40 Braided Bob Hairstyles (Short Braids Never Looked More Beautiful)

There’s no denying the allure of long braided hairstyles. But there’s always been something inherently intriguing about the iconic braided bob. And without a lot of hair to hide behind, confidence is key.

Beyond the aesthetics though, there are lots of other pros to this look. Truly the perfect protective style, braided bobs are lightweight and therefore gentle on your natural hair, the installation takes a fraction of the time and they’re much easier to maintain.

40 Badass Braided Bob Hairstyles

Short braids don’t necessarily mean that you get short-changed on styling options. If you’re worried about feeling limited, just opt for a slightly longer version of a bob, known as a lob, so you have a little more wiggle room, to experiment with buns and updos, as well as additional accessories.

Still, the best part about a braided bob, is that there’s a shape to suit every face. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down to discover your next must-have hairstyle.

1. Medium Box Braids Bob with Beads

Medium box braids bob hairstyle with beads worn by a Black woman — IG: @beingstefs

While this might be considered a standard bob, thanks to wooden beads, there’s nothing basic or boring about it.

2. Short Jumbo Asymmetrical Goddess Bob

Short jumbo asymmetrical goddess bob with burgundy worn as a protective style on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @frizzybri

The asymmetrical cut, subtle burgundy color, gold cord and crocheted curly pieces all come together to make this chunky bob so badass. Click below to get the step-by-step.

3. Short Copper Box Braids Bob

Short copper box braids bob worn as a protective style on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @modelesque_nic

The size and length may vary, but you seriously can’t go wrong with copper.

4. Chunky Copper Box Braids Bob

Chunky copper box braids bob hairstyle with gold cuffs worn as a protective style on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @tupo1

5. Box Braids Lob with Center Part

Box braids lob hairstyle with a middle part worn by a Black woman — IG: @aysha.sow

A little on the longer side, this box braids lob is fierce, feminine and flirty.

6. Side-Swept Flat Twisted Bob on Short Natural Hair

Black woman wearing a flat twisted bob hairstyle with gold cuffs on her short natural hair — IG: @mynaturalsistas

This side-swept bob created on short natural hair, is a gorgeous gold-cuffed combo of two strand and flat twists.

7. Shoulder Length Butterfly Locs Bob with Middle Part

Shoulder length butterfly locs bob with middle part worn as a protective style on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @iammarybennett

Now this is a DIY you totally have to try. Check out the tutorial below to see how her crochet butterfly locs were layered in three different lengths, to create this beautiful blunt bob.

8. Small Knotless Box Braids Bob with Curly Pieces

Black woman wearing a small knotless box braids bob with curly pieces — IG: @pearlthestylist_

Whether you opt for an asymmetrical bob with cute curly pieces, or blunt rubber banded ends, knotless box braids are a knock out every time.

9. Knotless Box Braids Asymmetrical Blunt Bob

Black woman wearing a small blunt knotless box braids bob with rubber bands on the ends — IG: @braidedbytee @khatbrim

10. Short Platinum Fulani Braids Bob with Beads

Short platinum Fulani braids bob with beads worn by a Black woman — IG: @braidsbychacha

In a twist on the more traditional tribal braided looks, this platinum blonde bob hairstyle is a guaranteed head-turner.

11. Short Grey Boho Faux Locs Bob

Short grey boho faux locs bob hairstyle worn by a Black woman — IG: @boholocs

From a short boho bob in Storm Goddess, to an actual goddess lob in Chocolate Bronde, these faux loc looks are un-faux-gettable.

12. Chocolate Bronde Goddess Faux Locs Lob

Chocolate bronde goddess faux locs lob hairstyle worn by a Black woman — IG: @ruee.co

13. Short Tribal Cornrows with Beads

Short tribal cornrows bob with beads worn as a protective hairstyle on a Black woman with natural hair — Pinterest

We seriously can’t get enough of these short tribal hairstyles. If you adore these cornrowed bobs with beads, as much as we do, then you’ve found your people.

14. Grey Fulani Braids Bob with Beads

Short grey Fulani braids with beads worn as a protective hairstyle on a Black woman with natural hair — Pinterest

15. Two Strand Twisted Bob with Beads

Short two strand twists bob hairstyle with beads on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @jd_winters

These mini twists are serving maximum style. Clean, dry, stretched, detangled and moisturized hair lay the perfect foundation for this lovely bob.

Even if your natural hair is cut in a different shape, the ends can be bent to a uniform length, as you’re adding the beads, to give that illusion.

16. Short Grey Butterfly Locs Bob

Short grey butterfly locs bob hairstyle worn by a Black woman — IG: @a.dai.sha

For a chic, quick and classy way to elevate a butterfly locs bob, play around with the position of your part or experiment with an unconventional color like grey.

17. Short Butterfly Locs Bob with Deep Side Part

Short butterfly locs bob worn as a protective style by a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @iambebemichelle

18. Box Braids Bob with Shaved Sides

Box braids bob hairstyle with shaved sides and goddess beads worn by a Black woman — Pinterest

The shaved sides of this side-swept box braided bob, along with the goddess beads, make this style, equal parts edgy and elegant.

19. Box Braided Bob without Extensions

Black woman with natural hair wearing a short box braided bob without extensions — IG: @brianalynee

How cute is this mini box braided bob? And it’s hands down one of the easiest styles to DIY.

Just be sure to use edge control at the roots to keep them nice and neat. Then, follow with a leave-in conditioner and twisting cream so your mane will be moisturized, not to mention laid, and last a good two to three weeks.

