Braids are a common staple in most black women’s hairstyle rotation, and one of the great things about them is that they allow you to experiment with different looks for many occasions. And if you’re looking to experiment and get creative with your hair, there’s no better way to do so than with colorful braided hairstyles.
These colored braids are fun and add a touch of drama to any look, and with a slew of different hues and shades to choose from, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Up ahead, I’ve put together some of the most stunning colourful braided hairstyles to suit any occasion.
Do You Need To Dye Your Hair To Make Colorful Braided Hairstyles?
No, you do not need to dye your natural hair to make any coloured braid style. When making these styles, you’ll typically use coloured braiding hair extensions, which cover most of the hair underneath, so there’s no need to dye your hair. However, you can do so if you want a seamless blend of colour between the braiding hair and your natural hair.
Can I Mix Different Colors Of Braiding Hair To Make My Braids?
You can absolutely combine different colours of braiding hair if you want a blend of multiple colours. The blending method would vary depending on how you want the style to look. You can combine both shades of braiding hair right before braiding or use a feed-in method to incorporate the different colours at the ends of the braids.
How Long Do Coloured Braids Last?
Just like most protective styles with hair extensions, coloured braids will typically last anywhere between 4-8 weeks.
What Colors Look Best on Dark and Light Skin Tones?
Black is a classic colour that looks incredible on both light and dark skin tones. However, if you’re opting for coloured hair, some of the best colours for dark skin tones include copper red, silver, wine, honey, and caramel brown. If your skin is on the lighter side, some great colours to try include ash blonde, light brown, red, and grey.
Can I Wear Lighter Colours If I have a Darker Skin Tone?
Yes! You can absolutely wear lighter-coloured braids if you have a darker skin tone. Coloured braiding hair often comes in many different shades, so there is always a tone to fit dark skin tones no matter what colour you’d like to try.
Will I look professional with a colourful hairstyle?
You can wear colourful hairstyles in a professional setting. However, it might be best to go for neutral and earthy colours like brown or dark red. Unconventional bright colours are best suited to people who don’t work in a formal office setting.
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Colourful Braided Protective Hairstyles That Will Make You Stand Out Everytime!
1. Half-up Half-down Black, Blue, and Pink Stitch Cornrows
What you’ll need: blue pre-stretched braiding hair and purple pre-stretched braiding hair
2. Brown And Black Box Braids
If you have a deep skin tone and want a shade with earth tones, this is a great style to try.
What you’ll need: brown pre-stretched braiding hair
3. Black and Blue Two-Toned Mini Braids
These deep blue braids are a perfect style for days when you want a touch of color but don’t want to make anything over the top.
What you’ll need: ombre pre-stretched braiding hair
4. Blonde Box Braids
If you’ve hopped on the colored hair trend and dyed your natural hair blonde, this is the perfect style to show off your colored hair.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair
5. Bright Blonde Pop Smoke Cornrows with Rainbow Ends
Want to rock blonde hair without dyeing your real hair? These colored blond cornrows are the perfect way to do so.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair and rainbow end pre-stretched braiding hair
6. Purple Lemonade Braids
If you want a fun color to pair with different outfits, a purple look like this look great, no matter your skin tone.
What you’ll need: purple pre-stretched braiding hair
7. Center Parted Brown And Black Cornrows
Still unsure about colored braids but want to give them a try? A style like this, with a few brown braids at the front, is the ideal gateway look.
What you’ll need: pre-stretched braiding hair and brown pre-stretched braiding hair
8. Long Blonde Chunky Braids
Opt for long chunky box braids in a shade of blonde if you’d like your hair to be the statement accessory of any outfit.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair
9. Wine Mohawk Cornrows
For an edgy and fun look that is sure to garner some attention, these wine braids are the way to go.
What you’ll need: wine pre-stretched braiding hair
10. Golden Curly Knotless Braids
If you have a dark skin tone and want a bright hair color that compliments your shade, golden curly braids are the look to choose.
What you’ll need: water wave synthetic hair
11. Red Criss-Cross Braids
If you’re a fan of red hair and want a look that stands out, these criss cross braids need to be on your radar.
What you’ll needred : pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair
12. Red And Blonde Half-up Half-down Stitch Braids
Want a simple yet eye-catching style that’ll make your outfits pop? This red and blonde combo is the perfect look for you.
What you’ll need: red pre-stretched braiding hair and blonde pre-stretched braiding hair
13. Bright Purple Cornrows
If you’ve got a fun occasion coming up, you can opt for an elegant and attention-grabbing style like these purple cornrows.
What you’ll need: purple pre-stretched braiding hair
14. Copper Red Triangle Box Braids
These triangle braids, with their bright shade of copper, are a unique look you can wear with multiple outfits.
What you’ll need: copper red pre-stretched braiding hair extension
15. Grey Criss-Cross Braids
If you want a bright color but are still weary of shades like blonde or bright red, these grey braids might just be the perfect look for you.
