{"id":861807,"date":"2025-09-25T21:29:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T18:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=861807"},"modified":"2025-09-25T21:29:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T18:29:38","slug":"side-braids-are-the-protective-style-of-the-season-see-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=861807","title":{"rendered":"Side Braids Are the Protective Style of the Season\u2014See Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hair<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

This 2010s’ Hair Look Is Inspiring Fall\u2019s Biggest Braid Trend<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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Experts break down the origins of this edgy protective style\u2014and how to pull it off in 2025.<\/div>\n
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By <\/span>Annie Blay-Tettey<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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Collage: Briana Rengifo; Source Images: Courtesy of subjects; Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n
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Last year, it seemed like everyone was taking all their beauty trend cues from the \u201890s: The bixie haircut, thin eyebrows, and extra-dark lip liner returned with a vengeance. Throughout 2025, though, we\u2019ve seen more of the 2010s\u2019 influence, especially when it comes to hairstyles. Side bangs and deep side parts have made a comeback, and the undercut has received a braided upgrade. We\u2019re here to talk about the latter look.<\/p>\n

According to Shanna St. Cyr, a New York City-based braider, side braids are poised to be this fall and winter\u2019s biggest braid trend. It\u2019s a hybrid style, combining cornrows plaited, going down on one side of the head (to mimic a side-shave buzzcut) with a sew-in cascading down on the other side. For someone who wants to mimic the cool flair of having one side of your head shaved without actually doing any clipping, St. Cyr says these braids are the ideal option.<\/p>\n

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\"Cassie<\/span><\/div>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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St. Cyr points to Cassie Ventura\u2019s now-infamous 2009 partial buzzcut as one of the inspirations for the braided look. \u201cIn the streets of New York, everyone’s calling it the Cassie braid,\u201d she says. Helena Koudou, a New York City-based braider, confirms Cassie\u2019s influence \u201cI remember when Cassie came out with this style and girls were willing to shave their heads,\u201d she says. \u201cWe now have a style that\u2019s more convenient.\u201d<\/p>\n

St. Cyr also sees Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s influence in the look. \u201cI feel like it\u2019s Lemonade<\/em> braids reinvented,\u201d she says, referring to the long blonde cornrows the singer had in the visuals for her sixth album.<\/p>\n

We saw glimpses of the style on it-girls like content creator Rese this summer, but braiders predict it will really take off in the colder months. The edgy vibe of side braids is a natural departure from the more flowy, feminine styles that usually dominate in the summer (like boho braids).<\/p>\n

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Courtesy of @Princess_rese<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s more functional, too. \u201cPeople loved cornrows [in the front] and curls in the back as a summer style,\u201d St. Cyr says. However, the stylist notes that it’s hard to wear a hat with that style. Shifting the cornrows from the front to the side and switching out a curly sew-in for a straight or wavy one allows you to wear a knit hat or a fitted cap without it looking bulky, making this style perfect for the cooler months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Courtesy of @_.beautybyc<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

If you\u2019ve read this far, you\u2019re probably seriously considering getting side braids. However, before attempting to DIY the look, St. Cyr strongly urges you to schedule an appointment with a professional braider. Even if you can finesse cornrows yourself, she warns that making sure your sew-in lays flat, nailing a crisp part, and getting the placement of the cornrows just right can be tricky. \u201cIt can look bulky if you don’t know how to layer the weave to be flat on one side,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Also, be sure to have a few inspo photos with you so your stylist knows exactly what you\u2019re hoping for\u2014especially for the braid side. \u201cThe cornrows can be any design you want,\u201d says Koudou. \u201cTwo girls can have Cassie braids that look slightly different in the way the cornrows are created.\u201d You can opt for zigzag cornrows, which may give your look a grungy vibe or a swirly pattern to add a more feminine touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Courtesy of @thecoutureeffect<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

How to maintain your side braids<\/h2>\n

When it comes to maintaining your side braids, follow the general protective style upkeep rules, including moisturizing your scalp weekly with a lightweight braid spray. Koudou says you\u2019ll also want to tie your hair down at night, as doing so is pivotal to making the look last as long as possible (about three to four weeks).<\/p>\n

How to style your side braids<\/h2>\n

\u201cThis style requires using heat to blend your hair with the weave, so be prepared to curl or flat-iron it when it\u2019s time to step out,\u201d Koudou says. She recommends always using heat protection before wielding your hot tools. We love the Best of Beauty winner, Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist, a lightweight formula that protects hair from temperatures of up to 455 degrees Fahrenheit. She also suggests using flexi rods or a satin heatless curl headband on the sew-in before you head to bed. \u201cThat way, when you wake up, you have juicy bouncy curls with some fresh cornrows,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Discover more braid trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Freestyle Braids Are Not Your Grandma\u2019s Cornrows<\/li>\n
  • Here\u2019s Proof That Box Braids Are the Most Versatile Protective Style<\/li>\n
  • 7 Braided Hairstyles to Wear for the Ultimate Hot Girl Summer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    Now, watch Alex Consani and Anok Yai spill secrets:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

    Source URL: https:\/\/www.allure.com\/story\/side-braids-trend<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hair This 2010s’ Hair Look Is Inspiring Fall\u2019s Biggest Braid Trend Experts break down the origins of this edgy protective style\u2014and how to pull it off in 2025. By Annie Blay-Tettey September 26, 2025 Collage: Briana Rengifo; Source Images: Courtesy of subjects; Getty Images Last year, it seemed like everyone was taking all their beauty […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":861808,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[52],"class_list":["post-861807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-allure-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=861807"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861807\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/861808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=861807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=861807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=861807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}