20. Butterfly Locs Lob with Deep Side Part

Butterfly locs lob worn as a protective style on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @marykbella

A bit on the longer side, the following lobs offer far more styling flexibility. The hard part is actually deciding on a hairstyle between butterfly locs, passion twists and goddess braids.

21. Passion Twists Lob with Center Part

Passion twists lob with center part worn as a protective style on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @clatodd

22. Goddess Lob with Side Part

Black woman wearing a goddess lob hairstyle with a side part — IG: @laviniatrancista

23. Short Copper and Blonde Box Braids Bob

Black woman wearing a short copper and blonde box braids bob hairstyle — IG: @melanin_huguette

Super short and oh so chic, vibrant colors make these box braided bobs even harder to resist.

24. Short Maroon Box Braids Bob

Black woman wearing a short maroon box braids bob hairstyle — Pinterest

25. Burgundy Dreadlocks Faux Bob

Black woman with long dreadlocks wearing them in a short faux bob hairstyle — IG: @missrii

Naturalistas with dreadlocks don’t have to miss out on all of the bob possibilities. And the best part is, you can opt for a shorter style without using scissors. This beautiful burgundy faux bob can be created by wrapping the hair around itself in barrel loc knots to the desired length.

26. Blunt Passion Twists Bob

Black woman wearing a blunt passion twists bob hairstyle — IG: @dadouhair

In a matter of minutes a precision cut can refresh your look, transforming long passion twists into a pretty blunt bob.

27. Half-Up Half-Down Jungle Box Braids Bob

Crochet jungle box braids worn in a half-up half-down space buns hairstyle on a Black woman with 4C natural hair — IG: @mandy_jacobz @re4uhair

To create this sexy style, her natural hair was braided in an illusion pattern in the front, to make it appear as though she had individual box braids, while the rest consisted of straight-back cornrows.

Using a crochet needle, seven packs of 12″ pre-looped jungle box braids were then added, distributing them evenly throughout. As a final step the braids were cut to the desired length and the ends burned, resulting in a super chic bob.

After that, these trendy space buns were just two twists away.

28. Orange Peek-a-Boo Knotless Bob Braids Bob with Beads

Orange peekaboo asymmetrical knotless box braids bob hairstyle with beads — IG: @pearlthestylist_

Go bold with a pop of orange or all-over bright blonde, or perhaps push the limits of your braided bob with a mix of blue and purple and slay in an unexpected way.

29. Boho Blonde Knotless Box Braids Bob

Black woman wearing a boho blonde asymmetrical knotless box braids bob hairstyle with curly ends — IG: @pearlthestylist_

30. Blue and Purple Knotless Box Braids Bob

Black woman wearing a blue and purple knotless box braids bob in a half-up half-down messy bun hairstyle — IG: @pearlthestylist_

31. Chunky Cornrowed Bob

Chunky cornrowed bob worn as a protective style on a Black woman with 4C natural hair — IG: @thejennjackson

Side view of a chunky cornrowed bob worn as a protective style on a Black woman with 4C natural hair — IG: @thejennjackson

Get all the deets to DIY this adorable, chunky cornrowed bob below.

32. Short Pinned Back Crochet Box Braids

Black woman wearing a short crochet box braids bob partially pinned back — IG: @stacysinterlude

Show off your facial features by simply pinning back a small section of a short bob.

33. Jumbo Crochet Passion Twists Bob

Jumbo crochet passion twists bob worn as a protective hairstyle on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: ina90skindofworld

Beyond being juicy, these jumbo crochet passion twists are beginner-friendly and just the DIY you should try if you’re new to this.

34. Layered Butterfly Locs Bob with Auburn Tips

Black woman wearing a layered butterfly locs bob hairstyle with auburn tips

Layered and lovely, the auburn tips took this butterfly locs look to a whole other level.

35. Green Yarn Box Braids Bob

Black woman wearing a green yarn box braids bob with a deep side part — Pinterest

If you happen to think outside of the box (braid) then this chunky green yarn bob might be right up your alley.

36. Tribal Braids Bob without Extensions

Tribal braided bob without extensions on a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @dhatgirlbecca

This tribal braided bob looks like it would challenge your DIY skills, but it’s actually not that difficult. And no extensions were needed.

Once the front half is complete, all you have to do is box braid the back and two strand twists the ends. And voilá! Chef’s kiss.

37. Flat Twists Bob

Short flat twisted bob hairstyle on a Black woman with natural hair — Pinterest

Healthy natural hair with a solid haircut provides a great foundation for this flat-twisted bob.

38. Black and Platinum Blunt Soft Locs Bob

Black and platinum blunt soft locs bob worn as a protective style by a Black woman with natural hair — IG: @curlfriendari

This style was started with sixty small box braids in her natural hair. While each one was then loosely wrapped to create the butterfly look, it’s the random adding of platinum blonde pieces throughout that gave these soft locs the pop of color needed to really stand out.

39. Invisible Locs Bob

Black woman wearing a short invisible locs bob hairstyle — IG: @hair_by_arie

A unique mix of flat and two strand twists, barrel knotted into a bob, makes this faux locs look fire.

40. Blonde Ghana Braids Bob

Black woman wearing a blonde Ghana braids bob — IG: @modemaqq

And last, but certainly not least, this mixed blonde Ghana braids hairstyle proves that sis understood the assignment.

Hopefully, we’ve helped you find the bob of your dreams. But feel free to stick around. We’ve got a lot more braided styles you definitely don’t want to sleep on.