Listen: your messy ponytail had a good run. That wild, swirled-up bun served you well for a while, too. But with summer heat here, we're embracing braided hairstyles that get hair off the neck—and look polished enough for the office.
When communicating creativity through your hair, a braided hairstyle might be the best way to let your talents shine. Whether you're using your own natural texture or throwing in some fake hair for extra length, braids are absolutely one of the lowest-maintenance, highest-style options around.
If you're new to wearing braids, no worries—we have all the pro tips. Celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen (she's the one responsible for Zendaya's gorgeous plaits) says to be sure to add a leave-in conditioner, while Harry Josh likes to use a light-hold hairspray before braiding to give the hair some grip.
From an accessorized crown braid to jumbo knotless box braids, French braids or Dutch braids, you have choices galore regarding the best braided hairstyles. We've pulled braid inspo from celebrities far and wide to present you with looks suitable for every occasion and hair texture. Some of these styles may take a great chunk of your day to achieve but will last for weeks, while others can be achieved—and taken back out—in no time.
Scroll ahead for 48 braided hairstyle options.
Andra Day, you've done it again. This gorgeous style features double the fun elements—lengthy Dutch braids and bouncy ringlets are equally the main event. And for a bit of extra fun? The hair left out at the end of the braids allows even more curl, tying everything together.
Retiring your signature top knot or ponytail is difficult. So why not switch it up a bit with box braids styled into a high pony à la Chloe Bailey? It's a protective style that's perfect for the warm summer months.
Teyana Taylor is looking fabulous (as per usual) with crisscrossing cornrows and laid baby hairs. To replicate the slicked look, apply edge control on your baby hairs using a small toothbrush, then tie your hair down with a silk scarf.
Jumbo knotless braids are always a good idea. Right, Whitney Peak? Not only is this style completely painless to install, but you can cut styling time in half compared to small individual braids if your patience wears thin.
If looking regal is your thing, do as Olivia Culpo did and add a unique twist to your formal updo with a medium-sized braid placed along the side. Then, simply pull it back into a bun of ringlets. Gorgeous hair, your highness.
Justine Skye, how does it feel to wear the world's most perfect fishtail braid?
"If you're looking to elevate your braiding game beyond the classic three-strand, I recommend trying a fishtail braid or a Dutch braid," explains celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh. "The fishtail braid offers a more intricate, woven appearance and is surprisingly easy to master with a bit of practice. The Dutch braid, also known as an inside-out or reverse braid, sits on top of the hair rather than blending in, creating a bold, dimensional look," adds Josh.
Looking to jazz up your braids? Embellish your cornrows with beads or try a vibrant color like bleach blonde. If you're as bold as Solange, do both.
When working on extra-long styles, Stephen likes using clip-ins and hair pieces from The Hair Shop. "They have a very wide selection of colors and lengths," she notes.
At the 2024 Met Gala, Quannah Chasinghorse's long locks featured a selection of intricate braids: multiple twisted strands were woven on each side of her head before they were worked into an inverted French braid.
“The braiding and use of accessories with native beadwork in this year’s look shows the artistry and creativity of her people,” her hairstylist, Paula Peralta, told Allure. “It shows that beauty is not a monolith.”
While this style on Laura Harrier is absolutely beautiful, please note that long micro-braids take quite a while to complete (usually six-plus hours depending on the braider). The plus side? They're so versatile. Rock your braids half-up like Harrier, in a low ponytail, or even up into a top knot—the styling options are endless.
America Ferrera showed up at a Barbie premiere in 2023 wearing her soon-to-be-chopped hair in the cutest set of pigtails. Simplicity is key here—you just need a slicked-back part and some tiny elastics to secure the look.
"For added security with a braid, I like to use a light-hold hairspray before braiding to give the hair some grip, and a small dab of the Kerasilk Finishing Cream at the ends before tying them off," notes Josh. "This combination ensures that the braids stay intact throughout the day."
Here, Gabby Union showcases the versatility of tiny box braids. The Y2K movie darling looks incredible in this '90s staple, the half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Riley Keough's 2024 Golden Globes hair, a side-parted, undone, low-bound braided ponytail, was Inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian era hairstyles. She worked with hairstylist Adir Abergel to craft the "romantic, yet undone" look.
Triple cornrow braids look divine and literally take no time. Curly girls: Yara Shahidi shows you can totally pull this style off.
Emily Ratajkowski is giving golden goddess with her loosely weaved crown braid. She coupled it with face-framing layers and a dainty headband for an extra ethereal effect.
When it comes to braided styles, there's power in your part. Alexandra Shipp exhibits how simply playing with spacing offers visual interest; the top view is surely just as impressive.
Tortured Poets Department-core, anyone? Emma Chamberlain's long, skinny, waist-length braids are bedecked in bows of both the velvet and string varieties for a little excitement. This style is so easy to emulate. Simply middle part your hair, braid it up, and tie on ribbon.
Adwoa Aboah can often be spotted with gorgeous cornrows. Simple and classic, this style plays oh so well with her fresh-faced glow.
Josh crafted major loop braids for Irina Shayk at the 2024 King's Trust Global Gala. According to an Instagram post by the artist, the loops were connected at the nape of her neck.
