Beads Just Make Braids More Fun—Here Are 17 Ways to Wear Them

Janiah McKelton

Published on January 13, 2026 07:15AM

Tiffany Haddish with decorative beaded braids looking upward — Jason Kim / Byrdie

Braided hairstyles have long been woven into our beauty history—from cornrows to Fulani braids. Beyond their practicality, braids offer endless room for creativity, especially when you want to refresh a familiar look. One of the easiest ways to do that? Add beads.

Hair beads instantly elevate any braided style—and we have decades of proof to peruse. From Venus and Serena Williams’ iconic ’90s looks to Alicia Keys’ modern interpretations, beads have proven they’re a timeless hair accessory. Ahead, discover 17 detailed ways to wear beaded braids that feel both fresh and undeniably regal.

01of 16

Jumbo Beads

Gabrielle Union with braided hairstyle wearing a necklace — @gabunion / instagram

There’s nothing like fresh braids topped with jumbo beads. Gabrielle Union’s look shows how to play with size—larger beads add an instant touch of elegance.

02of 16

Earth Tones

Doechi in assorted beads with colors brown black and tan — @sam_woolf/Instagram.

@sam_woolf / instagram

A crisp set of cornrows deserves an assortment of beads. You can use any palette you choose, but Doechii’s use of earth tones especially inspires us.

03of 16

Classic Clear

Ella Mai with braided hairstyle and large beads — @princess/Pinterest.

@ellamai / instagram

For an understated look, opt for chunky clear beads. Subtle yet striking, the simple beads lets your braid pattern take center stage.

04of 16

Assorted Colors

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Irene Agbontaen attends The Fashion Awards 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/BFC/Getty Images for BFC) — Getty Images

Play around with bead colors and patterns to create a look that’s truly your own. Here, clear beads mix with brown and tan for a unique design.

05of 16

Tan Beads

Person posing with braids styled with beads wearing a jacket over a top standing against a patterned background — Getty Images

Sometimes a mix of colored beads can feel like too much. Opt for a shoulder-length braided style accented with simple tan beads.

06of 16

Clear Stack

Person posing in front of a green wall with white decorative elements wearing a suit and styled hair — Getty Images

For a creative braided style, embrace the whimsy with beads—a stack of clear ones adds a chic, playful touch.

07of 16

Wooden Beads

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 28: Erica Ash attends the Starz "Power" The Fifth Season NYC Red Carpet Premiere Event & After Party on June 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Starz Entertainment LLC) — Getty Images

When choosing a beaded braid style, consider the ratio of braid size to bead size. Large beads on small braids make a cool statement.

08of 16

Face-Framing Beads

two small braids to frame the face with four clear beads on each one — Erin Kellyman/Getty Images.

Let your natural hair shine with a style like this. Two single braids framing the face, finished with a few beads at the ends, make for an effortlessly chic look.

09of 16

Beaded Bob

Another way to wear beads is to add them to the ends of your braided bob. Here, Yara Shahidi stuns with her gold and purple beads.

10of 16

Nostalgic Beads

Venus williams stuns in curtain bangs with clear and silver beads — Venus Williams/ Getty Images.

Getty Images

A true bead icon since her childhood tennis days, Venus Williams takes us back with this beaded bang look. Opt for clear and silver beads to mimic her style—arrange them in a pattern or mix shades at random.

11of 16

Layered Beads

Individual wearing a black lace outfit and braids with silver accents outdoors in an urban setting — Getty Images

Ever thought about adding layers to your braided styles? The technique has been around for years, but you can make it your own with beads of your choice—keep them at the ends or let them travel up the length of each braid.

12of 16

Brown Beads

A person with shoulderlength beaded braids wearing a leather jacket facing forward — Javana Mundy/Getty Images.

Getty Images

Here, the theme is brown—and it’s done perfectly. Gold accents woven into an assortment of brown beads add just enough depth to elevate an already impressive hairstyle.

13of 16

Full-Length Red Beads

Solange wearing beaded braids and sunglasses dressed stylishly — @hairbysusy/Instagram.

@hairbysusy / instagram

Go bold and bright with red statement beads covering most of your braids—just like Solange.

14of 16

A Pop of Color

Alicia Keys with beaded braids and sunglasses — @aliciakeys / instagram

Even with a neutral palette, a pop of color always works. Here, orange and yellow beads take the spotlight on Alicia Keys’ braids.

