Small Box Braids
Box braids are easily one of the most popular protective styles around. Box braids are available in a range of sizes, but small box braids (about the size of pencil, or smaller) are among the most common. Small box braids have a great aesthetic look in addition to being practical. It’s really easy to style small box braids and create different looks, making them an ideal protective style. From short, bob-length braids to ultra-long, hip-length braids and every length in between, small box braids are versatile, beautiful, and timeless. Here are 40 gorgeous examples of how to style small box braids.
1Small Box Braids
A classic example of small box braids, these pretty braids can be styled in a variety of ways. They look great when worn down, allowing the braids to naturally fall over each shoulder.
2Navy Blue Box Braids
These beautiful box braids are a subtle navy blue color, a great choice for those who are a bit hesitant to experiment with color. These small box braids are tailbone length, giving you the option to style them many different ways.
3Light Brown Box Braids
These gorgeous light brown box braids look absolutely stunning when paired with a neutral brown lipstick, as pictured here. This shade is great whether you’re matching it to your natural hair color or going a few shades lighter.
4Dark Blue Box Braids High Bun
These pretty dark blue box braids look great styled into a simple high bun. This shade of blue is subtle enough not to make you feel self-conscious if you’re not used to rocking a new hair color, but flattering enough to help you stand out and make a statement.
5Small Waist Length Box Braids
These small, waist-length box braids are perfect for those who want a simple but pretty protective style that’s easy to maintain. Style them by simply letting them fall over one shoulder, or arrange them into a ponytail or bun.
6Blue Ombre Box Braids
Featuring two shades of blue, these gorgeous blue ombre box braids are a great option for those who want a fun, bold look. Blue is one of those hair colors that compliments all skin tones.
7Ultra Long Box Braids
Rapunzel-length braids aren’t for everyone, but if you like your braids to be extra long, then these box braids are a great choice for you. There’s no limit to the ways you can style these.
8Bob-Length Box Braids
These small, bob-length box braids fall right at the shoulders for a chic, classic look. Short box braids are a great option for those who are growing out a short cut but don’t want to commit to ultra-long braids.
9Small Purple and Green Box Braids
If you’re going for a bold, colorful vibe for your next protective style, consider these pretty purple and seafoam green box braids.
10Golden Brown Box Braids
These pretty golden brown box braids fall right around the tailbone, giving you lots of length to work with when it comes to styling.
11Rainbow Box Braids
Whether you want to make a colorful statement or you just can’t decide which color to choose for your next protective style, these rainbow colored box braids will surely get the job done.
12Short Box Braids With Beads
These short box braids are adorned with a couple of gold beads. A couple of hair accessories is all it takes to take a simple style to the next level.
13Small Purple Box Braids
These pretty purple box braids are styled into a simple half up high bun, beautifully showing off the versatility of small box braids.
14Short Grey Box Braids With Double Buns
These stunning grey box braids are styled into cute double buns, proving that having short braids doesn’t mean that your styling options are limited.
15Small Platinum Blonde Box Braids
If you want a bold look for your next protective style, then look no further than these platinum blonde box braids. Their small size is suited for those who like the look of micro braids (and have the patience to sit through the installation process).
16Shoulder Length Small Box Braids
If you’re having a hard time deciding between short box braids and long ones, these pretty, shoulder-length box braids offer the best of both worlds.
17Two-Toned Box Braids
These pretty two-toned box braids are perfect for the summer months, or anytime you’re in the mood for a sun-kissed look.
18Small Box Braids With Middle Part
Parted down the middle, this is one of the most classic ways to rock small box braids. You really can’t go wrong with this look.
19Light Brown Box Braids High Bun
These light brown box braids are piled into a high bun. This is one of the easiest and prettiest ways to style long box braids.
20Small Brown Box Braids
These pretty brown box braids are arranged into a half up high bun, another quick and easy way to style box braids.
21Hip-Length Box Braids
The great thing about box braids is that there is a length that’s right for everyone. If ultra long braids are your thing, then these gorgeous hip-length braids are just right for you.
22Sun Streaked Small Box Braids
These pretty sun-streaked box braids give off a summertime vibe no matter what time of year it may be. Their long length gives you plenty of styling versatility.
23Reddish Brown Box Braids
Getting box braids is the perfect opportunity to see yourself with a new hair color without having to commit to it long-term. These pretty reddish brown box braids are a great way to switch up your everyday look.
24Small Box Braids With Curly Ends
Another popular way to style small box braids is to make the ends curly. Also known as goddess box braids, this style can be achieved by adding wavy braiding hair to the ends of the braids before sealing.
25Blonde Ombre Triangle Part Box Braids
If you don’t want to go full-on blonde, these ombre box braids are a great option. These braids feature triangle-shaped parts instead of the traditional box-shaped parts, giving them a contemporary look.
26Red Box Braids With Curly Ends
The curly ends on these gorgeous red box braids give them an extra layer of texture. The curly ends also help you create really pretty updo styles and ponytails.
27Grey Ombre Box Braids
In recent years, grey has become a surprisingly popular hair color for many protective styles. These ultra-long, grey ombre box braids are a great choice if you want a look that’s as bohemian as it is beautiful.
28Small Box Braids With Triangle Parts
These pretty box braids feature neat, triangle-shaped parts and curly ends, giving them an ultra-modern look.
29Small Box Braids With Hints of Blonde
These super long box braids have just the slightest hint of blonde in them, creating a pretty highlighted effect.
30Small Two-Toned Box Braids
These gorgeous box braids have a subtle two-toned color that perfectly compliments any skin tone. Pair them with a neutral brown lip, or even a gold or bronze shade.
31Small Box Braids With Beads
These subtly highlighted box braids are accessorized with beads. This is a great way to add flair to any style.
32Olive Green Box Braids
Green is one of the most uncommon colors used in protective styles like box braids, especially this vibrant shade of olive green. This makes it a great choice for those who want a style that’s different from the norm. This beautiful hue is sure to turn heads wherever you go.
33Dark Blonde Box Braids
These pretty dark blonde box braids allow you to rock a sun-kissed color no matter what time of year it may be.
34Reddish Blonde Box Braids
If you’re having trouble deciding on the color for your next protective style, consider these reddish-blonde box braids. This shade is a happy medium between light brown/blondish hues and more vibrant shades of red. These hip-length braids look great casually arranged into a half pulled back style.
35Long Purple Box Braids
Purple continues to be an extremely popular hair color for many protective styles; it’s one of those shades that looks good on everyone. These stunning purple box braids are a great choice for your next look.
36Middle Parted Box Braids
These small box braids are parted down the middle for a natural, classic look that frames the face beautifully.
37Hip-Length Middle Parted Box Braids
These middle-parted box braids fall right around the hips, giving you lots of length to play with for styles like buns, updos, and topknots.
38Ombre Pink Box Braids
If you’re not ready to go full-on pink, consider these gorgeous pink ombre box braids. This look allows you to play with color in a much more understated way.
39Small Box Braids With Bangs
These box braids are styled into a high bun with braided bangs, giving them a chic, modern look.
40Ombre Lavender Box Braids
Lavender is a gorgeous color for box braids, but it’s not a practical choice for everyone. Ombre lavender box braids, on the other hand, are a much more subtle way to rock this pretty color.
41Blonde Ombre thin long box braids