11 Most Popular African Braided Updo Hairstyles – We’ve seen braids in every shape and size over the past few years, but this year, it’s all about incorporating them into updos.
Here you’ll find some of our favorite African braided updo hairstyles that are easy to recreate and will give you a trendy look for any occasion.
Bun Cornrows
This hairstyle is beautiful and easy to create. You will need two cornrows on each side of your head, starting at the nape of your neck and ending just before your ear.
The cornrowing should be done with a smaller section than usual to make it stand out against the rest of your hair.
You can use any type of braid you like for this style, but we recommend going for an African plait or cornrow since they are more visible than French braids or other styles that blend in better with natural hair textures.
For example: Instead of having one large French braid down the center backside (which would be invisible from behind), try using small bunches that mimic cornrows instead!
Mohawk Braids
The first step to creating a mohawk with braids is to separate your hair into sections.
You can do this by parting your hair down the middle of your head, or you can part it in the center and then twist each section separately.
Next, make three sections of hair on either side of your head, leaving a small amount of space between each section.
On one side, begin braiding your hair towards the back of your head; then continue braiding until you reach the end of that side’s section (which should be just above where it intersects with another braid).
Repeat this on all three sides until they meet in their respective places at the back of their respective sections.
Once they meet up at said place (just above where they all intersect), secure them together with an elastic band or regular rubber band—making sure not to pull too tightly so as not to cause any damage!
Updo with Braid Design
This updo hairstyle is a great way to show off your braids. The braids can be of different sizes, colors, and materials.
Space Buns with Twists
This hairstyle is very easy to do and looks great on people with long hair.
You just need a few bobby pins to secure the twists, or you can use a hair tie if you don’t have any bobby pins handy. Either way, the twists will keep in place all day long!
This style looks especially nice with extensions; however, it also looks good without extensions if you prefer to wear your own hair down.
Cornrow Braided Bun
To create this cornrow bun, you will need:
- hair extensions (optional)
- two packs of bobby pins
- a wig cap or a scarf to protect your hairline from the braids
Start by parting off your hair into four sections and applying the extensions if you want extra length.
Make sure that each section is as equal in thickness as possible. This will help keep the cornrows’ shape even throughout.
Divide one side into two sections and tie them up with a ponytail holder so that they don’t get tangled when you’re braiding them back later on.
Then split another section in half and divide that portion into three smaller strands for each cornrow pattern you’ll use during this process.
This will make it easier to figure out where exactly each section begins/ends without having to go back over everything again later on!
Half-Up and Half-Down Boxer Braid Bun
- To begin, create a boxer braid on one side of your head by taking a small section of hair from right above the ear line to the middle of your ear. Repeat on the other side.
- Next, take all of these sections and add them together into one large ponytail at the nape of your neck (the back).
- Then add in another elastic band from above your ears and secure with a small amount of hairspray if necessary.
- Finally, create your bun by pulling all other pieces up into an open twist before securing it with bobby pins or clear elastic bands to ensure that it stays put!
Big Box Braids into High Bun
How to create:
- Put your hair in big box braids, then remove them and shake out your curls.
- Divide your hair into two sections: the top section and the bottom section. Place one side of a ponytail holder near the base of your neck, then secure it with an elastic band from underneath so that it’s barely visible on top (this will be your high bun). Repeat for the other side so that you have two high buns—one on each side of your head!
- Gather all remaining hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck with an elastic band; make sure it’s not too tight or loose! You can use either a regular old elastic band or one with grippy edges if you find regular ones slip off easily when styling braids in updos like this one (I know I do). If necessary, add another elastic band around this ponytail as well just above where all those cute little braids meet up right below where they start going down towards their final destination atop both sides’ respective bunches o’ locks!
Side-Twisted Updo with Space Buns
To create this hairstyle, begin by parting your hair on the side and then gathering it into a side ponytail.
Then, separate a portion of your hair from your ponytail and braid it down toward the back of your head before gathering it into another large braid that will be used as one of the “space buns”.
Repeat this step with all remaining loose strands at the front top part of your head until you have two braided “space buns” at either side of your face (similar to how someone would wear their hair when they’re going out).
Next, take each one from underneath and secure them with pins starting from its ends upwards until you reach its root/base where there’s no longer any free space for pins to hold on tightly anymore.
This keeps everything securely in place so no matter how much movement occurs throughout an evening–or whatever event for which these braids are being worn!
They’ll stay put together nicely without having any messy bits sticking out awkwardly making them look unsightly.
Three High Buns with Braids
This style is great for people with short hair, because it’s easy to create and requires minimal styling.
To create this look:
- Divide your hair into three equal sections and cornrow each section by hand or use a wide-tooth comb.
- Pull the middle section upward until it becomes very tight, then secure with a hair elastic at the nape of your neck (one that’s small enough to fit snugly).
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 on either side of your head so that you have three tight buns on top of your head.
Crochet Braided Updo into a Top Knot
To create the crochet braid, you will need to start with two cornrows that are about 1/2 inch apart and make sure that they are about five inches long.
Once you have created this, you can start braiding from one side of your head over to the other side of your head in a traditional three strand braid technique.
After doing this, take out some hair from underneath each cornrow so there is enough room for you to create a bun or top knot later on once everything has been finished up nicely into place!
This step is very important because it ensures that no hair will be sticking out which would ruin our final look by making it look messy instead!
Now we’re ready for our next step which involves styling both sides together tightly towards the backside part where they meet up again together at their end point (this should be right above where your neck starts).
You’ll notice how easy it’ll be after all those practice times spent on learning how these things work before starting them off correctly each time around too!
Just remember not forget any steps along way when doing something new like this one too.
Two Scarf Buns with Middle Part
To do this look, divide your hair into two sections and then secure each one with a hair clip at the nape of your neck (behind your ears).
Next, create two low ponytails on either side of your head by wrapping the bottom section of hair around the base of a large-barreled curling iron in an upward motion (you can use any type of curling iron here).
Let them cool while you work on section 2. 3. Repeat step 2 with section 3 above it until all three sections are pulled back into low ponies.
Once all three sections are done, take them down from their clips and begin braiding them back over themselves to create two braided buns that sit above each other at the top of your head like little crowns!
If needed, use more bobby pins as you go—we recommend having extras on hand for these kinds of styles.
Most of these hairstyles are easy to create, and they’re great if you’re looking for a new style.
The following African braided updos are easy to create and look great on people with short, medium or long hair.
They’re also a good choice if you want to switch up your look. These styles work well for any occasion and age group!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this collection of African braided updo hairstyles. We know that some of these styles may seem complicated at first, but they’re actually not so bad once you get started!
Remember that all of these hairstyles are great options for people with thick or thin hair.
