28 Stunning French Braid Hairstyles You Must Try

The French Braid is coming back in a big way. It may have been around for a while, but its popularity has skyrocketed recently. Braids have been a timeless hairstyle for centuries. Thanks to social media and celebrities, it looks like this style never faded.

 

What is The Difference Between Dutch and French Braiding?

The most defining difference between the two is that a French braid begins with sections crossed over the middle section, while in a Dutch braid, sections are crossed under the middle section.

The French braid is the most well-known type of plait other than a three-strand braid. Essentially, it’s the same technique as a basic braid but is started up towards your crown instead of near your neck.

Dutch braids are a variation of the French braid hairstyle, with one key difference: the strands are crossed under, not over.

Is French Braiding Easy?

The French braid is a classic hairstyle that many people love. Although it can look complicated, you can do this hairstyle independently without professional help.

The trick is to add one strand of hair before braiding the next section and then overlap them with the previous one.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of a traditional braid, you can try a French braid for something fancier.

 

28 French Braid Hairstyles

Whether you’ve got curly hair or straight locks, here are 28 french braid hairstyles guaranteed to inspire you.

 

French Braid Mohawk

Fun fact: a mohawk can also be braided! A French Braid mohawk could be a smart, stylish way to keep your hair out of the way and make you look more beautiful. It starts at the front and finishes at the back before going into a ponytail style.

The French Braid mohawk is perfect for those that want a low-maintenance style. It takes no effort to maintain, and it’s also a great way to make your hair look thicker if you have thin hair.

 

High Ponytail with French Braid

One of the many ways to rock a French braid is by doing a high ponytail. Simply section the top and braid that part only up until the higher center point of your head.

Once you get there, wrap the rest of your hair in a ponylet and ensure it doesn’t escape while working on the Braid.

 

The Voluminous French Braid

Long, voluminous French braids are great for women with long, thick hair. Braid the hair in a loose french braid and create deliberate messiness and an undone appearance to get the desired effect.

This braid style is very feminine and will be perfect for formal occasions like weddings or date nights. You could wear flowers as a headband or add them to your hair for a unique touch.

 

French Braid Bow

If you are looking for a fun, unique way to style your French Braid, then this idea is just what you’ve been searching for. The steps aren’t too complex, but working the hair into a bow at the end takes some practice and skill.

However, once mastered, the final product looks great and gives your french Braid a stylish twist. Best suited for longer lengths of hair because it requires length to achieve its full effect.

 

French Braid with Space Bun

Space buns can be worn at the sides of the head, creating a simple style that looks good with almost anything. However, this isn’t the only way to wear space buns; combining them with braids gives them a much fuller effect.

Braid space bun gives off a very sophisticated yet casual vibe that will definitely catch attention. You can also try styling them in the center of the forehead, giving yourself a fun and unique look.

 

French Braided Bandana

Many french braid hairstyles include decorative elements like beads, ribbons, flowers, feathers, and even colorful bands. You can select any of those options to complete your hairstyle. For example, if you prefer wearing a flower crown, then this would be ideal.

You can incorporate a brightly-hued ribbon or feather if you love bright colors. Whatever you decide to do, remember that it adds personality to your hair while keeping it neat and tidy at the same time.

 

French Braid Shaved Sides

French braids are great for adding texture and volume to thinning hair. They give a feminine feel, especially when worn at a wedding or special event. Shaving some of the hair away makes this style even sexier.

The shaved side creates a contrasting effect against the rest of the hair, creating a solid statement while keeping the wearer looking elegant and pretty.

If you prefer something simple yet sexy, then try this haircut. You won’t regret trying it!

 

Ombre French Braid

Ombre is a hair color technique that blends two colors; one light and the other darker. You can select any shade you’d like, whether natural tones or even artificial ones. The result is a vibrant blend of both shades without needing a root touch-up.

With ombre styling, you can style it how you see fit, and with a french braid, it adds interest and makes your Braid stand out. The final result is beautiful for the summer months when your hair needs to withstand long days in the sun.

 

Middle Part French Braid

Middle sections are a beautiful way to accentuate a hairstyle without adding too much bulk to the top half. They work incredibly well with styles featuring braided sections.

If worn long and loosely, the sharpness of the section will compliment the softer texture of the Braid.

 

French Braid for Long Hair

French braid hairstyles work great on both short and long hair. But if your hair is short, it can be challenging to keep pinned up, and you might need some help from bobby pins.

French Braid for long hair is simple to maintain and comes in many styles depending on your preferred color scheme. You can wear them up or down, and the longer strands give you plenty of options for adding some fun accessories.

 

Braid-colored String

French Braid allows you to customize your style to fit your personality. Create buns, twists, waves, curls, and even fishtails. Experiment with various styles until you get what looks good on you.

Use this technique to add flair to your hairstyle while keeping it natural.
Adding colorful strings is one of the ways to give your french Braid look an extra pizzazz.

 

Updo French Braid

When it comes to styling a french braid, some prefer loose styles while others work theirs into an updo for a beautiful and romantic finish. The appeal of french braids with an updo is that the hair is usually loosely braided, creating a messier and purposely unkempt appearance.

This adds dimension and texture to your face and complements your features beautifully. It looks stunning worn at weddings or events with some simple hair accessories added.

 

Tight French Braid

Tight french braided hair looks great when worn down around the face. A tighter French Braid is perfect for anyone looking to keep their hair in place while locking in moisture.

