As a certified stylist working behind the chair for over a decade, Ive assembled 19 braided hairstyle ideas for thin hair that I regularly create in my salon to add texture, volume, and style without damaging fragile strands. These looks work especially well for fine, straight, and slightly wavy hair and flatter oval, heart, and longer round face shapes with variations that suit square faces too. Ill show options for short-to-mid lengths and longer hair, plus low-maintenance styles for busy lifestyles and polished braids for events. Expect to use texturizing spray or dry shampoo, lightweight mousse or root-lifting spray, small elastics, bobby pins, a rat-tail comb, and optional clip-in pieces for added fullness. Difficulty ranges from easy (accent and side braids) to intermediate (crown and goddess braids) and a few advanced, editorial looks. Current trends I lean into: undone boho braids, mini accent braids, braided crowns, and soft ribbon accents. These 19 carefully curated salon-tested ideas are designed to boost volume and confidence for thin hair.
Boho Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Thick Hair and Volume
Look: Chunky double Dutch braids with a soft, pulled-apart finish for a full boho vibe. Best for thick or long hair, oval or heart-shaped faces, and busy schedules that need a stylish, no-heat option. How to get it: Apply volumizing mousse to damp hair and part into two sections. Braid each side as a Dutch braid, secure with elastics, then gently pancake the braid loops to widen them. Tools/products: Use texturizing spray, small clear elastics, and a light-hold hairspray to set. Maintenance tip: Refresh with dry shampoo, re-pancake if needed, and sleep on silk to reduce frizz.
Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair and Texture
A textured multi-braid style with tight crown braids that feed into chunkier plaits for a rustic, boho-viking vibe. Best for long, thick hair and oval or heart-shaped faces, and great for outdoor or festival lifestyles. Prep with a salt spray or texturizing mousse for grip. Section the crown into several Dutch or cornrow braids, then merge each into larger three-strand or rope braids down the length, finishing with small elastics or leather wraps. Tools and products: rat-tail comb, fine elastics, texturizing spray, lightweight wax for flyaways, and light-hold hairspray. Maintenance tip: sleep with a silk scarf, refresh with dry shampoo, and retighten ties after a few days.
Braided Updo Hairstyles Ideas for Natural Hair
Look: Sculpted cornrows feeding into a braided low bun for a refined, textured updo. Best for thick, coily to curly natural hair, oval or heart faces, and those who want a long-lasting style for events or work. How to get it: Start on detangled, slightly damp hair and create neat cornrows along the sides. Braid the remaining sections into larger three-strand or rope braids and wrap them into a low bun, securing with pins. Tools/products: Use a rat-tail comb, small elastics, long bobby pins, edge control or styling gel, and flexible hairspray. Maintenance tip: Sleep on a silk scarf and reapply a light oil to edges; retighten or redo braids after 2 3 weeks to prevent tension and frizz.
Romantic Braided Hairstyle Ideas for Thick Hair
Look: A voluminous, textured multi-braid updo with soft face-framing tendrils for a romantic, boho finish. Best for thick, long hair and oval or heart-shaped faces, and for special occasions or weekend styling. How to get it: Work on dry hair with a salt- or texturizing spray for grip. Create two Dutch or reverse braids along the crown, gently pancake them for width, then merge into a low fishtail or rope braid and loosen strands for volume. Tools/products: texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, elastic bands, bobby pins and a small curling iron for touch-ups. Maintenance tip: Refresh with dry shampoo and tighten pins as needed; sleep with a silk scarf to protect the shape.
Boho Double Braid Hairstyles Ideas for Thick Hair
Look: Chunky, textured double Dutch braids with a soft, boho crown and plenty of volume. Best for thick, textured long hair and active lifestyles. Start with a clean, slightly damp base and a center part. Dutch or French braid each side from the hairline, pancaking the plaits as you go. Use texturizing spray for grip, a light cream to tame frizz, and small elastics to finish. Refresh the style between washes with dry shampoo at the roots and a dab of hair oil on the ends. Sleep on a silk scarf to preserve the braids.
Braided Updo Hairstyles Ideas for Long Natural Hair
A sculptural high braided updo with long box braids, twists and a textured fringe. Best for thick, textured or natural long hair, oval or heart-shaped faces, and busy lifestyles. To get this style, section hair and cornrow the sides then braid medium-to-large box braids and rope twists. Pile most braids into a loose high bun and leave a few to frame the face for movement. Use lightweight extension hair for added length and a firm edge control gel to smooth the crown. Protect with a satin bonnet at night and refresh edges with a dab of oil or edge control to reduce frizz.
