Have you ever struggled to choose the perfect hairstyle for a special occasion? Whether you're seeking a look that highlights your natural ethnic beauty or a style that lets your personality shine, HOTBRAIDS has just what you need! Dive into our expertly curated guide of 12 stunning braid styles—each one easy to create and perfect for a variety of events. From formal gatherings like ceremonies or business meetings to more relaxed occasions like weddings, dates, or holidays, we've got the ideal braid for you. Plus, with a little practice, you’ll be able to master these looks and turn heads wherever you go. Ready to elevate your hairstyle game? Let’s get started!
Side Halo Braid Ponytail
This style features a large, chunky feed-in braid that starts from one side of the head and continues around, following the hairline, before being braided down into a ponytail. The braid is typically thick and may be achieved by using braiding hair extensions to add volume and length. It's a versatile and protective hairstyle that works well for both casual and formal occasions, offering a stylish and elegant look.
Image @allthingsvirtuous
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Prep Your Hair: Start with clean, dry hair and part your own hair deeply to one side.
2. Prep the Extensions: Choose human braiding hair that matches your natural hair color and texture. Cut it to your desired length and brush it to remove tangles.
3. Begin the Dutch Braid: Take a small section near your part, divide it into three, and start braiding by crossing the strands under each other.
4. Add Braiding Hair Extensions: As you start 2 or 3 times of Dutch braids, gradually add small sections of the braiding hair to your natural hair, blending them together seamlessly.
5. Braid Along the Side until You Complete Both Sides: Continue braiding along the side of your head, adding more hair to the braid as you go.
6. Secure the Ponytail: Once you reach the nape of your neck, gather all your hair into a side ponytail and secure it with an elastic band.
7. Finish the Look: Gently tug on the braid for volume, and set with hairspray to hold the style in place.
Goddess Cornrow Braid
This specific style features different-size cornrow braids that are braided close to the scalp and then extend down the back.
Check out to learn the basic cornrow braid techniques.
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Section the Hair: Start by parting your hair into three equal sections at the top of your head.
2. Begin Braiding: Braid each section tightly from the front of your head down towards the back. Use a Dutch braid technique, crossing the sections under each other instead of over.
3. Add Braiding Hair Extensions: As you braid, gradually add in braiding hair extensions to each section to increase the length and volume of the braids.
4. Secure the Ends: Continue braiding down the entire length of your hair and the extensions, and then secure the ends with a small hair tie.
5. Smooth and Finish: Tuck in any loose hairs or flyaways with some edge control gel, and you're all set with a sleek and elegant braided look.
Cornrow Braid in A Low Bun
Image @baianabraids
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Part and Section Hair: Start by parting the hair into multiple straight rows using a rat-tail comb. Create about 4-6 sections in varying sizes depending on the desired thickness of the braids.
2. Create Cornrows: Begin with the first section and start cornrowing from the front of the head towards the back. Secure each braid with an elastic band. Repeat this for each section.
3. Add Braiding Hair Extensions: To add length and volume, gradually feed in braiding hair while cornrowing, ensuring consistent tension while braiding.
4. Form the Bun: Once all sections are braided, gather the ends of the braids at the nape of the neck and twist them together to form a bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins.
2. Final Touches: Smooth the edges with edge control gel, and use a scarf to set the style for a few minutes.
Big Goddess Braids Updo
This style involves braiding the hair into thick, defined braids that are then gathered and wrapped into a large, elegant bun on top of the head. It's a protective style that is both sophisticated and versatile, making it a popular choice for formal occasions such as traditional weddings, galas, or any other special occasion where a polished look is desired. The braids are often created using extensions to add volume and length, allowing for a fuller, more dramatic bun.
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Part the Hair and Create Cornrows: Divide the hair into sections as desired, starting from the front hairline to the crown, and create thick cornrows, adding braiding hair if necessary.Use clips to keep the sections separate and manageable.
2. Creating the Updo: Once all cornrows are done, gather the braids at the crown of the head, and start arranging the braids into an updo by twist crisscrossing each other.
3. Finsh:Securing it with bobby pins as you go.
Crown Braid Low Bun
Image @_ammamama_
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Prep and Part：Start with clean, dry hair.Section your hair in 2 parting by creating a middle or side part, depending on your preference. This will determine where your braid will begin.
2. Start Braiding: Begin by taking a small section of hair near your part on one side of your head. Start a Dutch braid (an inside-out braid where you cross the strands under each other instead of over) by incorporating small sections of hair as you braid around the crown of your head.
3.Add Braiding Hair Extensions: Gradually add more hair to the braid as you move along the scalp, ensuring the braid is tight and neat. Continue this until you reach the nape of the neck and then finish the braid off the scalp to the ends.
4. Complete the Crown: Once you've braided all around your head and reached the starting point, continue braiding the remaining hair in a regular braid low bun.Secure the end of the braid with a small elastic band.
5. Tuck and Pin: Wrap the end of the braid around the crown and tuck it under the beginning of the braid to create a seamless look.
