15 Braided Bob Hairstyle Ideas for Natural Hair

Looking for new ways to style and embrace your natural hair? Lucky for you, there are some seriously stylish natural hairstyles that happen to be totally aligned with one of the hottest beauty trends at the moment—braided bob hairstyles. That’s right, rocking a braided hairstyle doesn’t require lots of length; short hair that’s above your shoulders can be braided, too! Want some inspiration? Below, we’re sharing 15 braided bob hairstyle ideas for natural hair. Pick your favorite and start plaiting!

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #1: ASYMMETRICAL BRAIDED BOB

Shorter on one side than the other, asymmetrical bobs are a hair trend that you’ve likely seen sported by some of your favorite celebrities. Combine this cut with a braided mane and you’ve got an asymmetrical braided bob worthy of the paparazzi!

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #2: BRAIDED LOB

Longer in the front and shorter in the back, we’d argue that this braided lob hairstyle offers the best of both worlds. You’ll have braids that fall slightly past your shoulders at the front of your head and shorter braids at the back, keeping your hair off your neck and out of the way.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #3: SIDE-SWEPT BRAIDED BOB

Switch things up by parting your braided bob to one side—which may actually be more flattering for your face shape than a middle part (here’s How to Find the Best Part for Your Face Shape and Hair Type). A side-swept ‘do can also create the appearance of a fuller mane—score!

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #4: COLORFUL BRAIDED BOB

Add a bit of color to your braided bob hairstyle for a ‘do that’ll steal the show! Pick a vibrant hue (or two) to color your mane. Not sure you’re ready to commit to colorful locks? Use a temporary hair color, like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray or the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Color, for color that washes out in just one shampoo.

Editor’s note: Having trouble picking a color? We’re loving hot pink hair right now!

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #5: DIMENSIONAL BRAIDED BOB

Want your braids to stand out a little more? A more dimensional hair color is exactly what you need. Incorporate a mix of highlights and lowlights throughout your mane, then braid your hair. Your braids will really pop this way!

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #6: SHORT BRAIDED BOB

We love shoulder-skimming bobs, but there’s no reason you can’t go a little shorter. Hitting just below the chin, this braided bob style is best suited for those who want to emphasize their jawline.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #7: BLUNT BRAIDED BOB

If you’re looking for a braided bob hairstyle that will make a statement, a blunt braided bob is for you. The blunt cut will add an edge to your beauty look while the braids will put a soft twist on the traditional blunt bob.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #8: SHOULDER-LENGTH BOB

You don’t have to commit to a big chop in order to rock a braided bob hairstyle. Braids that sit right at your shoulders are perfect for trying out this trend! Keep in mind, when you’re getting your hair cut, you may want to leave your hair a little longer—your locks will most likely look shorter when they’re braided.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #9: BRAIDED BOB WITH BOX BRAIDS

Box braids are one of the most popular braided hairstyles, and they look amazing when paired with a bob. Consider this one a no-brainer!

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #10: CHUNKY BRAIDED BOB

An easy way to switch up your braided bob hairstyle is to play around with varying braid sizes. We love the look of lots of smaller braids, but you can also consider sporting thick, chunky braids for a whole new spin on the braided bob.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #11: LAYERED BRAIDED BOB

Prefer a textured look? Add dimension and shape to your braided bob with some layers. This style includes short, medium, and long braids for layers that will instantly add volume and definition to your braided bob hairstyle.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #12: BRAIDED BOB WITH BANGS

Bangs are totally on-trend at the moment! We love side-swept braided bangs to complement your bob. To fake the look, part your hair to the side and pull a few braids across your forehead, pinning them in place for instant faux bangs.  

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #13: COLOR BLOCK BRAIDED BOB

You likely know about the color block makeup trend, but did you know that you could rock a color-blocked braided bob? This contrasted look features braids of one color on one side of your head and braids of another color on the opposite side. We love this style with black and brunette braids for a subtle (yet still contrasted) look.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #14: BRAIDED BOB WITH CORNROWS

When it comes to braiding natural hair, you can’t go wrong with cornrows. Try a braided bob with cornrows and your ‘do will double as a protective hairstyle that keeps your strands protected from elements of your environment and promotes healthy hair.

BRAIDED BOB HAIRSTYLE #15: ASYMMETRICAL BRAIDED LOB

We mentioned an asymmetrical braided bob earlier, but an asymmetrical lob is an option, too. Even if it doesn’t quite qualify as a braided bob thanks to those  extra two or three inches of length, it’s well worth a spot on this list!

Next: 8 Stylish and Easy Natural Hairstyles To Try In 2019