"One of my go-to products for braided styles is a good texturizing spray, like Kerasilk Texturizing Finishing Spray, which adds grip to the hair, making it easier to braid and ensuring they stay put," explains the expert.
Here, a gorgeous-in-green Ashley Graham went simple chic with one long braid that hung effortlessly over her shoulder. Her slick middle part and face-framing strands tied the look together.
Leave it to Issa Rae to rock a side bun. Let the lower half of your strands hang freely while braiding the top up into a side bun. Bonus points for accent braids near your ears—they're so fun.
If only for a second, try to take your eyes off of Jorja Smith's angelic face and focus on her box braids. These tiny, individual braids grant you the freedom to wear your hair in an array of styles, like a simple low bun.
Just when you thought Lupita Nyong'o couldn't look any more regal, these single cornrows added a dimensional layer of elegance to her braided updo. The lesson here? Cornrows can easily upgrade a classic look.
While Storm Reid's soft waves are pretty on their own, the braid at her crown brings this look to a whole new level. Now, imagine if she pulled her hair back. So many options!
The ultimate this-ol'-thing hairstyle, Shay Mitchell's low and loose three-strand braid defies gravity with a billion face-framing layers.
Kate Hudson, I'm sorry we can't see your face here. But we'd know those California blonde strands anywhere. Tie a bow around a soft, segmented French braid and it becomes decidedly less elementary.
We promise there's a braid back there! If anything, Emma Stone's ethereal 2024 BAFTAs hairstyle proves the versatility of the style—spotting a twist in the back instead of a soft bun is a treat in itself.
Soft, sleek, and just slightly fuzzy, Jennie's halo braid isn't a feat of magic, but the result of gently tugging and pulling each section of the braid for a semi-undone feel.
All hail the queen of the boho braid! Here's Blake Lively's loose, unraveled version of the fishtail braid: the bedhead fishtail.
The beauty of this braid is that it's not overly perfect: It's pancaked enough that it avoids looking too precious and it makes a cool contrast to Amanda Seyfried's polished red carpet gown.
According to the very wise Alicia Keys, the bigger and bolder, the better. Here, she piles an impressive braid atop her head for a halo-like effect.
The low braided bun: a less overdone take on the chignon. Leave it to Cardi B to keep things interesting in the hair department.
"Some of my favorite braids to work on are big bold plaits," Stephen tells Marie Claire. "One of my favorites that I’ve created lately is the long blonde plait that I did on Zendaya for the Challengers premiere in London."
While walking the red carpet, the starlet kept the style in motion, swaying back and forth and back and forth. We'll call that a serve.
A braid crown is the unofficial hair mascot of your average music festival, and for good reason: it's pretty and prevents any sweaty hair moments in the sun. Here, Kate Bosworth translates the look to the red carpet. (And yes, it works!)
Kate Middleton is an expert at weaving braids into her elegant hairstyles, and her daughter Princess Charlotte is following in her footsteps. For Christmas 2023, she tucked a simple braid under her fascinator.
At the 2024 Grammys, Taylor Swift teased her upcoming album with a diagonal French braid that snaked down the back of her head. Lucky for you, beauty writer Gabrielle Ulubay explained exactly how to get the look here.
Madonna doubled her braid appeal with looped braids and tiny face-framing strands. If you're not as comfortable doing both, you can try either type all on its own.
A stunning take on the fishtail braid by Ciara: half of the hair coiled up in a tight side braid and the other half left loose and flowing on top.
We dubbed this look by Rachel McAdams one of the sweetest hairstyles to get married in and you can see why: the double braids and the flower tucked behind the ear are pure magic.
Lucy Liu's double braided beauty combines a small French braid by the crown with a lengthy side fishtail braid. Long haired girls, step right on up.
Cate Blanchett can do no wrong on the red carpet. This wispy, twisted French braid updo will make everyone do a double-take.
It's been a while since Rihanna rocked braids (she's more into the blonde blowouts these days), but her cornrows will always be classic. On this particular evening, she chose a sort of criss-crossed scalp pattern for her look.
A cute little five-minute braid tuck is the best way to add some oomph to your hair without really lifting a finger.
Kim Kardashian knows better than anyone that there might be cameras around every turn. With that being said, her off-duty looks—like these simple three-strand braids paired with a perfectly destructed baseball cap—are always something to behold.
What's a braid story without a double appearance from the IRL Lara Croft of braids, Blake Lively? Pro tip for this look: Loop a length of hair around the top of your braid and secure it just the way you would hide a hair tie.
Meet the Milkmaid. Scarlett Johansson's style does wonders when you don't want a single hair in your face.
Leave it to Chloë Sevigny to bring one of the most intricate (and interesting) hairstyles to the 2024 Met Gala. "We’re incorporating a lot of hair and an homage to the Victorians, and in the Victorian era, how they celebrated their loved ones who passed away by making ornaments and jewelry out of their dead or their loved one’s hair," she told Vogue.
A *double* braided milkmaid offered Penelope Cruz a Grecian-style hair crown. Pretty smart, huh?
The Bailey sisters are young, but they already have hundreds of looks banked in the braided hair hall of fame. Halle Bailey wore these jumbo braids to Paris Fashion Week in Fall 2023 and, although the look is gorgeous from top to bottom, the transition to curls at the base of each braid is perhaps our favorite element.
