15 Braided Hairstyles That’ll Make You Want to Ditch Your Straightener
Hey there, hair enthusiasts! Can we talk about braids for a sec? I mean, is there anything more versatile and downright magical than a good braid? As someone who’s been obsessed with hair since I could hold a brush, I’ve got to say that braided hairstyles are my absolute jam. They’re like the Swiss Army knife of the hair world – practical, pretty, and perfect for just about any occasion.
So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever floats your boat), and let’s dive into 15 braided hairstyles that’ll have you swearing off your straightener for good. Trust me, your hair will thank you!
Table of Contents
1. The Classic French Braid
Alright, let’s start with the OG of braids – the French braid. This bad boy is like the little black dress of hairstyles. It’s timeless, it’s elegant, and it works for everything from hitting the gym to walking down the aisle.
Here’s the deal: Start at the crown of your head, separate your hair into three sections, and start braiding. The trick? Keep adding small sections of hair from each side as you go. It might take a bit of practice, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll be French braiding in your sleep.
Pro tip: For a more relaxed look, gently tug at the braid to loosen it up a bit. It’s like the hair equivalent of unbuttoning your jeans after a big meal – instant comfort!
2. The Fishtail Braid
Next up, we’ve got the fishtail braid. Now, don’t let the name fool you – there are no actual fish involved (thank goodness). This braid looks complicated, but between you and me? It’s actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
Start by dividing your hair into two sections instead of three. Then, take a small piece from the outside of one section and cross it over to join the other section. Keep alternating sides, and voila! You’ve got yourself a fishtail.
I love this braid for beach days or music festivals. It’s got that effortless, “I woke up like this” vibe that we’re all secretly striving for.
3. The Dutch Braid
Okay, picture a French braid. Now flip it inside out. That’s basically a Dutch braid! It’s also known as an inverted braid or a reverse French braid, but let’s be real – “Dutch braid” sounds way cooler.
The technique is similar to a French braid, but instead of crossing sections over, you’re going to cross them under. This makes the braid pop out instead of lying flat, giving you that super trendy, Instagram-worthy look.
I’m telling you, this braid is perfect for those days when you want to feel like a Viking warrior princess. Which, let’s be honest, should be every day.
4. The Waterfall Braid
Now, if you want to feel like a literal Disney princess, the waterfall braid is your go-to. It’s like your hair is a cascading waterfall of awesome.
Start with a regular French braid at your temple. But here’s the twist: Every time you’d normally add a new section of hair from the bottom, just let it “fall” instead. Replace it with a new section from further back. The result? A gorgeous cascade of loose hair flowing through your braid.
This style is perfect for wedding season or any time you want to feel extra fancy without looking like you tried too hard.
5. The Rope Braid
Let’s take it down a notch with the rope braid. This one’s so easy, you could probably do it with your eyes closed (but, uh, maybe don’t actually try that).
All you need to do is divide your hair into two sections, twist each section separately, then twist them together in the opposite direction. It’s like your hair is playing a game of Twister.
I love this braid for gym days or when I’m running late. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it keeps your hair out of your face. Plus, it looks way more put-together than a regular ponytail.
6. The Five-Strand Braid
Alright, feeling adventurous? Let’s kick it up a notch with the five-strand braid. Yes, you read that right – five strands. It’s like the Olympic gymnastics of braiding.
Divide your hair into five equal sections (I know, I know, but stay with me here). The basic idea is to take the far right strand and weave it under and over until it becomes the far left strand. Then repeat with the new far right strand. It’s a bit of a brain teaser at first, but once you get into the rhythm, it’s oddly satisfying.
This braid is perfect for those days when you want to impress everyone with your hair skills. Trust me, people will be asking you for tutorials.
7. The Crown Braid
Who needs a tiara when you can rock a crown braid? This style is all about embracing your inner royalty.
There are a few ways to do this, but my favorite is to create two Dutch braids on either side of your head, then wrap them around and pin them in place. The result? A braided crown fit for a queen (that’s you, by the way).
This style is great for special occasions, or just when you want to feel a little extra regal while doing your grocery shopping. No judgment here!
8. The Braided Bun
For those days when you can’t decide between a braid and a bun, why not have both? The braided bun is like the best of both worlds.