To achieve this style, pull sections of hair back towards the scalp before pulling through each section again to form a tight knot at the end. A contrasting side part gives the appearance of length without adding bulk.

 

French Braid for Natural Hair

For curly hair, french braiding is a great way to protect against damage while adding volume and texture. The technique involves creating small loops at regular intervals along each strand of hair before twisting the strands together.

Loose styles work beautifully on curls because they give the illusion of being naturally wavy. This makes them perfect for those looking for a softer, romantic appearance.

 

Long French Braid

French braided hairstyles can be created either short or long; one downside to this hairstyle is that it can be time-consuming. It may also be difficult for people with long hair to have their braids fully detailed. But the one thing in its favor is that they are elegant on longer tresses.

Braid styles can also look glamorous or edgy, depending on how tightly they are twisted. The color options include ombre, which makes the strands stand out against each other. Experiment with various styles, allowing you to try out numerous looks.

 

Triple French Braid

French braids are typically created with three different strands of hair to create a feminine, gorgeous look. There are many variations, so you have the freedom to choose how you want the final style to be.

Most women will opt for one French Braid or one on either side of the head, but it’s possible to do multiple braids across your head if you want!
You can braid it from the center, leave the ends out, and enjoy your hair’s natural texture.

 

Feed-in French Braid

A feed-in braid involves creating a seamless and natural-looking style by weaving hair extensions through existing strands of hair. You can achieve this look quickly and effortlessly, allowing you to work the extensions into a stylish French braid.

 

French Braid with Weave

A weave is braided hair sewn onto your head and can help you get the desired texture and length: for instance, braiding the top of your head and leaving the rest to fall loosely. This can help you show off your natural curls without using hair extensions.

 

French Braid With Bangs

If you aren’t happy with how your hair looks after styling it, then you can try another style. An excellent example of this would be bangs – they can look stylish when done well and will soften your face in a way that won’t make you look old or outdated. You can braid it down and leave some strands loose at the ends.

Or, you can wear it slightly longer than usual and pull sections of it back over your ears. This gives off a softer feel than wearing it completely smooth.

If you do this, however, remember to avoid pulling too much hair back because it can lead to split ends.

 

French Braid for Short Hair

Many people find that short hair can be a bit more difficult to style, but with the proper cut and techniques, there are still plenty of options to choose from.

Braids are an excellent option for short hair as they can help add some volume and texture without much effort involved. A braid at the side or crown can look great with shorter hair too- so if you’re not sure what to choose, try it!

 

Half Up/Down French Braid

To achieve this beautiful hairstyle, divide your hair into three sections, starting with the left side of your head, then going over the middle part, and finishing with the right side. Next, pull each section separately through the opposite hand to form a loose bun.

Secure with bobby pins. If desired, secure the ends of the Braid with clear elastic bands. You can also combine the two styles by tying the end of the Braid into a knot and wrapping it around the base of the bun.

 

Reverse French Braid

The reverse French Braid, also known as a Dutch braid, is an excellent alternative to the traditional French Braid. The most important thing to remember is to pass sections of your hair underneath rather than over the top.

It is ideal for bold women because it has more volume and detail than your average braids.

 

French Braided Ponytail

A great way to get creative with your hairstyle is to combine a french braid with a ponytail. You can even experiment with how thick the Braid is and what kind of ponytail you wear.

A thin braid and high pony look fun and modern, while a thicker braid and lower pony make you seem more sophisticated.

 

Side French Braid

If you’ve never done French Braid before, we recommend starting with a basic version, such as a French Side Braiding. This style looks great with short hair while being much simpler to do than a full-length french braid.

You’ll also get to practice working with smaller amounts of hair, which makes it easier to work with.

After learning how to do a basic French braid, you can experiment with styling options later on. For example, once you learn how to do a French braid, you can try leaving your hair down after you finish braiding it. Or, you can even try tying it up into a cute little bun or ‘do.

 

Bun French Braided Hairstyle

This hairstyle idea combines both a bun and braids together. This style looks elegant and sophisticated. However, you can pair this classic hair with various styles in many ways.

Consider creating a French braid that goes up the back of your head to give yourself a modern twist. Then, tie your hair off at the nape of your neck and secure it with pins.

You can also opt for a French Crown Braid paired with a Low Chignon for a romantic look.

 

Fishtail Braid

Start at the top of your head with a regular fishtail braid. Take a small portion of hair from both sides and cross them together. Continue crossing pieces across until you reach the end of your hair. The result is a beautiful standard fishtail french braid.

 

French Braided Pigtail

Try adding texture to your strands before braiding to get a playful yet sophisticated twist on the classic French Braid.

Start at the crown of your head and pull sections of hair through the center of your forehead until you reach the end. Secure those ends with clips or pins, then gently tug down any loose hairs that fall below the top section.

Next, grab a small amount of styling product and apply it along the length of your newly styled hair. Once dry, begin french braiding again, starting at the front of your scalp and working toward the back.

Keep going until you’ve reached the base of your neck. Tie off your hair into two pigtails, securing them with elastic bands.

You can also try twisting pieces around each other to give your look even more dimension. This versatile style works great for both short and long styles.

 

Double French Braid

Double french braids are a classic hairstyle that looks great at any age. They require some careful parting and styling techniques, so ensure you give yourself enough time to get everything just how you want before heading off to work or going out.

You can also opt for a softer version of double french braids – think half twists. These are easier to achieve, especially if you have fine hair. To finish your look, throw a few loose curls around your face.

 

How To French Braid Step by Step For Beginners