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

5 of 16

Best Braid Style No. 11: Cool Schoolgirl Polished braid styles don't have to be square. This high-end look, pulled straight from the Valentino runway, provides the perfect base for a headband or hair accessory.

How to:
1. Prep detangled, damp hair with smoother and volumizer. (Try Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid, $26, and John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse, $5.99.)
2. Blow dry hair straight with a paddle brush and part it to the side.
3. Gather hair into a low side ponytail and secure with a clear elastic, leaving out a half-inch-wide piece. 4. Wrap the loose piece around the base of the ponytail to conceal the elastic. Secure with a U-shaped bobby pin and set with strong-hold hairspray.
5. Braid the ponytail and secure at the end with another elastic, concealing it with a piece of hair from the end of the braid.
6. Secure with hairspray all over, smoothing flyaways with hands. (Optional: Add a headband for a preppier look.)

SEE NEXT PAGE: Best Braid Style No. 10: Updated Leia

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Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

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Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid

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John Frieda Luxurious Volume Perfectly Full Mousse

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Sebastian Professional Halo Mist

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Garnier Fructis Texture Tease Dry Touch Finishing Spray

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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