Box braids remain a staple protective style for black women of all ages. But the hues and color techniques used to create them are ever-evolving. This season sees braiders breaking free from conventional color palettes, using vivid pops of color, hand-painted ombré, and unexpected color pairings to make braids pop.
Explore the trends taking box braid coloring to bold new heights. Whether you’re looking to test drive a new hue or add layers of dimension, here’s what’s heating up on the box braid color spectrum right now.
Vibrant Hues: Turning Up the Color Volume
Forget subtle highlights - this season is all about brazen, eye-catching color. Bold hues like electric blue, cherry red and bright yellow are having a major moment. Show off your colorful personality by working one or more of these lively brights into your box braid style.
Make a statement with electric blue box braids that command attention. Or try cherry red box braids that pop against dark hair. Sunny yellow box braids add a cheery touch. Other vibrant options include boho braids in mint, orange, pink and purple.
Go solid with all one color or add strips of color for a fun, funky look. Vibrant color concentrated around the face creates a striking focal point. Work color through ends only for a lower maintenance look.
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Color Blocking: Mixing Vivid Tones
Why stick to just one colorful hue when you can rock two or more? Color blocking with vivid tones is a big box braiding trend. Section out blocks of varying bright colors throughout your braided wigs style.
Color pairings like yellow and blue, orange and pink or red and purple pack visual impact. Keep color changes clean and defined instead of blended. Or alternate every other braid in contrasting colors.
Color blocking works best on longer box braids. Shoulder length or longer styles provide enough surface area to show off multiple colors. Just don’t go overboard on color combinations. Stick to two or three bold hues for the strongest statement.
Hand-Painted Ombré: Blended Color Gradients
Ombré coloring remains popular, but hand-painted blends are making braids look more dimensional. Rather than dip-dyed uniform ombré, color is applied using a specific hand-painting technique.
This creates a uniquely gradated effect where the darker roots seamlessly fade into lighter ends. Colors blend softly without a stark line of demarcation. It produces a customized, salon-quality color result.
Any vivid hue can be hand-painted, but the effect works especially well on cooler shades. Think smokey blends of slate grey, pastel blue and icy white. Or opt for a warm ombré in shades of caramel, copper and champagne blonde.
Unconventional Color Pairings
Why play it safe with color combinations when unconventional pairings create braids that pop? Contrasting hues positioned together grab attention and show off your bold style.
Some examples of unexpected box braid color pairings include:
Royal blue and orange
Cherry red and lime green
Electric pink and turquoise
Purple and yellow
Place the color pairings together in alternating braid blocks. Or use one color on top and the other on bottom layers. Unconventional color couples make your box braids stand out in a sea of basic hairstyles.
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Dimensional Color: Layering Techniques
This season’s box braiding palette has depth. Use strategic coloring techniques like hand painting, balayage and color melting to add dimension. Dimensional color makes boho braids look multi-faceted.
With hand painting, color is artfully applied by hand in sweeping strokes instead of solid blocks. Balayage features hand-painted color that looks like natural highlights. Color melting blends hues with a diffused look.
Dimensional coloring works best on longer box braids. Shoulder blade length or longer provides enough canvas to show off layered color. Have your stylist customize the placement and blending of shades.
Bleached Braids: Lightening Up
Bleaching adds lightness and dimension to box braids. It lets you rock lighter colors that pop against the dark base. Full bleached braids create an edgy, modern vibe.
If full-on blonde isn’t for you, try partial bleaching. Just lighten the ends or bottom half of braids. Use foils so only certain sections get bleached. Pair with vibrantly colored extensions for extra pop.
Bleaching does increase damage risk. Use professional Olaplex treatments with the lightening process. Avoid over-washing and heat styling bleached braids. Deep condition weekly to combat dryness.
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Conclusion
Whether you're ready to take the plunge with electric blue braids or prefer subtle ombré, braid coloring lets you put your own creative stamp on a classic style. When executed by a skilled stylist, vibrant dyes and dimensional techniques take box braids to the next level while maintaining hair health.
JALIZA is a leading brand specializing in high-quality braided wigs designed for black women. Their expansive collection offers diverse wig styles featuring small box braids. JALIZA utilizes premium human hair blended with innovative designs to create natural-looking, easy to style braided wigs.
The team at JALIZA applies meticulous craftsmanship to each handmade wig. Their hallmark braided wigs like the Tangleless Boho and Glueless Lace designs solve common hassles associated with styling and maintenance. JALIZA aims to provide the versatility and convenience that modern women desire in their protective braided hairstyles. Discover your perfect braided wig match and enhance your natural beauty with JALIZA.
