The tradition of braiding your own hair dates back nearly 5,000 years and has roots in many different cultures. In old times braided hairstyles were both functional and sometimes used as a status symbol in tribes around the globe.
Today, braid styles are taken to new heights. With inspiration on the internet, including easy-to-access how-to videos on social media sites like Pinterest and Instagram, it’s easier than ever to create beautiful, intricate braided designs.
Here we showcase 30 different ways to braid hair that range from simple one-braid solutions to complex to give you a few ideas just in time for summer.
Best Ideas Of How to Braid Your Hair
Double Braids with a Bun
@okevaaa
This gorgeous braid of hair is perfect when you’re heading to the great outdoors in the hot summer months. The double French braids or a double Dutch braid will hold any medium to long-length hair (or you can use adding hair for a larger volume) and the bun is an easy twist. You can make your braid big and chunky like in the photo, or opt for a tighter look depending on the thickness of your hair.
Half Up Fishtail Braid
@_hairbyrachel_
The braiding with chunky braid is surprisingly easy to do even though it looks incredibly intricate. To get this fishtail braid half-up style, start by drying your freshly washed hair and curling it in loose waves with a large-barrel curling iron.
You can choose to leave out a few pieces of small strand in front to frame your face like the model has in the photo, or you can pull it all back for a sleeker look that gets your hair off your face. This fishtail braid plus waterfall braid combo is a great look for fancy occasions.
Mohawk French Braid with a Bun
@sloanbeautyatx
This is another surprisingly easy braided style with gorgeous results. You can start by styling your hair in loose waves, or simply leave your lower layers natural. Taking the top half of your hair, french braid your layers back and secure at the crown of your head with an elastic. As an alternative, use a pull-through braid technique for a more long-lasting braid hairstyle.
Then, take the remaining length of your braided hair and twist it around your hair tie, pinning it into a bun as you go. This look is designed to be carefree, so looser and messier it is, the better.
French Braid Pigtails
@okevaaa
This pretty twist on the pigtail French braids is a chic way to sport a favourite childhood look. Start by applying light hair oil and some styling product to your tresses to give them hold and shine. Part your hair down the middle, and braid each section of hair from the top down through the nape of your neck to the very end of your hair.
Secure each side with a hair tie. Next, separate out a few strands of unbraided hair and use it to wrap around your elastic. Secure it with a bobby pin to finish this regular braid style.
Mohawk French Braid with a High-Volume Pony Tail
@okevaaa
If you love the idea of having big, voluminous hair and also want to incorporate a funky braid step into your style, this one is for you. Use a volumizing styling product and blow out your hair with a large, round brush to create lots of lift.
Next, braid your hair in a chunky French braid style and secure it at the very top of your crown. Cover your elastic by wrapping and pinning your braid hair, and tease the low ponytail up with a wide-toothed comb and a texturizing spray to create the ultimate lift.
Wrap Around Crown Braid
@hairbyruslan
The crown braiding is the perfect solution to make any girl feel like a princess. The whimsical style can be done in a variety of ways, and all it requires is two milkmaid braids and a few bobby pins. Be sure to design the rest of your hair in soft curls or waves to make this romantic look really pop. You can play with a fishtail braid, a French rope braid, a pull-through braid, a four-strand braid, or even a five-strand braid in a similar wrap-around style. Something special for fancy occasions.
Simple Fishtail Braid
@viola_pyak
The fishtail braid is a great casual style for everyday wear. Pull your hair back, divide two equal sections of hair without a middle strand, make a twisted section between them, and throw on a ball cap to hit the game, the gym, or head outdoors for a picnic or festival.
Fishtail Side Braid
@blondebychristina
This twist on the classic fishtail braid brings the braid hair to the side and adds some pretty twisted curls up front to make this fishtail braid look more elegant and refined. All you’ll need is two hair ties, a few pins, and a good styling product so that your look holds all night long.
Double Dutch Braids
@kristi_mckenna
A double Dutch braid look is lovely, and it’s just as easy to do as French Braids. The only difference of Dutch braiding is, instead of taking left and right sections of hair and pulling them over like you do in common braids, if you use the Dutch infinity braid technique you’ll pull them under another braid strand. Here the stylist has doubled up on the braid, working with six pieces instead of three strands to create this intricate and beautiful up-do.
Bohemian Braided Up-do
@artist_nehaa
This soft and sassy braiding look is perfect for anything from a wedding to a prom. The loose waves that fall around your face and neck have a very bohemian feel, while the beautiful Dutch braid is held securely in place to give you a style that will let you dance all night long.
French Braided Pigtails
@poppy_hairstyles
Tightly braided French braids with low ponytail that run the entire length of your hair are an excellent choice for athletes, or anyone looking for a very secure style. The French braiding will hold all of your hair securely in place, even layers, and bangs, making it the perfect choice if you’re heading to the gym, the pool, or out for a swim in the ocean. Tightly secured at the back of your neck, it will keep you from getting tangles in your locks and looks great at the same time. Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your part if you’re going to be outdoors.
Dutch Side Braid
@jackiewyers
This chunky Dutch left-side braid starts by creating a deep part and sweeping most of your hair up and over to the side. Create lots of volume up front and in the top before securing your strands in this easy-to-weave Dutch braid style that takes a few minutes to do and minimal hair care.
Reverse Braided Bun
@you_by_thewaxmuseum
In the hot summer months sometimes you just want to get your hair up off your neck, but you don’t want to sacrifice style to do it. With this easy reverse braided bun, you can have the best of both worlds. Start by flipping your head upside down and begin your reverse French braid at the nape of your neck.
When you reach the crown of your head, tie it off with an elastic. Then, take the remaining length of your unbraided sections of hair and twist them around your hair tie securing with pins as you go. You can make your chignon tight, or leave it a bit loose and messy for a more boho feel.
