11 Types of Braids You've Never Heard Of (but Should Try)
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Sorry, three-strand, french, and fishtail braids: we love you just as much as the next Pinterest diehards, but it's time to take our plaiting skills to the next level. Set aside what you think you know about braiding techniques, because you've never tackled these styles before.
In fact, most amateur hairstylists haven't even heard of lace, infinity, cage, ladder, and loop braids. But just because these techniques are unfamiliar doesn't mean they should stay that way — especially not when you have YouTube tutorials to guide you through mastering these new looks.
Step one: watch these tutorials and practice these braids. Step two: take over the world. Or at least Pinterest.
Cage braid
Though cage braiding shares many similarities to french braiding, this Disney Style tutorial shows that the difference lies in adding the hair sections downward instead of over into the braid. To finish — and accentuate — the technique, Cute Girls Hairstyles pins the braid up over the ponytail holder.
Infinity braid
Milabu's infinity braiding tutorial is filled with useful tips, such as texturizing before beginning the style, using a clip as you move down the head, and pulling the side strands to the front before adding new sections to the back of the plait.
Lace braid
Sure, you may not have heard of a lace braid — but if you know how to french braid, then you'll have no problem nailing this look; simply add hair to one side instead of both. The result is romantic and highly versatile. Lilith Moon demonstrates four separate styles in this one video.
Crochet braids
This natural hairstyle involves first braiding tight, crossed cornrows into the hair and then crocheting in hair pieces. TheBrilliantBeauty includes helpful insight into how to create an invisible part, keep your scalp moisturized, and protect edges.
Loop braid
Bebexo is quick to point out that, though the finished look may suggest a complicated and technical process, the loop braid is simply a twist on the traditional three-strand style.
Woven braid
Princess Hairstyles quickly creates this stunning pull-back woven braid by beginning with a waterfall twist on each side and then weaving each strand through the others to meet in the back of the head.
Carousel braid
The tutorial from Abby Smith combines dutch, lace, diagonal, and pancaking techniques to tackle the carousel braid, named for the way it wraps around the head.
Diagonal bow braid
Cute Girls Hairstyles creates this all-ages braid by using a hairpin to loop strands through a french plait.
Illusion braid
Princess Hairstyles proves just how accurate this braid's moniker is: the look appears to involve complex techniques but is simply two three-strand underhand braids pinned together.
Ladder braid
Missy Sue creates this magical style by connecting two separate braids across the side of the head: first, the waterfall braid on the top and, second, the french braid on the bottom.
Tier braid
You might want to keep this video handy for your wedding day; CinthiaTruong demonstrates how to DIY this popular bridal style by crisscrossing large sections of hair across the back of the head.