there. Add more timeless elegance to this protective style by braiding a few of the braids that frame your face and, to keep them in place, adding a small hair elastic right at the ends that matches the tone of your hair (some braids may even be able to go without it). It's the easiest way to add some intrigue and eye-catching texture to an otherwise 'basic" braided hairstyle.
High-Volume Bun
To achieve an ultra-chic hairstyle that can be worn literally everywhere, try sweeping your braided strands starting from the nape of your neck up into a large bun. This style is especially great for anyone rocking longer braids that tend to get sat on and/or in the way. Just make sure you have enough pins within reach to make sure there's no pesky braided ends peeking out from underneath if you're looking for a clean and flawless finish.
Part-Free Braids
Who said you have to part your hair at all? Wear your lovely box braids loose and long, like London-based Instagram fashion girl Natasha Ndlovu. If you're in need of some celeb inspiration for this effortless style, look no further than boho, street style queens Zoë Kravitz and Solange. Just make sure you have frizz-fighting spray and braid mousse on hand to prevent any frizziness from occurring throughout the day.
Face-Framing Strands
This style may be simple and easy to do on the go, but it has high impact. Here, Randolph wears her hair in a high bun with two braids left out at the temple for a playful touch that's as high-fashion as she is. To recreate this exact look, try tucking on of the face-framing braids behind the ears and leaving the other one out. I go for this look whenever I need to transform my look from day to night and don't want to spend too much time on hair.
Classic Center Part
Gen Z may have claimed the center part as their own, but it's always been a timeless way to style hair. If you're indecisive about which way you'd like to part your braided hair, ask your braider to leave the part optional. That way, you can go from a middle to a side part depending on your vibe for the day. Since your scalp will be on display, think ahead and stock up on scalp oils and treatments that will keep it healthy, moisturized, and flake-free.
Adding a Sporty Headband
Wearing a porty and stylish headband with your box braids can completely transform your look. We're obsessed with how Hamelijnck styled her blond box braids with a thick black headband (and how well it complements her sister Fia's protectie style). Did you know wearing headbands designed for activity can also extend the wear time of your style? Selecting a headband with a a sweat-wicking material will prevent roots from becoming frizzy as you get active.
Must-Have Products for Styling Box Braids
Take it from someone who gets their hair braided on the regular: Your prep process before ever sitting in the salon chair can make a huge difference in the end result. With its powerful formula of vitamin C and E, As I Am's Jamaican Caster Oil Water can be used to coax out even the toughest knots and tangles.
Customer Review: "This is a Holy Grail product. I never thought I'd find something that works so well. I use it by itself on days I don't wet my hair. Instant moisture, shine, and curl. I have 3C/4A hair."
A must-have for all hair types, this conditioning detangling spray is another product you'll want to add to your hair inventory for before, during, and after your box braids. It smoothes and strengthens dry, damaged hair while also majorly reducing breakage and providing heat protection.
Customer Review: "Game changer for fine hair. This is the only leave-in product that doesn’t weigh my hair down. Plus it leaves my hair soft, airy, and voluminous. A little goes a long way, don’t use too much or else you’ll get a weird texture"
Another must-have product braiders and their customers alike won't stop raving about is the Read, Set, Hold! Braid Setting Foam. Described by the Aunt Jackie's as a must-have for "creating sleek braids, twists, locs, and protective styles," the balm encourages frizz-free braids starting at the root using honey to supports moisture retention, while protein-rich to keep your strands strong.
Customer Review: "I love this foam! Not only does it lay my curly fly-aways down, it does so without leaving my hair hard and crunchy. This foam also smells super good and is very moisturizing!"
If you're struggling to create laid edges for your braided hairstyles, it may be because you don't have this miracle worker on hand. Mielle Organics' Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil is one of the brand's best-sellers, but we're here to argue that their Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel deserves just as much hype. It tames edges and adds stunning shine without leaving behind any white residue.
Customer Review: "I love how this edge gel lays my edges without a lot of messy residue. I use it as a finishing product on my ponytail and up-dos. It actually can achieve a light, shiny, residue free look for a few days. I just need it to come in a bigger jar for daily use, but the current size is great for travel."
As long as I've been wearing braids (which is about 15 years off and on), Eco Styler's Olive Oil Styling Gel has remained my go-to. It's easy to use, keeps my 4c strands laid, and leaves no unsightly white sheen or flakes after the product dries. Its formula uses 100% pure olive oil to smooth the cuticle layer of the hair, leaving it moisturized, shiny, and locked in place.
Customer Review: "This gel is good for multiple different hairstyles. I use it for my curly hair routine, slick-backs, and braids. The size is great because I bought it last summer and am still using the same tub."
Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross's Edge Tool also does an amazing job of keeping your edges looking fresh. It's a solid three-in-one edge tool crafted from strong vegan bristles to create endless swirls, shapes, and swoops to complement your stylish box braids.
Customer Review: I've used my fair share of toothbrushes as edge tools, but this edge tool is perfect! The strength of the bristles allow me to lay my edges. The comb allows me to work the product in & the end of the tool helps me part my hair! Love it!"
Bobby pins are a no-brainer for any hairstyle, but they're particularly helpful when it comes to styling box braids of any size (especially if you're planning on guiding your braids up to a bun). Remember, the "bumpy" part of the bobby pin should touch the hair in order to offer a good grip so your braids won't slip and slide.
Customer Review: "This Mia Klein bobby pin set is a great variety pack! It has all the right colors to be able to choose what matches with other colors in your outfit, jewelry, or to best blend into your hair. They are pretty much standard bobby pins otherwise—normal shape and size, they open easily, but also hold firmly in hair. You can't go wrong with having a good variety of bobby pins around!"
Alternately, small hair elastics for more detailed box braid styles also make a great investment. These ones, by Heliums, are gentle on the hair and don't have any metal parts or exposed rubber that risks snagging or pulling your strands.
Customer Review: "Elastics always break and pull my hair. Decided to try these. They are worth every cent! I have thick hair and they work great for what I needed! They don’t pull my hair or break. I will definitely be getting more."
If you know me, then you also know I take any opportunity to add some shine and shimmer to my everyday looks. Whenever my hair is in box braids, you can bet I'm back on the hunt for some chic additions to my styles. These hair and face gems come in a variety of sizes with the addition of easy to use tweezers.
Customer Review: "I bought these gems to put on my hair and face to add sparkle to my Taylor Swift outfit for our NYE party. They were perfect! The gems stuck to my hair and face all night and they looked great! I love all of the different sizes they come in. I have so many gems leftover even after I shared them with friends. Great purchase!"
Getting box braids gives you endless styling possibilities and sources of inspiration. Use an oversize silk scrunchie to protect your tresses while adding effortless style. Whether you wear your hair high or low in this scrunchie, you can count on receiving compliment after compliment.
Customer Review: "Blissy provides a great product in their oversized scrunchie! They are soft, won’t damage your hair, and won’t cause indentations when used! They totally pull off a sophisticated and stylish look to a ponytail or bun and the variety of colors available match so many of my outfits!"
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