Beautiful women have worn braided hairstyles for thousands of years all over the world. The style is one of the most versatile, running from incredibly intricate patterns to simple plaits. Braided hairstyles are also perfect for almost every occasion. Whether you’re in the office, at school, in the gym or even a wedding, there’s a braided hairstyle that’s ideal for you. Even better, depending on your hair type, braids can protect your strands from damage and help you grow your mane longer. Keep scrolling to discover all the different braided hairstyles for women.
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1. Box Braids
Classic and amazing box braided hairstyles are one of the most iconic styles for Afro-textured hair. All your hair will be sectioned into squares and worked into individual plaits to get this look. You can use your hair or have extension braided in, which will give you head-turning long, full locks. They are considered a protective style and can be any length or thickness; however, if you have naturally thin or fine hair, opt for smaller box braids, so there’s less tension on your scalp. While box braids take a long time to put in, once finished they last for weeks and are very low-maintenance.
2. Braided Ponytail
If you’re looking for a new way to style your braids, the simplest option is a high ponytail. The style is popular because it draws the eye up, making your face seem longer. It’s also versatile, working equally well for the office, school, gym or a date night. To make your braided ponytail look perfectly polished, secure it with a clear snag-free elastic and wrap some of your braids around to cover it.
3. Crochet Braids
One of the simplest and easiest ways to get extra-long braided hairstyles is with the crochet braids technique. Similar to a weave, crochet involves first braiding your hair into loose cornrows. This cornrow pattern forms the foundation for your crochet braids. Next, hair extensions are threaded through and secured using a crochet hook before being plaited into your braid style of choice. You can also have ready-made braids secured, such as which dramatically cut the time it takes to put in your braids. That makes it a convenient option if you don’t have an extra day to spend in the stylist’s chair.
4. Goddess Braids
Goddess braids are a thicker version of cornrows, and equally versatile. The underhand braiding style is used to create this style, with the braids then formed into a ponytail, up do or left loose. Whatever you choose, your goddess braids will stand out from the crowd. Make sure your hair gets the attention it deserves by decorating the braids with accessories; beads, rings, and wires have been trending recently.
5. Lemonade Braids
Lemonade braids were made famous by Beyoncé, who wore them on the cover of her smash hit album Lemonade. The style involves creating neat, even and close cornrows that go from left to right, rather than straight back. Lemonade braids are a versatile look as they can be any size or thickness, and you can also combine them with other cornrow styles like zig-zag, or add accessories like rings and beads if you wish.
6. Cornrow Braids
Cornrows are one of the most on-trend braided hairstyles right now. Hair is braided close to the scalp using the underhand technique to create raised plaits. Each one is formed in neat rows – which is where the style gets its name. Cornrows are endlessly adaptable; they can be thin or thick, combined with other braid styles like box braids or used to create a faux undercut or faux hawk. Even better, cornrows are a protective style and will last several weeks without too much maintenance.
7. Jumbo Box Braids
If you’re looking for a braided hairstyles for women that makes a statement, jumbo box braids are it. These thick plaits will have all eyes on you. Not only do they take less time to put in and take out than other box braids, but they are also the perfect canvas for showing off bright new hair color or accessories like rings, beads, and jewels. Jumbo box braids are a great choice if you have naturally thick hair or you can put in extensions to create thicker braids.
