Long Hair with Side Braid: 36 Stunning Hairstyles for Elegant and Easy Styles for Every Occasion
Long hair has always been synonymous with beauty and elegance, and in 2024, the trend continues with a twist—literally. Side braids are making a significant comeback, offering a chic and versatile way to style long locks. Whether you’re prepping for a casual day out or a glamorous evening event, a side braid can be your go-to hairstyle. In this article, we’ll explore 36 stunning side braid ideas that will keep you stylish and on-trend this year.
Bohemian Side Braid
The Bohemian side braid is the epitome of effortless beauty, perfect for outdoor festivals, beach days, or casual gatherings. This hairstyle features a loose, slightly messy braid that cascades over one shoulder, embodying the free-spirited vibe of boho chic. It suits oval and heart-shaped faces particularly well and complements light, natural makeup for a relaxed look.
Creating this look is straightforward. Start by parting your hair to one side, then loosely braid it, pulling out a few strands for that carefree feel. Use a texturizing spray like Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray to add volume and hold. To maintain this style, a light leave-in conditioner will keep your hair soft and manageable.
Elegant Fishtail Braid
The elegant fishtail braid is ideal for weddings, formal events, and sophisticated gatherings. This intricate braid adds a touch of elegance and refinement, making it a favorite among bridal hairstyles. Best suited for square or round faces, the fishtail braid can be paired with sparkling hair accessories for added glamour.
To achieve this style, divide your hair into two sections and alternately cross small strands from each section over the other until you reach the end. Secure with a clear elastic band. A tutorial can be found online for detailed steps. Use a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum to keep frizz at bay and ensure a sleek finish.
Side Dutch Braid
The side Dutch braid is perfect for those who love a bold, statement look. This style features a braid that starts at the crown and wraps around the side of your head, creating a headband effect. It’s ideal for athletic activities or casual outings and looks fantastic on diamond-shaped faces.
To create this look, start with a deep side part, then begin a Dutch braid (an inverted French braid) along your hairline. Continue braiding down the length of your hair and secure with a band. An easy tutorial can guide you through the steps. To maintain, use a light hairspray like TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray for flexible hold.
Romantic Side Braid with Curls
For a romantic and dreamy appearance, the side braid with curls is a stunning choice. This hairstyle combines soft, loose curls with a delicate side braid, making it perfect for date nights, weddings, and special occasions. It’s flattering for all face shapes, especially those with softer features.
To create this look, start by curling your hair with a medium-barrel curling iron. Next, create a loose braid on one side and blend it with the curls. A bridal tutorial can offer more detailed guidance. Maintain the curls with Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, which enhances and defines your natural waves.
Messy Side Braid
The messy side braid is a laid-back, trendy style that’s perfect for everyday wear. It’s all about embracing the natural texture and adding a bit of intentional disarray. This hairstyle works well for any face shape and adds a playful touch to your look.
To achieve this style, part your hair to one side and loosely braid it, leaving out a few face-framing strands. Tug gently at the braid to create volume and a messy effect. An easy tutorial can help you perfect this look. Maintain with a lightweight texturizing spray like OUAI Texturizing Hair Spray.
Side Braid with Ribbon
Adding a ribbon to your side braid can instantly elevate your hairstyle, making it playful yet sophisticated. This style is perfect for festive events, parties, or even a stylish day at the office. It suits most face shapes and adds a fun element to your look.
To create this look, choose a ribbon that complements your outfit. Begin by weaving the ribbon into your braid, starting at the top and working your way down. Secure with a clear elastic band. Tutorials for incorporating ribbons can provide additional tips. Maintain with a shine spray like Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray.
Braided Crown with Side Braid
The braided crown with a side braid is a regal and elegant hairstyle that’s perfect for formal events and weddings. This style involves creating a braid that wraps around the head like a crown and continues into a side braid. It’s particularly flattering for heart-shaped and oval faces.
To achieve this look, start by creating a braid along your hairline, wrapping it around to form a crown. Continue braiding down the side and secure with an elastic band. A wedding hairstyles tutorial can guide you through the process. Use a strong-hold hairspray like Kenra Volume Spray 25 to keep the braid in place.
Side French Braid
The side French braid is a classic and timeless hairstyle that’s versatile enough for both casual and formal settings. This braid starts at the top of the head and sweeps down one side, creating a sleek and elegant look. It’s ideal for round and oval faces.
To create this look, start by parting your hair to one side and begin a French braid, adding hair as you go. Secure with an elastic band once you reach the end. A simple tutorial can provide step-by-step instructions. Maintain with a smoothing cream like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum.
Waterfall Side Braid
The waterfall side braid is a beautiful and intricate style that’s perfect for proms, weddings, and other special occasions. This braid creates a cascading effect, with strands falling gracefully like a waterfall. It’s best suited for long, wavy hair and oval or heart-shaped faces.
To create this look, start by braiding near the top of your head and let sections of hair fall through the braid as you go. Secure with an elastic band. Tutorials can help you master this intricate braid. Maintain with a lightweight mousse like Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse for added hold and volume.
Braided Ponytail with Side Braid
The braided ponytail with a side braid is a sporty yet stylish look that’s great for workouts, casual outings, and even professional settings. This hairstyle features a side braid that feeds into a high ponytail, adding a touch of elegance to an otherwise simple style. It works well for all face shapes.
