35 Effortless Side Braid Hairstyles to Rock This Season

Braids have always been in fashion. We have all seen our moms and grannies braiding up their long and thick tresses and of course ours too. We have all gone to that school where braids for long hair were an important part. Needless to say that we used to rock ourselves in braids during our school days and we continue to rock again. These hairstyles are quite versatile, you can try a new one each day and look different with slight changes only. For instance, an elegant side fishtail braid with a curly updo will look really romantic on you! You can get a more stunning look just by doing some minor changes to your hair. These days side braids are quite in trend. You can add a lot of variety to it to get just the look you want. Side braids can be used with other styles to make them look prettier and fancier. Try them with updos, half updos, ponytails, buns, etc. How many of you have thought of braiding your hair while going out for a party? I feel only the geeky, and the nerdy or those typical old school kinds of girls follow the same ritual of tying braids. But you ask your hairdresser, they have lot many styles and stories to update you with for the braids being back again. Here are some simple and easy styles that you can follow from this tutorial to create various kinds of braids.

Side Braided Hairstyles

Who Should Try or Avoid Side Braided Hairstyles?

There are so many braided hairstyles out there. Figuring out which one of these many hairstyles you can rock depends on your face shape. To help you find a braided hairdo that best suits you, we’ve compiled a few options for each face shape!

Round-Shaped Faces

Braided Hairstyle for Round Faces
People with round faces can get away with most braided hairstyles. However, the one hairstyle that you should steer clear of is the Princess Leia buns. Since these buns are located at the same height as the ears, this hairstyle can cause the face to appear wider. A great braided hairstyle for people with round-shaped faces is the fishtail top knot. This hairdo draws the eyes up and elongates the face, making the face look longer and slimmer. To successfully achieve this hairstyle, start by tying the hair into a ponytail. Next, separate it into two even sections. Then, take a small piece from the section on the right and pull it to the left section. Repeat the process starting from the left side. Afterward, continue alternating until you have braided the whole ponytail. Tie the braid using an elastic to prevent it from coming undone. Finally, you should wrap the braid into a bun around the base of the ponytail. You can secure the bun using bobby pins.

Heart-Shaped Faces

Braided Hairstyle for Heart Shaped Faces
Heart-shaped faces are better accentuated when there are a few wisps of hair or bangs framing the face. Pulling the hair away from the face will make your chin look longer and thinner. It’s best to avoid microbraids or tight cornrows. Therefore, we recommend trying the five-strand braid. Start by dividing the hair into five equal sections, leaving your curtain bangs or a few strands of hair to frame the face.  Next, take the farthest section from the right side and cross it over the section next to it and under the following section. Repeat this process starting from the furthest section to the left. Keep alternating until you reach the end. Then, secure the braid using an elastic. Finally, pull the edges of the braid outward to widen it.

Square-Shaped Faces

Braided Hairstyle for Square-Shaped Faces
Much like heart-shaped faces, a square bone structure can be softened by framing the face using bangs or fringes. A hairstyle you should avoid is slicked-back braids. The five-strand braid would also be flattering to this face shape.

Oval-Shaped Faces and Diamond-Shaped Faces

Braided Hairstyle for Oval and Diamond Faces
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a braided hairstyle that doesn’t suit either of these face shapes. Our suggestion is the waterfall braid. This will leave most of the hair framing the face with just a dainty braid at the crown of the head. This braided hairstyle begins in the same way a regular three-stranded braid would. Work your way down the strand, but after each weave drops the bottom section. This section should be replaced by a strand from the root. Repeat on both sides of the head. Then, finish up the hairstyle with a ponytail or regular braid.

35 Effortless Side Braid Hairstyles to Rock This Season

Side braid with straight length

side braid hairstyle for older woman
Instagram/@chroniclesofgraytransformation In this hairstyle, side part the hair. In the smaller section, get a side braid with the hair at the front. Take it to the back of the ear while blending it with the length. Leave the hair straight with highlights at the ends.

Multiple French Style Braids with Curls

wedding hairstyle with side braid
Instagram/@adiehairandmakeup A beautiful yet intricate hairstyle, take the middle-length hair to one side. Have many loose French-style braids. Braid them together. Curl the ends from the shoulder. Keep the hair over the shoulder instead of putting them back.

Golden Brown Side Braid with Waves

side braid hairstyle with blonde wavy hair
Instagram/@the_bridal_artists Have short hair? Try this simple side braid hairstyle. Starting from the front middle section, braid the hair at one side. Tie it at the back. Have the length cover it with a few strands near the ear set loose.

Side Braid Tied with Loose Length

wavy ponytail with side braid