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When you're regularly working with your long hair, it's easy to get bored with the length and fall into a style rut. Maybe you're constantly popping your hair into a high bun, using hot tools to create lived-in waves, or embracing your natural curls and letting your hair do its thing. But, if you're ready to level up your look and try something new, a major chop or color change isn't the only answer.
Of course, you always have those as options, but braids can offer a way to embrace something new without changing anything permanently. For Black women, styles like box braids, cornrows, and Fulani braids offer protective styling and a way to switch things up. Then there are Dutch braids, cascading braided ponytails, and slicked-backed buns with braided lengths that give anyone with lots of length an opportunity to try something new. Keep scrolling for 33 of our favorite braided styles that are perfect for long hair.
Meet the Expert
- Cassandra Olivia is a hair stylist and colorist who specializes in natural hair.
- Dhairius Thomas is a celebrity hair stylist and Dark & Lovely celebrity brand ambassador. His clients include Winnie Harlow, Ciara, and Serena Williams.
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Leg Length Box Braids
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Box braids are a staple that never goes out of style. If you have long locks like Zendaya's, you can skip the addition of Kanekalon hair or use the knotless braiding technique to add a small amount of hair and keep the braids in place longer.
Looking to keep your braids looking fresh for longer? Take hair stylist Cassandra Olivia's advice, "If you plan to keep your hair in braids, plan to wash them once a week, or every other week. This helps remove oils and impurities that accumulate at the scalp and on the hair. At night, wrap your braids in a silk bonnet or scarf to protect them from friction. You can skip the bonnet if you sleep on a silk pillowcase, just carefully tie your braids up in a bun at the top of your head with a hair tie. Don’t use a rubber band or anything not designed for hair—it will pull at the braids and potentially damage hair."
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Center Part Braids
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We love the way this middle part frames Gabrielle Union's face. To keep flyaways and new growth frizz to a minimum when rocking a visible part, keep a mousse—we like The Doux's Mousse Def Texture Foam ($15) and Design Essentials' Foaming Wrap Lotion ($28)—and a silk scarf handy.
If you're planning on adding in hair to your style, celebrity hairstylist Dhairius Thomas has some advice. "Long braids with added hair require more maintenance and the hair is more prone to breakage due to the added weight. If you’re going to wear long braids, I recommend medium to large size because the hair at the base will create a solid foundation for a long braid to hang." On the other hand, he says that small-sized long braids shouldn’t be worn for more than 3 weeks. "A thin base to start a long braid will only become thinner as the hair grows because of the weight," he explains.
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Fulani Braids
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Fulani braids are perfect for protecting long coils. Add beads or gold accessories for some extra oomph.
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Dutch Braids
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We promise you can rock these Dutch braids without looking like a kid.
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Slicked High Ponytail
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A slicked-back high pony, braided to the end, is a simple way to show off your unique features and pull a look together in a snap. It also gives off a very Barbie vibe, which is right on trend these days.
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Twisted Braid
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We're getting rockstar chic with the barely-there pompadour, sleek sides, and twisted length of this braid-twist combo on Cara Delevingne.
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Braided Bun
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A braided bun gives the hair extra texture and height. To keep your look in place, secure your bun with Scunci's Curved Bobby Pins ($3).
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Box Braid High Ponytail
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Pulling box braids up and away from your face is easy and quick, plus it gives you a completely different look. Don't forget to wrap a couple of braids around the base of your ponytail for some depth.
Want to keep your braids in tip top shape, control flyaways, and care for your scalp? "I recommend clients who wear protective braid styles, or who often style their hair in braids, to use products with cannabinoids, more commonly referred to as CBD, CBC and CBG, which are chemical compounds that have anti-inflammatory benefits that can help to soothe the scalp and boost blood circulation." says Olivia. She adds that the fatty acids in CBD also help to nourish hair and provide a boost of moisture for the hair and scalp for shinier, more manageable hair. "One of my favorite products for braids is LEAF + FLOWER CBD Phyto-Molecular Oil ($60). I apply some to my fingertips while braid for shine and control while minimizing flyaways," explains Olivia.
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Baby Hair and Braids
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When slicking back or braiding long hair, it can be fun to pull a few face-framing pieces free like Tessa Thompson, here. They show off your hair texture and allow the look to feel more lived in.
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Cornrows and Braids
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This simple look takes us back to the '90s' and can be easily recreated at home.
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Braided Crown
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Haven't had the time to wash your hair? We get it. Use it to your advantage and go for a look that makes use of your less-than-clean strands. Your natural oils and grity texture will make stylishly tucking your hair away a breeze.
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Loose Side Ponytail
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A loose braid with a wispy, face-framing tendril is the perfect combination of elegant and effortless. Let Oribe's Superfine Hairspray ($42) be your assistant to lock in this look, but keep the messy texture.
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Boho High Ponytail
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High ponytails don't always have to be boring or feel like a gym style. Blake Lively's imperfect braided look on a red carpet proves just that. Pro tip: Wrap some hair around your hair tie to elevate your look instantly.
