Many of us have embraced braided hairstyles such as cornrows and box braids for as far back as memory serves.
While we adore the timeless appeal of classic braids, there’s a certain charm in witnessing a contemporary twist on the traditional look.
Consider braided bangs, for instance—these are intricately plaited bangs often paired with box-braid bobs and lobs, embellished with adornments like beads and shells for added flair.
The concept of fringe braids harks back to the early career days of the late musician Rick James, but nowadays, A-listers like SZA, Beyoncé, and Erykah Badu have all embraced this style, showcasing its versatility.
Peaches and Herb
Jojo from Mary Jane Girls
Patrice Rushen
Rick James
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Although these braids are commonly donned as a protective summer style, bangs have a knack for resurfacing in any season especially when you want to wear something different for various occasions.
In the following sections, we’ve curated a selection of our favorite interpretations of braided bangs.
Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your upcoming salon visit or simply admiring these stunning styles, continue scrolling for a visual treat.
The History of Beads and African Hair Jewelry
Hair beads connects us to our history and when we wear them we are reclaiming our heritage through African aesthetics and the black hair experience.
OkayAfrica did a piece about where the practice of wearing hair beads comes from.
They write:
The wearing of hair jewelry is a beauty practice that long predates our present-day interpretations. “Just about everything about a person’s identity could be learned by looking at their hair,” Lori Tharps, co-writer of the book Hair Story told BBC Africa about early African braiding practices.
These styles weren’t just about aesthetics and functionality. They were also markers of social standing. In Ancient Egypt people commonly wore alabaster, white glazed pottery or jasper rings in wigs, depending on which materials were available locally, they were symbols of status and authority, with those of high class ranking, let’s say a young Cleopatra, using them to signify wealth and status.
In ancient West African civilizations, hair accessories held significant cultural significance. Within many communities, the intricate patterns of braids served as markers of marital status, social hierarchy, and even age distinctions.
For instance, in present-day Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, hair adornments were emblematic of tribal affiliations, while in Nigeria, coral beads assumed the role of crowns during traditional wedding ceremonies among various tribes. These crowns are known as “okuru” among the Edo people and “erulu” in Igbo culture.
In Yoruba tradition, leaders of the highest authority don multicolored glass bead crowns known as the Oba’s Crown.
Fulani women in the Sahel region have adorned their intricate braided hairstyles with silver or bronze discs for centuries, often passing these embellishments down through generations.
The use of hair jewelry also has deep roots in East African cultures. Habesha women from northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, for instance, embellish their cornrow hairstyles with delicate gold chains that cascade past the forehead when attired in traditional attire.
Similarly, members of the Hamar tribe in the Southern Omo Valley showcase cropped micro-dreadlocks dyed with red ochre, accentuating their styles with flat discs and cowrie shells as cultural symbols.
How do you add beads to your braids?
Begin by braiding a segment of your hair, stopping at the desired location for the bead. Twist the remaining hair and lightly mist it with water before threading it through the bead.
Use an elastic to fasten the bead securely in place, then continue braiding the remaining length of the hair strand.
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10 Braided Bangs With Beads Styles You can try
SZA
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Beyonce
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and
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Erykah Badu
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Braided Bangs With Gold Beads
In LOVE with my beaded empress braids by my bestie @africancreature aka the talented goddess behind Beyoncé’s lemonade braids!
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Braided Bangs With Conch Beads
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Two strand Braided Bangs with clear and silver adornments
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Braided Bangs on short 4c hair
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Brandy B7 Album Cover
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Braided Bangs With Cornrow designs
Culture UK:
Solange
Making waist beads and blasting Solange because – WHY NOT?! pic.twitter.com/4aoku6Pb42
— Cozy ????????♀️ (@supawitteaname) July 8, 2020
Where do you buy beads for hair?
Hair beads are available just about anywhere beauty products are sold, beauty supply store, Hobby Lobby, Target, Walmart.
If your city has a design district or a wholesale district, you will find all sorts of cool beads and adornments you can use for your hair.
