Fashion

6 Easy Braids That Look Polished and Chic

Braids: They're a red carpet favorite that we all love, but hands up if you’ve steered clear of ever attempting braid because it just looks too complicated. (Okay, hands down — this isn't a workout class.)

Most of the time they're deceptive: Most braid looks are simply a combination of a few steps put together and are surprisingly easy to master. Minimal work, for maximum payoff! Here are some of our faves...

by Julia Teen

The milkmaid braid

A classic braiding style that will never not be on-trend. A red carpet go-to, the milkmaid braid can turn any avant-garde outfit classic, and you know what? Is really, really simple to create.

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The tight plait braid

Like Katy Perry demonstrates here, this type of braid requires a little clip-in assistance, but can be pulled off in a flash.

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The loose side plait braid

When you want to go a little more casual, or ethereal, a braid like Selita Ebanks’ here should be your go-to. This one’s great when you can never get the back of your head looking as good, because it’s designed to be free flowing and messy.

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The fishtail braid

We’ve waxed lyrical about the wonders of the fishtail here before. It’s a true five-minute hairstyle that looks tricky, but is wonderfully simple to maneuver once you’ve got the hang of it.

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The embellished bun braid

A prime candidate for a braid that looks intricate, but when broken down is actually a cinch. There are hairpieces involved here — the lilac strands wrapping the bun are definitely more vibrant than Kelly Osbourne’s usual hair, however this is really just a simple French braid look, wrapped up at the ends and adorned with spike pieces.

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The cornrow braid

Naya Riviera looks stunning with this braid, and while they are large sections, it’s essentially a cornrow effect that you can skill up pretty quickly on.

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