15of 16

Prints and Pops of Color

Willow Smith with Fulani braids and beads — @willowsmith / Instagram

Get super creative with your beaded style by seeking out unique beads—bold prints and vibrant colors will make sure your ‘do stands out.

16of 16

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 13: Alicia Aylies wears long auburn braids finished with decorative beads, narrow dark sunglasses, a delicate necklace, a grey ribbed long-sleeve top, a lightweight long grey cardigan, during a street style fashion photo session, on December 13, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) — Getty Images

Here’s another way to mix and match bead colors: combine shades of cream, chocolate, and tan for an eye-catching look.

Nails

Beads Just Make Braids More Fun—Here Are 17 Ways to Wear Them

Janiah McKelton

Published on January 13, 2026 07:15AM

01of 16

Jumbo Beads

There’s nothing like fresh braids topped with jumbo beads. Gabrielle Union’s look shows how to play with size—larger beads add an instant touch of elegance.

02of 16

Earth Tones

A crisp set of cornrows deserves an assortment of beads. You can use any palette you choose, but Doechii’s use of earth tones especially inspires us.

03of 16

Classic Clear

For an understated look, opt for chunky clear beads. Subtle yet striking, the simple beads lets your braid pattern take center stage.

04of 16

Assorted Colors

Play around with bead colors and patterns to create a look that’s truly your own. Here, clear beads mix with brown and tan for a unique design.

05of 16

Tan Beads

Sometimes a mix of colored beads can feel like too much. Opt for a shoulder-length braided style accented with simple tan beads.

06of 16

Clear Stack

For a creative braided style, embrace the whimsy with beads—a stack of clear ones adds a chic, playful touch.

07of 16

Wooden Beads

When choosing a beaded braid style, consider the ratio of braid size to bead size. Large beads on small braids make a cool statement.

08of 16

Face-Framing Beads

Let your natural hair shine with a style like this. Two single braids framing the face, finished with a few beads at the ends, make for an effortlessly chic look.

09of 16

Beaded Bob

Another way to wear beads is to add them to the ends of your braided bob. Here, Yara Shahidi stuns with her gold and purple beads.

10of 16

Nostalgic Beads

11of 16

Layered Beads

12of 16

Brown Beads

Here, the theme is brown—and it’s done perfectly. Gold accents woven into an assortment of brown beads add just enough depth to elevate an already impressive hairstyle.

13of 16

Full-Length Red Beads

Go bold and bright with red statement beads covering most of your braids—just like Solange.

14of 16

A Pop of Color

Even with a neutral palette, a pop of color always works. Here, orange and yellow beads take the spotlight on Alicia Keys’ braids.

15of 16

Prints and Pops of Color

Get super creative with your beaded style by seeking out unique beads—bold prints and vibrant colors will make sure your ‘do stands out.

16of 16

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

Here’s another way to mix and match bead colors: combine shades of cream, chocolate, and tan for an eye-catching look.

Nails

01of 16

Jumbo Beads

There’s nothing like fresh braids topped with jumbo beads. Gabrielle Union’s look shows how to play with size—larger beads add an instant touch of elegance.

02of 16

Earth Tones

A crisp set of cornrows deserves an assortment of beads. You can use any palette you choose, but Doechii’s use of earth tones especially inspires us.

03of 16

Classic Clear

For an understated look, opt for chunky clear beads. Subtle yet striking, the simple beads lets your braid pattern take center stage.

04of 16

Assorted Colors

Play around with bead colors and patterns to create a look that’s truly your own. Here, clear beads mix with brown and tan for a unique design.

05of 16

Tan Beads

Sometimes a mix of colored beads can feel like too much. Opt for a shoulder-length braided style accented with simple tan beads.

06of 16

Clear Stack

For a creative braided style, embrace the whimsy with beads—a stack of clear ones adds a chic, playful touch.

07of 16

Wooden Beads

When choosing a beaded braid style, consider the ratio of braid size to bead size. Large beads on small braids make a cool statement.

08of 16

Face-Framing Beads

Let your natural hair shine with a style like this. Two single braids framing the face, finished with a few beads at the ends, make for an effortlessly chic look.

09of 16

Beaded Bob

Another way to wear beads is to add them to the ends of your braided bob. Here, Yara Shahidi stuns with her gold and purple beads.

10of 16

Nostalgic Beads

11of 16

Layered Beads

12of 16

Brown Beads

Here, the theme is brown—and it’s done perfectly. Gold accents woven into an assortment of brown beads add just enough depth to elevate an already impressive hairstyle.

