Do you ever have one of those bad hair days where you just can’t seem to tame your bob?
According to a recent survey, over 60% of women feel more put together and confident when their hair looks fabulous.
Sure, a basic blowout looks nice, but sometimes you want a little something extra to make your tresses stand out. That’s where braided bob hairstyles come in!
In this post, we’ll walk through 10 show-stopping braided bob ideas for every occasion.
By the end, you’ll have the skills and inspiration to take your bob from bland to beautiful for any event with intricate, head-turning braids.
1. Bob Braids with Bangs
Bob braids with bangs feature braided hair cut into a bob-length style, typically ending around the chin or shoulders.
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Time Required: Expect to spend 2-4 hours in the salon chair to achieve this look, depending on your hair’s thickness and length. Touch-ups every 4-6 weeks will help maintain the style’s shape and keep your braids looking fresh.
Suitability: Bob braids with bangs work well for most face shapes, particularly oval, heart, and square.
2. Shoulder Lenght Bob Braids
Shoulder-length bob braids typically feature braids that fall just above or at the shoulder, creating a sophisticated and polished appearance.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Time Required: Set aside 3-5 hours to complete this style, depending on your hair’s thickness, length, and the size of the braids. Touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help keep your braids looking tidy and prevent excessive frizz.
Suitability: Shoulder-length bob braids are a fantastic choice for those with medium to long hair who want a low-maintenance, protective style that still allows for some length and movement.
3. Half-Up, Half-Down Bob Braids
The top half of the hair is pulled back and secured, while the bottom half is left loose in braided bob form, creating a chic and playful appearance.
Skill Level: Beginner.
Time Required: Expect to spend 2-3 hours creating this look, depending on your braiding speed and the desired intricacy of the half-up section. Touch-ups every 4-6 weeks will help maintain the style’s freshness.
Suitability: It works well for various face shapes and hair types and can be easily customized to suit your preferences.
4. Faux Locs Bob
Faux locs bob is a protective style that mimics the appearance of dreadlocks, but with a shorter, bob-length cut.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Time Required: Be prepared to spend 4-8 hours in the salon chair to achieve this look, depending on your hair’s thickness and the desired size of the faux locs. Touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help maintain the style’s neat appearance.
Suitability: Faux locs bob is an excellent choice for those who love the look of dreadlocks but want a more temporary and low-maintenance option.
5. Rolled Half Updo
The top half of the hair is rolled and tucked into a beautifully shaped bun, while the bottom half is left loose in braided bob form.
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Time Required: Allow 2-4 hours to create this look, depending on your braiding speed and the intricacy of the rolled updo. Touch-ups every 4-6 weeks will help maintain the style’s polished appearance.
Suitability: The rolled half updo is perfect for special occasions, such as weddings, proms, or formal events.
6. Passion Twists Bob
Passion twists bob is a playful and stylish variation of the classic bob braids featuring bouncy, curly extensions. This style can be worn neat for a polished look or distressed for a more casual, bohemian vibe.
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Time Required: Set aside 4-6 hours to create this look, depending on your braiding speed and the desired size of the passion twists. Touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help maintain the style’s freshness and bounce.
Suitability: Passion twists bob is perfect for those who want to add some texture and volume to their braided bob look.
7. Long Braided Bob
This style allows for various styling options, such as voluminous buns, intricate braid cuffs, or the addition of braiding string for a pop of color.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Time Required: Expect to spend 4-6 hours creating this look, depending on your hair’s thickness and the desired size of the braids. Touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help maintain the style’s neat appearance.
Suitability: Long braided bobs are perfect for those who want the convenience of a braided style but still desire some length and versatility.
8. Tribal Box Braids Bob
Tribal box braids bob is a bold and artistic style that combines the classic box braids technique with intricate, geometric parting patterns.
Skill Level: Advanced.
Time Required: Be prepared to spend 6-8 hours or more in the salon chair to achieve this look, depending on the complexity of the design and the thickness of your hair. Touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help maintain the style’s sharp lines and vibrant colors.
Suitability: Tribal box braids bob is perfect for those who want to make a bold fashion statement and celebrate their African roots.
9. Bob Braids Short
Bob braids short is a simple yet chic protective style that features braids ending just below the jawline. This style is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance, long-lasting braided look without the extra length.
Skill Level: Beginner.
Time Required: Expect to spend 2-3 hours creating this look, depending on your braiding speed and the thickness of your hair. The shorter length of the braids means less time spent in the braiding chair. Touch-ups every 6-8 weeks will help maintain the style’s neat appearance.
Suitability: Short bob braids are ideal for those with busy lifestyles who want a stylish, protective hairstyle that requires minimal upkeep.
10. Bob Braids Crochet
Bob braids crochet is a convenient and versatile protective style that involves installing pre-braided bob extensions onto natural cornrows using a crochet hook. The pre-looped extensions make the installation process quick and easy, and the style can be worn repeatedly.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Time Required: Installing crochet bob braids typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on your familiarity with the crochet technique and the size of the braids. Touch-ups every 4-6 weeks will help maintain the style’s freshness.
Suitability: Crochet bob braids are perfect for those who want the look of braids without the time commitment of individual braiding.
Wrapping Up
In this blog post, we’ve explored 10 stunning braided bob hairstyles that cater to every occasion, taste, and skill level.
From the edgy allure of passion twists to the timeless elegance of the rolled half updo, these versatile protective styles offer endless possibilities for self-expression and creativity.
We hope that this guide has inspired you to experiment with different braided bob styles and discover a look that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and true to yourself.
Remember, the world of braided bobs is vast and exciting, and there’s always room for personalization and innovation.
We’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite braided bob styles, experiences, or any questions you may have in the comments section below.
