The 14 Different Types of Braids and How to Create Them, According to Stylists (2024)

The 14 Different Types of Braids and How to Create Them, According to Stylists (1)

Braids are something of a workhorse in the world of hairstyles: they're all at once classic and trendy—and protective, to boot. That being said, there are so many types and styles of braids, it can be difficult to settle on just one kind.

To help manage the overwhelm, we've gathered 14 of the most popular braided hairstyles and supplemented them with celeb photos so you can see what each style looks like, IRL. We also consulted with top celebrity hairstylists and a trichologist to compile tips, tricks, and tutorials for each braid.

Meet the Experts

  • Lacy Redway is a Unilever Global Stylist, TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund Selection Committee Member, and celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Ruth Negga, Lucy Boynton, Laura Harrier, and more.
  • Kendall Dorsey is a celebrity hairstylist who works with clients like Kelly Rowland, Saweetie, Alicia Keys, and more.
  • Dr. Kari Williamsis a licensed cosmetologist, board-certified trichologist, and member ofDevaCurl’s Expert Curl Council.

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Box Braids

The 14 Different Types of Braids and How to Create Them, According to Stylists (2)

Box braids are created by securing the hair extension around the base of the natural hair and creating a box-like knot attachment at the root. They were especially popular in the '90s, which gives them a cool-girl vibe when worn today. "Box braids serve as a protective style on textured hair," Lacy Redway, Unilever Global Stylist, TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund Selection Committee Member, and celebrity hairstylist, adds. "It allows you to have your hair protected for a period of time while still being able to style it in various hairstyles using the box braids as the foundation of the hairstyles."

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Knotless Braids

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Knotless braids have gained popularity for being a more lightweight, natural-looking alternative to box braids. Unlike traditional box braids, this style doesn't have the traditional knot at the top of each braid. Instead, it is achieved by feeding in the hair mid-braid. "The benefit of the knotless technique (when done properly) is it prevents traction alopecia, which is a common form of hair loss for women who have braids that are installed too tight with the large knots," says trichologist, Kari Williams. "This technique can take longer to install, but it's worth the health of the hair and scalp."

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Micro Braids

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Micro braids are just like box braids in that they canbe created using the same technique. They're just—you guessed it—smaller. The modern-day poster child for micro braids (in our humble opinion) is Zoë Kravitz. She has walked many a red carpet donning the very same chic style, albeit with a couple of hair color switch-ups along the way. "They are designed to be versatile, which is the beauty of them," Redway says. "You can style as you please."

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Cornrow Braids

As you can see from Yara Shahidi, actress and activist extraordinaire, cornrows are braids that form narrow parallel strips down the head. They're normally positioned from front to back, but she put a unique twist on a classic look by wearing hers pulled back with a wired braid construction artfully crafted around it.

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Crown Braid

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Next, we have the crown braid, which looks complex and time-consuming but happens to be exactly the opposite. Our favorite wayto create a crown braid is tostart with a traditional side braid before wrapping it up and over the top of the forehead, securing it with bobby pins along the way. We always make sure to leave out a couple of face-framing piecesà la Vanessa Hudgens.

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Fishtail Braid

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A fishtail braid is one of our all-time favorite styles as it's playful and unexpected. It's easy to distinguish from other braids since itlooks like a mirror reflection of itself. Storm Reid shows us how it's done by styling her box braid, fishtail braid off to one side.

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French Braid

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A French braid, as demonstrated by Emily Blunt, is a traditional three-piece braid. As you plait the hair together, add a section from either side on each rotation. It's one of the most versatile and chic of braids, which is why we see it so oftenat red carpet events. Style it in the traditional way, as a single-braided strand running down the nape of the neck, or do as Blunt does and position it to the side for an elegant updo.

With practice, it's an easy style to create. If you need a little refresher, head to YouTube for pointers (no judgment—braiding takes a lot of time and patience).

Key Takeaways

  • Knotless box braids are super popular now—and for good reason. Since there's less tension at the root, there's less chance of traction alopecia (aka hair loss) around your edges.
  • Crown braids look complicated, but it's really as easy as taking a side braid and wrapping it around the crown of your head.

