Five Braids Ideas for Women of Color
Braids are protective and creative styles women use to show off their personal style, creativeness or just to protect their scalps and hair. If you’ve been letting your hair loose in the air for a long time and you’re looking for a means to cover it, braiding is definitely your go-to style. If you are looking for a style that’ll last, these braids ideas for women of color will still cut the deal.
Lately, I’ve been braiding my hair a lot. Somehow, I feel like braids remind me of who I am, a black woman (not that I forget) but it kind of makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin. Aside from the afore-mentioned importance of braiding I found out something quite interesting. Did you know that a long time ago, braiding was used as a means of survival? rice was hidden in braids in order to help slaves survive the middle passage. Mothers sometimes put the rice in their children’s hair while braiding so that once they are separated, their children won’t starve to dead.
Also, though enslaved women were raped and treated as sexual objects, their crown (braids) carried messages of hope and freedom. As a part of their culture, braids were used to identify a particular tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power and social position.
Box braids were expensive in terms of time, material and installation. It could have been assumed that a woman who could afford to sit for many hours adorning her crown was indeed a woman of fortune.
Having understood the significance of braiding, let’s check out a few braiding ideas.
1) Rasta
This is like the commonest type of braids I know of right from when I was a kid till now. I rocked it back then, and I still do now. You can decide to do either the small, medium or large sizes, but remember that the smaller it is, the longer it’ll last. The only thing about braids is the time it takes. You can literally cry your butt out but thank God for new developments everyday. Now, you can find braided wigs or crochets in stores which save the time while still giving you the rasta feeling.
2) cornrows
Cornrows ( popularly known as “pass mesh” where I grew up) is a slight modification of rasta. It is better in that it takes less time, depending on the style though. You could either do small sizes in a very stylish way or you could still do just 2, 5 or more and you’re good to go. There are so many variants as you can either take it to one side, all behind or hold it up in a pony tail especially when you don’t want much hair touch your neck.
3) Faux locs
I so love this style. If you’re a lover of locs but aren’t ready to permanently twist your hair like me, then you definitely need this. Be it short or long, I think you’ll love it anyways. One good thing about the crochet is that you can use them over and over and they’re quite affordable. In Cameroon, a packet with 35 inside cost about CFA3500 and 2 packets will be enough.
4) curly hairstyle with braided front
Aside from braiding your whole hair, you can decide to braid just the front part then add a short or long weave behind, preferably a curly or kinky weave. This is great for people who might want to use a weave they’ve been keeping for long
5) short braids
This includes all kinds of braids from rasta to afro locs to faux locs. Are you a lover of kinky hair and dreads? afro locs are here for you. And there’s the short rasta too which has been making waves lately
Points to note
- Most salons can do braids but not all of them can do it well. Personally, I’ve learnt the hard way that it’s better to pay high and be satisfied than the contrary. Especially people who keep virgin hair. For the braids to be smooth, it needs to done well. (For those in Buea, I recommend 2412 just beside presbyterian church Molyko)
- To spice up your braids you could add beads, rings, colored thread etc
- Braids are good for women of all skin types and ages too.
Hope this was of help to you, which of these is your favorite braiding style?
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