What Are Common Types of Braided Hairstyles?

Regular Braid (3 Strand Braid)

This is a traditional braid and is the easiest to learn. To create this braid, gather three strands of hair into your hands. Next you’ll want to pass the right and the left strands over the center strand of hair alternating as go.

French Braid

A French braid is a traditional braid, but starts higher up on your head. This is the first braid that most people try when they’re trying to learn how to incorporate all of their hair into a braid. To create this braid, start with three strands of hair at the top of your head and pass the right and left strands over the center strand. Once you do this once, you’ll want to stop and add hair to the outer strands and repeat the steps to complete the French braid.

Fishtail Braid

A fishtail braid is created by separating your hair into two sections instead of three. Take the outer section from the right stand and pass it over to the left strand. Repeat the same process with the left strand and continue down your hair until you finish the braid.

Dutch braid

To create a Dutch braid, the steps are very similar to a French braid. You will start by taking three strands at the top of your head, but instead of passing the hair over you’ll want to pass the stands underneath as you braid your hair. This is one of my favorite braids to create and incorporate into my hairstyles.

Milkmaid braid

A milkmaid braid is braids that are wrapped or braided to the top of your head to look like a headband and/or halo. The easiest way to create a milkmaid braid is to braid two pigtail braids (regular or fishtail braid) and pin them with bobby pins to the crown of your head. To hide the end of your braids, pin them underneath the other pigtail braid.

Waterfall braid

A waterfall braid is a unique braided look that leaves hair out of the braid and with a little practice it’s pretty easy to create! To create this look you take three strands at the top of your head near your hairline and start the steps to a french braid. Repeat the steps two times. Before you do this a third time, drop the middle strand of hair and pick up a new strand of hair. Repeat the steps until you’ve finished your braid and pin it pack with a bobby pin.

Crown braids

Crown braids are similar to milkmaid braids, but instead of only pinning your hair to the crown of your head the braid wraps around your entire head. If your hair is long enough you can create two pigtails or two Dutch braids and wrap the braids around your entire head. Secure the braids with bobby pins. If your hair isn’t long enough to do this, you can still create this look by braiding your hair into two French braid pigtails before you pin the braids to your head. That way your braids start higher upon your head and you have less area to have to cover as you pin your braids to your head.

Upside down braid

Want to dress up a bun or a ponytail? Add an upside down braid to the look! The easiest way to create this look is to flip your head over and start your French braid at the nape of your neck.