Save These 14 Types of Braids as Inspo for Your Next Salon Appointment

14 Braids for Every Hair Type

1. Cornrows

Cornrows are one of those braids that never goes out of style. “They’re timeless, clean, and highly customizable with their neat, tight, and long-lasting style,” says House of Braid owner Tassara Azad. We love that the style can be casual or elegant, and there are so many ways to wear the braided look, we even rounded up 30 cornrow hairstyles for you to try. If you prefer to go with the classic style, Azad tells us it’s achieved by “braiding flat to the scalp in straight or curved lines.” They’re ideal for curly hair and natural textures, and look great on all hair lengths, though they really shine when worn on medium-length to long hair.

2. Box Braids

A classic protective hairstyle, box braids offer endless styling possibilities (and protection) for natural hair types. The look is achieved by “sectioning hair into squares and braiding it down while adding extension hair” as you go, says Azad. While the style is typically long and worn loose, you can style box braids in many ways. You can wear them as is or opt for delicate updos and embellishments—whichever way you rock your box braids, know that your natural hair is in good hands.

3. French Braids

The French braid is an icon in the braid world. Any hair type can sport the three-strand braid, which makes it one of the most versatile braided hairstyles out there. You can sport it when you’re working out or dress it up for date night with your partner. Achieving the braid is a little tricky though, which is why we created a five-step tutorial that anyone can follow. Azad says to start by “parting your hair into three sections and braid down in an overhand pattern while gradually adding more hair.” Secure with a hair tie and you’re good to go. You can elevate this basic braid by accessorizing with rhinestone bobby pins, sparkly hair clips, or just a scarf scrunchie.

4. Dutch Braids

Similar to the French braid, Dutch braids are also achieved by splitting the hair into three even sections and adding hair as you braid down. As Azad points out, the difference here is that Dutch braids are “braided under instead of over, creating a raised braid.” You can follow this eight-step tutorial to achieve a Dutch braid of your very own. Start by prepping your strands with the NATURE LAB TOKYO Perfect Texture Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler to protect them from breakage, then brush out any knots with the FHI HEAT UNbrush Detangling Hair Brush before attempting the braiding technique on your own hair.

5. Fishtail Braids

While fishtail braids look intricate, they’re not as difficult to achieve as you may suspect. We even put together a step-by-step tutorial with help from a hairstylist who simplified the hair braiding technique into three easy steps. That’s right, beginners, all it takes is three steps to achieve this look. Azad breaks it down as well, saying to “create two sections of hair and cross small strands over from one side to the other repeatedly.” The strands of hair you’re pulling from each section should be thin to create the textured braid. Once you’ve finished, pull apart the pieces to add some dimension and spray some texturizing spray to give it an extra bit of edge.

6. Lemonade Braids

Popularized by Beyoncé during her Lemonade era, the deep side part is what makes these cornrow braids unique. The trendy style isn’t your average side braid, nor is it a braid you would see on everyone—it takes a certain kind of baddie to pull these braids off.

7. Halo Braids

“Halo braids are a crown-like braid that wraps around the crown of your head, creating a romantic, angelic look,” says Azad of the style. The way to achieve this braid is by creating a Dutch braid around the top of your head and securing it with bobby pins. You can go for a half-up style or braid all your hair in this style.

8. Crown Braids

You may assume that halo braids and crown braids are the same thing, but there is a difference. While halo braids use the Dutch braiding technique, crown braids use the French braiding technique at the top of your head, proving these are two different braids (sorry to be pedantic). The braid is a little tricky to recreate on your own and may require some patience if you’re not an expert braider. Start at the nape of your neck and French braid around your head to create the crown in question. If you have long hair, you can cheat the style by parting your hair into two even sections and creating two traditional braids. Wrap those around your head, secure them with bobby pins, and you’ve got a crown braid.

9. Knotless Box Braids

Knotless braids have been everywhere the past few years. Celebrities like Zendaya, Zoë Kravitz, Jhené Aiko, and Keke Palmer swear by the style because it creates less tension on the scalp, whereas a traditional box braid can be tighter and cause some discomfort for those with sensitive scalps. “Known for their natural, flat-looking roots, knotless braids are done with a gradual feed-in technique,” says celebrity braider Tanasia McLean. This means synthetic hair is added to the braid as it goes rather than at the root, like in a traditional box braid, which is another contributing factor to the comfort of this protective style.

10. Boho Box Braids

We’ve never not seen anyone pull off boho box braids. Ideal for Black hair types, McLean shares that they are “known for the human hair left out all throughout the box braids.” The hair left out can be your natural curls or hair extensions for added volume and dimension—either way, they offer a more relaxed take on traditional box braids. The thing to note here is that while they are free-flowing, this does mean that some extra hair care is required to maintain them. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner when washing, and follow with a frizz-fighting leave-in conditioner like the BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Farewell Frizz™ Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray to maintain the freshness of your curls.

11. Goddess Box Braids

Loose hair is also a defining characteristic of goddess braids. “Goddess box braids have the classic knotless box braid look with human hair on the ends,” says McLean. Rather than strands of hair being showcased throughout the braids, it is only the ends that are unbraided. Azad notes they are also similar to cornrows but with larger sections and thicker plaits. “Bold and regal, they’re perfect for anyone looking to make a statement,” she shares. Could that be you? If so, we have 20 goddess braids hairstyles calling your name.

12. Fulani Braids

A blend of different types of braids, Fulani braids feature “cornrows in the front with box braids in the back,” McLean tells us. There is also a signature middle braid and decorative beads that define this braided hairstyle, according to Azad. Don’t be afraid to really amp up the accessories—there is no such thing as too many.

13. Braided Ponytail

Though the ponytail braid hairstyle is a simple one, you can wear it in so many different ways. Sure, you can take the classic route with a high pony and a single braid. Or, you can separate your ponytail into small sections and add as many braids as you like throughout. Don’t even get us started on the pigtail styles you can try, too. McLean is a fan of “adding synthetic hair into braids that go into a ponytail.” The possibilities are endless.

14. Rope Braids

Rope braids are another one of those styles that appear more difficult to create than they are, because they’re just twists, as opposed to your standard braids. Take two sections of hair and twist them tightly in the same direction. Next, cross them in the opposite direction, secure with an elastic, and you’re good to go. Yes, that is all it takes to create the two-strand twists you see all over social media. You can use this technique to create one rope braid, two, or as many as you like.