There is a misconception that braided black hair lacks versatility; however, it is anything but boring! Aside from looking amazing, the braided bun has many benefits.
Braided updos are also known as protective styles because they keep much of the hair tucked away and reduce daily handling.
The Benefits of Protective Styles for Black Hair
- Once the style is set, it is usually easy to manage from day to day.
- Sleeping in a silk or satin scarf can help reduce frizz and keep your braids neat for longer.
- If you are working toward longer hair goals, a protective updo can support length retention by limiting repeated styling.
- There are endless braid options to choose from, including cornrows, micro braids, feed-ins, blocky braids, Senegalese twists, and twist braids, so the finished look can still feel unique.
Don’t be put off by the complexity of some of them; they often look more complicated than they really are!
Braided Bun Hairstyles for Black Women
From sculpted crowns to playful top knots, these braided bun styles show just how varied and fashion-forward protective styling can be.
So, if you are in the mood for a change and fancy dabbling with a braided updo, then have a look at our 23 top braided bun ideas for black hair.
1. Crown Braid Updo with Sweeping Halo
This is a very royal updo, so be the Queen that you are and stun with this swooping braid that hugs the outside of the head. It will require a professional touch to get it done, but it is a sturdy style that will be maintenance-free for a long time!
Perfect for polished and professional women who need a more conventional style but still like to turn heads.
2. Playful Double Braided Space Buns
Cute braided side buns are a great option for black women who like quirky and unique styles. This look is really set off by the haphazard parting, which draws the eye. You can mix up your hair accessories with this one, adding color and fun with varying clips. Be aware that this may not be hugely comfortable to sleep on, but your daytime look will be worth it!
3. Chunky Half-Up Braided Space Buns
This half updo is really dynamic and set off by the choice of super chunky braids. The addition of contrasting hair clips and accessories can break up an otherwise dark hairstyle and add extra character.
4. Sleek Off-Center Micro-Braided Bun
Not only is this style graceful, but it is very simple to achieve. The look is further enhanced by using thin braids. It is a stunning decision to make this bun slightly off-center, as it gives extra definition to an otherwise timeless but conventional hairstyle.
5. Loose High Dread Bun with Face-Framing Wisps
Updos don’t always have to be sleek and highly sculpted. Sometimes it is nice to have a more relaxed and laid-back look. By bundling your dreads on top of your head in a loose and casual fashion, and framing the face with wisps of loose hair, you can achieve a very attractive and distinctive summertime beachy look that also delivers the healthy hair benefits of any bun style.
6. Sculpted Mohawk Bun with Side Cornrows
A beautiful and mesmerizing take on the classic mohawk, this style is braided at the sides and then gathered at the parting in two intricate rolls. Adding splashes of color really highlights the unusual bun shape formed at the crown of the head.
7. Flat-Twisted Crochet Low Bun
Graceful and sophisticated, this is the perfect braided bun style for black women wanting a more elegant updo. By keeping the bun more flat and close to the scalp, it achieves a more demure and sleek look.
Crochet Braid Hairstyles to Stand out
8. Jumbo Braided Top Knot
Big is always beautiful, and this bun certainly hits the spot! The chunky braids give volume to the big top bun, and the eye is drawn away by the swooping fringe section that parts behind the ear. This is a stunningly elaborate look that is very easy to achieve.
9. Intricate Fulani Braids with High Bun
If you are an angelic soul, then this is the braided bun for black women. Created by framing the head with precise scalp braiding and a structured high bun, this is certainly a statement style.
10. Feed-In Braided Top Knot with Gold Cuffs
Don’t think that having the same bun style for an extended period of time means that you don’t have the chance to change it up. By adding accessories such as hair wraps, bandanas, clips, and slides, you can alter the look as dramatically as you want, with the beauty of it still being temporary.
11. Classic Pearl-Embellished Braided Bun
This is one for the princesses! This classic bundled bun is quite traditional in its shape, but the addition of sparkling pearls adds definition to the form and structure of this beautiful braided bun.
12. Forward-Falling Braided Bun with Geometric Undercut
This is a style for any strong and powerful black woman who wants to make a statement! From the shaved undercut to the sculpted hairline, it’s all topped off with a fierce and fabulous top bun that is styled to droop forward over the forehead.
13. Intricately Sectioned Braided Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are a simple but eye-catching black bun hairstyle with braids that can be as versatile as you are. Whether you choose to have 3 knots or 30 knots, every head of Bantu buns will look different. This is a fun one to accessorize too.
14. Complex Maze-Patterned Braided High Updo
This is an incredibly intricate black braided bun style, but one that is sure to turn heads. A trip to the stylist will be necessary to have this constructed, but the impact will be worth the visit! The clever use of the front braids being haphazard helps frame the face and break up what would otherwise be a rather stark and harsh look.
15. Central Braided Faux Hawk Updo
By not shaving the sides of the hair into a traditional mohawk, and instead braiding the hair up to the center of the head, it creates a more elegant and classy faux hawk. Great for showing off any fierce personality while still maintaining some decorum!
16. Angled Cornrows into a Voluminous Braided Bun
By braiding the hair very close to the scalp and adding a loose top bun, it provides a nice contrast. Plaiting the hair at an angle instead of straight back adds drama and definition, and is a great way of adding shape to a more rounded face.
17. Thick Swept-Up Braided Statement Bun
Aside from being easier to undo, thicker braids are a fantastic way to add volume to any style, especially if you are wanting a statement bun on top of the head. This black girl look is both effortlessly chic and comfortable to wear.
18. Braided Half-Up Top Knot
Although not an entire bun updo, having length at the back really sets off the size and volume of the top bun nestled on the crown of the head. By mixing in smaller braids with chunkier ones, it adds varying volume and definition.
19. Senegalese Twist Bun with Copper Accents
Color is always an easy way to break up an otherwise monotone hairstyle for black hair. By subtly adding definition and flame-colored features into this bun, it enhances the exquisite detail of the hair twists.
20. Chunky Purple Braided Bun with Shaved Sides
This braided hair bun really speaks for itself! The chunky braids, shaved temple region, and expressive, flattering regal purple color are the perfect way to show off individual personality through style and clever color choices.
21. Two-Tone Braided Mohawk Bun with Bald Fades
This braided bun mohawk is not for everyone, but for black women who can pull it off, they will reap the benefits of being so unique. The shaved sides are a big and brave investment but are softened by the more feminine and elaborate braiding bundled into a top mohawk bun. The highlighted color choices also help add drama.
Have a Look at These Half Shaved Hairstyles for Girls
22. Chunky Braided Bow Updo with Swooping Bangs
This is such a beautiful and unique look for black women that is easier to achieve with chunkier braids. This look takes inspiration from bow hairstyles, and the statement bun is softened by the use of a swooping front fringe and adorable girly wisps of hair around the temples.
23. Swirled Micro-Braid Shell Bun with Hair Wraps
The flawless microbraids used here are an awesome way to achieve a very structured and complex look. By fixing the hair into a side parting, it is almost like a style of two halves, with one side being demure and the other side shaped into a sophisticated swooping shell. Adding fabric wraps to the front of the style breaks up the color palette and adds definition to the braided bun for Black women.
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