Start by creating a braid of your choice – French, Dutch, fishtail, whatever floats your boat. Then, simply wrap it around itself to form a bun and secure with pins. It’s like your hair is giving itself a hug.
This style is perfect for work, formal events, or any time you need your hair to look polished and stay put for hours.
9. The Side Braid
Sometimes, you just need to embrace your inner Elsa and let it go… to the side. The side braid is all about that laid-back, bohemian vibe.
Simply gather all your hair over one shoulder and braid it using any technique you like. I’m partial to a loose French braid or fishtail for this style. The key is to keep it relaxed – we’re going for “effortlessly chic” here, not “I spent three hours on my hair.”
This style is perfect for casual dates, brunch with the girls, or any time you want to channel your inner free spirit.
10. The Braided Headband
Who says you need to braid all your hair? Sometimes, less is more. Enter: the braided headband.
Take a small section of hair from behind your ear and braid it. Then, bring it across the top of your head like a headband and secure it behind your other ear. It’s like a crown braid’s cooler, more laid-back cousin.
I love this style for adding a little something extra to an otherwise simple hairstyle. Plus, it’s a great way to keep those annoying flyaways in check.
11. The Pull-Through Braid
Okay, I’m about to let you in on a little secret. The pull-through braid isn’t actually a braid at all – it just looks like one. Mind. Blown.
It’s created by making a series of ponytails and then splitting and pulling them through each other. The result? A chunky, voluminous braid that looks way more complicated than it actually is.
This style is perfect for those of us blessed (or cursed, depending on the day) with fine hair. It creates the illusion of thickness and volume, making your hair look like it’s ready for its own shampoo commercial.
12. The Mermaid Braid
Calling all aspiring Ariels! The mermaid braid is here to make all your under-the-sea dreams come true (minus the whole tail situation).
This braid is basically a hybrid between a French braid and a bubble ponytail. Start with a half-French braid, then tie off sections as you go, pulling them apart to create “bubbles.” The result is a braid that looks like it’s floating in water.
It’s perfect for beach days, pool parties, or any time you want to channel your inner sea goddess. Just don’t blame me if you start singing “Part of Your World” while doing this braid.
13. The Ladder Braid
If you’re looking for a braid that’s a little out of the ordinary, let me introduce you to the ladder braid. It’s like your hair is playing a game of snakes and ladders, minus the snakes.
Create two parallel Dutch braids, leaving some hair between them. Then, take small sections from each braid and connect them across the gap, creating “rungs” of the ladder.
This braid is a showstopper. It’s perfect for music festivals, parties, or any time you want your hair to be the topic of conversation.
14. The Braided Ponytail
Let’s face it – sometimes, you just need your hair out of your face. But who says a ponytail has to be boring? Enter: the braided ponytail.
Start by creating a few small braids throughout your hair. Then, gather everything (including the braids) into a ponytail. The result? A textured, interesting ponytail that’s anything but basic.
This style is great for the gym, running errands, or any time you need your hair up but still want to look put-together.
15. The Upside-Down Braid
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got the upside-down braid. It’s like the yoga headstand of hairstyles – a little tricky at first, but totally worth it.
Flip your head upside down and start braiding from the nape of your neck upwards. Once you reach your crown, flip your head back up and finish the braid normally or turn it into a bun.
This style creates amazing volume at the crown and is perfect for special occasions or when you want to add some serious wow-factor to your look.
Wrapping It Up
And there you have it, folks – 15 braided hairstyles that’ll make you want to ditch your straightener for good. From classic French braids to mind-bending five-strand braids, there’s something here for everyone.
Remember, the key to great braids is practice. Your first attempts might look more “Pinterest fail” than “hair goals,” but don’t get discouraged. We’ve all been there. (Seriously, you should’ve seen my first attempt at a fishtail braid. It looked less “mermaid chic” and more “just emerged from a windstorm.”)
So go ahead, give these styles a try. Play around, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with it. After all, hair grows back, but bad hair days are forever… unless you know how to braid, that is!
And hey, if all else fails, there’s always the trusty messy bun. But between you and me? I think you’re going to nail these braids. Happy braiding, beautiful!