What you’ll need: gray pre-stretched braiding hair
16. Copper Passion Braids
Add a dramatic flair to your passion braids by making them in bright copper red. It is a great look to wear on any occasion.
What you’ll need: copper pre-stretched braiding hair extension
17. Red Mini Box Braids
If you’re a fan of mini box braids, making them in bright red color is a great way to make them pop out and draw attention to the face.
What you’ll need: pre-stretched braiding hair and transparent hair beads
18. Red Triangle Cornrows
If you’re looking for a cute and dramatic style you can wear to a fancy occasion, this style is sure to get you some compliments.
What you’ll need: pre-stretched braiding hair extension
19. Brown and Blonde Box Braids
Can’t decide if you want blonde or brown braids? Then combine the two shades to create this stunning look.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair and brown pre-stretched braiding hair
20. Blonde And Black Bantu Cornrows
This look is great if you need a style to pair with casual outfits.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair
21. Bright Blonde Ponytail Cornrows
This is another style perfect for fans of blonde hair, and the ponytail look is perfect for any occasion.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair
22. Half And Half Multicolored Braids
If you want a unique mix of colors, then these half multicolored braids are perfect for you.
What you’ll need: blonde pre-stretched braiding hair, red pre-stretched braiding hair, black braiding hair, and blue synthetic extension
23. Fulani Braids With Blue Highlights
Fulani braids always give the face an instant lift, but a great way to make them pop is to add in a few strands of blue.
What you’ll need: stretched braiding hair and light blue braiding hair
24. Red Mini Box Braids
If you want a seamless blend of color from your roots to the ends of your hair, this fiery shade of red is the ideal look to try.
What you’ll need: red pre-stretched braiding hair
25. Bright Pink Braids
If you’re looking for a youthful and feminine style you can pair with different outfits or even your nails, these pink braids are a great option for you.
What you’ll need: pink braiding hair
26. Ombre Box braids
Ombre braids create a multidimensional effect that is perfect for those who want their hair to look full.
What you’ll need: tricolor pre-stretched braiding hair
27. Dark Red Cornrows With White Highlights
If you want to combine colors but are worried about looking too dramatic, you can do so subtly with a style like this.
What you’ll need: pre-stretched braiding hair
28. Black and Wine Color Ombre Box Braids
This look is great for those with deeper skin tones who want something to easily wear to school.
What you’ll need: ombre pre-stretched braiding hair
29. Rainbow Box Braids
If you’re a fan of bright colors, go all in with a rainbow look if you need a fun summer style.
What you’ll need: rainbow pre-stretched braiding hair
30. Light Blonde Fulani Cornrows
These light blonde Fulani braids are a lovely style you can wear with any outfit and are great for fans of long hair.
What you’ll need: honey blonde pre-stretched braiding hair
31. Red and Orange Two-Toned Ombre Braids
Red braids are great and all, but you can take them a step further by incorporating a mix of similar fiery colors to the ends.
What you’ll need: red orange yellow pre-stretched braiding hair
32. Black and Light Purple Box Braids
If you’re looking for a fun way to rock purple hair, there’s no better way to do so than this style with its subtle mix of different shades of purple, black, and lavender.
What you’ll need: purple ombre pre-stretched braiding hair
33. Burgundy Knotless Box Braids
If you want to rock red hair but are not a fan of the brighter shades, this is the perfect look for you.
What you’ll need: pre-stretched braiding hair
34. Black, Purple and Blue Three-Toned Box Braids
Create fun sectioning of colors with your braids by opting for a style like this with a combination of blue, black, and purple at different points from the root to the ends.
What you’ll need: blue purple stretched braiding hair
35. Dark Red Ombre Fulani Braids
If you’re looking for a fiery look that is sure to gain your some compliments, this is the perfect style to try.
What you’ll need: red orange yellow pre-stretched braiding hair
36. Brown Mini Braids
If you want a cute style that will pair nicely with your deep skin tone, you can never go wrong with brown braids.
What you’ll need: brown pre-stretched braiding hair
37. Lavender And Purple Chunky Braids
Want a fun style you can match with colored accessories? This chunky lavender and purple combo might just be the look for you.
What you’ll need: lavander purple pre-stretched braiding hair and purple braiding hair
38. Rose Pink Stitch Cornrows
This style is a cute and feminine look you can make if you’re open to dying your hair a matching shade of pink.
What you’ll need: water wave rose pink braiding hair
39. Deep Blue Fulani Braids
A deep blue Fulani style is a stunning look that can be worn on a casual day or dressed up for fancy occasions.
What you’ll need: blue stretched braiding hair
40. Half-up Half-down Black and Purple Two-Toned Braids
If you want your long braid to stand out and gain you some compliments, opt for a purple and black combination like this.
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What you’ll need: ombre pre-stretched braiding hair
Conclusion
The bottom line is that colourful braids are a super versatile way to have fun with your hair, and with multiple shades and hues, there is always a look to suit everyone. No matter your skin tone or colour preference, you can pull off any coloured braid style you want with the many options on this list.