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Side Parted Low Ponytail
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This side-parted low braid would have been a winner solo, but the accessories really make it pop.
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Fishtail Braid
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The juxtaposition between Ciara's structured fishtail braid braid and the loose undone texture around her face keeps things interesting and fresh. If your hair is straight, use a curling wand to add some movement.
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Braided Crown with Long Fishtail Braid
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For a more classic look, take a few notes from this gorgeous look and braid the base of your head and the length.
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Cornrow Low Bun
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Both protective and beautiful, this cornrowed look provides the best of both worlds.
When you're ready to wash your hair, Olivia has some tips. "For wash days, I recommend LEAF + FLOWER CBD Instant Damage Correction Shampoo ($37)
and LEAF + FLOWER CBD Instant Damage Correction Conditioner ($39)
Both are formulated with a proprietary, plant-based CBD Corrective Complex that works to reduce damage and noticeably strengthen each strand for less breakage and improved manageability," says Olivia.
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Mini Braids in a Claw Clip
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Small box braids can last a while, but if you get tired of leaving them loose, you have the option of twisting them up with a claw clip. Grab one and you can recreate Zoë Kravitz' look in no time.
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Scarf with Box Braids
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Adding a scarf to braids can instantly add interest, plus, depending on the scarf you choose, it can make a fashion statement as well.
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Cornrowed Finger Waves
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We still think about this Beyoncé look often. With the right stylist, these finger-waved cornrows are totally attainable.
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Long Blonde Braid
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Latto has long, gorgeous curls, but she isn't afraid to play with even more length. An XXL braid with the help of some hair extensions looks extra special.
This style is one of Olivia's favorites. "I personally love a sleek pony to the crown of the head, with a long, flowing braid to the end of the hair. It allows you to show off your gorgeous face, while still making your hair interesting with a sleek braid. To execute a look like this one, Olivia recommends spritzing hair so it's barely damp, then using a comb to pull hair back sleek against your head. Pro tip: use a hair tie the same color as your hair to create the ponytail. "Leave a small section of your hair free before dividing up the rest of your hair into three sections for the braid. After you braid your ponytail, take the piece of hair that isn’t part of the braid and wrap it around the hair tie for the pony so it hides it. Secure the hair with bobby pins so it stays."
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Sleek Braided Crown
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Braids and straight, sleek hair, work so well together. To minimize flyaways, use a touch of pomade or hairspray which will keep things in place without leaving the hair crunchy.
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Braided High Pigtails
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Yara Shahidi has so much fun with her hair, and it shows. Braids across the forehead might not be for everyone, but they look perfectly at home with her lengthy pigtails.
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Braided Locs
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Chloe continuously reminds us that locs are both beautiful and versatile. If you have locs, try adding some extensions to create braided hairstyles.
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Double Loc Braids
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These loc'd pigtails are a reminder that our favorite grade school hairstyle isn't off-limits in adulthood.
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Extra Long Side Ponytail
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Chriselle Lim's extra long ponytail is the epitome of "that girl" vibes. To tame the flyaways and make sure the look stays super sleek, use the Kristin Ess Anytime Anywhere Recovery Balm with Coconut Oil and Castor Oil ($15).
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Long Blonde Cornrows
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If you want to change your hair color but don't want to go through the potential hair damage from dyeing it, opt for blonde cornrows, like Colombian rapper Farina.
And if you don't want to worry about damaging your hair, take Thomas's advice, "When it comes to wearing long braids there’s a few tricks and tips to avoid breakage while in this protective style. If you have long braids with your natural hair it should be low maintenance. I recommend oiling your scalp twice a week to avoid itching and dry scalp. Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil ($12) is my to go to."
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Micro Braids
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Micro braids are so incredibly chic, as evidenced by Susan Kelechi Watson's side-parted look. Switching up which side you part your hair on is an easy way to refresh your style.
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Messy Side Braid
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If you wanna give off "I woke up like this" vibes, but in an ethereal way, go for a messy side braid. Make sure to leave out some face-framing strands to complete the look.
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Goddess Braids
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Goddess braids are trending and we're obsessed with their versatility. Especially as seen here on Tia Mowry, whose strands are giving off a boho chic style.
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Half-Up, Half-Down
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You can also style your long goddess braids into a fun, half-up, half-down style like actress Lexi Underwood.
But before you snatch your braids up, Thomas explains "The biggest mistake when wearing long braids is that most ladies want to style their hair in an updo right away & this is a no no, he warns. The reason: "When hair is freshly braided it’s usually too sensitive to withstand multiple styles." He says that it’s best to wrap edges in a silk scarf while sleeping and to wait at least one week "before manipulating the braids."
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Side Part Cornrows
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Instead of going for classic straight-back cornrows, try instead a side parted look like actress Alicia Hannah-Kim. The best part is even if your hair isn't long, you can always add in extensions.
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Bangs and Braided Pigtails
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Xochitl Gomez's blunt bangs and long braids are the perfect nod to her Mexican heritage. We especially love the gold accessories at the end of the braids that take the look up a notch.
34 Ponytail Braids for Every Occasion
