How many times have you tried to swap your go-to curly hairstyle with somethin’ ~new~ only to end up piling the whole thing into a messy bun (again)? I get it—styling curly hair takes time and patience, and throwing a new look into the mix isn’t always easy, especially if that style simply wasn’t made for curly hair.
That’s why I went ahead and scoured Instagram for the prettiest (and easiest) braid ideas for curly hair—all of which are actually doable for your type 3 and 4 coils. Whether you want to channel the ’90s with mini tendril braids or you’d rather keep it sleek as all hell with side-part box braids, you’ll find all the hair inspo you need right here. Ahead, 20 curly-hair braids you’ll want to try right this very second.
1 Romantic Ponytail Braid
Swap out your lazy-day ponytail for this texture-filled fishtail braid that’s as pretty as it is easy to recreate. Pro tip: A heavy-duty hairspray will keep your curly braid from frizzing out even in the most humid of weather.
2 Accessorized Curly Braid
Worried about your French braid feeling blah? Try weaving a silk scarf through one side of the braid, twisting it around your bun and tying it in place with a subtle bow at the nape of your neck. Soft, fuzzy texture is the key to keeping this style from looking too cutesy, so make sure to blast your hair with texturizing spray before braiding it.
3 Curly Pigtail Braids
A super-defined middle part gives these classic pigtail braids a polished, I-tried-today finish, even if you’re dealing with some day-four, just-woke-up hair. Make your curls easier to braid by first raking a smoothing cream through them from roots to tips.
4 Loose Curly Braid
Think of this curly braid as your classic low ponytail but better. A simple, loose braid at the nape of your neck gives off an effortless, romantic vibe you’ll want to emulate on the regular. The more stray layers, the better, so don’t worry about being perfect with this style.
