Your messy ponytail had a good run. That wild, swirled-up bun served you well for a while—but it's begging to be retired. And if straight hair is your signature style, please put down the flat iron: heat damage is real and will be at an all-time high now that warm weather is here. If you’re asking, what can I do, then? The answer is easy: a braided hairstyle.
When it comes to communicating creativity through your hair, a braided hairstyle might be the single best way to let your talents shine. Whether you're using your own natural locks (or locs) or throwing in some fake hair for extra pizzazz, braids are absolutely one of the lowest-maintenance, highest-style options around.
The styling options are also endless when it comes to braids. From an accessorized crown braid to jumbo knotless box braids, French braids or Dutch braids, you have choices galore. We've pulled braid inspo (braidspo?) from celebrities far and wide to present you with looks suitable for every occasion and hair texture. Some of these styles may take a great chunk of your day to achieve but will last for weeks, while other styles can be achieved—and taken back out—in no time at all. Ahead, 50+ vision board-worthy braided hairstyles to inspire your next look—plus celebrity hairstylists' advice on how to braid best.
Criss-Crossed Box Braids
High Pony Box Braids
We understand, retiring your everyday top knot or ponytail is difficult. So why not just switch it up a bit with box braids styled into a high pony instead? It's a protective style that's perfect for summer months.
Criss-Crossed Cornrows
Teyana Taylor proves that you can still be the belle of the ball with criss-crossing cornrows and laid baby hairs. To replicate this slicked look, apply edge control on your baby hairs using a small toothbrush, then tie your hair down with a silk scarf.
Jumbo Knotless Braids
Jumbo knotless braids are never not a good idea. Not only is this style completely painless to install, but you can cut the styling time in half compared to small individual braids if your patience wears thin.
Updo With a Twist
If looking regal is your vibe, do as Culpo did and add a mesmerizing twist to your formal updo with a medium-sized braid along the side pulled back into a bun of ringlets.
Loosely-Braided Fishtail
"If you're looking to elevate your braiding game beyond the classic three-strand, I recommend trying a fishtail braid or a Dutch braid," explains celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh. "The fishtail braid offers a more intricate, woven appearance and is surprisingly easy to master with a bit of practice."
Solange Knowles
Looking to jazz up your lewk? Embellish your cornrows with beads or try a vibrant color like bleach blonde. If you're as bold as Solange, go ahead and do both.
Thandie Newton
Teeny Tiny Braids
Granted, this style on Laura Harrier is absolutely beautiful, but please note that these long micro-braids take quite a while to complete (usually six-plus hours depending on the braider). The plus side is the versatility. Rock your braids half-up like Harrier, in a low ponytail, or even up into a top knot—the styling options are endless.
Skai Jackson
Jordyn Woods
Here, Gabby Union again showcases the versatility of tiny box braids. The Y2K darling looks incredible in this '90s staple, the half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Jessica Hart
Switch up a simple French braid by showing off your highlights with an elongated mohawk like Hart. Her hair color completely steals the show in this braid.
Triple Cornrow Braids
Triple cornrow braids look divine and literally take no time. Curly girls: Yara Shahidi shows you can totally pull this style off.
Emily Ratajkowski
Ratajkowski giving golden goddess vibes with her crown braid coupled with face-framing layers and a dainty headband for an extra ethereal effect.
Specially Parted Cornrows
When it comes to braided styles, there's power in your part. Alexandra Shipp experiments with shape by simply parting her cornrows for a three-dimensional finish.
Bow-Bedecked Braids
Dark academia, anyone?
Gabrielle Union
Amandla Stenberg
Lucy Hale
Remix a sleek low pony with a center braid, which evidently will steal the show. All you need is a good pomade and boar bristle bush to replicate Hale's slick-back.
Issa Rae
Leave it to Issa to wear a side bun so well. And you're in luck because this style requires half the work. Let the lower half of your hair hang freely, and braid the top up into a side bun. Bonus points for accent braids on the side because they're more fun.
Jorja Smith
Try to take your eyes off of Jorja Smith's angelic face and focus on her box braids. These tiny, individual braids grant you the freedom to wear your hair in an array of styles, like a simple low bun.
Lupita Nyong'o
Just when you thought Nyong'o couldn't look any more regal, single cornrows add a dimensional layer of elegance to her braided updo. The lesson: Cornrows will singlehandedly jazz up a classic look.
Tia Mowry
With triple cornrows scooped and wrapped into a braided knot, Mowry's bun feels anything but boring.
Shay Mitchell
The ultimate this-ol'-thing hairstyle, Mitchell's low and loose three-strand braid defies gravity with a billion face-framing layers.
Kate Hudson
A bow by any other name is still a bow, but tie it around soft, segmented French braid, and it becomes decidedly less elementary.
Emma Watson
Don't fear Watson's messy, textured updo. Just create three super-loose and teased French braids, than wrap the ends together into a tiny bun.
Dania Ramirez
Soft and fuzzy, Ramirez's halo braid isn't a feat of magic, but the result of gently tugging and pulling each section of the braid for an undone feel.
Blake Lively
The loose, unraveled version of the fishtail braid: the bedhead fishtail.
Amanda Seyfried
The beauty of this braid is that it's not overly perfect: It's pancaked enough that it avoids looking too precious and it makes a cool contrast to Seyfried's polished red carpet gown.
Janelle Monáe
The bigger and bolder, the better, according to the very wise Alicia Keys. Here, she piles an impressive braid atop her head for an almost halo-like effect.
Charlize Theron
The low braided bun: a less snooze-worthy take on the chignon.
Cheryl Cole
A beautiful long and segmented waterfall braid: the ideal way to accessorize a gown with a low-back.
Kate Bosworth
The unofficial hair mascot of your average music festival, and for good reason: it's pretty and prevents any sweaty hair moments in the sun.
Nicole Kidman
A perfectly coiled and braided (and giant) chignon to trump all chignons.
Zoe Kravitz
Kind of like Beyoncé's high side ponytail, except Kravitz has swept up her natural braids atop her head.
Busy Phillips
The best reason to dip dye your hair: the chance to try out a mermaid braided style.
Ciara
A stunning take on the fishtail braid: half of the hair coiled up in a tight sight braid and the other half left loose and flowing on top.
Rachel McAdams
We dubbed this one of the sweetest hairstyles to get married in and you can see why: the double braids and the flower tucked behind the ear are pure magic.
Lucy Liu
A double braided beauty that combines a small French braid by the crown with a lengthy side fishtail braid (long haired girls, step right on up).
Cate Blanchett
A wispy, twisted French braid updo that will make them do a double-take.
Alicia Keys
An especially creative way to wear braids? Pulling your hair into a braid that starts from the back of the crown and pinning it up along the side of your head. Difficulty Level: Expert.
Jennifer Aniston
A cute little, 5-minute braid tuck is the best way to add some oomph to your hair without really lifting a finger.
Maria Menounos
A stylized fishtail that focuses on adding wavy volume to the top of the crown and thick, puffy pancaking (or flattening out) to the braid itself.
Blake Lively
What's a braids story without a double appearance from the IRL Lara Croft of braids, Blake Lively? Pro tip from this look: Try a high ponytail/braid hybrid by looping a length of hair around the top of it and securing it just the way you would hide a hair tie.
Scarlett Johansson
Exhibit A: The Milkmaid. It does wonders when you don't want a single hair in your face.
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.
Penelope Cruz
A *double* braided milkmaid for a Grecian-style hair crown.
•••
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