40 Awesome Criss Cross Braids Hairstyles to Try in 2023

This article highlights all the information you should know about the trendy criss cross braids hairstyles. Criss cross braids is not entirely new but is currently taking over the industry by storm. It’s one of the trendiest braided hairstyles in black hair community. Criss cross braids hairstyles come in different designs ranging from stitch braids to rubber band criss cross knotless braids.

Table of contents

Criss Cross Braids Hairstyles to Try

Doing Knotless Criss Cross Braids

Doing criss cross knotless braids is quite simple where being done by a professional stylist or DIY-ing from the comfort of your home. Here are some of the things you’ll need when doing knotless criss cross braids hairstyle:

A rat tail comb

Rubber bands
Prestretched braiding hair
Edge control

Mousse
Shine n jam

You can part your hair in two different methods depending on how you plan on doing the criss cross braids – that is either starting by doing knotless criss cross braids at the back of your head or using the super stretch rubber bands to do the criss cross sections. You’ll need to section a part of the front hair in either of the two methods. Let’s start with the latter.

When doing criss cross braids hairstyle with stretch rubber bands, you’ll first section the front part of the hair, it should neither be too little nor too much – ¼ will work just fine. Divide the sectioned natural hair into different parts according to your personal specifications.

Use the shine n jam on the sectioned parts and other individual parts where you’ll use the stretch rubber bands. Shine n jam gives you a perfect hold at the root of the hair while creating a neat, sleek and clean look.

Remember to dip the super stretch rubber bands in oil before using them as it helps prevent hair breakage and damage.

Start by working on the sections with the rubber bands by parting the already sectioned hair to smaller parts. Apply shine n jam to give you a proper hold then secure the hair at the root using the oiled rubber bands. After you are done with the two sections, move along to the other side to the freshly sectioned parts and use a rubber band to secure it.

There’s a 2^nd method of doing knotless criss cross braids where you simply cross over to the sections with rubber bands after doing them individually. However, the 1^st braiding technique usually helps ensure:

That the end result is clean and neat

You don’t run out of braiding hair before you are done

Repeat the entire process for all the other sections with rubber bands at the front to achieve the knotless braids hairstyle. After which you can carefully transition the rubber banded criss cross sections to a braid. You can achieve this look by applying the same technique that’s normally used in doing regular knotless braids by gradually feeding in your braiding hair to your desired length.

Work on the back of your head by doing knotless braids once you are done. You can check out a YouTube tutorial on how to do knotless braids especially if you are doing it on your own.

Use edge control to lay the edges and apply mousse all over your head.

DIY Criss Cross Knotless Braids

Those who braid their own hair must be God’s favorite children. For DIY criss cross knotless braids follow the same steps as mentioned in the first method above.

Here are some helpful tips to note:

Just like their regular counterparts, knotless criss cross braids are equally lightweight and pain free
Oil the rubber bands before using to prevent hair breakage and damage
You’ll need to do touch ups on the front part of the hair with rubber bands frequently especially if you want to wear your criss cross knotless braids for longer

If you are the adventurous type, go for colored rubber bands as opposed to the black ones
You can do knotless criss cross braids on your older knotless braids since you only need to undo the front hair. If comes in handy for those who prefer keeping their knotless braids in for an extended period
Use the recommended type of rubber bands to prevent them from popping off or breaking

Doing Stitch Criss Cross Braids

There are different variants of the criss cross stitch braids but the most common one is the one with four usually tied in two different buns. Sometimes with curly hair or without.

Here’s what you’ll need to do criss cross stitch braids:

A rat tail comb

Mousse
Edge control
Prestretched braiding hair – two packs

Shine n jam
A pack of water wave hair

Use the rat tail comb to section your natural hair into two different parts, then divide the parts further into four on both sides. This should give you four different parts – two at the bottom and the other two at the top. Ensure the parts are sectioned evenly.

Use shine n jam to get proper hold of the hair at the base. The shine n jam also helps create a neat, sleek and clean look. There are different methods to do the stitch lines including:

Using the rat tail comb
Using your finger nails

Using super stretch rubber bands
Using claw-like objects

Avoid parting the stitch lines horizontally like its normally done in typical stitch braids. Instead, part them diagonally regardless of the technique you plan on using. Pay attention when parting these stitch lines to ensure that each of the lines is neat and clean before feeding in the prestretched braiding hair gradually.

The criss cross part is the most confusing in this method. When doing stitch criss cross braids always keep in mind that the stitch lines usually lie on top of each other. Follow the same procedure for the opposite side then feed in tiny pieces of water wave hair as you continue to braid your hair.

After you’re done, tie the braids into a bun on both sides. Apply mousse all over your head and use edge control to lay the edges.

Doing Criss Cross Soft Locs

The best thing about criss cross braids hairstyles is that you can also do them on with ease.

Criss Cross Braids Hairstyles to Try

You can never go wrong with criss cross braids hairstyles since they are usually lightweight, convenient and equally beautiful. Here are some of the trendiest criss cross hairstyles to try:

1. Criss Cross Knotless Braids