5 Pretty Braided Long Hairstyle Ideas That Look Great Any Time of Year

Long hair, don’t care, right? Well, when it comes to the potential to get a little too toasty with that much hair draped down your neck, you might start to care a bit about how to style your strands. Plus, who doesn’t love to rock a gorgeous new ‘do? To help you look and feel cool all year long, ahead we share five of our favorite braided hairstyles for long hair. Grab your brush and follow along!

Editor's tip: Before you style, wash with the L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Eversleek Keratin Caring Conditioner for smoother-looking strands.

Long Hairstyle #1: Double Dutch Braids

Forget about traditional braids—when Dutch braids are an option, they will forever win over our hearts. These inverted beauties can help add the look of volume and chic style to your hair—and they’re super-easy to create! Split your hair into three sections just as you would for a traditional French braid—only this time, you’ll braid underhand instead of over. When it comes to double Dutch braids, all you have to do is part your hair down the middle and braid from your hairline all the way down to your ends, adding in more hair with every weave. Once you reach the ends, tie them off with clear elastics and fall in love with your functional, fashionable look. Pro tip: Instead of taking your braids out at the end of the day, sleep on them to reveal gorgeous waves for second day hair.

Long Hairstyle #2: Fishtail High Ponytail

Take your high ponytail to the next level by fishtailing your strands all the way to the end. To perfect the look, add a dollop of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Undone Style Cream to damp hair and let your hair air dry. Once your hair is dry, smooth your hair back into a ponytail and secure it in place with a hair tie. Tie a small section of hair around the base of your ponytail to conceal the hair tie before fishtailing your entire ponytail to the ends. Once you reach the end, tie it off and fluff up your braid to create an extra-textured pony.

Long Hairstyle #3: Boho Twist Braid

The best part about long hair is that you can rock intricate boho styles better than anyone. To see what we mean, try bringing this gorgeous summer hairstyle to life. Simply pull your hair over to one shoulder, split it into two equal sections and clip one of them out of the way so you can work with one at a time. Next, split the section you’re working with into two smaller sections, twist them both individually towards the same direction and then spin them together in the opposite direction. This is called a rope braid. Once it’s spun just right, tie it off with a mini elastic and gently tug at the rope to give it more volume. Do the same thing with the other section and tie both together for a fluffy, gorgeous look.

Long Hairstyle #4: Viking Braids

Vikings might have been known for being strong warriors—but they also rocked some killer braids. Perfect for festival season, days at the beach, or a serious fashion statement for a night out, this combination of French, Dutch, fishtail, and cornrows can look seriously fierce. To get the look, start by applying a pump of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Ruffled Body Mousse to damp strands. Once your hair is dry, create a deep side part and braid an array of different braids from your hairline back to the crown of your head, tying each off with a mini elastic. Gorgeous, right?!

Long Hairstyle #5: Pull-Through Braid

Not the best braider but want to add pretty detailing to your long, luscious locks? This is the braid for you! Here’s a hint: It’s not really a braid, just a series of ponytails perfectly bound together to make it look a lot more intricate than it really is. To achieve the look, create a half-ponytail at the crown of your head, followed by another small ponytail an inch under it. Next, split the top ponytail around the second ponytail and secure it with another elastic directly under it. Continue this process all the way to the ends. Voila!

Want more hairstyle inspiration for long hair? Check out our article, 6 Gorgeous Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair.