Easy braided hairstyles for natural hair: Simple Styles for Every Day

Natural hair is a crown, a versatile canvas brimming with potential for stunning styles. Yet, for many, the journey of styling can feel overwhelming, leading to a reliance on protective styles that are often perceived as complex or time-consuming. The truth is, some of the most beautiful and beneficial braided hairstyles for natural hair are surprisingly easy to achieve, even for beginners. These styles not only offer a chic aesthetic but also serve as excellent protective measures, shielding your delicate strands from environmental damage and reducing daily manipulation, which is crucial for length retention and overall hair health.

This article is your guide to unlocking the world of easy braided hairstyles for natural hair. We’ll explore several accessible techniques that don’t require professional expertise or hours of intricate work. From fundamental twists to simple updos, you’ll discover how to create beautiful, low-maintenance looks that celebrate your natural texture while promoting its well-being. Get ready to embrace the simplicity and beauty of braids, transforming your hair routine into an enjoyable and empowering experience.

The Foundation: Preparing Your Natural Hair for Braids

Before diving into any braided style, proper hair preparation is paramount. Clean, detangled, and moisturized hair is not only easier to work with but also ensures your braids look their best and last longer. This foundational step is non-negotiable for healthy, successful braiding.

Begin with a thorough wash and deep conditioning treatment. This removes product buildup and infuses your strands with much-needed moisture. After rinsing, gently towel-dry your hair until it’s damp, not soaking wet. Next, apply a leave-in conditioner, followed by a light oil and a moisturizing cream (following the LOC or LCO method – Liquid, Oil, Cream, or Liquid, Cream, Oil). This layering technique locks in moisture, keeping your hair hydrated and pliable.

Detangling is the next critical step. Using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, gently work through your hair in small sections, starting from the ends and moving upwards to the roots. Ensure every knot and tangle is removed to prevent breakage during braiding. Finally, section your hair according to the style you plan to create. Clean, defined sections make the braiding process smoother and result in a neater final look. Have your clips, spray bottle (with water or leave-in mix), and preferred styling products (like a light gel or edge control) ready.

Easy Braided Hairstyles for Natural Hair: Step-by-Step Guides

With your hair prepped and ready, let’s explore some truly easy braided hairstyles for natural hair that you can master at home.

1. The Classic Two-Strand Twist

The two-strand twist is a cornerstone of natural hair styling, celebrated for its simplicity, versatility, and the gorgeous twist-out results it yields. It’s an excellent protective style that minimizes manipulation and can be worn as is or unraveled for defined curls.

Why it’s easy: This technique involves only two strands, making it far less complex than a three-strand braid. It’s forgiving, and minor imperfections are often unnoticeable, especially if you plan to do a twist-out.

How-to:

1. Section: Divide your hair into small to medium sections, depending on your desired twist size. Smaller sections create more definition for twist-outs; larger sections are quicker.
2. Product Application: On each section, apply a small amount of your preferred styling cream or butter from root to tip. Ensure even distribution.
3. Twist: Divide the section into two equal strands. Cross one strand over the other, then continue twisting them around each other, ensuring consistent tension from root to tip.
4. Secure: Once you reach the end, you can either finger-coil the ends to secure them, use a small rubber band (if you’re careful), or simply let them unravel slightly if you plan to unravel them later.
5. Repeat: Continue this process throughout your entire head.

Tips for Natural Hair: Ensure your hair is damp, not wet, for better hold and definition. For a twist-out, allow your twists to dry completely (air dry overnight or use a diffuser on low heat) before unraveling them. Apply a light oil to your fingertips before unraveling to minimize frizz.

Variations: Wear them as chunky twists, mini twists, or unravel them for a voluminous twist-out. You can also gather them into a ponytail or bun.

2. Simple Three-Strand Braids (Single or Pigtails)

The three-strand braid is the most fundamental braiding technique, and while it might seem basic, its simplicity makes it incredibly versatile. Whether worn as a single braid, two playful pigtails, or incorporated into more complex styles, mastering this technique is a foundational skill for any naturalista.

Why it’s easy: It’s the "original" braid. Once you understand the over-under motion, it becomes intuitive. It’s quick and requires minimal product.

How-to:

1. Section: For a single braid, gather all your hair or a large section. For pigtails, create a clean middle part and secure one side while you work on the other.
2. Divide: Take your chosen section and divide it into three equal sub-sections: left, middle, and right.
3. Braid:
   • Cross the right strand over the middle strand, so the right strand becomes the new middle.
   • Now, cross the left strand over the new middle strand, so the left strand becomes the new middle.
   • Continue this alternating pattern (right over middle, left over middle) down the length of your hair.
4. Secure: Braid until you reach the ends, then secure with a hair tie or elastic.

Tips for Natural Hair: Start with loose tension at the root to avoid pulling, then gradually tighten as you braid down. Smooth your hair with a brush or comb before dividing into sections to minimize frizz. A dab of edge control can help neaten your hairline.

Variations: Two simple pigtail braids are a classic, cute look. You can also create a single side braid, a half-up/half-down style with braided sections, or incorporate smaller three-strand braids as accents.

3. The Chic Braided Ponytail or Bun

This style is the epitome of elegance meets ease. It’s perfect for keeping hair off your neck, whether for a casual day out or a more formal occasion. The beauty lies in its adaptability – you can use a single braid, multiple braids, or twists to create the base.

Why it’s easy: It builds on basic braiding or twisting techniques and is essentially an elevated ponytail or bun. The primary challenge is gathering your hair smoothly.

