NHP is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Hey my melanated beauty! LOOK: I'm gonna show you so many cute medium box braid hairstyles ideas for Black women & kids you're gonna fall ALL-DA-WAY in love with these looks....
From knotless to normal knotted Janet Jackson braids, we got varying-length styles in different dye colors and all-natural protective styles, you'll see it all!
These hair extension styles are meant to cover and guard hair growth in your natural hairstyles.
MYTH BUSTER: What size are medium box braids? Many folks think the "medium" size refers to the length, that is false. Medium refers to the circumference of the braid.
Medium box braids range in width from penny-to-nickel-sized all around. In contrast, small box braids typically are the same size or smaller than the circumference of a pencil and often feature hair parted at about the width of pencil.
HEY! Are you a medium box braid expert, a natural hair salon owner, or a natural hair stylist whose braiding work is GOOD ENOUGH to get an NHP article feature?
If you want an article feature, email NHP and tell me about what makes your braiding services special!
If I'm convinced that you are one of the better natural hairstylists, I'll do 2 things for you:
Let's get back to this gallery and show you these dope Janet Jackson-esque medium box braid hairstyles for Black women and kids. We also have a jumbo box braid photo gallery for you too!
Some of the medium box braid styles in this image gallery have real human braid extension hair added, although it's possible to do without extension hair if you're hair is long enough, and as you may know medium box braids can help with protecting Black natural hair growth and boosting length-retention.
The ombre medium box braids braids above are set off perfectly by the cute baby hair edges and curly ends - for this look be sure to grab ombre colored hair extensions.
Join NHP-HIVE and get sent our info-packed, down-to-earth & sometimes funny NHP hair tutorials by email. SIGN UP HERE...
Medium box braid hairstyles for Black women are crazy, sexy, cool and ready-made for ladies who want to show off their pizzazz and style while growing hair. And look...
These protective medium box braids can be worn all year around, whwther it's the winter or summer you can reap the beauty and length-retention benefits!
We love a inventive color mixture, and these medium box braids fit the bill.
The medium box braids hairstyle above is different and super-cute. Not every natural hair salon near you will have the skill to pull off such unique medium box braids. Make sure to check the past work of any new braiders you find.
If you ever get a medium box braid style like this be sure contact NHP and leave pictures in our inbox so that we can share your protective style journey images on this very NHP medium box braids gallery.
These twisty ended medium box braids are gorgeous and super neat.
These regal medium box braids would also make an amazing Black graduation hairstyle and even work for bridesmaids, bridal parties and anybody with TRUE style.
You gotta love these shiny exotic appearance to these medium box braids, you can really get fancy with the different braid trinkets and accessories that are available at Amazon.
Box braid styles like this remind you of our African hairstyle roots and can be done with all natural hair or with top-quality extension weave hair.
The hair, the eyes, the flawless makeup, OMG...
Sis, is killing it! These long in length medium knotted box braids can even be done to reach down to waist-length or knee-length, as long as you buy enough high-quality box braid extension hair.
You can also rock these medium box braids in short, neat and clean bob as a protective style for Black natural hair.
Hey sis, heyyy! I'm Melissa Lee, co-founder of both NHP & BlackHairOMG.
I wrote a 9-paged eBook for our subscribers only: JOIN 19,500+ Black Women in THE "NHP-HIVE" & GET YOUR GUIDE Titled:
"15 Exotic Hair Growth Remedies From Around The Globe!" Girrrl, get IN on this!
These medium box braids are borderline on the small side but we decided to throw them in anyway, they are so dope! The dye color make them a truly unique protective style that can help your natural hair grow when maintained correctly.
These smallish medium box braids are also a perfect style for you to show some REAL personality and express your creativity.
This is one medium box braid hairstyle image to save for your local area braider to see and duplicate (if the have the skills).
I love the auburn-reddish color look on the medium box braid gallery photo above, the parts are so neat, clean and crisp.
You can tell this is the work of a pro salon.
Here's another cute medium box braids hairstyle that drops down to collarbone-length.
Remember, medium box braids can come in short, medium or longer lengths.
Much like cornrows, medium box braids are some of the most protective styles you can get that give your natural hair a chance to grow longer when you're not manipulating so much.
For the best growth from medium box braids, KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF to avoid undue manipulation and pay attention to your diet in order to give your body the hair growth minerals it needs and you'll grow hair faster with boosted length-retention.
The above medium box braid hairstyle frames her face so well, this bob look is neater than neat.
These knotless collarbone length medium box braids would make a sleek graduation hairstyle for Black girls and help the melanin keep poppin' somethin' ferocious!
The style above TRULY looks straight out of Poetic Justice movie on Janet Jackson herself. This shiny braidstyle has medium circumference and bra-strap length.
This version of medium box braid hairstyles for Black women makes a chic and cute summer protective style for Black women and more mature girls too..
The medium box braids with curly ends you see above make a great hair-growing, length-protecting protective style for type 4C naturally kinky hair.