13of 16

Full-Length Red Beads

Go bold and bright with red statement beads covering most of your braids—just like Solange.

14of 16

A Pop of Color

Even with a neutral palette, a pop of color always works. Here, orange and yellow beads take the spotlight on Alicia Keys’ braids.

15of 16

Prints and Pops of Color

Get super creative with your beaded style by seeking out unique beads—bold prints and vibrant colors will make sure your ‘do stands out.

16of 16

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

Here’s another way to mix and match bead colors: combine shades of cream, chocolate, and tan for an eye-catching look.

01of 16

Jumbo Beads

There’s nothing like fresh braids topped with jumbo beads. Gabrielle Union’s look shows how to play with size—larger beads add an instant touch of elegance.

02of 16

Earth Tones

A crisp set of cornrows deserves an assortment of beads. You can use any palette you choose, but Doechii’s use of earth tones especially inspires us.

03of 16

Classic Clear

For an understated look, opt for chunky clear beads. Subtle yet striking, the simple beads lets your braid pattern take center stage.

04of 16

Assorted Colors

Play around with bead colors and patterns to create a look that’s truly your own. Here, clear beads mix with brown and tan for a unique design.

05of 16

Tan Beads

Sometimes a mix of colored beads can feel like too much. Opt for a shoulder-length braided style accented with simple tan beads.

06of 16

Clear Stack

For a creative braided style, embrace the whimsy with beads—a stack of clear ones adds a chic, playful touch.

07of 16

Wooden Beads

When choosing a beaded braid style, consider the ratio of braid size to bead size. Large beads on small braids make a cool statement.

08of 16

Face-Framing Beads

Let your natural hair shine with a style like this. Two single braids framing the face, finished with a few beads at the ends, make for an effortlessly chic look.

09of 16

Beaded Bob

Another way to wear beads is to add them to the ends of your braided bob. Here, Yara Shahidi stuns with her gold and purple beads.

10of 16

Nostalgic Beads

11of 16

Layered Beads

12of 16

Brown Beads

Here, the theme is brown—and it’s done perfectly. Gold accents woven into an assortment of brown beads add just enough depth to elevate an already impressive hairstyle.

13of 16

Full-Length Red Beads

Go bold and bright with red statement beads covering most of your braids—just like Solange.

14of 16

A Pop of Color

Even with a neutral palette, a pop of color always works. Here, orange and yellow beads take the spotlight on Alicia Keys’ braids.

15of 16

Prints and Pops of Color

Get super creative with your beaded style by seeking out unique beads—bold prints and vibrant colors will make sure your ‘do stands out.

16of 16

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

Here’s another way to mix and match bead colors: combine shades of cream, chocolate, and tan for an eye-catching look.

Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/beaded-braid-hair-ideas-11869287

Beads Just Make Braids More Fun—Here Are 17 Ways to Wear Them

Beads Just Make Braids More Fun—Here Are 17 Ways to Wear Them

Jumbo Beads

Earth Tones

Classic Clear

Assorted Colors

Tan Beads

Clear Stack

Wooden Beads

Face-Framing Beads

Beaded Bob

Nostalgic Beads

Layered Beads

Brown Beads

Full-Length Red Beads

A Pop of Color

Prints and Pops of Color

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

Related Stories

Beads Just Make Braids More Fun—Here Are 17 Ways to Wear Them

Jumbo Beads

Earth Tones

Classic Clear

Assorted Colors

Tan Beads

Clear Stack

Wooden Beads

Face-Framing Beads

Beaded Bob

Nostalgic Beads

Layered Beads

Brown Beads

Full-Length Red Beads

A Pop of Color

Prints and Pops of Color

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

Jumbo Beads

Earth Tones

Classic Clear

Assorted Colors

Tan Beads

Clear Stack

Wooden Beads

Face-Framing Beads

Beaded Bob

Nostalgic Beads

Layered Beads

Brown Beads

Full-Length Red Beads

A Pop of Color

Prints and Pops of Color

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

Jumbo Beads

Earth Tones

Classic Clear

Assorted Colors

Tan Beads

Clear Stack

Wooden Beads

Face-Framing Beads

Beaded Bob

Nostalgic Beads

Layered Beads

Brown Beads

Full-Length Red Beads

A Pop of Color

Prints and Pops of Color

Cream, Chocolate, and Tan Beads

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