In recent years, African braids with shaved sides have emerged as a distinctive and empowering hairstyle choice. Breaking away from conventional norms, this style represents a powerful expression of individuality and serves as a creative canvas for self-expression.
In this article, we explore the rich history, unique variations, styling techniques, and the empowering significance of African braids with shaved sides.
Box braids with shaved sides
Box braids with shaved sides is a trendy hairstyle where the majority of the hair is styled into long, narrow braids, while the sides of the head are shaved or closely cropped.
This creates a striking contrast between the bold, intricate braids and the shaved sides, adding an edgy and unique look to the hairstyle. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a bold and expressive hairdo.
Tribal braids with shaved sides
Tribal braids with shaved sides combine elements of traditional African tribal hairstyles with modern edginess. The central feature is the intricate braiding pattern, often with geometric or tribal-inspired designs, on the remaining hair, while the sides are shaved or closely cropped.
This style pays homage to African cultural aesthetics while embracing contemporary fashion trends, resulting in a striking and culturally significant look.
Cornrows with shaved sides
Cornrows with shaved sides is a popular and stylish hairstyle where the hair is braided into tight rows or lines (cornrows) on the crown of the head while the sides are shaved or closely trimmed.
This creates a bold and contrasting look, blending intricate braids with a clean, shaved or faded side. It’s a versatile choice, offering a balance between a neat and edgy appearance, and it can be customized with various cornrow patterns to suit individual preferences.
Faux locs with shaved sides
Faux locs with shaved sides is a trendy and bold hairstyle. It involves creating faux locs, which are temporary dreadlock extensions, on the remaining hair while shaving or closely cropping the sides of the head.
This combination offers a unique contrast between the textured and bohemian look of the faux locs and the edgy, shaved sides. It’s a fashion-forward style that allows for creativity in the choice of loc length, color, and thickness, making it a standout choice for those seeking a distinctive appearance.
Goddess braids with shaved sides
Goddess braids with shaved sides is a stylish and creative hairstyle. It features the hair braided into larger, intricate goddess braids on the crown of the head while the sides are shaved or closely trimmed.
This contrast between the bold, thick goddess braids and the shaved sides adds a unique dimension to the hairstyle. It’s a chic and eye-catching look that blends the elegance of braids with a modern, edgy twist.
Micro braids with shaved sides
Micro braids with shaved sides is a striking and intricate hairstyle. It involves creating very thin and small braids (micro braids) on the remaining hair, while shaving or closely cropping the sides of the head.
This combination offers a dramatic contrast between the delicate, detailed micro braids and the bold, shaved sides. It’s a high-maintenance look that requires patience for the braiding process but results in a unique and edgy appearance that can be tailored to individual style preferences.
Feed-in braids with shaved sides
Feed-in braids with shaved sides is a trendy and versatile hairstyle. The central feature consists of cornrows or braids that start small and gradually incorporate additional hair (feed-in) as they progress, creating a neat, natural look.
The sides of the head are either shaved or closely cropped, providing a stylish contrast between the intricately braided top and the clean, shaved sides. This style offers creativity in braid patterns and can be customized with different designs, making it a fashionable and unique choice for those seeking a bold appearance.
kinky twists with shaved sides
Kinky twists with shaved sides is a bold and stylish hairstyle. It involves creating kinky or textured twists on the remaining hair while shaving or closely cropping the sides of the head.
This combination offers a striking contrast between the textured, twisty top and the clean-shaven sides, resulting in a unique and edgy look. It’s a versatile style that can be customized with various twist sizes and lengths, allowing for personal expression and creativity while making a bold fashion statement.
chunky braids with shaved sides
Chunky braids with shaved sides is a bold and eye-catching hairstyle. It features large, thick braids (chunky braids) on the top of the head while the sides are shaved or closely trimmed.
This creates a striking contrast between the substantial, statement-making braids and the sleek, shaved sides. It’s a style that stands out and can be customized with different braid patterns and lengths, allowing for a unique and expressive look that combines both elegance and edginess.
lemonade braids with shaved sides
Lemonade braids with shaved sides is a fashionable hairstyle inspired by Beyoncé’s iconic Lemonade album cover. It involves creating long, narrow, and sleek braids (often with a side part) that resemble lemonade or cornrows. Meanwhile, the sides of the head are shaved or closely cropped.
This style offers a striking and stylish contrast between the intricate braids and the clean, shaved sides, making it a popular choice for those seeking a trendy and edgy look that pays homage to a cultural and musical influence.
Bob braids with shaved sides
Bob braids with shaved sides is a chic and modern hairstyle. It features braids that are cut into a bob-length style, typically around chin or shoulder level, while the sides of the head are shaved or closely trimmed.
This combination offers a stylish contrast between the precision of the bob braids and the edgy, shaved sides. It’s a versatile and low-maintenance option, with customization potential in terms of braid thickness, length, and patterns, making it a trendy choice for those seeking a fashionable and unique look.
Boho braids with shaved sides
Boho braids with shaved sides blend a relaxed, bohemian vibe with a touch of edginess. This hairstyle typically features loose and textured braids, often with added boho elements like beads, shells, or feathers, while the sides of the head are shaved or closely cropped.
