Choosing your next hairstyle can be such a ~decision~ sometimes—but not because you don't have enough options. Honestly, from weaves and wigs to twist-outs to wash-and-gos, the hard part isn't feeling limited, but feeling what vibes you wanna go for. When in doubt (or if you ever need a tiebreaker between a few top choices)? Go with braids. Braids are one of those hairstyles that check all the boxes: they're a protective style when you want them to be, they're eye-catching, they're really freaking cool, and, most importantly, braided styles are pretty easy to maintain at home.
With so many inspo pics and ideas popping up all the time on IG and IRL, there's no shortage of options for braids. I know, I know—it's already hard enough to pick one style as is, but don't stress if you're feeling a little overwhelmed. We'll help you narrow it down to the absolute best. Below, 40 braided looks you'll def want to try next.
1. These Two Braided Buns
Two braided buns are better than one, amiright?! I'm obsessed with this statement-making style, and I know you are, too, so go ahead, give it a save so you can try it out next time you want a cool updo.
2. This Box-Braided Bob
What do you get when you combine a long bob hair length with box braids? Ya get this bomb box-braided bob hairstyle. I'm a big fan of these gold cuffs on the ends.
3. These Waist-Length Toffee Braids
Didn't you hear? Toffee hair color will be a big fall 2021 hair color trend (really, remember this moment), so get ahead of the trend and try it out by incorporating some warmer tones in your braiding hair.
4. These High Pigtail Braids
Ummm, excuse me—how cute are these high pigtail braids?! Even better, they're easy to DIY, too. All you need is some hair gel, edge control, a comb, a brush, and braiding hair, and you're good to go.
5. This Crisscross Braided Look
This braided ponytail is made even better by the crisscross design. To keep your crisscross braided ponytail and scalp looking and feeling good, make sure to mist on a moisturizing spray at least once a day in the mornings.
6. This Wrapped Braid
Seriously, this braided style is so easy yet so statement-making. Take a single side braid, then loosely wrap the tail around the base to create a unique swirled shape like this one.
7. This Sleek Braided Ponytail
To make your sophisticated low ponytail braid feel a little more modern, go with a super-long length for allll the drama.
8. These Burgundy Boho Braids
Feeling bold? Red hair will really make your braids stand out. Exhibit A: The stunning boho braids in a dark red wine shade shown here.
9. These Headband-Wrapped Braids
A stretchy headband like this one will not only keep you comfortable when you want to wear your braids up, but this headband hairstyle also looks so cute. It's a win-win.
10. This Accessorized Braid
The trick to easily pulling off this cute protective style? The crochet method and some braiding hair.
There's something about the graphic lines in stitch braids that's just so. Freaking. Cool. Would highly encourage you to try these feed-in stitch braids next time you head to your braider.
11. These Stitch Braids
There's something about the graphic lines in stitch braids that's just so. Freaking. Cool. Would highly encourage you to try these feed-in stitch braids next time you head to your braider.
12.This Wash-Day Braided Style
Make this wash-and-go style your new quick go-to. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, load up on your favorite curl products and three-strand braid your hair into a low pony.
13. These Goddess Braids
If you're the impatient type who doesn't want to spend all day getting your hair done, go with a thicker braid, like these long goddess braids, that, fine, will still take a hot sec, but are still faster to install than other micro-braids.
14. These Face-Framing Braids
Feeling like trying a trendy '90s bun hairstyle? Pair your braided topknot with some loose braids around your face for a look that's effortlessly cool and current.
15. This Braided Half-Bun Hairstyle
Can we all be Tessa Thompson? Yes? No? Fine. Welp, we can at least copy her style with this half-bun braided hairstyle with face-framing braids. Close enough, yeah?
16. This Cornrow Ponytail
Once you get over this gorgeous copper color, take a minute to admire all the other details in this cornrow braided curly ponytail. Then screenshot it for your next hair appointment.
17. These Swooping Side Braids
Lemonade braids are always a 10/10, but the precision in the parting and pattern of these side braids is honestly next-level art. Go ahead and add this to your list of styles to try next.
18. These Braids Wrapped in a Scarf
This scarf style looks *chef's kiss* on ultra-long hair. To wrap your braids up super high, take a stretchy satin head wrap, place the middle around the back of your head, and bring both ends forward. Then, crisscross the scarf to wrap the rest of the material around the base of your pony, and tuck in the loose ends.
