28 Knotless Braid Styles to Inspire Your Next Hairstyle

Mack shares that the production team of Power Book 2 requested “Effie” was given a trim and medium box braids. “Starting with clean hair and a fresh trim, these box braids were done with simple and clean rectangle parts for a classic look. The ends were kept loose adding an effortless boho vibe and options for versatility, giving the future option for the ends to be left straight or bumped with a curling iron for a slight curl or more defined spiral curl. A low porosity hair oil was added throughout the braiding process to ensure moisture. Alix was seen in several scenes in the Power Book II series wearing these braids,” Mack explains. The effortless style looks great on actress Alix Lapri.

Micro knotless box braids can take upwards of 12 hours to achieve; however, the result is braided strands that can be manipulated like natural hair. Tessa Thompson attended the UK screening of Thor with light brown braids and proved that a simple middle part can be an elegant red carpet choice.

Riley Burruss, daughter of Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Kandi Burruss, is Mack’s longtime client. “Riley loves switching up her hairstyles and knotless box braids are a go-to during the warmer months. This style was done with geometric parts and color was added sparsely in the back to give this look depth and personality. To make sure the natural hair blends and to give the braids a sleek and polished look, an edge control was used,” Mack says.

Keke Palmer regularly rocks braids whether at events or on the red carpet. If you want to switch up your style, but not your braids, ask your braider to give you triangle parts, like Palmer, rather than traditional square parts.

It doesn’t take much to give your knotless box braids a little pizzaz. Just add a headband. If you want a more eye catching look, opt for a pattern, like Berlin based fashion blogger Lois Opoku. She went with leopard which gives a nice pop to her red ensemble.

Go big to go home. If you don’t enjoy sitting in a chair for hours, opt for medium or large box braids. Mack shares that her client “wanted a classic knotless box braid style that would last.” She adds, “These braids were parted with perfect squares and staggered for a clean, versatile and low maintenance style. This is one of the most popular parting and braiding combos.”

Hair accessories are the perfect choice for braided beauties. Brandy subtly opted for a few sparsely placed golden cuffs throughout her hair.

“My look was inspired Zendaya she posted that beautiful picture on IG in September 07, 2020. What I love the most about my braids is the sense of freedom and connection I feel with culture and ancestry, there was a time when we couldn’t wear braids but now we can share the beauty of it with the world.” — ELLE reader: Lovelyca Cajuste; Orange, NJ

“A lover of natural and protective styles, Amirah wanted a style true to herself for Nicole Miller’s Every Woman campaign. The perfectly blended subtle ombre gives the ends slight definition and adds to the vibrancy of this boho look. Adding color is always an option and this particular color combo plays really well with Amirah’s skin tone,” says Mack.

Actress Tia Mowry was spotted in jumbo knotless braids with curly ends. This is a great alternative to braiding all the way to the end and dipping your hair in hot water.

Yvonne Orji illustrates that your hair can be the accessory. The actress styled her braids to one side and used a couple to create a crown around her forehead. We see you, Queen.

Extra long micro braids may take a day to achieve, but the style will be sure to turn heads. And while these ankle length braids are eye catching, it was the braided curtain braids in the front that kept our attention.

Half up, half down styles are trending and yes, you can achieve the look with your knotless braided hairstyle. Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss rocks the look on the red carpet at Bravo Con 2022.

“This style is inspired by our Sugar Plum Princess Jolie who loves her Fairy Hair Mother Tiger and her signature shades of pink. Princess Jolie is a care free spirit who gets excited when she sees butterflies so I gave her knotless butterfly braids and matching wings. The smaller braids come together to give this look a creative touch while also making it easier for her mother to maintain for a longer period of time.” — Jolie, god daughter of ELLE reader, Tiger Toyin

When getting braids, you don’t have to stick to just one style. Actress Laura Harrier combines cornrows in the front and knotless box braids in the back of her hair for this effortless look.

Zendaya is constantly switching up her hairstyles, but one of our all time favorites were these butt length braids she wore for the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards. This is a perfect red carpet hairstyle, because your hair is already done! Get your glam together and put on your outfit and you are ready to go.