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30 Beautiful Criss-Cross Box Braids Hairstyles With Rubber Bands

Braids are the most versatile yet straightforward hairstyle that a natural will ever have.

Our favorite styles, such as box braids, Fulani Braids, even cornrows, can become something more exciting and out of the norm than we’re used to.

Criss-cross braids are intricate designs that require attention and precision, but some styles are easy for beginners. Here we will discuss some excellent criss-cross techniques that you can try and enjoy.

Are criss-cross braids hard to do?

It may seem challenging to get the hang of it, but it can become simple with enough focus and precision. This is a style that takes practice and patience.

Don’t expect for it to come out looking perfect and beautiful the first time you do them.

If it does, great, but if it doesn’t, that’s okay too, and it’s just a lesson to keep on trying.

20 Beautiful Criss-Cross Box Braids Hairstyles With Rubber Bands

How long do Criss cross braids last?

You definitely want to use a satin scarf to cover your hair and keep it flat with this style. Although bonnets protect your hair from damage, they do not always protect your style, and they can start to frizz pretty quickly.

This is where a satin scarf can save your life. The scarf will preserve the style itself from getting frizzy and messed up too fast.

If you’re not that great at tying a scarf so that it stays on all night, put a bonnet on over the scarf for added protection. Crisscross braids can last one week or two or more if you care for them very well.

How do I do Criss Cross Braids?

There are many different routes and designs you can come up with to do criss-cross braids. Check out videos on Youtube to discover which style suits your fancy the most.

Make sure to do your research on which products you will need to create the look you want.

Each look featured here will have a list of products that are best used to develop each style.

The simplest way to do them is to create parts for each cross. The amount of parts depends on how many crosses you want.

After completing the parts, the next step is to cross them over and tie them with elastics not to unravel them. Make sure to smooth them down with some edge control not to look frizzy and dry.

There are many talented people on Youtube that create unique styles like the one featured here. Follow their example, and support them while watching and sharing their videos.

Not only will you be showing your support, but you will also be learning something new.

Natural hair YouTubers put a lot of time and effort into making their videos so that they can help the community.

As the community, it is up to us to show our appreciation for their time and effort. We get something out of it as well: a new unique hairstyle!

What Products Do I Need For Criss-Cross Braids

  • Elastics for keeping the criss-cross design in place. Just be careful when taking them out at the end. Have someone else help you or use multiple mirrors to see what you’re doing to avoid cutting out your hair
  • Edge control to lay down your baby hairs. If you want to do this, this product is up to you, but it never hurts to add more flair to a style.
  • Satin scarf or bonnet to tie down your hair and make the style stay fresh and last longer. A bonnet and a scarf are essential for any style and for protecting your hair from damage overnight.
  • Braiding hair to add length and volume to your box braids. Everyone has their preference for braiding hair but if you’re new to it, ask around at the stores and people you know who braids before you purchase to find the best one.
  • Rattail comb for getting the parts precise. This is the most critical step of the hairstyle because, with such an intricate design created in the very front, it will show if the parts are not straight and look messy. Rattail combs are great for getting good parts.

RELATED POSTS

1. Light Brown Criss Cross Braids with Box Braids

Upgrade your box braids style with Criss Cross braids in the front. We always tend to get creative with the size and color of our braids, but we can get creative in other ways, too, such as this. Simple baby hairs can tie the whole look together as well.

Light Brown Criss Cross braids with box braids

2. Criss Cross Braids with Black Box Braids

You can get creative with box braids that go past your waist and designed baby hair in the front. There will be many parts to make for this style because the criss-cross pieces are smaller.

The smaller you want the crosses, the more parts you will have to make, so keep that in mind.

Criss Cross braids with Black box braids 

3. Extra Long Criss Cross Box Braids

Make sure to spend a lot of time clicking down those crosses so they can come out smooth and flat.

Extra Long Criss Cross Box Braids

@donebyduana

4. Red Criss Cross Box Braids

Adding a pop of color is always a great way to spice up any style and show more personality.

Red Criss Cross Box Braids

5. Criss Cross Braids with Bantu Knots and Box Braids

Make fewer crosses in the front so you can add some stylish buns!

