Medium box braids are a protective hairstyle for natural hair that’s done by sectioning the hair into boxy divisions and braiding it from the roots to any length between shoulder and chest. Not a fan of too many extensions to go with your box braids? No problem! You’re surely still gonna have as much fun and versatility with its medium-length form!
The top thing women love about these gorgeous pleats is that they offer the benefits of framing and complementing your facial details without effort. Influencer celebs Danai Gurira, Zoe Kravitz, Amandla Stenberg, and Lupita Nyong’o have worn their own box braid hairstyle and chose to keep it medium-length, inspiring fans and stylists all over to do the same!
Florida-based expert braider and Insta-influencer Chounèse from LC Beauty Salon create unique styles on medium-length hair braids using cuffs, yarns, and even ombres. With new and improved styling techniques, these chic boxy pleats are looking way better than their ’90s version!
Not too thick nor bulky, box braids that are medium in length are easier to style in updos and buns than longer pieces. They’re still as low maintenance as their typical form but minus the time and effort, as shoulder-length braids don’t need that much hair extensions to install.
Below is an up-to-date gallery of extraordinary and stylish ways to rock them! Give these extra trendy medium box braids hairstyle ideas a shot!
Blonde Medium Box Braids
An utterly versatile way to wear your natural curls, blonde box braids are protective and stylish in many ways. Wearing small box braids on a bob cut can show off the fierceness of your personality!
Burgundy Colored Braids
Burgundy-colored braids are all the rage – and for good reason. Not only is burgundy the perfect complement to darker hair and skin tones, adding a second color to your braids will really make the weaving technique pop.
Jumbo Box Braids Style
Chunky yet easy on the eyes, these jumbo box braids serve multiple purposes. A protective style, it also keeps every stand in place while showing off an intricate design that boasts texture and color.
Chunky Medium Braids
If you’re a woman who loves accessories, then here’s an idea for medium-sized box braids. Try adding beads which is a nice touch of playfulness, which is needed by everyone nowadays!
Triangle Parts
Scalp work can even be the center of attraction in such braiding techniques. The triangle parts on box braids reveal the fiery box braids that you have. If you have longer hair, then check out the best long box braids.
Shoulder-Length Box Braid Bob
Having shoulder-length box braids highlights your face shape. Different features of your face can also be emphasized when you wear your hair in different ways. Adding a vibrant color such as burgundy or magenta would be a great addition for your large box braids, too!
Trendy Medium-Length Half Updo
A sensational style to wear your mid-length box braids hairstyle, go for a mid-length vibe is a carefree and easy look! Versatility is at an all-time high with different accessories in place.
Braids with Gold Cuffs
A classic look to your shoulder-length box braids is with accessory gold beadwork. Dark skin is brought out thanks to the complementary gold-beaded accessory.
Accessorized Braids
More and more ways of self-expression can be fashioned, especially when you’re wearing stylish medium box braids hairstyles. One way of defining your style is through accessories like beads, ribbons, and strings to perk up your look. If wanting braids that are easier to wear, a lace wig is an option.
Cute Medium Box Braids
These useful and popular medium braids have been part of multiple cultures and lifestyles throughout time. A timeless style, medium box braids are here to stay to protect your hair from damage while maintaining a dashing appearance.
Box Braid Bob
Your black hair may get unexpectedly shorter after having it braided. No worries because medium-length box braids bobs are all the hype, showcasing an intricate pattern and some accessories while keeping your hair neat and well-maintained.
Trendy Gold Cuffs
This look is refreshing. It’s something new and different from regular box braids that lack colors. It’s lightweight, easy to manage, quick to do, and overall one of my favorite protective hairstyles.
This hairstyle is for all curly, kinky, course, and coily hair types. The kinkier your locks, the longer the style will last! This hairstyle is so universal and can go with any style.
Some of my favorite products to use with this style is the Creme of Nature Edge Control, Africana 3x 84″ hair by FreeTress, Shea Moisture Twisting Butter, and black rubber bands to keep the style in place. Use rubber bands if your hair is a little on the soft side, so it tends to slip out of braids easily, but by using the rubber bands, the style can last twice as long. If you don’t want to use rubber bands, you can also skip this step.
This style is also so easy to take care of. All you need is to wash your scalp once a week or once every two weeks, wrap your hair at night, and moisturize it daily!
Simple Braids with Side Part
This box braid look with a side part and a subtle ombre is ideal for anyone from pre-teen in high school to an adult in a professional work environment. Michelle Carter, a stylist from Virginia Beach, VA, created this masterpiece. “I love the fact that you can wear this style with multiple parts, different lengths, and even in a ponytail,” says Carter.
Crochet braids are not only a great protective style but also low-maintenance.
To maintain, apply Influence rosemary stimulating spray to the scalp. After application, use a clean washcloth to wipe the scalp clean lightly. Carter adds, “Use the Influence organic complex to rejuvenate and moisturize scalp for longer-lasting crochet install. It’s not recommended to go longer than a month and a half. If you desire, you can use an extra-large hair bonnet to preserve crochet hair or use a satin scarf.”
Small Medium Box Braids
It is a simple look to maintain daily. Today you can wear in a quick messy bun, and then on the next day, you can have straight hair. The best thing about this medium sized style is that it makes you look like Cleopatra!
You can finish the hair with a black rubber band. It’s discreet and elegant! You can also finish the hair with jewels and add color strings for an extra stylish look. If looking for a pain-free braided style, you can ask for medium knotless box braids.
If you have this type of hair, don’t use a particular product on the braids because sometimes the braids can be oily. Although, every week, moisturize your scalp with coconut or shea butter.
Braids with Beads
The name of this hairstyle is the Fulani – some may label it as tribal braids or box braids and cornrow combination style. This look is very trendy and cute, as you can see. Box braid styles cam take 3 hours to complete and uses two packages of braiding hair – Supreme Hair Super tz4 38′ was used.
It is braided to shoulder length, where the back consists of box braids and the front a zigzag part cornrow style. One has the option to wear beads or leave it as it is.
What I like about this hairstyle is that it won’t be heavy because of the length it has. It also gives you a different bob look as opposed to just regular box braids. I also like to see the zig-zag parts, and for this length, I prefer beads rather than leaving it as it is. I feel like the beads add a pop to the style.
It lasts at least a month, and for some textures, the cornrow may tend to grow out faster. To maintain this hairstyle, I recommend that a client uses oil or grease to moisturize the scalp about every 2-3 days. Don’t do it every day because the pores in the scalp may clog up, and one does this to prevent the dry scalp from forming. If the scalp becomes itchy, there are some itch relief products you can try or use, such as the tea tree oil.
It is best for those with natural hair to blow out the hair, so in that way, you will have a neater and longer-lasting style, especially when it comes to braiding the cornrows. You can also use foaming lotion or mousse to put on the braids when it starts to get stale. Also, tie down the braids with a scarf at night or if you’re just home to eliminate some of the fuzziness that will occur.
For the edges, use Gorilla Snot or Style Factor Edge Booster, or you can use mousse to touch it up and form back the edges that were laid before. The only way you can wear this style is down, as shown in the image. You can also choose any cornrow style that you like that suits you. It looks great on any face shape, so go ahead and try it.
