If there is something genuinely eternal in hairstyles – it’s a braid. Its history began hundreds of years ago in Africa where the first braids adorned men and women’s heads. Since then, tight cornrows, flat fishtails, and messy French plaits have become a tradition that goes on for generations. So, keep scrolling to discover all the pretty celeb-inspired braided hairstyles for women with different hair types.
Choosing Braids by Hair Length
Ah, there are so many different braid styles… It’s like an eternal hairstyle story that’s always current. You can make your short hair much longer with box braids and clip-ins, or get your bob unforgettable with lacy French braiding, or even protect your curly hair when working out or jogging with neatly plaited pigtails. But how to make your choice? Keep reading and be surprised by the number of braided variations for different hair types and hair lengths.
Easy Braids for Short Hairstyles
Women who choose short cuts definitely love comfort and low maintenance. That is why braiding for short hair should be as practical as beautiful. Box braids, cornrows, crochet plaits, French braids, and fishtails are classical for a reason. They belong perfectly on short and medium length hair and can work as fun braids on one side. “It’s for those who want something simple and allows them to do their activities and work with their lifestyle. But it [braids] can still have glamour. It’s classical, as well as fashionable,” says Diane C. Bailey, Shea Moisture beauty ambassador, to Huff Post. So, let’s see how braiding can mix with chops.
Twists and Turns: Braided Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair
How to spruce up your medium length hair without blowouts, curling or flat-ironing? Oh, you will love these ideas! It is astonishing how braids can transform shoulder-length hair. But first, let’s talk about little secrets that guarantee easy styling of braids:
- A bit of backcombing near the hair roots before you start braiding will give you incredible volume.
- There is no need to use a large amount of mousse – it will make your hair heavier and plaiting – more complicated.
- You’d better fix the finished hairstyle with hair spray. It will make the hair look natural, and there will be no “dirty hair” effect.
- Use beautiful hairpins to hide the places of hair attachment or to fix short strands that fall out of the hairdo.
Going Out of Control: Braided Hairstyles for Long Hair
You can make your long hair look bohemian with loose, chunky, and haphazard braids. Or add some texture through a few tiny braids while leaving the rest of your long hair loose. You can even divide your hair into two equal parts, braid them and twist into buns for an elegant evening look. And you don’t need to be a braiding guru for this – use expert tips and be gorgeous. “Adding a thin, pearl-accessorized braid to brushed-out waves […] creates a hairstyle fit for a princess. Or turn your pigtail plaits into a sophisticated up-do […] by pinning them on top of each other at the crown of your head,” says Becki Murray, assistant beauty editor, in her article for Harper’s BAZAAR.
Braids will load your long hair with volume, femininity, and beauty. If you are ready to start a game with twists and turns, keep scrolling to see our collection of best long hair braids and get some inspiration.
Braided for Sure: Choosing Braids by Hair Type
As you can see, there is an overwhelming choice of braided styles and patterns. But it does not mean that all of them will suit you. For example, box braids can be destructive for thin hair, since these tightens the hair much and for a long time. Do you need to sacrifice? We don’t think so. And hairstylists strongly agree with us. “I’ve seen countless women strive for styles that have had detrimental permanent effects on their natural tresses. No style is worth you losing your hair,” says Unique Dandridge, hair care specialist, to Bustle. In the case of thin hair, it is better to do twists: they weigh less, and the roots are more manageable with it while the hair grows out.
And how about the rest of the hair types? Well, let’s see what kind of braiding will be perfect for them.
Back to Black Braided Hairstyles
Twisting and braiding, especially in the cultures with strong African traditions, are sacred and passed down from generation to generation. In addition to beauty, braids also helped protect the hair: braided hair was less exposed to the environment which prevented its damage and tangling. But time goes by. Classic braided styles have been continually changed and updated by modern techniques. Today’s braided hairstyles not only help protect fragile kinky hair but also create head-turning looks. So, what we’ve got next are simple, doable, yet still, fabulous braided hairstyles that flatter black hair so much.
Searching for Classics: Cornrows
Cornrows or canerows, as they were called in some parts of the Caribbean, are one of the most ancient types of braiding which appeared in different parts of the globe independently. You can easily recognize classical cornrows looking as simple, straight lines braided closely to the scalp. To create such a hairstyle, a stylist makes upward motions to get a continuous, raised row. Cornrows can also be adorned with beads, hair cuffs, and other hair accessories.
Cornrows are one of long-life hairstyles, so braid it once, and you don’t think about it again for at least several weeks. But be careful with the tightness: braids pulled too tight or worn too long can cause hair loss. So, please do not skimp on a good stylist, be patient, and become a wearer of one of the chic cornrow hairstyles we have found for you.
Old School: Box Braids Styles
For those who have no time to deal with natural hair, we have a fantastic solution. Box braiding is a simple technique that helps protect your natural hair and gives the benefit of low maintenance. Work with three-strand braids of different thickness. Each braid goes from a square-shaped section. “No matter how big or small your box braids are, they’ll always have four corners,” explains Larry Sims, celebrity hairstylist behind Zendaya and Gabrielle Union, to Cosmopolitan. “Box braids can be done with natural hair or with extended hair for extra length, thickness, and fullness,” adds Stacey Ciceron, Oribe consulting stylist.
Still, you’d better stay away from box braiding if you have weak, brittle hair. In all other cases, keep scrolling to see some excellent ways of box braids styling and the most eye-catching photo proofs.
Last but Not Least: 10 Best Braided Hairstyle Ideas
“Protective styles are no longer just a summer thing. Braids are something we wear year-round because they’re super easy to maintain (and not having to bother with your hair for two months is a blessing),” says Aimee Simeon, a beauty writer for Refinery29. And we couldn’t say better. If you are searching for a fresh style, then braiding is just what you need. Choose twists and plaits for casual hairstyles or special occasions. Discover a new you with long-lasting box braids and cornrows. Anyway, braids will help you create a unique style and add some extras to it, like in these top 10 braided hairstyles we couldn’t miss.
No matter what braided hairstyle you choose, it will give you a chic new look. Opt for long-lasting cornrows and box braids or make a delicate braided updo for this evening. We believe the leading style award will be yours!