20 Trendy Ways to Wear Braids with Shaved Sides

Braids with shaved sides are a perfect way to balance the femininity of braids and give them a punk-inspired edge. Is this exactly what you have been looking for? Then check out the best ideas on how to combine the modern side shave with various types of plaits.

The Gallery of Braids with Shaved Sides

Here are twenty pictures you can show to your stylist – from regular three-strand braids, to braided mohawks, box braids, French plaits, twist braids, and more!

#1: Dutch Braided Hairstyle with Shaved Sides

Often braids are found in pairs or multiples, however, single braids can be just as stylish and even more modern. Shaved sides accentuate the braid by directing the eye to the center of the head.

Instagram / @applebutterboutique

#2: Faded Sides and Poetic Justice Braids in a Bun

Braid styles are a statement of themselves. To spice up your braided hairstyles, try styling them into an oversized updo. If you choose to incorporate shaved sides, these will help your topknot hairstyles stand out.

Instagram / @talentedmrcj

#3: Jumbo Braids with Half-Shaved Sides

Making a commitment to shaved sides with box braids is hard! You have to be sure that it truly is the style you want. If not, you’ll find yourself struggling to grow out the buzzed sides. A great alternative to the full buzz is small sections above the ears. This gives you a little undercut detail that can still be hidden if you decide it’s not for you.

Instagram / @tasha_stylez

#4: Braided Mohawk with Shaved Design

When testing shaved sides with braids on top, consider just plaiting the front portion of your hair and leaving the ends and hair at the back unweaved for a pretty yet undone style. Dyeing hair a bold color like neon green or yellow is a great way to spotlight the punk inspiration of the shaved side.

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Instagram / @mandaharsche

#5: Long Top Short Sides with Fade

Braiding short hair is a great, feminine detail to add to a masculine haircut like a slicked back undercut. A french braid can be hard to do with shorter hair, so to help your tresses, coat fingers with a pomade or wax.

Instagram / @ikerpeloss

#6: Cuffed Twist Braids with Side Shaved Wave

Braid cuffs, strings, and small details add to the feminine appeal the plaits ooze. Shaved sides can help to balance this by promoting a masculine feel. The result is a statement style, eye-catching yet wearable.

Instagram / @hairbeenatural

#7: French Braid Mohawk with Shaved Sides

A huge trend that has come up is men’s cuts for women. A Mohawk braid with shaved sides is a delicate style that can soften the manly feel without compromising the integrity of the haircut.

Instagram / @mslameylynn

#8: Senegalese Twist Braids with Color

Shaving the sides of your head without also buzzing the back gives a mohawk-like effect. Braids with shaved sides and back often remove too much hair from the head, more than most women want. Buzzing just the sides is great for those who want the funky vibe of shaved sides without losing too much of their precious locks.

Instagram / @jdivastyles

#9: Micro Braids with Shaved Sides

Thin braids are easy to style as they are manipulated more freely than larger braids. Micro braids with shaved sides have a few different options in hairstyles: a ponytail, a slicked back mohawk, and an updo. When slicking the hair backwards, try twisting it to keep it in place without a hair band.

Instagram / @rocio_trenzas

#10: Goddess Braids with Microbraid Detailing

Goddess braids are very similar to cornrows but are just slightly thicker in size. Each braid can vary in size and is thinner at the edges. The girly goddess braids with shaved sides are a cute and different way to try this fun hairstyle.

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Instagram / @erica_letstalkhair

#11: Knotted Braids with Shaved Sides and Back

Micro braids work pretty much just like regular hair strands, but these are certainly a little thicker and are intolerant to heat. The plaits can be styled in a french knot, regular top bun, ponytail, or even left down or swept to the side.

Instagram / @braidsbytasha

#12: One Shaved Side with Parted Crochet Braids

Some may find that shaved sides remove too much of hair. Instead, opt for hair shaved on one side only. Luckily, a talented stylist can change up your style based on your preferences as long as you are communicative.

Instagram / @tqueenhairsalon

#13: Thick Boxer Braids with Weaved In Highlights

Thick boxer braids or mohawk braids with shaved sides spotlight the central section of the head, therefore, it makes sense to make the braids chunky or extra long, or both.

Instagram / @touchedbytb_

#14: Braids in a Ponytail and Carved Sides

To boost the creativity of your buzzcut, ask your hairstylist to incorporate a shaved design. Common choices include waves, swirls, and hard lines.

Instagram / @machine_hands

#15: Giant Updo for Box Braids with Shaved Sides

Braids with extensions are good for those who don’t want to risk the damage of natural hair. Stylists often use synthetic plaits to extend hair. This means you can extend your tresses from shoulder length to mid back or even all the way past your hips!

Instagram / @ronesiabarrshair

#16: 2 Dutch Braids with Shaved Sides for Straight Hair

When Kim Kardashian first rocked her take on goddess braids, almost everyone included this hairstyle in their lookbooks. Kim’s were uniform throughout the whole head and extended all the way to her hips. This look can be applied to all hair types, including straight and fine hair.

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Instagram / @cherrybomb_hair

#17: African Banana Braids in a High Pony

One new take on the traditional pony is a braided ponytail. The combination of an undercut, cornrows and a wrap-around braided ponytail guarantees a spectacular look that you may enhance with highlights and cuffs for braids.

Instagram / @shellyafrikhair

#18: Medium Box Braids with Shaved Sides

While unstyled hair often utilizes gel or wax to create a slicked back effect, box braids with shaved sides are braided towards the nape of the neck for the same result. The downside is that, while untouched hair can just be washed or brushed out to change directions, braids are worn for a while, so it’s crucial to choose the look you’ll feel comfortable with.

Instagram / @crowned_nubian18

#19: Mohawk Updo with Buzzed Sides

A lady-like braided updo is complimented well by shaved sides. One detail that accentuates the fauxhawk style is a “hard part” or a line shaved to delineate the border between the buzzcut and long hair.

Instagram / @hairbylumberjack

#20: Individual Yarn Braids with Sides Shaved

Yarn braids are a great choice for a protective style. Shaving the sides of your head adds interest to the whole look, so does the bright wrap string.

Instagram / @jannahbraids

We hope these twenty images of braids with shaved sides inspire you to take the plunge and get a bold hairstyle! Don’t forget to save these to your phone or print them out to take to your stylist. Braids and shaved sides are not always something you can DIY at home. To get the best result, you may need to make an appointment with a certified hair braider.