If there's one hairstyle I love, it's a braid. Whether it's a simple hairstyle like a braided ponytail or long, dramatic knotless box braids, the look is versatile, timeless, and undeniably chic. Braids can be a quick and impromptu option for straight and wavy hair or double as a protective style for those with textured hair.
If you're new to braids, don't worry — getting started is easy. "The classic three-strand braid is the foundation for all braided styles. Mastering this basic technique is essential to tackle more complex looks," explains Kendall Dorsey, celebrity hairstylist and Color Wow Curl Global Ambassador. The hairstyle options are endless once you have the classic braid down to a science.
There are fishtail braids, waterfall braids, or French plaits if that's more your speed. For those with textured hair, protective styles range from box braids—and all of the respective variations, like goddess braids—to cornrows or straight-back braids. (The latter are typically the setting place for a wig application or a weave install, but they're gorgeous worn on their own, too.)
Still looking for amazing braiding inspiration? I've scoured braid hairstyle ideas from celebrities far and wide to present you with looks suitable for every occasion and hair texture, along with pro tips from celebrity hairstylists and braiders to help you achieve the look for yourself.
Keep scrolling for 50 beautiful braided hairstyle options.
Which Type of Braids Last Longest?
As with any style, the longevity of its wear depends on how much care you put into its upkeep. "The longevity of the style relies mostly on how it’s maintained and manipulated," explains celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen. "So that could be very subjective depending on the individual.”
According to celebrity braider Xia Charles, box braids and knotless braids are the braid styles that will last the longest. "Any single braids that appear to grow out from the root to the ends, with proper care, won’t get messy. The only thing you see is the new growth." Knotless or box braids, should be kept in for six to eight weeks.
What are the Easiest Braids to Do?
In terms of ease, the simpler, the better. Pigtail braids and fishtail braids—or any style braided on the ends, not the roots—shouldn't take too long (10 minutes or less). Charles says that simple, straight-back cornrows are the easiest option for more in-depth styles. ”Either two, four, or six cornrows braided back is an under two hours style, which is easy for the client and braider,” she explains.
How to Make Braids Last Longer
Braid style longevity is two-fold: there's pre-prep and post-care. Before going to your stylist, make sure your hair is clean. "It helps with longevity," explains Charles. "You won't have to take your hair out after two weeks." Next, make sure your stylist is braiding with proper tension and technique. Braids with looser tension tend to last less time than if the tension of the braid is tighter. That said, you don't want your braids to be too tight and risk tension alopecia on your scalp.
Aftercare also extends the life of your braids. Both Charles and Stephen recommend sleeping with a silk or satin hair wrap to tie your hair down and protect it. Too much friction from your pillowcase can cause frizz. In addition, to make braids last longer, Stephens recommends using braid sprays, pomades, and edge control gel, as well as oiling your scalp every few days with a light scalp oil to keep it fresh.
What Are the Most Popular Braided Hairstyles for 2024?
According to Charles, boho braids and knotless box braids with added pieces of curly hair are some of the most popular of braids hairstyles for 2024. Side-swept long, waist-length cornrows or “lemonade braids” (a nod to Beyoncé’s Lemonade) haven't stopped trending since the album's release eight years ago.
In general, designed cornrow braided styles, like Coco Gauff's go-to look or the braids Alicia Keys rocked in the ‘90s, are the most popular of the year.
High Pony Box Braids
Retiring your signature top knot or ponytail is difficult, so why not switch it up a bit with box braids styled into a high pony à la Chloe Bailey? It's a protective style that's perfect for the warm summer months. "Most braided styles have some type of longevity," says Dorsey. "Whether it’s knotless braids, knot braids, cornrows, box braids, or Senegalese twists, these protective styles are designed to last and keep your hair healthy."
Criss-Crossed Cornrows
Teyana Taylor is looking fabulous (as per usual) with crisscrossing cornrows and laid baby hairs. To replicate the slicked look, apply edge control on your baby hairs using a small toothbrush, then tie your hair down with a silk scarf.
Bedecked Blonde Braids
Embellish your cornrows with beads or try a vibrant color like bleach blonde. If you're as bold as Solange, do both.
Stephen likes using clip-ins and hair pieces from The Hair Shop when working on extra-long styles. "They have a very wide selection of colors and lengths," she notes.
Extra-Long Braided Ponytail
"Some of my favorite braids to work on are big bold plaits," Stephen tells Marie Claire. "One of my favorites that I’ve created lately is the long blonde plait that I did on Zendaya for the Challengers premiere in London."
While walking the red carpet, Zendaya kept the style in motion, swaying back and forth and back and forth. We'll call that a serve.
Decorative Braids
At the 2024 Met Gala, Quannah Chasinghorse's long locks featured a selection of intricate braids: multiple twisted strands were woven on each side of her head before they were worked into an inverted French braid.
“The braiding and use of accessories with native beadwork in this year’s look shows the artistry and creativity of her people,” her hairstylist, Paula Peralta, told Allure. “It shows that beauty is not a monolith.”