Use bobby pins to secure the braid in place, making sure to hide the ends and any visible elastics.
6. Add Gold Strings: Cut a length of gold string or ribbon and weave it through the braid. You can start at the beginning of the braid and thread it through each loop, or simply wrap it around the braid at intervals for a decorative touch.
7. Finish the Look:Adjust any loose strands or tendrils to frame your face.Lightly mist your hair with hairspray to hold everything in place.
Fishtail Braid Low Ponytail
This fishtail braid low ponytail suits both casual and formal occasions, making it a go-to style for many events.
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
Image @DOMMIECOLE
1. Prep and Form a Low Pony: Brush your hair and pull it into a low ponytail,pull a strand of hair and wrap around to create a low ponytail.
2. Start the Fishtail Braid: Divide the ponytail into two sections, and alternately cross small pieces from the outer edge of each section to the opposite side.
3. Continue Braiding: Keep braiding until you reach the end of your hair, then secure with a small elastic.
4. Finish the Look: Gently pull on the braid to loosen it for a fuller look, and wrap a small strand of hair around the top elastic to hide it.
90s Twist Braid Bun
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Prep and Create A High Ponytail: Gather your prep hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic band.
2. Section the ponytail for twists:Divide your ponytail in to small sections.
3. Twist and Wrap: Twist the ponytail tightly, then wrap each of them around the base to form a bun.
4. Secure and Finish: Set the bun in place with bobby pins and pull out a few face-framing strands for a 90s vibe.
5. Finish touches: Use hairspray to hold the style in place.
Half up Half Down Twist Braid
1. Prep Hair: Start with clean, detangled, and moisturized hair to ensure the braids are smooth and neat.
2. Section the Hair: Divide your hair into multiple sections depending on how thick you want each twist. Use clips to hold sections apart.
3. Twis Braiding: Begin twisting each section from the roots to the ends. For added length or volume, incorporate braiding hair into each section as you twist.
4. Secure the Ends: Use small hair bands to secure the ends of the twists to prevent unraveling. Optionally, you can curl the ends using perm rods and dipping them in hot water for a more defined curl.
5. Finish the look: Apply a light oil or hairspray to add shine and reduce frizz. Optionally, adorn the braids with beads or cuffs for an embellished look.
Criss Crossed Passion Twist Braids
Image @shushancity
Check out to learn the basic twist braids techniques
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Prep and section: Part your clean hair from forehead to nape into several vertical sections, depending on the thickness you desire for each braid.
2. Create Criss-cross Twist Braids Fronts: Divide each small section of hair into 2 strands, twist them in a criss-cross pattern, and secure with small rubber bands.
3. Twist braiding remaining hair: Begin twist each section and gradually adding human braiding hair if length or volume is desired. Braid each section until you reach the end.
4. Secure and Style:Secure the extensions and adjust to ensure they hang naturally.Apply a light oil or serum to the extensions for shine and a bit of edge control gel to your hairline for a sleek finish.
Butterfly Stitch Braids
Image @SAMIRA.BEM
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Prep and Part the Hair: Prep your hair and create 4 neat parts for your cornrows using a rat-tail comb.
2. Braid the Cornrows: Begin braiding each section loosely against the scalp, starting from the front and working your way back. Incorporate braiding hair to achieve thickness and length as needed.
3. Prepare Leave-outs: At the ends of each cornrow, attach your wavy braiding hair extensions. Use a crochet hook to loop the extensions through the ends of the braids if necessary.If the extensions aren't pre-styled, use a curling iron or rollers to achieve the desired wavy or curly texture.
4. Lay the Edges: Use edge control gel and a soft brush to style and lay down your baby hairs in a wave pattern around your forehead and temples for a polished look.
5. Finish the look: Gently mist hairsprays to hold the style well.
Jumbo Braids High Ponytail
Jumbo braids in a high ponytail are literally easy to create and maintain,The high ponytail adds a sense of elevation and elegance, making it a popular choice for various occasions, from casual outings to more formal events.
Half-Up Half Down Tribal Braids with Curls
STEP BY SETP TUTORIAL:
1. Prepare the Hair: Wash and condition your hair. Apply a leave-in conditioner and a heat protectant if you plan to use heat.
2. Section Hair: Part your hair into sections where you want the cornrows. Use a tail comb for clean, precise lines.
3. Cornrow Braiding: Start braiding each section tightly against the scalp, beginning at the forehead and working towards the nape of the neck. Secure the ends with small bands.
4. Add Braiding Hair Extensions: If your natural hair isn’t long,gradually add braiding hair when braiding.
5. Style the Baby Hair: Use a toothbrush and edge control gel to style the baby hairs around your forehead for a polished look.
6. Final Touches: Apply mousse to the cornrows to lay them flat and use hairspray on the loose curls to keep them defined and frizz-free.
Reach out to us at [email protected] with any fresh braiding hair tips you've discovered or questions about hair. Enjoy your braiding and twisting journey, and keep shining!