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Dutch Braid

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A Dutch braid, on the other hand, is created in the same exact way as you would a French braid—except inverted. Instead of winding the hair over itself as you plait, you wind it underneath the other strands. This small change makes a big difference. You see, instead of the braid flowing inward, it flows outward, which makes the braid pop out slightly. Take Rita Ora's hair, for example. Here, she wearsit in Dutch-braided pigtails. Just compare her braids to Emily Blunt's French-braided style, and you'll see that Ora's braids are much more defined and visible.

Byrdie Tip

In essence, think of a Dutch braid like a bolder version of a French braid. All it requires is that you reverse the French braid technique.

A Dutch braid may sound easy in theory, but it can be extremely difficult for a braid novice, which is why we've created a step-by-step tutorialwith celebrity hairstylist Anh Co Tranto make it easy for you to replicate Ora's exact style.

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Milkmaid Braid

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The milkmaid braid is almost identical to the aforementioned crown braid, but instead of being situated on the top of the forehead (where an actual crown would sit), it's pushed back a couple of inches to rest more toward the middle of the head. It's also more likely to begin with a center part, as opposed to a side part, for a more traditional look. To create, "Divide your hair by the nape of your neck in two sections," says Redway. "Braid each section into two braids before crisscrossing them onto themselves and securing them with hair and bobby pins." We think it's best demonstrated by Sarah Hyland at the Fox Golden Globes party. (By the way, if you've already mastered this style, try a reverse milkmaid braidfor a new take.)

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Waterfall Braid

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Waterfall braids look intricate, but luckily, they aren't as complicated as they seem. Think of them like a French braid, but one side of the braid is woven and the opposite part cascades down into the hair. To create a waterfall braid, pretend you are beginning a French braid. Section the hair into three pieces, cross the top section over the middle, and, instead of grabbing more hair, let this section hang down. Cross the remaining pieces over one another, then grab a new piece from the top and incorporate it into the braid. Repeat the steps.

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3 Strand Braid

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This braiding technique is the foundation for the rest of the looks on this list. Without it, the rest of these braids are not possible. To try for yourself, section hair into three strands. Take the left piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Then, take the right-most piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Repeat this process over and over until you reach the end of your strands.

Shay Mitchell demonstrates one of the many ways you can wear this style. Appropriate for any hair type, the three-strand braid can be tightly kept or intentionally loosened to show volume and body.

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Rope Braids

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"The trick with this hairstyle is that it doubles as a second hairstyle," Redway says. "When the hairstyle starts to frizz up, release them and wear your hair down because you will now have beautiful water waves." Unlike many of the other styles on this list, the rope braid only requires two sections of hair. Take one of the sections and twist the hair until the entire section is spiraled. Secure with a clear elastic. Repeat on the other side. Take each section and twist them around one another. Secure at the bottom.

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Pigtail Braids

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Pigtail braids couldn't be easier, and require pulling the hair into two low ponytails before braiding the ends of each. You can then fasten with an elastic and go. The look recalls a childhood style but can easily be made sophisticated, by smoothing flyaways with a flexible-hold gel.

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Halo Braid

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The halo braid is similar to a crown braid, and consists of long Dutch braids placed around the head and fastened on top, to mimic a halo. Remove a few tendrils to frame the face and keep the look more casual.

FAQ

  • What type of braid is the easiest?

    The classic three-strand braid is the foundation for all braided styles. Without knowing that technique, you cannot master more complicated styles.

  • What is the most popular type of braid?

    The most popular braid largely depends on what you are exposed to. Dorsey says his most popular request from clients is for a knotless box braid. "I have been feeding in human hair to the braid to create length and body," Dorsey says. "Sort of like a Lisa Bonet vibe."

  • What type of braids last longer?

    "All braids have some type of longevity," Dorsey says. "Knotless braids, knot braids, cornrows, box braids, and senegalese twists are long-lasting protective styles and are meant to last in the hair."

  • What is the hardest type of braid?

    The hardest type of braid is dependent on the person. One person may struggle with a fishtail braid while another may be unable to master a waterfall braid. Regardless, the more complicated or intricate a braid pattern gets, the more difficult it will be to execute.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Billero V, Miteva M. Traction alopecia: the root of the problem. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:149-159.

The 14 Different Types of Braids and How to Create Them, According to Stylists (2024)

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