THE BEST BRAIDED HAIRSTYLES

In the summertime, it’s all about pretty braided and plaited styles - and we're big fans for a reason.

Not only do braids and plaits protect your hair and keep you cool when the mercury rises, but they also look super chic when paired with a cute sundress and sunglasses.

If you're unsure which style to choose from, take your pick - there are regal halo plaits, punky underside braids, traditional plaits, pretty fishtails and the off-duty simple Dutch and French braid styles to choose from. Each option has their USP, but they do have one thing in common - style by the bucketload, and built-in longevity that lasts from morning to night. Plus they run the gamut from being loose  and carefree or slicked down and schoolgirl straight.

French braid

Some find the prospect of French braiding their own hair daunting. Still, with a bit of practice it becomes super simple. Start by brushing your hair back - if your hair is prone to slipping, help it stay put with a smoothing crème.

Gather your hair into three even sections and start with braiding the front, gathering hair from the sides as you go. How far down you want to start is up to you, but if you’re trying to French braid short hair, we recommend starting nearest to the top, so you have more room to work with.

Upgrade this chic schoolgirl go-to with a hair serum to help aid frizz control and protect your hair from humidity; smoother hair weaves much more easily. Once the plait is complete, a touch of hairspray on your finished look can also keep everything neatly in place.

Pull-through braid

The pull-through braid is a great way to spice up traditional long braided hairstyles. Although this style might look like you might need a beauty school qualification, it’s surprisingly easy to pull off. Why? The pull-through effect is actually an illusion achieved by ponytails. Secure your hair into separate ponytails first to keep everything under control. Split the top pony, then simply pull the bottom through it and repeat.

Fishtail braid

The tightly woven fishtail braid is far less complicated than it looks. The trick is to secure your hair into a low pony first to prevent the plait from unravelling. Part the pony, take a small section from outside it, and weave the four sections as you would with three. When the braid is complete, tie it off with a small elastic band.

Ensure your braid's neat and flyaway free with a small spritz of hairspray to keep everything under control and to camouflage flyaways. For even more neatness, use a baby toothbrush spritzed with some hairspray to anchor the flyways down.

Dutch braids

The basic principle of a Dutch braid is that it’s a reverse French plait, so it sits on top rather than being weaved underneath. Like the French braid, a lot of people balk when it comes to braiding their own hair, but find it becomes easy with practice.

As with the French plait, brush your hair and separate it into three sections from the top. When beginning to braid, cross the strands under instead of over, as you would with a standard plait. Continue braiding in this fashion, gathering more strands from the side as you go. The good thing about this hairstyle is that, for those trying to Dutch braid short hair, the braid is much more defined than the French plait, so it shouldn’t matter too much where you start.

Waterfall braid

Romantic and whimsical, the waterfall braid style works especially well as a braid for long hair, and is ranked among the most popular festival-friendly braids. Waterfall braids look best when your hair has body and movement, so before you start, use a volumising blow drying spray to amplify your volume at the crown.

If your hair is super fine, it might be worth breaking out the hot rollers to give you the lift you need to carry off this style – although be sure to protect from damage with a heat protector spray.

Messy braid

This simple, romantic braid works perfectly for a date night - and it's easy to pull together in minutes. This is one of the easiest braids to do yourself when time is tight - you literally can't mess it up!

Start braiding your lengths lower down and pull strands free with your fingers for a spontaneous, boho look.

To pull off this messy, gloriously-undone style style, your hair has to be in good condition. Use a deep conditioner to repair any damage and ensure your hair is lustrous and healthy-looking before you start.

Mermaid braid hair

The mermaid braid is also known as the rib cage braid. It does take practice to get this look right, but once perfected, it looks enchanting. This ranks as one of the best holiday hair braids - it's especially suitable for the beach, it will stay intact in the surf and give you mermaid waves at the same time.

To get the look, tie a ponytail at your crown and braid a simple plait all the way down. Section off a small strand from the front, twist, and tuck the twisted lock into the braid. Repeat on the other side, then plait all the way through your lengths.

The key to this style is starting with volumised roots and textured lengths, so use a root booster and texturising spray to give your hair the oomph it needs.

Box braids

Box braids are a brilliant long-lasting hair solution for summer, as they save you time (no need for hot air and flat iron styling) and mean you'll be able to byp[ass any pesky frizz.

Before any box braid styling session, you’ll need to get hair in tip-top condition. Weekly deep conditioning treatments are a must before a stylist weaves their magic. Jazz up with hair cuffs, or go bold with extensions for colourful hair braids.

Halo braid

Channel your inner Greek goddess with a beautiful halo braid. This look keeps hair entirely away from the face so you can work or play in style. Simply begin like you would a Dutch braid, and weave it as one long plait along your hairline. This simple braid hairstyle works just as well for long or short hair, regardless of your hair type.

Side braids

Commonly known as 'Viking hair braids', this look is another great festival option, supplying a ready edgy-cool. There are many directions to take side braids, from a modern-day spin on the classic cornrow to super casual and loose. Want an instant way to upgrade this hair-do? Add hair cuffs for braids, or some jewellery-esque charms.