Once you can manage a basic plait, a whole world of show-stopping braids opens up, and most of them are far easier than they look. Fishtails, waterfalls, and pull-throughs rely on simple repeated tricks, while braided buns and crowns just combine moves you may already know into something event-worthy.
Below are nineteen braids that turn heads without a trip to the salon, from a quick rope twist to a formal tucked bun, each with the genuinely simple idea behind it and when to wear it.
Key Takeaways
- The most impressive braids rely on simple repeated tricks, not advanced skill.
- Fishtails and pull-through braids look intricate but are genuinely easy.
- Braided updos just combine a braid with a bun or twist for event-ready looks.
- Twists are faster than braids for a halo or crown effect.
- Loosening a braid after you finish is what makes it look full and expensive.
Classic Fishtail Braid
The fishtail is the braid that looks the most advanced for the least real skill, which makes it the perfect starting point for anything beyond a basic plait. It uses only two sections, not three.
You take a thin piece from the outer edge of one section and cross it to the inside of the other, alternating sides. The finer the pieces you cross, the more intricate it looks.
Loosen it once finished for that soft, woven, expensive effect. For more, see these braided hairstyle ideas.
Rope Twist Braid
The rope braid skips braiding entirely, you split the hair in two, twist each half in the same direction, then wrap the two twists around each other the opposite way. The tension locks it into a sleek spiral.
It is one of the fastest statement styles there is, holding its shape all day, and it makes long hair look structured in under two minutes.
Waterfall Braid
The waterfall braid looks like strands are cascading out of a braid running across the head, and the secret is simple, you braid horizontally and each time you reach the lower strand you drop it and pick up a fresh piece in its place, so those dropped strands become the waterfall, turning one easy move into the most romantic braid on this list.
Dutch Braid Ponytail
Combining a dutch braid with a ponytail gives you a bold, raised braid running into a full tail, the woven section popping off the head while keeping every strand off the face. It is sporty and statement at once.
Dutch-braid from the crown to the nape, then tie off the rest into a ponytail, for a look that holds securely through a workout or a long day. For more, see these ponytail ideas.
Crown Braid
The crown braid wraps a single braid all the way around the head like a halo, and despite its show-stopping, romantic effect, it is just a dutch or three-strand braid worked in a circle and pinned, which makes it one of the highest-impact braids you can learn for an event, holding securely outdoors and through hours of wear.
“Clients think the fancy braids take talent, but they take repetition. Pick one, a fishtail or a pull-through, and do it on dry hair three evenings in a row while watching TV. By the fourth time your hands just know it, and suddenly you own a braid that looks like it took a stylist.”
Five-Strand Braid
The five-strand braid is where you genuinely level up, a wide, woven, basket-like braid that looks like real craftsmanship. It takes patience to learn but follows a logical over-under rhythm.
Once the pattern clicks, it becomes meditative, and the payoff is a braid that looks intricate enough for a wedding. Practise it slowly on dry hair first.
Pull-Through Braid
The pull-through braid is a clever cheat that fakes a fat, intricate braid using only small elastics and no actual braiding, you tie a row of little ponytails down the head, split each one, and pull the next through the gap, so the result looks like an elaborate woven braid while being one of the easiest statement styles you can manage.
Ladder Braid
The ladder braid creates a striking, scaffold-like pattern of horizontal rungs across a base braid. It looks genuinely architectural and draws the eye instantly.
You weave thin sections across a cornrow-style base to build the rungs, and while it takes practice, the graphic result is unlike any other braid. It suits a bold, fashion-forward look.
Infinity Braid
The infinity braid weaves a repeating figure-eight motion that looks like an elaborate knotted rope, and because it is the same loop repeated over and over, it actually gets easier the longer you braid, which makes it a real party trick, an advanced-looking braid that rewards a little rhythm rather than genuine difficulty.
Braided Updo
Turning a braid into an updo is how you take it from everyday to event-ready, and the approach is simple:
- Braid first, then coil and pin the braid into a bun or twist.
- Tug the braid wider before pinning so the updo looks full.
- Anchor with U-pins to support the weight and leave a few pieces loose.
Bohemian Side Braid
The bohemian side braid sweeps a loose, lived-in braid over one shoulder, often with smaller braids woven in for a festival feel. It is romantic, relaxed, and forgiving of imperfect technique.
Braid it loosely, pull the edges wide, and let a few pieces fall free for that undone softness. It works best on second-day hair with a little texture.
Mermaid Braid
The mermaid braid combines fishtail sections with a regular braid to create an elaborate, scale-like, flowing plait that lives up to its name, and while it looks like serious craftsmanship, it is really just alternating two techniques you may already know, fishtail and three-strand, into one long, dramatic braid worth saving for when you want maximum impact.
Not sure which braid to try next? Tap your goal:
1Want maximum impact, minimum skill
Try a fishtail, pull-through, or bubble braid, all look intricate but are genuinely easy.