Romantic Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair
A textured, multi-braid fishtail cascade with softened volume for a romantic boho-chic finish. Best for long, medium-to-thick hair and oval or heart faces; great for weddings and low-key festivals. Start on slightly dirty hair by creating two Dutch braids along the sides and merging them into a loose, pulled-apart fishtail. Pancake each section to widen the braid and tug face-framing pieces for softness. Use a 1-inch curling iron or texturizing spray for grip, clear elastics, a medium-hold hairspray, and a bit of lightweight oil on ends. To keep it fresh, sleep with a silk scarf, and revive volume with dry shampoo and gentle reshaping in the morning.
Long Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Thick Hair & Volume
Chunky double braids start as neat cornrows and finish into long, textured plaits for an edgy, boho finish. Best for thick, textured hair and anyone seeking a protective, low-maintenance style that flatters oval and heart faces and suits busy lifestyles. To get it, part hair into two sections and braid Dutch or cornrows from the hairline to the nape. Continue each braid into a three-strand or rope plait, adding extensions for extra length and fullness. Tools and products: rat-tail comb, clips, strong elastics, edge-control gel, lightweight leave-in and braiding hair. Maintenance tip: sleep on a silk scarf, refresh edges with gel, and spritz the scalp with a water-oil mix.
Effortless Braided Updo Hairstyles for Curly Hair Ideas
Chunky, textured braided updo with volume at the crown and a soft, pulled-out finish. Best for natural curly or coily hair with medium to thick density, flattering on oval or heart face shapes for busy lifestyles. How to get it: start on damp, detangled hair, apply leave-in conditioner and curl cream. Create two Dutch braids along the hairline, join them at the nape into one chunky braid, pancake sections for fullness and secure with elastics and pins. Tools and products: wide-tooth comb, rat-tail, medium elastics, bobby pins, curl cream, light edge gel, and flexible hairspray. Maintenance tip: sleep on a silk scarf and refresh with water-based spray and a little cream to control frizz.
Protective Updo Hairstyles for Natural Hair
Sculpted flat twists and rope twists gathered into a structured crown bun create a refined, textured updo. Best for coily to curly hair, oval or heart face shapes, and busy or formal lifestyles. To get it, part hair into sections and braid or flat-twist toward the crown. Twist or roll the remaining lengths and pin them into a secure bun. Tools and products: rattail comb, wide-tooth comb, small elastics, bobby pins, lightweight holding cream or gel, and a sealing oil or butter. Maintenance tip: sleep on a satin scarf and refresh edges with a dab of edge control. Re-tighten pins as needed every few days.
Boho Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair and Events
A boho, textured crown-to-side braid with soft, pulled-apart loops and a relaxed finish. Best for long, thick hair, oval or heart-shaped faces, and a casual or bohemian lifestyle. Start on dry hair with a light texturizing spray. Braid a Dutch or French along the hairline and transition into a chunky rope or pull-through braid down the side. Use a wide-tooth comb, clear elastics and bobby pins to secure sections. Finish with flexible-hold hairspray and a bit of shine serum on the ends. Refresh with dry shampoo and gently pancake the braid to revive volume between washes.
Box Braid Updo Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair Trends
Look: A high, textured box-braid updo with two face-framing braids for a polished, modern vibe. Best for medium to long natural or protective-styled hair, oval or heart faces, and busy lifestyles that need low-daily styling. How to get it: Ask your stylist for medium-sized box braids using a feed-in technique and gather them into a voluminous high bun. Leave two thin braids out at the front to soften the face. Tools/products: Rat-tail comb, small elastics, bobby pins, lightweight mousse or edge control, and a nourishing leave-in oil. Maintenance tip: Wrap on silk at night, oil the scalp twice weekly, and avoid excessive tension to protect edges.
Braided Updo Hairstyles Ideas for Curly Hair Inspiration
A sculpted braided crown with soft, voluminous loops creates a refined, modern updo. Best for curly or textured hair and oval-to-heart face shapes, perfect for weddings and formal events. Start on second-day hair for better grip. Create two or three Dutch or French braids around the hairline, then gently pancake them and tuck the ends into a low bun. Use a texturizing spray or light mousse, small elastics and strong bobby pins. Finish with flexible-hold hairspray and a drop of shine serum. Wrap hair in a silk scarf at night to preserve the style.
