Still subjecting your hair to the intense heat or your curling or straightening iron every time you have to head out? Apart from the fact that the conventional kinds of hairstyles have been done to death, they are extremely unhealthy for hair health and don’t even last that long. Braid hairstyles are the light at the end of the tunnel for all women who are on the lookout for hairstyles that are fun and versatile. Be it weddings, corporate parties or even everyday office looks, women have been sporting them excessively this season. Although they do require a little effort, braid hairstyles look absolutely divine with western as well as Indian traditional outfits.
10 Quick And Easy Braided Hairstyles For All Hair Lengths
1. Twisted Crown Braid
A perfect way of making a hairstyle with braids for short hair, this twisted crown braid is a go-to style which works very well for wedding festivities. This hairstyle is particularly suited for summer weddings as the updo prevents you from feeling too hot. Whether you plan to wear a lehenga, a saree or a salwar suit, this hairstyle is sure to make you look like a million bucks.
How To Do It:
- Part your hair in the middle.
- Tie a rubber band to secure the hair on one side for the time being.
- Take a small section of hair on the other side and divide it into two parts.
- Twist the front part of the hair over the other a couple of times.
- Now add some hair from the back and some from the front and continue twisting.
- After twisting this section two times, add some more hair from the front and back.
- Continue this process till you reach your ear.
- Now, you can either twist your hair all across the length or make a three strand braid.
- Secure the ends with a rubber band.
- Repeat the whole process on the other side till you have an identical braid.
- Take both the braids to the back of your head and twist them around each other.
- Roll the braid around at the nape of your neck to make a low bun.
- Use U pins on all sides of the bun to secure.
2. Side Braids
Blessed with Rapunzel-like tresses, opt for this braid hairstyle for your besties wedding festivities. This hairstyle uses braids for long hair in an innovative and simple manner. These side braids can be made to look exotic with the help of flowers and other hair accessories, making this hairstyle ideal for a mehendi function. The simplicity of this hairdo makes it a perfect option for any kind of weather.
How To Do It:
- Comb and detangle your hair.
- Part your hair on the side.
- Take a 2 inch section from the side with more hair.
- Make a classic three strand braid.
- After 2-3 braids, take a section from the front of the hair and add it to the middle part of the braid while braiding.
- Continue adding hair from the front to the braid till you reach your ear. After this, continue with the classic braid till you reach half of your hair length.
- Pull this braid to the back of your head and secure it with bobby pins.
- Take all your hair to one side and make a low ponytail. Secure it with a rubber band.
- Divide your ponytail into two just above the rubber band to make an opening. Pull the ponytail below the rubberband from within this opening.
- Leave some space between the hair and use a rubber band again.
- Repeat the process of making an opening above the rubber band and passing the ponytail.
- Continue this process till you reach the end of your hair length.
- Pull at the ends of your ponytail to make it look voluminous.
3. Africa-Inspired Braids
African braids are very different from the other kinds of braid hairstyles. Although it is possible to make these braids on your own hair, most people prefer to get these done from a professional. These types of braids require a lot of patience and precision and hence, people keep this style on their hair for a few months. Suited for all kinds of weather, these braids are a little experimental but very interesting. Such braids can be accessorised in a number of ways to suit a variety of occasions and outfits. This braid hairstyle involves the use of hair extensions.
How To Do It:
- Comb and detangle your hair.
- Divide your hair into 4 or 5 sections.
- Secure all the sections with the help of clips.
- Open the section of hair you wish to work with first.
- Use a tail comb to make thin sections of the hair.
- Use hair jam to the roots.
- Attach the hair extensions to the hair and start making a tight braid as close to the roots as possible.
- Continue the process on all the sections of the hair.
- The time required for african braids depends on the length of the braids and the thickness of the sections.
4. French Braids
Every Indian girl has experienced her mother or grandmother making these easy French braid hairdos on their hair for festivals or weddings as a child. Luckily, this wonderful hair trend is back with a bang. Women are sporting the French braid very often for small wedding functions and get-togethers because they are easy to make and pretty to look at. This hairdo is very versatile and works with all kinds of outfits.
How To Do It:
- Comb your hair.
- Take a V section from the top of your hair and pin it to the back of the head.
- Take a small section from just below the pin. Divide this section into three parts.
- Make one row of a three strand braid.
- Now add some hair from the front right side to the braid. Add some hair from the front left side to the braid.
- As you go on making the braid, keep adding hair from the front sides until you reach the nape of your neck.
- Take all your hair and make a simple three strand braid on the length of your hair.
- Secure the end with a hair tie.
5. Waterfall Braid
Thinking of an easy hairdo that can make you look put together at work? The waterfall braid is just what you need to learn. This type of braid works well on all hair lengths and all kinds of outfits. You can sport this braid at the office,to college, at weddings, for festivals and even on vacation.
How To Do It:
- Comb your hair and part them on one side.
- On the side with more hair, take a section of hair from the front (section 1).
- Take the section right below it (section 2) and cross it over the first section, away from your face.
- Take a third section (section 3) from the top of your hair and let it fall on top of section 2.
- Drop the new section in a way that it falls through the twist your created. This will reveal a waterfall effect.
- Take the section from the bottom of the hair and place it over the waterfall effect.
- Now take another section from the top of your head and continue steps 3 and 4 to make another waterfall section.
- Let this new section fall through the other sections of hair.
- Continue the process till you reach your ear.