2Want an event updo
A crown braid, French braid bun, or tucked braided bun reads formal and holds all day.
3Want something fast
Twists beat braids, a twisted halo or rope braid takes under two minutes.
4Ready to truly level up
Tackle the five-strand, ladder, or mermaid braid, patient practice pays off.
Milkmaid Braid
Milkmaid braids wrap two plaits up and over the crown like a woven crown, a look straight out of a romantic painting. They are far simpler than they appear, just two basic braids and pins.
Braid each side, cross them over the top of the head, and pin securely, tucking the ends under for a polished finish. It is elegant enough for a wedding guest look.
Loop Braid
The loop braid creates a chain of soft loops down the head for a delicate, intricate effect, and it is built from a simple repeating technique rather than advanced skill, which means that with a little practice you get a braid that looks genuinely ornate, perfect for dressing up an updo or a half-up style with a detail people will ask about.
Twisted Halo Braid
The twisted halo skips braiding for twists wrapped around the head like a crown, giving you the romantic halo effect faster than a true crown braid. Twists come together more quickly and grip the hair securely.
Twist a section from each side, wrap them around the back, and pin, leaving a little softness around the face. It is a quick path to an elegant, event-ready look.
Bubble Braid
The bubble braid is the no-braid braid, segmenting a ponytail or section into rounded bubbles with small clear elastics and puffing each one out, and because it needs no real braiding at all, it is the easiest way to get a playful, eye-catching, statement style, ideal for a party or festival when you want something fun in just a couple of minutes.
French Braid Bun
The French braid bun braids up from the nape, then coils the rest into a bun at the crown, combining two techniques into one elegant, secure updo. The braided base adds detail a plain bun lacks.
Flip your head down, French-braid upward, then twist the ends into a bun where the braid ends, for a structured style that holds all day. For more, see these bun hairstyle ideas.
Double Dutch Braids
Two dutch braids running down either side of the head are the sporty-meets-styled classic, and they are simply the dutch technique done twice, which makes them more achievable than they look, gripping the hair tightly so they hold through a workout, a festival, or a long active day while still reading as a deliberate, polished style.
Tucked Braided Bun
The tucked braided bun is the most refined braided updo here, a braid rolled under and tucked into a smooth, low knot at the nape. It reads formal and polished, perfect for a wedding or black-tie event.
Braid loosely, roll the braid under itself, and pin it into a clean, low shape, leaving a few soft pieces out at the front. The braid gives the bun texture and security a plain coil lacks.
It is the braid to learn when you want one genuinely formal option in your repertoire. For more, see these protective braid ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braids Hairstyles
Are complicated-looking braids actually hard to do?
Most are far easier than they look. Fishtail braids use just two sections, waterfall and pull-through braids rely on one simple repeated trick, and bubble braids need no braiding at all, just elastics. Even crowns and braided buns are basic braids combined with pinning. The genuinely advanced ones, like five-strand and ladder braids, take practice but follow a logical, repeating rhythm anyone can learn.
How do I make my braids look fuller and more professional?
Tug gently on the edges of each section after braiding, working from the bottom up, to loosen and widen the braid, this is what gives that full, soft, expensive look. Start on day-two hair with a little texture spray for grip, secure the end with a clear elastic, and set it with a light hairspray. A loosened braid actually holds better than a tight, slippery one.
Which braid is best for a formal event?
A crown braid, milkmaid braid, French braid bun, or tucked braided bun all read formal and elegant, and they hold securely through a long event. Braided updos in particular combine the detail of a braid with the polish of a bun. Loosen the braid for fullness, leave a few soft pieces around the face, and anchor everything with U-pins to support the weight.
What braid should a beginner try first beyond a basic plait?
A fishtail braid is the best next step, it uses only two sections and, while slow, it is genuinely simple and looks impressive. After that, a pull-through braid (made with elastics, no braiding) and a rope twist are both quick wins. These three build confidence and hand memory before you move on to crowns, five-strand braids, or braided updos.
Braid Mistakes That Give You Away
A few habits separate a braid that looks salon-done from one that looks like a first attempt. The most common is braiding on freshly washed hair, which is too slippery to grip, so the braid slides loose and falls apart by lunch.
The second is braiding too tightly and skipping the loosening step, a braid pulled tight and left untouched looks thin and severe, where one tugged gently wider looks full and intentional. The third is forgetting to set it, even the best braid drops without a clear elastic and a light hairspray. Start on day-two hair, loosen as you go, and set it, and any braid here looks the part.
Level Up One Braid at a Time
You do not need talent to braid like the photos, you need repetition and the right starting point. Almost every braid here is a simple idea repeated, and the impressive ones are usually two easy moves combined.
Pick the one you keep saving, practise its single trick a few evenings in a row, and add it to your rotation. Bookmark this and work through them one at a time, you will be the person braiding everyone else’s hair before long.
