15 Braid Hairstyle Ideas - Garnier 15 Braid Hairstyle Ideas - Garnier

15 Braid Hairstyle Ideas for Short, Medium, and Long Hair

Ever wonder why braid hairstyles seem to always be…in style? Besides looking super cute on everybody, there are tons of braid ideas to choose from. And if you’re under the impression you can only do braids for long hair, think again! Not only can almost any hair length be twisted up in plaits, but they’re also perfect when dressing down or getting gussied up for any occasion from backyard BBQs to black-tie weddings. Now let’s check out 15 of today’s coolest braid hairstyles for every hair length.

Braids for Short Hair

While it’s true that short hair can be tough to braid, the range of options might surprise you. With a dash of creativity and a pinch of inspiration (mixed well with a fearless hairspray), you’ll be showing off your favorite braid hairstyles on the regular. Did we mention braids for short hair are a fabulous way to volumize and texturize? Bonus!

Braids for Medium-Length Hair

The more hair you have to work with, the bigger the assortment of braid ideas. Braids for medium-length hair come in a variety of styles that hit a sweet spot between easier than braids for short hair and less complicated than most braid hairstyles for long hair. They’re also more versatile because you can play with combos of braids with buns or ponytails.

Braids for Long Hair

Long hair can pull off any braid hairstyle, from the most intricate to the truly dramatic. You can even up your braid game by experimenting with different textures or adding accessories like showy barrettes and colorful ribbons. Some braids for long hair involve complicated techniques that may require watching hair tutorials multiple times, but there are plenty of easy and foolproof braid hairstyle ideas out there.

Related Products

These beautiful braid hairstyle ideas look even more amazing when you use products that provide hold, add shine, and control frizz. Below are some recommendations for your braid-friendly routine, and don’t forget to browse Garnier’s extensive hair care lines from cleansers and treatments to stylers and serums.
Braid Hairstyles FAQ
  • A French braid is a classic braid hairstyle that is done along the scalp as opposed to regular braids that are created on a section of loose hair. While the technique is the same (three sections, alternating the left and right sections over the middle section), versatile French braids hug the scalp by adding a little more hair to the side sections each time. They are different than Dutch braids: the side sections in French braids go over the middle section, whereas they go under to create Dutch braids.
  • A Dutch braid is a braid hairstyle that hugs the scalp by adding a little more hair to the side sections each time, but they differ from French braids in one key way. While both types of braids use the same technique of plaiting together three sections, Dutch braids tuck the left and right sections under the middle section instead of pulling them over. They really look their best when sleek and shiny, so try a styling gel the next time you go Dutch.
  • Hair does not have to be long to create braids. You can achieve lots of super cute braids for short hair with just a few inches, such as the mini braids and the Dutch braid updo described above. We recommend adding a styling product or two to your repertoire to help keep shorter braids in place.
  • There are tons of braid hairstyles for straight hair, from the most basic pigtail braids to swooping half-up half-down fishtail crown braids. Straight hair tends to be a little harder to braid because it’s more slippery (i.e., lacks some texture and grip), so apply a light-hold hairspray before braiding to texturize and after to maintain the look.

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