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!
A type of hairstyle that is practical and equally beautiful, without a shadow of a doubt, is the braided hairstyle and the most adored thing about it is that this basic hairstyle can be styled in many stunning ways.
Gone are the days when women with long, straight hair could only tie down their hair in a pretty braid. Today, thanks to plenty of braided hairstyles, one can pick out the one that looks good with their hair length and texture, and their face shape and rock any formal or informal event.
To make your search easier, we have compiled the top 14 braided hairstyles that you can try and rock your trendy side.
Simple 3-Stranded Braid
A basic hair braid is an ideal option when you want to keep things fun and simple.
Creating this hairstyle is a no-brainer. All you have to do is divide your hair into three equal sections and then bring the right section into the middle as well as the left one, while keeping hold of the middle section throughout the process. Continue this process until you have reached the tail of your braid.
Psstt. This hairstyle can come in handy when you are having a bad hair day!
French Braid
While French braids come in countless styles, it is best to start off with a regular French braid. First, comb your hair so that there aren’t any tiny hair knots. By using a comb, part your hair in a V section from your temples to all the way to the crown of your head. Take a few strands from the divided section and start braiding them. While you are doing this make sure to add a little more hair strands as you move on making a new hair stitch every time.
Rope Braid
Making a rope braid is easier as it comprises of only a few simple steps, taking hardly 10 minutes to do depending on your hair’s length.
First of all, tie your hair in a ponytail and then divide it into two equal sections. Now twist and turn one section over the other and secure it with an elastic band at the end. Don’t forget to use a hair spray to ensure that your hair stays set for a long period of time.
Fishtail Braid
Secure your hair back into a ponytail and separate it into further two equal ponytails. From the left ponytail, take a half-inch hair section and pull it across the right ponytail and repeat the procedure with the right ponytail by crossing the small hair section over the left ponytail. Braid until you reach the end and tie it down with an elastic band.
You can also pull out or loosen up a few strands from your braid to give the look a messier or laid-back appeal.
Crown Braid
Are you looking for party hair inspiration? Look no further then.
Any woman who wants to embrace their feminine side should opt for this hairstyle. It is easy to make and takes no more than 5 minutes to style.
Waterfall Braid
This is the most romantic looking braided hairstyle ever.
First, part your hair from the middle. Take a few hair strands from your right section and divide it further into three sections. Cross the top side of the section over the middle one which will hang loosely to create a waterfall look.
Do the same with the bottom side with new middle hair strands, repeat the process until you have reached the end of your hair length.
Spiral Braid
If you want your hairstyle to be unique and intricate, then this is the hairdo just for you. This is the kind of braid that involves French braiding in a circular motion from the crown all the way to the nape of your neck.
Have this jaw-dropping hairstyle to perfection by hiring a professional hair stylist for the job.
Cornrow Braid
While this type of braided hairstyle originated from traditional African fashion, women all over the world try carrying it because of its cool style.
From the side cornrow braid to thick, middle cornrow braids, the options to experiment this hippy hairstyle are plenty.
Box Braids
Box braids are known for their versatility as you alter them according to your mood and convenience. Remember the longer the locks, the more versatile your hairdo is.
Once you have made box braids, you can either create a high box braid ponytail or a high bun; the choice is yours. If your hair is medium or shorter in length, then you can simply flaunt simple box braids without any further styling.
Ladder Braids
Source by : Flickr
While it appears fancy, it is utterly simple to do. Whether you make this hairstyle with your hair open or in a ponytail, it will serve as an ideal style statement. To pull off a ladder braid in a ponytail, you should tie your hair in a pony first. Take the middle section and start making a thin braid in the center. Hold the right side of the hair strands and allow the middle one to hang and then pull a few hair strands from the left side of the ponytail and combine it with the middle section.
Repeat the process three times at least, and you will start noticing the braid getting the shape of a ladder. Continue braiding until you have reached the limit.
Make sure to loosen up the ladder strands to give a more elaborate appearance. Please note that this gorgeous hairstyle looks best on women with long or medium length hair.
Easy Braided Bun
This is the perfect hairstyle that will make you appear effortlessly chic in hot summer days. To achieve this look, you will need to first tie your hair in a high ponytail and then divide it into two sections.
Roll the first section into a bun and secure it with an elastic band. With the second section of your hair, draw a normal braid and then turn it around the bun and fix the tail of your braid with a strong hair pin or clip.
The Upside Down French Braid
Give your top-knot a distinctly cool style by doing the upside-down French braid. First, pull out a considerable size of your hair section from your temple to the crown of your head in a triangular shape. Clip it away for the time being.
Now flip your hair upside down and start French braiding your hair, starting from the nape of your neck all the way to the center of your head. Now secure the braid with the clipped section of your hair and secure it in a ponytail using an elastic band. Next, twist the ponytail into a top-knot and secure it with a bobby pin or hair clip.
Ghana Braids
Ghana braids are an elaborate form of cornrow-like braids that are done from the front of your head all the way to the back of your head.
The primary reason why women prefer weaving their hair in Ghana braids is to protect their hair from hair damage and to help it grow. These super versatile braids will flatter face shapes like oblong face, round face, rectangular face, triangular face, and heart face.
Some of the famous styles that you can incorporate through Ghana braids are beaded Ghana braids, twisted Ghana braids, angled Ghana braids top bun, and spider web Ghana braids.
Did you know that they are also popularly known as Banana braids, Cherokee braids, and straightbacks?
Milkmaid Braid
If you want to personify class and elegance, this is the type of braid you should go for. With this style of braid, it may seem as if it took countless hours for you to perfect it, but truth be told it is a simple braided hairstyle that hardly takes 10 minutes and if you are a pro then just 5 minutes.
Aren’t these braided hairstyles worth trying? Indeed, they absolutely are, so try out all the ones that you haven’t already!
11 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
11. Greek Braids
These are a great braid option when you need simple. These are super simple and look great.
Click for Greek Braid Tutorial
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.