Half-Up, Half-Down Braids
Here, Gabrielle Union showcases the versatility of tiny box braids. The movie star looks incredible in this '90s staple, the half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Triple Cornrow Braids
Feed-in braids look divine and take no time. Curly girls: Yara Shahidi proves you can pull off this style. “The most important thing to consider when wearing a protective style is maintaining the health of your scalp and adding moisture to your hair," explains Dorsey. "For most styles (like box braids and cornrows), your scalp is more exposed than usual. As a result, it can be more prone to dryness, irritation and/or flakiness. To avoid that, it’s important to hydrate the scalp and hair regularly using a leave-in conditioning spray, which adds and locks in moisture."
Braided Bob
Who said braids have to be ankle-grazing? Here, Willow Smith's take on a braided bob is a fashion-forward take. "I think it's super chic and beyond the trend," says celebrity hairstylist Dharius Thomas, who predicts you'll be seeing this style more in the coming fall.
Bow-Bedecked Braids
Tortured Poets Department-core, anyone? Emma Chamberlain's long, skinny, waist-length braids are bedecked in bows of velvet and string varieties for a little excitement. This style is so easy to emulate. Middle part your hair, braid it up, and tie on ribbon.
Classic Cornrows
Adwoa Aboah can often be spotted with gorgeous cornrows. This style is simple and classic and plays well with her fresh-faced glow. Charles loves cornrows as a style during the cooler seasons, too. "If you’re looking for a simple protective style to carry you through the season, opt for straight-back cornrows. That's an easy way to keep your hair moisturized while also having access to your scalp. You can wear a beanie with a satin insert and keep your hair moisturized and protected, too."
Boho Braids
Love Island USA winner Serena Page's boho braids had viewers buzzing during the summer of 2024. "People are wearing boho-style braids, but they're tricking it out and making it their own as opposed to wearing it a traditional way," explains Thomas. The best way to maintain boho braids? Using human hair instead of traditional kanekalon braiding hair.
Braided Side Bun
Leave it to Issa Rae to rock a side bun. Let the lower half of your strands hang freely while braiding the top up. Bonus points for accent braids near your ears—they're so fun.
While this styling can be a great way to extend the lifespan of your braid install, remember that protective styles can also have their own counterproductive ways. "Don't be quick to put in another protective style after you take one out," advises Charles. "Moisturize and deep condition your hair, get a trim. And then two to three weeks before putting your hair back in another protective style."
Braided Cornrow Bun
Just when you thought Lupita Nyong'o couldn't look any better, these single cornrows add a dimensional layer of elegance to her braided updo. The lesson here? Cornrows can easily upgrade a classic look.
Braided Crown
While Storm Reid's soft waves are pretty on their own, the braid at her crown brings this look to a whole new level. Now, imagine if she pulled her hair back. So many options!
Middle-Part Braided Bun
Getting braids of any kind, especially the micro braids worn by Zoë Kravitz here, into a bun is a test of strength and patience. "One tip I like to share with clients that get these braided styles is to go easy on products such as mousse, gels, and sprays because they can cause build-up on your scalp and make your braids look old a lot quicker," explains Janice Smith, Unruly hairstylist. "Instead, cover your braids at night and keep up with simple maintenance."
Major Halo Braid
According to the very wise Alicia Keys, the bigger and bolder, the better. Here, she piles an impressive braid atop her head for a halo-like effect.
Half Braids, Half Curls
Tennis star and Carol's Daughter brand ambassador Coco Gauff is known for her braided looks when she's not on the court. Thomas, who is her hairstylist alongside Yojanse Jimenez, explains: [Coco] loves mixing her texture hair with braids. If she gets all braids, she has to have a curl in hair somewhere, reminiscent of the '90s and '00s. The texture in the back can always change, but she likes that signature style," he explains.
Butterfly Braids
If there's one thing about Tyla, she's always going to have her hair on point. Here, she's rocking the 2024's hottest trend: butterfly braids. "These are little soft braids, as opposed to it being so tight," explains Charles. "Having the weave hair in at the corners and intertwined in the braid is great for vacation hair, too."
Patterned Cornrows
It's been a while since Rihanna wore braids (she's more into blonde blowouts these days), but her cornrows will always be classic. On this particular evening, she chose a crisscrossed scalp pattern for her look.
The pattern here makes it special and what Charles likes most about braiding: "A true braider hairstylist will do something to fit the person's face and shape, as opposed to just copying what somebody did—It’s a form of self-expression," she shares.
Braids and a Hat
Kim Kardashian knows better than anyone that cameras might be around every turn. With that being said, her off-duty looks—like these simple three-strand braids—are always something to behold.
Victorian Mourning Braids
Leave it to Chloë Sevigny to bring one of the most intricate (and interesting) hairstyles to the 2024 Met Gala. "We’re incorporating a lot of hair and an homage to the Victorians, and in the Victorian era, how they celebrated their loved ones who passed away by making ornaments and jewelry out of their dead or their loved one’s hair," she told Vogue.
Tie-Less Braids
The Bailey sisters are young, but they already have hundreds of looks banked in the braided hair hall of fame. Halle Bailey wore these jumbo braids to Paris Fashion Week in fall 2023 and, although the look is gorgeous from top to bottom, the transition to curls at the base of each braid is perhaps our favorite element.