Simple Bang Braid
Growing out your bangs is on almost everyone’s list of not-fun things to do. This simple three-strand braid with loose hair that incorporates the pieces of your long and unruly bangs can be the perfect braid step solution.
Fishtail Crown Braid
The fishtail crown waterfall braid is a fun way to spice up traditional crown braiding with a lovely twist. Start by drying and styling your hair, you can also add hair extensions at this stage. In the photo, the model has opted for sleek, straight locks but you could do this look with different styles like waves or loose curls too.
Next, take equal sections off two pieces of hair on either side of your head at your temples and use the fishtail braiding technique on their length. Finally, wrap the braids around your crown and secure the twisted sections with bobby pins to score this perfect design.
Mermaid French Braid
@kristinagasperasmua
This modern take on traditional French braiding has the feel of someone who has spent a carefree day in the ocean. Also known as the mermaid single braid, the loose and slightly messy French 3-strand braid style is ideal for anyone with long hair.
If you want to achieve the look but have shorter tresses, you can add hair clip-in extensions to get the volume and length without having to wait months for your hair to grow.
Triple Flower Braids
@alexandralee1016
This whimsical flower crown braiding is the perfect addition to any outfit. The intricate braid looks complicated, but is actually simple to do, and will give your wedding or prom style an extra level of visual interest. All you’ll need are three hair ties and several bobby pins and a little bit of time to get the blooms just right.
Crisscross Pigtail Braids
@clairabelle_hairabelle
These sweet braids with a low ponytail are perfect for little girls and grown-ups alike. If you’re doing them on your little one for picture day or a special occasion, secure the ends of the simple, basic braid with an elastic and make sure that each section of hair is smooth and neat.
Funky One Side Braid
3-strand braid is so hot right now you see them everywhere, including all over the red carpets on Hollywood Stars. Here, Cara Delevingne’s celebrity hairstylist chooses a funky side classic braid that’s tight and close to her head to add a little bit of fun to her otherwise sleek runway style.
You can do this hairstyle even without a celebrity hairstylist, separate the desired section of hair with a rat tail comb from the side and braid it into a 3-strand braid. Use a minimum amount of leave-in conditioner to increase the longevity of the braid stand. And ask your makeup artist to complement the look as well.
Classic French Braid
@chloejaneclc
The French basic braid may be one of the simplest ways to weave your hair, but it’s also one of the most elegant. It’s an excellent choice if you have lots of layers or bangs as it pulls sections into the style as you go, securing them tightly and preventing them from slipping loose. In this photo, the model opts for a loose style and takes the classic braid straight down her back for a touch of classic style.
Waterfall French Braid
The waterfall braid technique takes a traditional French braid around your crown and holds the natural hair securely in place without needing to use any pins. To get this beautiful look, style your hair before you braid using a medium-barreled curling iron for perfect waves. Be sure to spray with a styling product when you’re done to give your tresses hold and volume.
Elsa Braid
@svglamour
Hollywood has long been known for setting trends, and when the Disney movie Frozen came out in 2013, the “Elsa Braid” was born. The chunky twist on a traditional pull-through braid, the Elsa braid starts on one side of the head and goes around your face to then fall over one shoulder.
This style is so beautiful it can be worn with your Halloween costume, or literally any other day of the year.
Braided Flower
@alexandralee1016
This intricate braided flower is a beautiful example of an up-do for a special occasion like prom or a wedding. This isn’t a do-it-yourself style, but a good stylist will be able to recreate the look with a little time and a lot of bobby pins.
Katniss French Braid
Another braid that’s straight out of the movies is the Katniss French 3-strand braid. The main character in the Hunger Games trilogy of films, Katniss Everdeen, is known for her trademark braid from her hometown of District 12. While we might not actually be living in a post-apocalyptic society, you can still score this look without needing to resort to violence.
High Volume Braids
One way to spice up your style is to use braids to create a dramatic look that’s totally out of the ordinary. You can flip the direction of your braids like the model did here and start at the base of your hairline and braid up for an effect that’s full of volume and drama.
Quad Braided Ponytail
@warkocze_artystyczne
If you like the French braided mohawk, this is an intricate twist on the design. This is the perfect solution if you have short bangs or lots of layers up front and need your hair to be extra secure. This braid style does take some time to do, but if you do it right, you get a gorgeous, intricate design that will stay put all day and into the night.
Braided Crown Up-Do
@foxandjanegroup
This milkmaid-inspired hairstyle is equal parts quirky and sexy and an excellent choice if you want a simple up-do. All you’ll need to do is create two pigtail braids that wrap up and over around the crown of your head. Secure them with bobby pins and voila, instant cuteness.
Spiral Lace Braid
This twisted style takes a traditional high ponytail up about ten notches. You don’t have to have uber-long locks to pull off this look, but you will need an extra set of hands to get it right. This isn’t a look that you could easily do for yourself.
Cross Over Micro Braids
Another sweet and sassy option, these crossover micro braids use a traditional three strand braiding technique and then weave them into an attractive design that creates a visual masterpiece. Here, the model tops the look with a large bun. If you have shorter hair, you could also pair these box braids with a messy knot or a traditional high ponytail.
Double French Braid Bun
This easy addition to pigtail French braids creates a whole new look that’s both elegant and classic. To do it, simply take your two french braided pigtails and twist them around one another, pinning as you go into a perfect bun. Instant glamor achieved.
There’s no such thing as the perfect braid. In fact, some styles require that you leave your locks a little messy and free to get the right effect. However, it is important no matter which you choose that you use a high-quality styling product to give you hold and dimension so that your braid stays put and looks great all day long.