- Tuck the section of hair in your hand to the back of your head with the help of bobby pins.
- You can also continue with a three strand braid all through the length of your hair and secure with a rubber band.
Ditch the buns some days and go for braids as we all know they’re cuter! Watch this video for 2 super easy ways to braid your hair!
6. Fishtail Braid
A favourite of many when it comes to choosing a wedding hairstyle, the fishtail braid is ideal for women with long hair. This hairstyle can instantly uplift the look of an Indian outfit. Although it is best suited for the warm weather when it is difficult to leave your hair loose, this braid can be used in all weather conditions, on all kinds of Indian outfits.
How To Do It:
- Take all your hair on one side and make a low ponytail. Secure with a rubber band.
- Divide the hair into two equal parts.
- Use your thumb to separate a thin strand of hair from the left and take it in the centre of both the sections. Hold the rest of the hair in the left section tightly with your three middle fingers.
- Now take a thin section from the section from the right section, crossing it over the thin section from the left.
- Continue the same process on the left and then the right till you reach the end of the length of your hair.
- Secure the end with a rubber band.
- You can now remove the rubber band used to secure the ponytail on the top.
- Pull at the braid lightly to make the fishtail braid look fuller.
7. Dutch Braid
A Dutch braid is ideal for women who prefer to keep their hair tied. This hairdo looks best with salwar suits and is a perfect choice for a puja or a festival. Women can choose to enhance the look of these braids with hair accessories of their choice in order to make the style look more festive. This style works best for women with long and thick hair.
How To Do It:
- Comb your hair thoroughly so there are no knots.
- Take a chunk of hair from the middle of your head and divide it into three sections (left, right and centre).
- Take the section on the right and take it under the one in the centre.
- Now take the section on the left and take it under the one in the centre.
- Now is the time to keep adding hair on the sides. While taking the section on the left, add the hair on the left side of the head that is already down.
- Do the same thing on the right side.
- Continue this process till you reach the nape of your neck.
- Make a simple three strand braid on the length of your hair.
- Lightly pull the hair of the braid to add volume to the hairdo.
8. Box Braids
Just like African braids, box braids are also chosen by adventurous women who like to try different things. These braids are unconventional and require a certain amount of skill to make. The beauty of these braids is that they look great with western as well as Indian clothes. There are a lot of ways in which women can style their box braids to suit a variety of occasions.
How To Do It:
- Shampoo, condition and blow dry your hair.
- Part your hair in the middle.
- Divide your hair into three sections: right, left and back.
- Take one section of hair from the right side (the thickness depends on how many box braids you intend to create.)
- Apply some hair jam and use a tail comb to divide this section into two or three parts.
- Apply jam all over one of the parts and make a tight three strand braid. You can also choose to add hair extensions here for added length.
- Apply jam over the other two parts of the section and continue the process.
- Move on to the other sections of hair, dividing them into small parts and making tight braids as you go. Remember to apply jam liberally so the partitions are neat and visible.
- Secure the ends with a rubber band or if using extensions, you can tie a knot at the ends.
9. Stacked Braid
Why make only one braid when you can make two? This stacked braid hairstyle is sure to be a hit at a Punjabi wedding function. Just accessorize it with a parandi and you can have your own Geet (from Jab We Met) moment. The best suited outfit for this kind of braid would be a patiala suit in a bright colour.
How To Do It:
- Comb your hair and part it on the side.
- Take a section of hair from the side with more hair, twist it backwards and pin it to the back of your head.
- Make a similar twisted pattern with the hair on the other side and pin the hair to the back of your head.
- Bring all your hair to one of the sides on the front.
- Separate a small section of hair from inside and put it aside.
- Make a reverse braid with the rest of the hair. (A reverse braid is just like a classic three strand braid, except that the left and right sections go under the middle strand instead of over it.)
- Secure the end of the braid with a rubber band.
- Now take the small inside section of hair and make a simple three strand braid.
- Place this braid on top of the reverse braid and secure all over with the help of pins.
- Remove the rubber band tied to the reverse braid and use it to secure both the braids together.
10. Four Strand Braid
Thinking of innovative ideas to use braids for long hair? This four-strand braid is a definite winner. Although it looks complicated and difficult to reproduce, it is really easy to make. This is one of the braid hairstyles which can be chosen even by a bride for her haldi or mehendi function. All it takes is some floral accessories to turn this simple hairdo into an elaborate bridal look.
How To Do It:
- Take all the hair on one side and make a low ponytail.
- Separate a thin section of hair and wrap it around the ponytail.
- Now divide the ponytail into four equal sections.
- Make a simple three strand braid with the first and the third section and secure the ends with a rubber band.
- Start working from inside to the outside, the braided first section being the starting point.
- Run this section 1 over section 2, under section 3 (braid) and over section 4.
- Now repeat the process with the innermost section.
- Repeat this process until you have covered the hair length.
- Secure the end of the four strand braid with a rubber band.
- Pull the braid lightly from the sides for added volume.
- You can also roll the braid to form a bun behind your ear.
Gone are the days when one would have to spend hours in the salon, getting an extensive hairdo for every event because of the lack of DIY options. The best part about the braid hairstyles discussed above is that they can be dressed up and down depending on the event. Add some embellishments or flowers to your simple braid and turn it into a fancy hairstyle for a mehendi event. High on style and comfort, these braid looks are a wedding hair trend that is here to stay.
