Braids are a hairstyle workhorse they’re both classic and stylish, as well as protective. That being said, there are so many different types of braids and styles that it might be tough to choose one.
To help with the overwhelm, we’ve selected 10 of the most popular braided hairstyles and augmented them with star photographs so you can see what each style looks like in real life. Along the way, we made sure to include a few tips, tricks, and lessons.
If you’re perplexed by the various varieties of braids, from French braids to braid twists, let us help.
There’s a braid for any event, whether it’s a wedding or a business meeting, heading to the gym, or on a date.
Braids are a protective hairstyle that prevents harm to your hair. Also, braids can come in handy on days when you haven’t washed your hair yet and need to be somewhere quickly.
Types Of Braids And Braided Hairstyles For Women [2023]
While we’ve listed the latest braid hairstyle trends you must be looking out for, check out the common types of braids you can choose from.
1. Micro Braids
Micro braids, like box braids, can be made using the same process. They’re simply smaller. In our humble opinion, Zo Kravitz is the modern-day poster kid for micro braids. She’s walked many a red carpet with the same stylish look, albeit with a few hair color changes along the way. How cool are her golden blonde micro braids? We’re utterly obsessed.
2. Cornrow Braids
Cornrows are braids that form narrow parallel strips down the head, as shown on actress and activist Yara Shahidi. She wore hers pulled back with a wired braid construction tastefully fashioned around it, a new spin on a classic appearance.
3. French Braid
A French braid, as exhibited by Emily Blunt, is a traditional three-piece braid. As you plait the hair, add a portion from either side on each round. It’s one of the most adaptable and stylish braids, which is why we see it so frequently at red-carpet events. Style it traditionally as a single braided strand going down the nape of the neck, or do as Blunt does and position it to the side for an exquisite updo.
4. Dutch Braid
A Dutch braid, on the other hand, is made just like a French braid—only inverted. Instead of looping the hair over itself, wind it underneath the other strands as you plait. This minor adjustment makes a significant difference. Instead of flowing inside, the braid flows outward, causing the braid to protrude somewhat. Take, for example, Rita Ora’s hair. She’s wearing it with Dutch-braided bunches here. When compared to Emily Blunt’s French-braided hairdo, Ora’s braids are far more distinct and apparent.
5. Milkmaid Braid
The milkmaid braid is nearly identical to the aforementioned crown braid, but instead of being placed on the top of the forehead (where an actual crown would be), it’s moved back a few inches to rest closer to the middle of the head. For a more conventional style, it’s also more likely, to begin with, a center part rather than a side part. To create, “Divide your hair into two sections by the nape of your neck,” explains Redway. “Braid each section into two braids before crisscrossing them onto themselves and securing them with hair and bobby pins.”
6. Box Braids
Lacy Redway, Unilever Global Stylist, TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund Selection Committee Member, and celebrity hairstylist, says, “Box braids are best done as a protective style on textured hair.” “It allows you to have your hair protected for some time while still being able to style it in various hairstyles using the box braids as the foundation of the hairstyles.”
7. Crown Braid
The crown braid is next, which appears complicated and time-consuming but is contrary. Start with a typical side braid and wrap it up and over the top of the forehead, fastening it with bobby pins along the way. We always leave a couple of face-framing pieces out, à la Vanessa Hudgens. To keep it in place all day, spritz with a stronghold hair spray.
8. Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid is one of our favorite hairstyles since it’s fun and unexpected. It stands out from other braids because it appears to be a mirror image of itself. Ciara demonstrates how to apply it by pulling her fishtail braid to one side and finishing it with sloppy, lived-in loose bits that surround her face. It has an easygoing “I accidentally slept in my braid last night” vibe to it.
9. Three-Strand Braid
This braiding technique serves as the basis for the remaining looks on this list. The remainder of these braids is impossible to do without it. To test it out, divide your hair into three strands. Cross the left piece over the center to create a new middle. Then, using the right-most piece, cross it over the center to create a new middle. Rep to this process until you’ve used up all of your strands.
10. Halo Braid
The halo braid, like the crown braid, is made up of long Dutch braids that are wrapped around the head and tied on top to resemble a halo. Remove a few strands to frame the face and keep the look more casual.
What is the most popular type of braid?
The three-strand braid is one of the most beautiful braiding hairstyles of all time. Watching videos and understanding the instructions can help you master this braided hairdo. You can spice up your haircut using your imagination. Even with all of these different types of braids, you may mix and match them to create a new style.
What is the easy type of braid?
Master the three-strand braid, and you’ll be able to execute many braid styles with little to no work. Dutch Braids and French Braids are also trendy yet simple to braid, hence you can try them for everyday looks.
How long do knotless braids last?
Knotless braids for natural hair can last up to three months, but how long they will last depends on a few factors, including your hair structure and porosity, how you care for them, and the size of the braids.