19. Half-Up Braided Hairstyle
When you want to change things up, pull a few of your braids back in a half-up, half-down hairstyle for a style that gives your overall look a whole new vibe.
20. This Stitch Braid Ponytail
With the millions of ways to wear a braided ponytail, why stick with the same one each time? If you like this look, try some stitch braids and some smaller braids in between to spice things up.
21. These Flat Twists
Okay, fine, so these are actually twists, not braids, but it's such a cute style, we had to include it anyway. Two small flat twists in the front are the perfect accent to add to any look you want.
22. These Long Jumbo Braids
Longer protective styles are usually a bigger time commitment than shorter protective styles—but not with these jumbo braids. This cool, low-maintenance style is great if you're short on time but still want to look good.
23. These Blonde-and-Black Box Braids
Blondes have more fun, right? These white-blonde-and-black box braids are a fun way to road test the platinum shade. Don't forget to hit your look with a leave-in conditioner spray to keep them looking fresh.
24. These Zigzag Braids
When you want to add a little somethin' extra to your straight-back braided bun, go with zigzag braids. Even just a change of your part can make the biggest difference.
25. These Braids With Curly Ends
If you've been dying to try this popular braided style, watch this video for a quick tutorial on how to DIY these medium-length hair braids with curls on the ends.
26. These Braided Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are a staple look when it comes to styling your natural hair. But if you want to switch things up, try braided Bantu knots. Section off your hair and braid each section—instead of twisting them—and then wrap them up into knots. FYI: You can keep your parts slick and smooth by using a styling gel to lay them flat.
27. These Blue and Black Box Braids
Add a colorful twist to the classic box-braids style and opt for blue braiding hair in addition to black. It's cute, but not way too over the top, yfm?
28. These Half-Up Half-Down Braids
Why decide between wearing your braids up or wearing them down when you could do both? Go for jumbo box braids—they're quicker to install, and it's easy to wrap them up into space buns—and add some beads at the ends to level up your look.
29. This Braided Stitch Bun
Look like the queen you are and opt for this braided stitch bun. Seriously, how effing classy is this look? If you want to play around with the style, add in some gold cuffs to accessorize the braids.
30. These Marley Twists
If you're a little lazy when it comes to haircare, even with a protective style, you'll love these Marley twists. Because the hair used to create the twists is thicker and resembles natural hair, you don't have to spend as much time styling them in the AM.
31. This Braided Wig
The annoying thing about getting braids is the fact that it can take hours to get them installed. If you're not down to sit in a chair for the length of a full season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, you should consider a braided wig. It looks just like the real thing.
32. Ella Mai's Long Ponytail Braid
This long ponytail braid is equal parts cute and simple. If you want to copy Ella Mai's look, definitely have your stylist feed in hair extensions to give it that long, Rapunzel-esque look.
33. These Side-Swept Braids
This baby hair and side-swept braids combo is absolutely fire. If it's too hard for you to use a fine-tooth comb to swirl your edges into shape, use an edge styler. It'll make the entire process a billion times easier.
34. These Jumbo Box Braids
I'm legit obsessed with jumbo box braids. The larger size of the braids means that your stylist, using a rat-tail comb, can switch between triangle- and square-shaped parts to make your look more visually interesting.
35. This Braided Ponytail
Instead of braiding your hair all the way down, stop once you reach the nape of your neck. Then add in hair extensions to create a wavy hair ponytail.
36. These Micro-Braided Space Buns
Transform your micro braids into these space buns—they're out of this world (lol, had to). Don't forget to secure your look with a few—or, fine, probably more than a few—bobby pins.
37. These Short Faux Locs
Dreadlocks are a major commitment, so if you're not willing to take the plunge yet, go for these faux locs. Whenever they start looking a little dull, spritz on a hair oil to give them some sheen.
38. These Black and Silver Cornrows
Level up your cornrows by choosing a bright and eye-catching color. Seriously—this silver shade will turn heads. Pro tip: Hit your braids with mousse before you go to bed. It’ll keep your hair from frizzing overnight.
39. These Boho Box Braids
If you're looking for a style that'll give you an effortless quality—these boho box braids are it. Be sure to work in a hair and scalp oil every morning to keep it moisturized.
40. These Braided Pigtails
These are the grown-up version of the braided pigtails you had in pre-K. Leave the ends undone and tie them up with rubber bands to keep the style from looking too basic.
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Article written by Ama Kwarteng and Brooke Shunatona for Cosmopolitan