The contrast between the carefree, boho-inspired braids and the shaved sides creates a unique and eye-catching appearance. It’s a style that combines a free-spirited, natural look with a modern edge, making it popular for those who want to express their individuality through their hairstyle.
Bohemian braids with shaved sides
Bohemian braids with shaved sides is a trendy and artistic hairstyle. It involves creating loose and textured braids, often with a carefree and natural appearance, while the sides of the head are shaved or closely cropped.
This combination offers a striking contrast between the relaxed, bohemian-inspired braids and the clean-shaven sides, resulting in a unique and eye-catching look. It’s a style that blends a free-spirited, artistic vibe with a modern edge, making it a popular choice for those who want to express their individuality through their hairstyle
Hairstyles with shaved sides and back
Hairstyles with shaved sides and back typically involve cutting the hair short or completely shaved on the sides and back, while leaving the hair on top longer. This style creates a contrast between the shaved sections and the longer hair, resulting in a bold and edgy look.
Common variations include the undercut, fade, and buzz cut. Shaved sides and back can be paired with various top styles, such as a pompadour, quiff, or messy textured hair, allowing for versatile and customizable looks.
Women’s hairstyles with shaved sides
Women’s hairstyles with shaved sides involve cutting or shaving the hair on the sides of the head, leaving the hair on top longer. This style offers a bold and edgy look, creating a contrast between the shaved sections and the remaining hair.
It allows for a range of variations, including undercuts, fades, and asymmetrical designs. Women often embrace this style to showcase their individuality, express their personal style, and make a confident fashion statement.
Micro braids with shaved sides
Micro braids with shaved sides combine the elegance of tiny braids with the edginess of shaved sections. This striking hairstyle involves creating small and intricate braids throughout the hair while shaving the sides for a bold contrast.
It’s a versatile look that allows for customization, with options to vary braid patterns, lengths, and thickness. Micro braids with shaved sides offer an eye-catching and unique style that showcases individuality and creativity, making a powerful statement.
2 cornrows with shaved sides
Two cornrows with shaved sides is a trendy and modern hairstyle that features two neat and parallel cornrow braids running from the front to the back of the head, while the sides are shaved or cut very short. This style combines the sleekness of cornrows with the edginess of shaved sections, resulting in a striking contrast.
It offers a stylish and low-maintenance option for those looking to showcase a bold and contemporary look.
Shaved sides haircut with braids
A shaved sides haircut with braids is a fashionable hairstyle that involves shaving or cutting the hair on the sides of the head very short, while leaving the top longer. The longer hair on top is then braided into various styles, such as cornrows or box braids.
This combination of shaved sides and braids creates a visually appealing contrast, blending the edginess of the shaved sections with the intricate and stylish braided patterns. It’s a versatile and trendy look that allows for creativity and personal expression.
Feed in braids with shaved sides and back
Feed-in braids with shaved sides and back is a chic hairstyle that involves creating cornrows or braids along the scalp, using hair extensions that are gradually fed into the natural hair for a more seamless look.
The sides and back of the head are shaved or cut very short, creating a bold and edgy contrast. This style offers a combination of intricate braided patterns and a sleek shaved look, allowing for versatility and individuality in showcasing a stylish and modern appearance.
Individuals braids with shaved sides
Individual braids with shaved sides is a trendy hairstyle that features small, single braids or box braids that are created by sectioning off and weaving individual strands of hair. The sides of the head are shaved or cut very short, while the top is left longer for braiding. This style combines the elegance of individual braids with the edginess of shaved sections, resulting in a bold and striking look. It offers a unique and fashionable option for those seeking a combination of intricate braided patterns and a modern, shaved aesthetic.
- A Glimpse into the Historical Context:
African braiding practices date back thousands of years, bearing cultural significance and symbolizing community, status, age, and even spirituality. Today, braiding styles have evolved to incorporate varying cultural influences, leading to the creation of unique hairstyles such as African braids with shaved sides. - Embracing Individuality through Bold Styling:
What sets African braids with shaved sides apart is the juxtaposition of intricately braided patterns with boldly shaved sections. This striking combination allows individuals to express their uniqueness and break societal molds while embracing their natural beauty. - Creative Variations and Styling Techniques:
There is an array of creative options to explore when it comes to African braids with shaved sides. From intricate cornrows and box braids to goddess braids and Senegalese twists, the styling possibilities are endless. The shaved side sections can feature intricate designs or patterns, further adding an element of artistic expression. - Empowering Significance:
African braids with shaved sides epitomize empowerment. This style promotes self-confidence, as it allows individuals to challenge societal standards and embrace their own definitions of beauty. The shaved sides can be seen as a bold statement, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the breaking of barriers. - Caring for African Braids with Shaved Sides:
Maintaining the longevity and health of your African braids with shaved sides involves a consistent hair care routine. Proper washing, moisturizing, and protecting the braids and shaved sections will ensure their longevity and preserve their overall appearance.
Conclusion:
African braids with shaved sides represent a powerful fusion of tradition and modernity, offering a unique avenue for self-expression. This hairstyle empowers individuals to embrace their individuality and challenge societal norms, while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of African braiding traditions. By boldly stepping out of the ordinary, one can embrace their journey towards self-discovery, confidence, and empowerment. So, dare to break the mold and explore the captivating world of African braids with shaved sides!
