Experimenting with your natural hair is always a fun time, whether you are transitioning from a relaxer or have been embracing your texture for as long as you can remember. While we adore more intricate hairstyles like designer cornrows, Fulani braids, and knotless box braids, sometimes you just need an arsenal of easy natural hairstyles that require no professional expertise. Aside from just being a general confidence booster, having easy braided hairstyles on hand for when you can't decide on what look to do next takes the guesswork out of your maintenance routine, is less costly, and gives you time for other things.
However, we do recognize that depending on your hair type or texture, the quest to find quick and easy braided hairstyles for natural hair can be a bit daunting. Naturally curly hairstyles may look different on type three versus type four hair, what you thought was a quick braided hairstyle may actually be much more difficult because of the length of your hair, and hairstyles for short natural hair may feel impossible to replicate. We get it — not all "simple" braided hairstyles are created equal.
What we can say is that during our quest to find easy natural hairstyles, we want to protect our hair in the process, and one of the easiest ways we've found to do that is to incorporate braids into our preferred styles. So we went ahead and rounded up some of the cutest natural hairstyles that you can achieve at home, ahead.
— Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
These braids are simple but still sophisticated. Pin the ends for an easy natural updo that can last a few days.
Nothing says "surprise" like a peekaboo hair detail. This braided bun is cute and easy to execute.
Natural updo hairstyles are perfect for work, happy hour, and even vacation. This braided crown would even look good at a wedding.
One of the easiest hairstyles for natural hair has to be a ponytail braid. All hair textures can pull off this super-simple look.
This hairstyle combines double cornrows with a designer-cornrow flair. This style is perfect for a fun special occasion like a graduation.
If you want a natural updo hairstyle with a bit of an edge, try this braided fauxhawk. It would also work perfectly as a hairstyle for short natural hair.
Pigtail braids are a hairstyle that will follow us forever, so why not jazz them up with some cute braids to take the look up a notch?
Fishtail braids are another easy hairstyle for natural hair — and they look like you put way more work in than you actually did.
Looking for a natural curly hairstyle? These half dutch braids leave the ends of the braid undone for a cute, carefree style that will look good at home or on vacation.
Low ponytails are a staple, but these half braids add a special touch that just screams "take me to the beach."
Pop Smoke popularized this braiding style, but make the look your own by combining them with another classic style: Bantu knots.