Long hair offers endless styling possibilities, from elegant updos to intricate braids. If you're looking to elevate your long hair game beyond the usual ponytail or loose waves, exploring braided hairstyles is a fantastic option. This guide presents a variety of braided ponytail hairstyles perfect for long hair, ranging from simple and quick to more complex and eye-catching.
Before diving into specific styles, it's important to prepare your hair properly. Generally, it's best to start with clean, dry hair. Depending on the braid you choose and your hair type, you may need to use styling products like gel, mousse, or hairspray to help maintain the braid's shape and prevent flyaways. For instance, a loop braid may require slightly damp hair and mousse for smoothness. If your hair is naturally soft and sleek, hairspray can provide extra hold. Those with natural hair may need products to keep the braid in place and defined.
These styles are perfect for beginners or those who want a quick and stylish look.
This hairstyle combines the elegance of a French braid with the simplicity of a ponytail. It's a quick and easy option that's suitable for both professional and casual settings. It keeps your hair out of your face while still looking stylish.
This fun low ponytail braid offers a unique balance. It features a thin, delicate braid at the base, transitioning into larger loops on either side. This creates a visually interesting and textured ponytail.
Read also: Easy Braided Hairstyles
This braided hairstyle gives the illusion of thicker hair, due to pinching and pulling once it’s complete. For added panache, you can curl the ends of your hair with a curling iron. You can achieve this large braided ponytail even if you have thinner hair just make sure to add texture balm to keep it together. If it looks like I have a lot of hair, it’s because I do, this side braid is great for people with long and thick hair.
These styles require a bit more practice but offer a more intricate and sophisticated look.
This is a slightly less complicated version of the Side French Braid Bun. Rather than a full braided bun, only one side is braided and then swept into a chic side bun. Very elegant and perfect for weddings and formal affairs. This is a cute braid hairstyle that you can wear in the summer because all of your hair is completely up. Depending on your outfit and where you are going with this braided hairstyle you can add some cute accessories to add a bit more personality or color to this hairstyle.
This is a nice (braided) twist on a basic bun, with an elegant side part. You can make your braid as tight or loose as you want, depending on the occasion or thickness of your hair, and the second pair of hands can be useful on this style as well. I love love love how sleek this long braid hairstyle looks. It’s chic but still cute. I would wear this braided hairstyle on a date with my husband with a beautiful midi dress or with a striped shirtdress for a day wine tasting with friends.
Here is another side braid for long hair but this one is a fishtail braid. If you have tried fishtail braids before you might know that they take a little longer than a regular three-strand braid. Even though it does take a little longer I love this style of braid especially if you have long hair because it has that extra oomph.
Read also: Black Hair Braiding Guide
I love that this braid looks a little dressed up. It’s a fancier style of a half up half down hairdo. The double twist adds a little extra oomph to this long braid hairstyle.
This braid for long hair has a little criss-cross and waterfall action going on. This is a cute braided hairstyle to wear if you want to keep the majority of your hair down and want a little extra instead of just pulling it back. If you wear this hairstyle with a nice dress or fun summer look it will make a very stylish outfit.
This beautiful hairstyle provides a braid crown, starting on one side and ending at the other. Great for keeping your hair off your face, it is elegant and can be worn to work, play or for a more formal occasion, such as a summer wedding. This easy braid hairstyle is great if you want to keep the majority of your hair down and keep it pretty simple. Usually, when you think of long braids you assume that all your hair will be up or away from your face, this is a great example of an alternative.
What I love about this more casual braid hairstyle is that it’s hard to make a mistake! Pull just a bit of hair out, or make a wider braid by pulling out more. It’s also an equal opportunity braid, working on both thin and thicker hair.
These styles require more time, skill, and potentially an extra set of hands, but the results are stunning.
Read also: Styling Pink Braids
This is one braid hairstyle for long hair that could use an extra set of hands. While you can do it yourself, you will tend to get a messier look, as your head is upside down and you cannot see what you are doing. But this is a great summer look to keep the hair off your neck. Tuck in a fresh flower for fun!
This beautiful braided hairstyle is perfect for summer days when the temperature is hot and you want a cute way to put your hair up. Instead of the same ponytail, try the Swedish crown braid for fun. I think this is such a cute braided hairstyle and it’s great if you have thick hair because you can wear it up like in this hairstyle but without the headache. This is a great hairstyle to wear with your Cute Summer Outfits.
This dramatic braid works best on very long hair. The technique involves braiding both thick and thin strands at the same time to achieve a thick center braid framed by a thin outer braid. Looking very much like Celtic knotwork, it is much simpler to achieve than you think!
This elegant braided updo may take a bit of time, but is so worth the effort. Side braids are joined by one back braid into a bun, with side hair then twisted and wrapped around.This is a very romantic braided updo and works for a wedding or romantic date night. Pair this long hair braided updo with a gorgeous dress and you’re good to go.
Inspired by the traditional French twist, this easy (and slightly messy) long braid needs no second pair of hands, just some bobby pins to keep it in place. As a traditional french twist is very sleek and tight, this casual braided updo is a perfect alternative to this hairstyle.
Super simple, this braided hairstyle is labeled “elegant and organic.” With a slightly higher crown, it pairs perfectly with a one-shouldered top or dress!
This low messy bun is framed by two small braids on either side of the face. Appropriate for the office, weekend, or date night, this easy updo will look boho chic and keep you cool on hot summer days.
This is a quick and simple braided hairstyle that tends to work better visually if you have thinner hair. You also have the option of widening the braid once finished, like a fishtail braid. Versatile, fun, and appropriate for almost any occasion.
I love this look for weddings, and it would be perfect for an afternoon garden party. This simple, and slightly messy, braided hairstyle gets a subtle pop of color that adds a bit of elegance, whether it matches your bridesmaid dress or a pretty floral frock.
A small braided headband frames out an easy low bun for a slightly boho look. This cute braided hairstyle can be done with straight hair, or as the tutorial shows, with some simple wavy curls.
This is such a cute and easy everyday braided hairstyle. This low braided bun is not only an easy braid but it works for a fun day handing out with friends to a fun date night with your significant other.
This is one of the more difficult braid hairstyles for long hair on this list because it’s made with four strands instead of three. I love how this side braid goes from the front left to the bottom right side of your head.
This is an easy-to-do braid that can look smooth and chic or slightly messy, depending on the occasion. All you need is a few clips to keep things in place as you braid away! With this long braid make sure to keep the flyaways in place and use enough product to emphasize the hair strands. If you have thick, natural and dark hair as I do, it can be easy for a braid to lose its dimension. To avoid this issue make sure to use hairspray and add shine so your hair looks shiny and the different braid strands stand out.
The versatility of braided ponytail hairstyles allows you to adapt them for various events:
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