Box Braids

Box braids are created by securing the hair extension around the base of the natural hair and creating a box-like knot attachment at the root. They were especially popular in the ’90s, which gives them a cool-girl vibe when worn today.

“Box braids serve as a protective style on textured hair,” says Redway. “It allows you to have your hair protected for a period of time while still being able to style it in various hairstyles using the box braids as the foundation [for them].”

Knotless Braids

Knotless braids have gained popularity for being a more lightweight, natural-looking alternative to box braids. Unlike traditional box braids, this style doesn’t have the traditional knot at the top of each braid. Instead, it is achieved by feeding in the hair mid-braid.

“The benefit of the knotless technique (when done properly) is that it prevents traction alopecia, which is a common form of hair loss for women who have braids that are installed too tight with the large knots,” says Williams. “This technique can take longer to install, but it’s worth the health of the hair and scalp.”

Micro Braids

Micro braids are just like box braids; they can be created using the same technique. The only difference is that they’re just—you guessed it—smaller.

The modern-day poster child for micro braids is Zoë Kravitz. She has worn the style on many red carpet occasions, albeit with a couple of hair color switch-ups along the way. “They are designed to be versatile, which is the beauty of them,” Redway says. “You can style as you please.”

Cornrow Braids

As you can see from Yara Shahidi, cornrows are braids that form narrow, parallel strips down the head. They’re normally positioned from front to back, but Shahidi, as seen above, put a unique twist on a classic look by wearing hers pulled back with a wired braid construction artfully crafted around it.

Goddess Braids

Goddess braids, or boho braids, are box braids with a twist. The look involves leaving sections of unbraided hair out and curled for an ethereal look. Marsai Martin often wears the style at events and proves that, as with every braided ‘do, it’s extremely versatile. Here, she plays around with a sculptural look, leaving curly strands out to frame her face.

Crown Braid

The crown braid looks complex and time-consuming, but it happens to be exactly the opposite. Our favorite way to create a crown braid is to start with a traditional side braid before wrapping it up and over the top of the forehead, securing it with bobby pins along the way.

Fishtail Braid

A fishtail braid is one of our all-time favorite styles as it’s playful and unexpected. It’s easy to distinguish from other braids since it looks like a mirror reflection of itself. Storm Reid shows us how it’s done by styling her box braids in a fishtail braid off to one side.

French Braid

A French braid, as seen on Emily Blunt above, is a traditional three-piece braid. It’s one of the most versatile and chic of braids, which is why we see it so often at red carpet events.

As you plait the hair together, add a section from either side on each rotation. Style it traditionally as a single-braided strand running down the nape of the neck, or do as Blunt does and position it to the side for an elegant updo.

Dutch Braid

A Dutch braid is created in the same way as you would a French braid—except inverted.

Instead of winding the hair over itself as you plait, you wind it underneath the other strands. Instead of the braid flowing inward, it flows outward, which makes the braid pop out slightly. Here, Rita Ora wears Dutch-braided pigtails. Just compare her braids to Emily Blunt’s French-braided style, and you’ll see that Ora’s braids are much more defined and visible.

A Dutch braid may sound easy in theory, but it can be extremely difficult for a braid novice, which is why we’ve created a step-by-step tutorial with celebrity hairstylist Anh Co Tran to make it easy for you to replicate Ora’s exact style.

Milkmaid Braid

The milkmaid braid is almost identical to the aforementioned crown braid, but instead of being situated on the top of the forehead (where an actual crown would sit), it’s pushed back a couple of inches to rest more toward the middle of the head. It’s also more likely to begin with a center part, as opposed to a side part, for a more traditional look.

To create, “Divide your hair by the nape of your neck in two sections,” says Redway. “Braid each section into two braids before crisscrossing them onto themselves and securing them with hair and bobby pins.”

Three-Strand Braid

Zendaya demonstrates one of the many ways you can wear a braid. Appropriate for any hair type, the three-strand braid can be tightly kept or intentionally loosened to show volume and body.

This braiding technique is the foundation for the rest of the looks on this list. Without it, the rest of these braids are not possible. To try it out for yourself, section your hair into three strands. Take the left piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Then, take the right-most piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Repeat this process over and over until you reach the end of your strands.

Rope Braids

Unlike many of the other styles on this list, the rope braid only requires two sections of hair. Take one of the sections and twist the hair until the entire section is spiraled. Secure with a clear elastic. Repeat on the other side. Take each section and twist them around one another. Secure at the bottom.

“The trick with a [rope braid] is that it doubles as a second hairstyle,” Redway says. “When the hairstyle starts to frizz up, release them and wear your hair down because you will now have beautiful water waves.”

Pigtail Braids

Pigtail braids require pulling the hair into two low ponytails before braiding the ends of each. You can then fasten them with an elastic and go. The look recalls a childhood style but can easily be made sleek and chic by smoothing flyaways with a flexible-hold gel.

Halo Braid

The halo braid is similar to a crown braid. It consists of long Dutch braids placed around the head and fastened on top, to mimic a halo. Remove a few tendrils to frame the face and keep the look more casual.

Loop Braids

Loop braids are undoubtedly a fun way to spruce up your pigtails, and they can be done on and off the red carpet. The kitschy style can take all forms, but the main way is to plait your hair in a regular three-strand braid. Then, take the braid and loop it under, securing it with bobby pins. You can leave a few strands of hair out to frame your face or braid it as seen above.

Braided Space Buns

Like pigtails, space buns have become decidedly grown-up appropriate in recent years. While we love them in all forms, we have a soft spot for the braided variety. Just divide your braids into two sections, then wrap them around each other before securing them in place with a hair tie or bobby pins.

Puffy Braid

If you’re getting bored of the typical three-strand plait, all you have to do is puff each section outwards to create an intentionally messy (but super chic) effect.

Stitch Braids

What differentiates stitch braids from cornrows is that the former style uses small, “feed-in” sections of hair. It’s tightly done at intervals to create linear patterns at the scalp and incorporate extensions in the process. The result looks extremely neat—and, while we love an at-home moment, it’s better done by a professional.

Waterfall Braid

Waterfall braids look intricate, but luckily, they aren’t as complicated as they seem. Think of them like a French braid, but one side of the braid is woven and the opposite part cascades down into the hair.

To create a waterfall braid, pretend you are beginning a French braid. Section the hair into three pieces, cross the top section over the middle, and, instead of grabbing more hair, let this section hang down. Cross the remaining pieces over one another, then grab a new piece from the top and incorporate it into the braid. Repeat the steps.