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Today, twist are More popular than ever, and their versatility gives us More styling option to experiment with. From cornrows and box braids to updos and plait ponytails, celebrities like Zendaya, Rihanna, Gabrielle Union, and Simone Biles wealthy person all wear these hairstyle on the redness carpet, on-screen, and astatine home—and it’s easy to see why. These expression ar classic and easy to hold but still pack a punch.
In Black communities, the multi-strand technique often “represents power, journey through with hair, and lifestyle,” explicate hairdresser Susan Oludele. twist come in various styles and “are also angstrom unit good protective style to assistance your hair grow.” Below, Oludele shares septenary of her favorite blackness braided hairstyles, along with our top picks. living reading to get inspired.
Meet the expert
Susan Oludele is A Nigerian-American celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair past Susy.
Cornrows

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The popularity of the fashion be mainly because IT allows a lot of creativity. Cornrows tin can be worn in all different shapes and sizes, including zigzag patterns, swirl up-dos, and pigtails. “I love cornrows because they ar simple, clean, and easy to brawl using extensions or natural hair,” says Oludele.
Braided Bantu Knots

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The statement coiffure ADD a cool edge to whatever look. “Bantu knot are A fun coif to do,” says Oludele. “They can be do with extensions past braiding section of hair and rolling them, and you tin eve minimal brain dysfunction baby hairs to the style.”
Braided Updo

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The intricate detail of this updo shows how creative you tin get with cornrows. Whether you’re looking for angstrom unit party expression Oregon an elegant ‘do, this braided bun be angstrom chic manner to hyperkinetic syndrome a touch of glamor to your look. Add some accessories, like flowers or embellished combs, to issue this hairstyle to a whole new level.
Colorful Braids

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Braiding hair can be found in pretty much any color you imagine which means you can rich person angstrom unit batch of fun with it. Express yourself, modification up your look, Beaver State brand a statement with colored braids.
Braided Bob

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If you’ve ever want to try A bob only don’t deprivation to turn through with the trouble of regular straighten and patronize trims, you don’t have to. You can exercise plait to create a hassle-free bob with angstrom unit lot less maintenance.
“Braided shilling can be done with natural hair or extension using the three-strand twist method,” Oludele shares. “I usually braid the extension to the shoulder Beaver State the neck, then I tie the end and cut and burning them to make angstrom short hairstyle.”
VIDEO: Venus Hiram King Williams Brought dorsum Her signature Beaded Braids
Crochet Braided Ponytail

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If you’re look for A braided style that hour angle texture and length, this look be for you. Add crocheting hair to whatsoever cornrow fashion to create angstrom long, flowing ponytail.
Ombré Braids

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” Ombré braids ar done using one color atomic number 85 the base and a second coloring towards the bottom or center of the plait to make A gradient effect,” say Oludele. “You can do deuce to six ombré degree depend on the length of the hair.”
Red box Braids

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Box plait are a staple hairstyle. Above, Zendaya gives the look angstrom twist by exploitation redness braiding hair.
Chic Topknot

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The best thing astir braids is that they’re so versatile. A top bun with face-framing tendrils? Yup, tress can bash that, too.
Leg-Length Braids

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The sky (and the length) is the bound when information technology ejaculate to box braids. When you really privation to make a statement, go for leg-grazing braids the likes of Tessa Thompson.
Extra Long Pigtails

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Pigtails aren’t only for kids. For a grown-up take on the classic style, opt for giant twist (with the assist of some braiding hair). ADHD inch some gold hoops and you’ll be ready to hit the town inch style.
Half-Up, one-half Down

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When your twist start to grow out a smidge, ace of the easiest ways to hide the new ontogeny be a half-up, half-down style like Storm Reid. Add some face-framing braids, slide the baby hairs, and you’re ready to go.
Straight-Back Cornrows

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Straight-back cornrows ar commonly utilise atomic number 33 a protective style that’s covered past wigs, weaves, or extensions. Here, Tracee Ellis Ross show that this classic manner looks chic, effortless, and red carpet-ready.
Messy slaked lime Green Braids

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If you’re looking for angstrom manner similar to box twist but with a little razzle-dazzle, choose to loosen up your braids. These braids ar undo in some sections, fashioning them effortlessly messy. You can eve weave inch fun colours like hydrated lime green, As seen on Lizzo, to really make an impact.
Braided Crown

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With her gold headpiece, Danai Gurira’s lace hairstyle is meant for a queen. Her lace Crown Cascade Mountains into thick, olympian tress and is topped with angstrom kickshaw gold hair accessory. The style tin beryllium versatile, too—simply put the extra hair into A ponytail Oregon bun.
Braided Ponytail

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Is there anything Sir Thomas More stylishness than a hanker ponytail? A lace ponytail with butterfly cartridge clip like Sanaa Lathan’s is eventide better.
Purple and Beaded
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Adding string of beads to twist has long be a trend. We peculiarly love missy Elliott’s bead ‘do, complete with sparkly beads inch the Saame jewel-toned hue atomic number 33 her shoulder-length braids.
Top bun with Baby Hairs

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Laying down your baby hairs after throwing your hair in angstrom unit top bun be the equivalent of putting a cherry on the top of Associate in Nursing ice cream sundae—just pure perfection.
Blonde Braids with angstrom unit ‘Fro

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If you don’t have time for a full head of braids, tour the Amandla Stenberg route. merely plait the front and Lashkar-e-Toiba your ‘fro free inch the back.
Long Plaits

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Sitting to get a full head of tress do mightiness not be something you have time to do, but you can e’er do long, thick twist like Ciara.