Hair Care

The Only Braid Styles You'll Ever Need to Master

Riding the braid wave? With these step-by-step instructions, you'll nail down 15 gorgeous braid styles in no time

by Amanda Montell

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Braid envy — it's a thing. If you find yourself gazing longingly at the intricately beautiful braid styles on Instagram and Pinterest, you've got a major case of it. There's nothing like an afternoon spent flipping through online photos of stunning braid styles, imaging yourself wearing them all from work to brunch to your wedding.

There is one little hiccup to this whole braid fever phenomenon: If you're not a naturally gifted hair wiz, attempting complicated braid styles can be downright daunting. Luckily, it doesn't have to be.

To help give even the most clumsy among us a leg up in the braid styles department, we grilled some of the industry's most celebrated stylists and bloggers for the precise, step-by-step braiding instructions you need to pull off braiding all by yourself.

Thanks to celebrity stylist Marcus Francis, Nine Zero One Salon stylists Florido Basallo and Amber Maynard, plus a few other independent braid geniuses, we have the goods on how to recreate 15 amazing braids. From the fan-favorite waterfall braid to the classic braided chignon, you'll see that these modern and sophisticated braid styles can take you anywhere.

Still afraid you don't have the skills? Put aside any doubts you have, and remember, you're not landing a Mars rover. You're just braiding your hair. With these simple braiding instructions (and a little practice), you can master Pinterest-worthy braid styles in no time.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Best Braid Style No. 15: Beachside Hippie

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Older comments

I love braids and would try each and every one!!!

by littlebit_angel Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 12:13PM Report as inappropriate

didnt get how to do the last one, which was the best look.

by annisa_nye Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:11PM Report as inappropriate

I love braids but I can't follow any of the instructions. All the pictures look really nice but I'll prefer a video

by Jessica2010 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 07:52PM Report as inappropriate

I love braids! Will most definitely try some of the easier ones.

by Sari Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 07:01PM Report as inappropriate

Great ideas, I sometimes forget that these styles exist too, besides just having your hair down or waved/curled up.

by Chantilly Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 05:07PM Report as inappropriate

Like this one..looks simple to do.

by shiral_miller Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 10:44AM Report as inappropriate

I like braided hairstyles. They add such texture and femininity. I\'ve been using braided styles on my medium length hair as I grow it out, and am looking forward to more length to try more braid styles.

by ReflxnsOfGrace Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:25PM Report as inappropriate

I love the fishtail braid

by LittleBunny Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 08:02PM Report as inappropriate

I soooo regret cutting my hair now

by schien Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 02:16PM Report as inappropriate

I love fishtail braids and they are supposed to be easy to do, but I just can't figure it out!

by Chris213 Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 07:20AM Report as inappropriate