Braids are beloved for a myriad of reasons. They act as a protective style and lead to low manipulation of your natural hair, they’re a fun way to add personality to a look, and they’re a creative option to keep your hair back and out of your face outside of a messy bun or a basic ponytail.
Still, not all styles are created equal, especially if you have shorter hair. Whether you have a classic bob, a pixie, or something even shorter, ideating braids for short hair can feel a lot more limiting than you would expect. Technically, you can get the classic goddess, knotless, or mermaid styles that have become popular over the last few years, but with a shorter length, you have to worry about extensions slipping out and being extra careful about constant updos, as traction alopecia can look much more exacerbated on shorter hair.
That said, short hair braids are possible; you just have to get creative on the styles that you choose. Whether it’s a short braided bob, an accent braid in the middle of a ponytail, or even simple cornrows, you have options. If you’re looking for some inspiration for easy braids for short hair, we rounded up some of the best styles, and accompanying tutorials for different hair types, ahead.
