Okay so I’ve been falling down a braid rabbit hole for weeks now. My cousin’s wedding is coming up and I refuse to show up with the same old ponytail I’ve worn to every event since 2019. If you’re in the same boat, this list is for you.
I’m not going to pretend every braid here is easy. Some of these took me three YouTube videos and a near meltdown to figure out. But they’re worth it.
1. The Classic Three-Strand Braid
This is the one your mom probably did for you before school. Three sections, cross over, repeat. Boring? Maybe. But there’s a reason it’s been around forever. It works on almost any hair length past your shoulders.
2. French Braid Down the Middle
The French braid is just a regular braid that picks up hair as you go. Start at the top of your head with three small sections. Each time you cross a strand over, grab a bit more hair from the side and add it in.
I struggled with this for years. The trick that finally worked for me was practicing on my little sister first.
3. Dutch Braid (The Reverse French)
Same idea as the French braid but you cross the strands UNDER instead of over. This makes the braid pop out from your head instead of laying flat. Looks way more dramatic. Great for photos.
4. Fishtail Braid
This one looks fancy but it’s actually pretty simple. Split your hair into two sections. Take a small piece from the outside of one section and cross it over to join the other side. Keep doing that until you run out of hair.
It’s slow. Like, really slow. Put on a podcast.
5. Boxer Braids (Two Dutch Braids)
You know the look. Two tight braids running along each side of your head. Athletes wear them. Kim K made them a thing again a few years back.
Part your hair down the middle, then Dutch braid each side. Done. They stay in for days if you sleep with a silk scarf.
6. Braided Crown
Wrap a braid around your head like a halo. I love these for outdoor weddings or anytime you want to feel like a Disney princess but not in a costume way.
You can check out more crown twist hairstyles here if you want versions of this look without the full braid commitment.
7. Halo Braid With Flowers
Same as above but tuck small fresh flowers along the braid line. Baby’s breath works best because it’s tiny and doesn’t slide out. My friend did this for her bridesmaids and everyone cried. True story.
8. Side French Braid
Just a French braid but coming down one side instead of the back. Good for days when half your hair is having an attitude problem and the other half is being nice. You braid the nice side and let the rest do whatever.
9. Braided Bun
Braid your hair first, then twist the braid into a bun and pin it. The texture from the braid makes the bun look fuller and more interesting than a regular one.
If buns are your thing, there’s a whole world of braided bun hairstyles worth exploring. I bookmarked that page months ago.
10. Milkmaid Braids
Two regular braids, one on each side, then bring them up and pin them across the top of your head. Very cottagecore. Very “I bake my own bread” energy even if you don’t.
These hide a bad hair day really well, which is half the reason I love them.
11. Half-Up Braided Crown
Only braid the top half of your hair into a small crown and leave the rest down. Best of both worlds. You get the cute braided detail without committing your whole head to it.
12. Waterfall Braid
You start a French braid but instead of pulling all the hair through, you let some strands “fall” out as you go. Creates this cascading effect down the side of your head. Looks complicated. Isn’t.
13. Rope Braid
This is just two sections of hair twisted around each other. The simplest “braid” on this list. I do this when I’m running late but still want my hair to look intentional.
Twist both sections in the same direction first, then twist them around each other in the opposite direction. That’s what keeps it from unraveling.
14. Five-Strand Braid
Okay this one is actually hard. Five sections instead of three. Looks woven, like a basket. I tried it twice and gave up both times but my friend who used to do hair professionally swears by it.
Watch a tutorial. Don’t try to figure it out from a description (mine included).
15. Braided Ponytail
Pull your hair into a ponytail first, then braid the ponytail. Wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic to hide it. This takes maybe four minutes and looks way more put together than a regular ponytail.
16. Goddess Braids
Thick braids that lay close to the scalp, usually styled in patterns. Beautiful on natural hair. They protect your strands and last for weeks if you take care of them. Worth getting done professionally the first time so you can see how it should look.
17. Cornrows With a Twist
Cornrows but ending in a low bun or letting them fall loose at the back. The pattern you choose makes a huge difference. Straight back is classic. Zigzag is fun. Geometric shapes if you’re feeling bold.
18. Braided Headband
Take a small section from one side of your hair near your forehead, braid it, and bring it across your head to pin behind the other ear. Works like a headband but it’s actually your hair. Cute, quick, and it keeps the front pieces out of your face.
19. Tucked Braid (Faux Bob)
If you’ve ever wanted to try short hair without actually cutting it, this one is for you. Braid your hair, then tuck the braid up underneath itself and pin it. From the front it looks like you have a chin length bob. Hair magic.
20. Messy Braid With Face-Framing Pieces
The “I woke up like this” braid. Do any of the braids above, then loosen it up by gently pulling on the sides. Pull out a few strands around your face. Spray with texture spray.
The messier it looks, the harder you probably worked on it. That’s just how this stuff works.
Final Thought
I save most of my braid inspiration on Pinterest because trying to remember which one I wanted to try later is a losing battle. If you want some visual ideas, this board has a bunch of looks pinned that I keep going back to.
One last thing. Some of these will not work the first time you try them. Or the second. Your arms will get tired. You will drop a strand and have to start over. This is normal. The first French braid I did on myself looked like a small animal had attacked the back of my head.
Just keep practicing. By the third or fourth try, your hands start to figure it out on their own. And then you’ll be the friend everyone asks to braid their hair at sleepovers, which is honestly a great problem to have.