I love braided hairstyles.
Did you grow up styling your hair with a three-strand braid? Are you stuck in a braiding rut? Braided hair isn’t just for girls; it is also for women.
For women with long enough hair and a passion for new styles, give a shot to braids. This beautiful look pulls hair away from your face but gives you a feminine, put together look.
Also, it emphasizes highlights, color variation, and texture in your hair. No matter your hair type, give braids a shot!
Gabrielle Union wearing a braided half-up at the Confirmation HBO Premiere Screening last March 31, 2016.
A brunette with a messy milkmaid braid. Her subtle, "no makeup" makeup look and bushy eyebrows complement the grungy finish. This hairstyle simply explains how messy can turn into classy when done properly.
Long and thick blonde hair styled into this flawless milkmaid braid. The thick, wavy tendrils on the side frames the face perfectly. This hairstyle is great for wedding ceremonies or even for garden parties.
Long but thin dark blonde hair styled into a classic milkmaid braid. Some strands of the lady's hair are then teased and tossed to end up with textured tendrils.
Brunette with a classic milkmaid braid embellished with fresh flowers for that carefree aura.
Long blonde hair styled into a two-way milkmaid braid. The ends of the braids are then twisted to create two, small braid roses.
Thick and dark hair with blue highlights styled into a chunky milkmaid braid. The highlights add an extra touch of creativity to this look.
Unlike the usual, chunky milkmaid braid, this one has a subtle yet glamorous finish.
Milkmaid braid also looks great on warm-toned hair. Your hair doesn't need to be long to achieve this look, even mid-length hair can come up with a nice milkmaid braid as long as you have bobby pins and hairsprays.
Dirty blonde hair styled into a semi-messy milkmaid braid and thick, wavy side tendrils. This hairstyle is oozing with formality and style.
Long and black hair styled into a messy milkmaid braid with curtain bangs. With this hairstyle, you can either for casual or corporate.
Medium-length, curly hair arranged into a messy milkmaid braid. One good thing about curls is that you can incorporate some stylish tendrils effortlessly.
10 Types of Hair Braids with Examples
There is nothing wrong with the standard three-section braid but the availability of other options gives you endless style opportunities. A braid is perfect for a busy mom, a night out with friends, or any other social occasion. Visit a stylist or teach yourself any of these other braids:
1. Three-Strand Braid
Woman with three-strand braided hair.
Regular braid with three strands or hair sections used for ponytails or pig tails.
2. French Braid
Click here for our french braids gallery
Woman with french braid.
This braid pulls in your hair as you go to give you a tight, elegant style. It incorporates strands into a standard three-strand option.
3. Upside-down Braid
Start with a French braid but instead of starting at the top of the head, begin at the nape of the neck.
4. Dutch Braid
This is an inside-out French braid. Instead of being braided over each other, it is underneath.
See all dutch braid hairstyles for women here.
5. Rope Braid
Instead of three strands, the rope consists of two sections twisted around one another.
6. Fishtail Braid
Woman with fishtail braided hair.
After separating your hair into two sections, you take one strand from underneath one of the sections and pass it over to the other section. It creates what some call a ‘pancake’ look. See our fishtail braids gallery here.
7. Halo Braid
Click here for our halo braid gallery
Woman with milkmaid halo braided hair.
Also known as a Milkmaid Braid, divide your hair into two pigtail braids and have them meet in the middle of your head. This creates a crown on your head.
8. Waterfall Braid
Example of a waterfall braid hairstyle.
A waterfall braid keeps half of your hair up and lets the other half cascade down through the use of a technique like a French Braid. The braid goes across the back of your head but hangs loosely down your head.
9. Spiral Braid
Example of spiral braids.
Gather the hair on the crown of your head and braid across your hairline from the left side, to your neck, up to the right side of your hair. This braid spirals across your head.
10. Fulani Braids
Benefits of Hair Braiding
If you are thinking about putting your hair in a braid, there is an advantage to this style. Not only does it keep your head cool, but it also helps your hair rest from all of the styling, heat, and products you apply. Sometimes your hair simply needs a break from the daily routine. This protects against split ends when you pull it up and style your hair.
Don’t Have Long Enough Hair to Braid?
For women without the length to braid, a stylist adds extensions to your hair to achieve your style. There are braid options for short hair, instead of pulling up all of your hair just braid a section of your hair. Short hair put into a braid is easy to put into a braid that ends up looking like an updo.