Criss Cross Braids with Bantu Knots and Box Braids

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6. Half up-Half down Criss-Cross Braids

Half up half down is always a classic, but it can always be accessorized, like this one with criss-cross braids in the front.

Half up-Half down Criss-Cross Braids

@larry_beautyglam

7. Sleek Ponytail with Cornrows and Criss-Cross Braids

Sleek ponytails can sometimes seem bland, but you can always spice it up.

Products to use:

  • Scrunchie to hold the ponytail in place so it doesn’t unravel. You can also use bobby pins instead; just be careful to place them, so they don’t poke your scalp.
  • Ponytail piece to add to your natural hair for length.
  • Brush to keep your ponytail sleek and from getting tangled.
Sleek Ponytail with Cornrows and Criss-Cross Braids

@larry_beautyglam

8. Criss Cross Braids with Buns and Thigh Length Box Braids

It’s never a dull style when buns are involved!

Criss Cross Braids with Buns and Thigh Length Box Braids

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9. Red Criss Cross Braids

Some of the styles here only use about two lines of crosses, but you can also crisscross the hair until you get to the middle.

Red Criss Cross Braids

@larry_beautyglam

10. Multi-Styled Criss-Cross Braids

Like mentioned at the beginning, there are multiple ways you can style criss-cross braids, including these two.

Multi-Styled Criss-Cross Braids

@larry_beautyglam

20 Beautiful Criss-Cross Box Braids Hairstyles With Rubber Bands

11. Blonde Criss-Cross Braids

Blonde Criss-Cross Braids 

@larry_beautyglam

12. Criss Cross Braids with Blue and Platinum Highlights

to lay down your baby hairs. If you want to do this, this product is up to you, but it never hurts to add more flair to a style.

If you’re doing any type of style where your edges can be pulled too tight, it’s best to keep them out to avoid tearing and hair loss, so definitely consider adding this step to your style.

Look for blue and platinum braiding hair to match this style.

Criss Cross Braids with colorful elastics

@larry_beautyglam

13. Criss-Cross with Senegalese Twists

criss cross braids on black women

14. Criss Cross with Faux Locs

knee length soft locs for black women

15. Criss Cross With Faux Locs Style

criss cross soft locs hairstyle

16. Rubber Band Criss Cross With Cornrows and Braids

tribal criss cross braids on black women

17. Beautiful Criss Cross With Small Braids

criss cross braids with curly end

18. Waist Length Criss Cross Braids

criss cross hairstyles on black girls

19. Blue Criss Cross Braids with Beaded Ends

blue white criss cross hairstyle with beads

20. Pink and Mint Criss Cross Braids

pink and light blue criss cross braids

21. Criss Cross Curly Braids

criss cross hairstyle on black girls

22. Criss Cross Rubberband on Red Hair

red criss cross braids

23. Simple Criss Cross Briads

criss cross box braids

24. Six Sections Criss Cross with Blonde Highlights

dual tone criss cross box braids

25. Criss Cross Cornrows with a Straight Ponytail

criss cross hairstyle with weave

@stacysbraids

26. Criss Cross Bohemian Box Braids

criss cross braids for black women

@slayedby.rayy

27. Alternating Criss Cross and Cornrows Box Braids

pink ombre criss cross braids

@hairbywaavyk

28. 3-in-1 Criss Cross, Cornrows and Box Braids

long criss cross braids for black women

@donebyduana

29.

criss cross hairstyle with passion twist for black girls

beautybyamore_hair

30.

criss cross with stitch braids for black girls

In Conclusion

As you may have noticed, many of the products to use in this article are the same. Our product list does not need to be miles long to create styles, even intricate techniques such as criss-cross braids. We can use and recycle a lot of the things we already have at home.

Keep your list short and simple when you go out to purchase the products to create these styles. Even the most elaborate hairstyles don’t have to cost an arm and a leg to complete. This is a great starting guide for products you will always need for different kinds of styles. 

20 Beautiful Criss-Cross Box Braids Hairstyles With Rubber Bands