To create this look, start by braiding one side of your hair and then gather all your hair into a high ponytail. Secure with an elastic band. An easy tutorial can provide more details. Maintain with a firm-hold gel like Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel to keep the ponytail sleek and in place.
Side Braid with Floral Accents
The side braid with floral accents is a perfect choice for outdoor weddings, garden parties, or any event where you want to add a touch of nature to your look. This hairstyle features a loose braid adorned with small, delicate flowers, giving it a romantic and whimsical feel. It suits oval and heart-shaped faces, and complements soft, natural makeup.
To achieve this look, start by braiding your hair loosely to one side. Secure the braid with an elastic band and then gently weave in fresh or faux flowers, securing them with bobby pins as needed. Tutorials for incorporating floral accents can be found online. Maintain the flowers’ freshness with a light misting of water, or use a floral spray for faux flowers.
Side Braid with Beads
Adding beads to your side braid can create a unique and eye-catching hairstyle. This style is perfect for music festivals, themed parties, or any event where you want to stand out. It suits all face shapes and can be customized with beads of various colors and sizes to match your outfit.
To create this look, start by threading beads onto small sections of hair before braiding. Braid your hair to one side and secure with an elastic band. A tutorial can provide detailed instructions on bead placement. Maintain with a light hairspray like TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray to keep everything in place.
Twisted Side Braid
The twisted side braid offers a modern twist on the classic braid, making it perfect for casual outings or a night out with friends. This hairstyle involves twisting sections of hair before incorporating them into the braid, adding texture and interest. It works well for all face shapes, particularly oval and square faces.
To achieve this look, start by twisting small sections of hair and then braid them together to one side. Secure with an elastic band. A simple tutorial can help you master this style. Maintain with a texturizing spray like OUAI Texturizing Hair Spray to keep the twists in place.
Side Braid with Bangs
The side braid with bangs is a trendy and youthful hairstyle that works well for casual outings and everyday wear. This style combines a side braid with soft, face-framing bangs, adding a playful and fresh look. It’s particularly flattering for round and heart-shaped faces.
To achieve this look, start by styling your bangs as desired, then braid the rest of your hair to one side. Secure with an elastic band. A tutorial can guide you through the process. Maintain with a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum for a sleek finish.
Side Braid with Scarf
Incorporating a scarf into your side braid adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. This style is ideal for summer outings, vacations, or casual chic events. It suits all face shapes and can be paired with a variety of scarves to match your outfit.
To create this look, start by folding a scarf and incorporating it into your braid from the top. Braid your hair and the scarf together to one side and secure with an elastic band. Tutorials for braiding with scarves can provide additional guidance. Maintain with a shine spray like Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray.
Side Braid with Volume
Adding volume to your side braid creates a glamorous and red-carpet-worthy hairstyle. This style is perfect for formal events, galas, and evening parties. It suits all face shapes and adds a touch of drama to your look.
To create this look, start by teasing the roots of your hair to add volume. Braid your hair to one side, keeping the braid loose and voluminous. Secure with an elastic band. An easy tutorial can help you achieve this style. Maintain with a volumizing spray like Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray.
Side Braid with Highlights
Showcasing highlights in a side braid adds depth and dimension to your hairstyle. This style is ideal for showcasing fresh hair color and works well for both casual and formal settings. It suits all face shapes and highlights the various tones in your hair.
To achieve this look, braid your highlighted hair to one side, making sure to leave some strands loose to show off the color. Secure with an elastic band. A simple tutorial can provide more tips. Maintain with a color-protecting shampoo like Joico’s Color Infuse Red.
Side Braid with French Twist
Combining a side braid with a French twist creates an elegant and sophisticated hairstyle perfect for weddings and formal events. 
This style suits oval and heart-shaped faces and adds a touch of vintage glamour to your look.
To achieve this look, start by creating a French twist at the back of your head, then braid the remaining hair to one side. Secure with an elastic band. A wedding hairstyles tutorial can guide you through the steps. Maintain with a strong-hold hairspray like Kenra Volume Spray 25.
Side Braid with Puff
The side braid with a puff adds a retro vibe to your hairstyle, making it perfect for themed parties or vintage-inspired looks. This style involves creating volume at the crown of your head before braiding to one side. It suits round and oval faces particularly well.
To achieve this look, start by teasing the crown of your hair to create a puff, then braid the rest of your hair to one side. Secure with an elastic band. An easy tutorial can help you perfect this style. Maintain with a volumizing spray like Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus.
Side Braid with Glitter
Adding glitter to your side braid creates a fun and festive hairstyle perfect for parties, festivals, and special events. This style suits all face shapes and adds a touch of sparkle to your look.
To achieve this look, braid your hair to one side and apply glitter gel along the braid. Secure with an elastic band. A simple tutorial can provide more tips on applying glitter. Maintain with a light hairspray like TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray to keep everything in place.
In conclusion, the side braid is a versatile and stylish option for long hair in 2024. These 36 ideas offer a variety of looks to suit different occasions, face shapes, and personal styles. We encourage you to try these hairstyles and share your experiences in the comments below. Whether you’re looking for a simple everyday braid or an elegant wedding hairstyle, there’s a side braid style here for everyone.