Braided Ponytail Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair
A voluminous, multi-braided ponytail with delicate accent braids and soft face-framing tendrils. Best for long, thick hair and suits oval or heart-shaped faces and active or festival-ready lifestyles. Section the top into two or three Dutch or French braids and braid them down to the nape. Combine the sections into a chunky pull-through or fishtail braid and pancake the strands for extra width. Use small elastics (clear or thread-wrapped), bobby pins, texturizing or sea-salt spray, and a light-hold hairspray. Refresh with dry shampoo, re-pancake or tighten as needed, and sleep on silk to reduce frizz.
Easy Boho Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair
A relaxed boho braid with volume and soft face‑framing pieces. Best for long or medium hair with natural wave. Flattering on oval and heart faces. Great for festivals, weddings, or everyday low‑maintenance looks. Start with lightly texturized hair. Create two Dutch or French braids from the temples and combine them into a loose pulled‑through or fishtail braid. Pancake the sections to add width and softness. Secure with small clear elastics. Use sea salt or texturizing spray, dry shampoo for grip, small elastics, and a few bobby pins. Finish with light‑hold hairspray and a drop of shine serum on the ends. Refresh by finger‑tugging and adding dry shampoo at the roots.
Boho Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair and Texture
A tousled boho braid look with textured waves and a messy half-up knot. Best for long, thick hair, oval or heart-shaped faces, and a low-maintenance, bohemian lifestyle. To get it, spray damp hair with sea salt texturizer and rough-dry for grip. Create several loose three-strand or Dutch braids, pull them into a relaxed top knot, and leave a few face-framing pieces out. Use a 1-inch curling wand to soften straight ends and add body where needed. Finish with lightweight texturizing spray and a dab of matte pomade on the ends. Maintain by refreshing roots with dry shampoo and re-twisting loose sections before bed.
Textured Boho Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair
A romantic, slightly undone crown braid that flows into a textured loose braid with soft face‑framing tendrils. Best for long to medium hair, fine to medium density, and oval or heart-shaped faces seeking an effortless boho look. Prep hair with sea-salt spray and rough-dry for grip, then Dutch-braid along the hairline and continue into a loose, textured braid. Use a boar-bristle brush, small elastics, and a light-hold texturizing spray or dry shampoo for separation. Revive texture with a few drops of lightweight oil on ends and refresh with dry shampoo between washes.
Boho Braid Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair and Crown
Soft, textured double fishtail braids with a braided crown create a romantic, boho-inspired finish. Best for long hair, oval or heart face shapes, and relaxed, boho lifestyles. Start by French-braiding a small crown section along the hairline, then divide the rest into two and fishtail braid each side loosely. Pull gently at the braid edges to pancake them for fullness and loosen a few face-framing pieces. Use a texturizing spray or sea-salt mist, light-hold mousse, small clear elastics, and optional decorative pins or beads. To maintain the look, sleep on a silk scarf and refresh with dry shampoo and a light flexible-hold hairspray.
Braided Hairstyles Ideas for Long Hair Low Maintenance
A pair of chunky, pancaked Dutch braids that add volume and texture. Best for long, medium-to-thick hair, oval or heart faces, and busy, active lifestyles. Part hair down the middle and start Dutch braiding at the temples, adding sections as you go toward the nape. Pancake each braid by gently pulling outer loops to widen them for that full, soft look. Use a texturizing spray or lightweight mousse for grip, small clear elastics, and a smoothing serum to tame flyaways. Refresh with dry shampoo and lightly retighten the crown loops; sleep on silk or tuck braids into a loose bun to preserve shape.
As a stylist, I want to remind you that braids can be a game‑changer for thin hair when paired with the right care and technique. Start with a trim for healthy ends, use lightweight volumizing mousse or root lift, and add texture spray or dry shampoo to give grip so small sections hold. Favor looser braids and pancake techniques to create width, avoid heavy elastics at the roots, and protect hair overnight with a silk scarf or pillowcase. Deep‑conditioning once a week and regular trims keep strands strong; consult your stylist if you notice sudden shedding, scalp sensitivity, or if you want a cut, color, or extensions tailored for more density. For maintenance, refresh styles with a spritz of water plus leave‑in or texturizer and sleep with protective styling. Try a few of these looks to see what flatters your shape and lifestyle, and please share your photos or questions Id love to help you make a braid your best look.