On days when you feel meh, there’s one easy way to spice up a look without spending a cent – plaits! And with so many plait hairstyles out there, you can rock the same outfit every week and still look different as long as you know how to change up your updo.
So how can you achieve some fine and fierce plaited hair? Here’s a guide to eight braided hairstyles, from simple French braids to more complicated techniques like waterfall braids.
RELATED: Easy Fishtail Braid for Beginners
8 Braid Styles And How To Do Them
Braids For Long Hair
Long hair is suitable for braiding because it gives a ton of options, whether you want a side-swept fishtail or a flowy waterfall braid. For a neat and clean braid, you can either make hair damp first before braiding so that all the strands lump together, or choose not to shampoo a few days prior so that you can use your natural oils. Oils or waxes also minimise frizziness, so don’t be shy to use a lot of product.
French Braid
Out of all the different types of braids, the French braid is perhaps the most popular. But don’t take its popularity for granted – French braids can still be challenging for beginners. A French braid is closer to the scalp than a regular braid, so it’s more “fixed”.
How to plait hair into a French braid:
Dutch Braid
A Dutch braid is essentially the inverse of a French braid. When you do a Dutch braid, you’re supposed to make the hair sections cross under each other, rather than over.
How to braid hair into a Dutch braid:
Fishtail Braid
Braiding a fishtail plait involves divvying up your hair into two sections rather than three, and crossing the outside halves of each section towards the centre. The result is a braid that looks like it’s folded into the centre, giving the appearance of a fishtail!
How to do a Fishtail braid:
Side Braids
Side braids are pretty much the same as the other aforementioned braids, except they’re pulled towards one side of the head rather than down the middle.
Hot tip: Achieving a perfect side braid requires longer hair!
How to do a side braid:
Waterfall Braid
This trendy new technique gives off ethereal, Greek goddess vibes. It’s called a waterfall braid because the hair cascades like falling water.
How to get a waterfall braid:
Braids For Short Hair
While you have a limited range of braid styles you can do with short hair, it’s an opportunity to get creative. You’ll need to do tighter braids to make sure you make the most out of your short hair though, so if you’re prone to getting headaches, you might want to wait until your hair grows out.
Another tip for short-haired girls who want braids is to get hair extensions! Yes, you can braid hair extensions – just be careful not to pull them out while you braid.
Half-Up, Half-Down Braids
The half-up, half-down braid is essentially a hybrid of the half ponytail and any type of braid. You can achieve this by braiding two small sections on either side of your hair, then join the braids together in the centre. This braid is ideal for shoulder-length to longer hair.
How to achieve a half up, half down braid:
Crown Braid
Heading to a music festival? Put down the flower crown, all you need is some time and a bit of hair! The crown braid, also known as the halo braid, is like a Dutch braid that wraps around the entire head.
How to braid hair into a crown:
Braided Bun
To make a braided bun, you simply braid your hair like you normally would – no French or Dutch braids here – then twist everything up into a cute knot. But there are also many variations of the braided bun. Some involve French or Dutch braids, while others involve thinner braids surrounding the big bun.
How to achieve a braided bun:
Celebs Who Rocked Braids
Looking for more inspo? Here are 10 celebrities who totally rocked the plaited look.
1. Riverdale’s Madelaine Petsch In Biker Chic And A Fiery Side Fishtail Braid
2. Janelle “Queen Of Braiding Hair” Monae In A Black Cape And Pompadour Braid
3. Charlize Theron In Her Sweet And Delicate Braided Bun
4. Blake Lively In An Intentionally Messy Braided Ponytail
5. Zendaya In A Neat And Low Ponytail Braid
6. Tessa Thompson Giving Us Whiplash – Literally!
7. Millie Bobby Brown’s Mind-Flayer Inspired Updo
8. FKA Twigs’ Double Coil Updo
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