How-to:

1. Gather Hair: Decide on the placement of your ponytail (high, mid, or low). Use a brush or comb to smoothly gather all your hair (or the section you wish to braid) into a ponytail. Secure it tightly with a strong hair elastic. Apply edge control around your hairline for a sleek finish.
2. Braid/Twist the Ponytail: Once your ponytail is secured, divide the hair within the ponytail into three sections for a braid, or two for a twist. Create a simple three-strand braid or a two-strand twist down the entire length of the ponytail. Secure the end with a small elastic.
3. Form the Bun (Optional): If you desire a bun, simply wrap the braided or twisted ponytail around its base, forming a coil. Secure the bun with bobby pins, tucking in any loose ends.

Tips for Natural Hair: For extra sleekness, mist your hair with water and apply a light gel before gathering. Use a strong, snag-free hair elastic that won’t pull or damage your hair. Don’t pull too tightly on your edges.

Variations: A high braided ponytail offers a dramatic, fierce look. A low braided bun is elegant and sophisticated. You can also create two braided pigtails and then wrap them into two buns.

4. Beginner-Friendly Flat Twists (2-4 Large)

Flat twists offer the sleek, scalp-braided look of cornrows but are significantly easier to execute. Instead of three strands, you only work with two, making the technique more manageable for those new to braiding on the scalp. Focusing on 2-4 large flat twists reduces complexity and time.

Why it’s easy: It’s a two-strand twist applied directly to the scalp, which is simpler to learn than the three-strand underhand motion of cornrows. Fewer, larger twists mean less parting and less intricate work.

How-to:

1. Parting: Create clean, straight parts for your desired number of flat twists. For two twists, create a middle part. For four, create a cross-section. Use the end of a rattail comb for precision.
2. Product Application: On the first section, apply a generous amount of styling cream or gel along the parting line and down the section you’ll be twisting.
3. Start Twisting: Take a small piece of hair from the very beginning of your section. Divide it into two strands.
4. Add Hair: Begin twisting these two strands over each other. As you twist, gradually incorporate small, even sections of hair from along the part line into each of the two strands. The key is to keep the twist flat against your scalp.
5. Continue: Continue twisting and adding hair until you reach the nape of your neck (or the end of your section). Once you run out of hair to add, finish the rest of the section as a regular two-strand twist.
6. Secure: Secure the end with a small elastic or bobby pin, or allow it to hang freely. Repeat for all sections.

Tips for Natural Hair: Clean parts are crucial for a polished look. Use a mirror to help guide your hands, especially for the back sections. Keep consistent tension as you add hair to ensure the twist lays flat.

Variations: Two flat twists swept to the side, two flat twists going straight back, or a half-up/half-down style with flat twists at the top.

5. Jumbo Box Braids (DIY Version)

Box braids are a classic protective style, known for their versatility and longevity. While salon versions often involve extensions and can be intricate, creating jumbo box braids on your natural hair without added hair is a surprisingly easy and quick way to achieve a similar protective look. The larger sections mean fewer braids and less time.

Why it’s easy: The technique is a simple three-strand braid. The "jumbo" aspect means fewer braids, less parting, and a faster installation time compared to smaller box braids. No extensions are needed for this beginner-friendly version.

How-to:

1. Sectioning: Create square or rectangular "boxes" (sections) all over your head. Use the end of a rattail comb to make clean, defined parts. The larger the box, the thicker the braid. Secure each section with a clip.
2. Product Application: Take one section. Apply a generous amount of styling cream, butter, or gel from root to tip. Ensure the hair is smooth and moisturized.
3. Braid: Divide the section into three equal strands. Begin a classic three-strand braid from the very root of the section, keeping consistent tension. Braid all the way down to the ends of your hair.
4. Secure Ends: Once you reach the end, you can either finger-coil the ends tightly, use a small rubber band, or dip the ends in hot water (if your hair can tolerate it and you’re careful) to seal them. For a simple DIY, just a small rubber band or finger coiling is sufficient.
5. Repeat: Continue this process for all the sections until your entire head is braided.

Tips for Natural Hair: Clean, consistent parting is key for a neat appearance. Use a good edge control product to smooth down the roots of each braid. Don’t pull too tightly at the roots to avoid tension headaches or damage.

Variations: Wear them down, gather them into a high or low ponytail, or create a half-up/half-down style. Accessorize with cuffs or beads for added flair.

Maintaining Your Easy Braids

Even easy braided hairstyles for natural hair require some simple maintenance to keep them looking fresh and to protect your hair underneath.

Night Routine: Always sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet. This reduces friction, prevents frizz, and helps your braids last longer by protecting them from lint and preserving moisture.

Moisturizing: Your scalp and hair still need moisture while braided. Lightly spritz your scalp and braids every few days with a mixture of water and a leave-in conditioner, or a light hair oil. Gently massage your scalp to stimulate blood flow.

Refreshing: If your braids start to frizz, a light mist of water followed by a small amount of mousse or gel can help smooth them down. For flat twists or cornrows, use edge control to neaten your hairline.

Longevity: While these are protective styles, don’t keep them in for too long. For styles without extensions, 2-4 weeks is generally a good timeframe to prevent excessive buildup and to allow your scalp to breathe. Always thoroughly cleanse and deep condition your hair after taking down braids.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Braided Journey

Embracing easy braided hairstyles for natural hair is a fantastic way to protect your strands, reduce daily styling stress, and express your unique beauty. From the fundamental two-strand twist to the chic braided ponytail and beginner-friendly flat twists, these styles prove that you don’t need to be a braiding expert to achieve stunning, healthy hair.

Start simple, be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Each braid you create is a step towards mastering your natural hair and discovering new ways to style it. By incorporating these easy techniques into your routine, you’ll not only enjoy beautiful, low-maintenance looks but also contribute significantly to the health, growth, and overall vitality of your natural hair. So go ahead, pick up your comb and products, and begin your journey into the wonderful world of easy braided hairstyles for natural hair – your crown awaits!