Homegirl's style is perfect for date nights, weddings, anniversary parties and overall hair protection.
The box braid artistyy of these African braiders is stunning!
As you can see, the edges in the image below look laid and neat, if you want to DIY this medium box braid style just be sure to use the best edge control for coarse 4C hair.
Join NHP-HIVE and get sent our info-packed, down-to-earth & sometimes funny NHP hair tutorials by email. SIGN UP HERE...
There are many alternative protective hairstyles to use if these medium box braids don't fit the bill for you. Which is great because protective stying is important...
Protective Black hair braiding styles weren’t only historically important in ancient Africa, for Foundationally Black Americans of the past or for enslaved African-Americans... protective braid styles are also very important to Black women in the African diaspora today.
We literally and historically have used our braids to communicate with each other and now, to the world.
Some of The Best Alternatives To Basic Box Braid Hairstyles:
While medium box braid hairstyles for Black women protect hair and length-retention on new growth, we have these options for you that are unique, easy to maintain and protect new growth:
Medium box braids have no specific length that they can be. Check out these long medium box braid hairstyles that would be great for a graduation or night out on the town.
Join NHP-HIVE and get sent our info-packed, down-to-earth & sometimes funny NHP hair tutorials by email. SIGN UP HERE...
Medium box braids are perfect for adding beads or clasps accessories like the gallery image above, so versatile and chic!
If you’re wondering how long does medium box braid installation take, the answer is about 5 to 6 hours on average for a typical professional braiding hair stylist. That’s for a shoulder-length installation. Medium box braids that go down to your waist or knees can take 8 hours time or more.
You should also be careful to plan your takedown because braids don't last forever. As carefree as it feels to have braids, it is important not to leave braids in too long. Take them down before poor braid maintenance habits kill your hair growth efforts.
Hey sis, heyyy! I'm Melissa Lee, co-founder of both NHP & BlackHairOMG.
I wrote a 9-paged eBook for our subscribers only: JOIN 19,500+ Black Women in THE "NHP-HIVE" & GET YOUR GUIDE Titled:
"15 Exotic Hair Growth Remedies From Around The Globe!" Girrrl, get IN on this!
ANSWER: The circumference size of medium box braids range in width from penny-to-nickel-sized all around. In contrast, small box braids typically are the same size or smaller than the circumference of a pencil and often feature hair parted at about the width of pencil.
Many womes think the "medium" size refers to the length of medium box braids, that is incorrect but a common misunderstanding. Medium refers to the circumference of the braid.
ANSWER: Medium box braids typically have a shorter life span than small box braids because the sections are much larger, so small sizes last longer. For larger braid sizes NHP recommends keeping them in for only four to six weeks since the sections are larger and you won't have access to cleaning your scalp the way you would with smaller braids, small braids can last up to 8 weeks.
ANSWER: The requirements for this medium box braid hairstyle that go down to mid-back length is 24 inches. For mid back length, the best extensions to purchase are Sensationnel synthetic braid 6X RUWA pre-stretched braid 24" inch. Price will increase for longer lengths.
ANSWER: Use 9 – 11 single packs of pre-stretched braiding hair for mid-back length medium box braids.
Medium box braids are easier and faster to install than thin and small size plaits. You still have several parted hair sections for similar attention-grabbing, versatile looks. Medium braids are also an ideal size for length retention. They don’t cause as much tension at your roots, and have enough parts so you can maintain a clean scalp.
This braiding option is similar in price to the smaller box braid sizes, costing between $125 – $265 but doesn’t last as long; usually about two and a half months. However, they will save you time–installation usually takes 5 – 7 hours.
Wanna know how to do medium box braids? This how-to DIY tutorial from Debbieify show you how to do it yourself in the most gorgeous way imaginable!
I hope you enjoyed this medium box braids photo gallery, some of these are designed to serve as protective hairstyles for transitioning hair and protective hairstyles for natural hair growth.
And here's a list of some of the most popular protective hairstyles for natural hair with and without weave extensions:
And remember:
NHP focuses on natural hair, so we're excited to show you protective styles for natural hair braids, don't get upset if some medium box braid styles integrate "fake" extension hair in the process.
The ultimate goal is to protect your authentic real hair with the medium box braid extensions, and many African braider professionals recommend the extension hair for advanced protection, whether synthetic or real human hair in order to get the best results.
Look at "fake" braid extension hair as a tool in your natural hair toolbox.
Missed Something? Jump Back Up The Tutorial! Go back to:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee
Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.
This is how you get a feature article written by me...
1st, YOU write about your skills & expertise.
Every week I'll pick the most thorough & detailed entries and create FREE feature articles about your salon and give you publicity.
Describe your specialties, what makes your natural hairstyling skills better or unique? What makes you stand out from the crowd?
Why should your services be chosen among all the other stylists?
If your entry is "meaty" and convincing (worth my reader's time). I'LL WRITE ABOUT YOU and show your work for FREE with a blog post dedicated to promoting your business!