19 Curly Braided Hairstyles With Volume Texture and Style

What do you do when you love your curls but want them out of your face for a change? You braid them. The trick that makes curly braided hairstyles so good is the contrast: a smooth, structured braid against soft, springy texture, where one shows off the other. The braid gives shape and stays put, and the curls bring the volume and life.

Below are nineteen ways to wear that combination, from a single crown braid to box braids, cornrows, halo braids, and undone boho looks. Several of these styles carry deep cultural roots, which is worth knowing and honoring as you wear them. Whatever your curl pattern, there is a braid here that works with it, so save the ones you love and bring them to your next appointment.

Before You Braid

1. Braiding works on every curl type, but the technique changes: looser curls braid smoother, while coily and kinky textures hold a braid for days.
2. Keep it gentle. A braid should never pull tight enough to hurt, because constant tension on the roots can stress the hairline over time.
3. Many of these styles, from cornrows to box braids, come from Black hair traditions with real history; wear them with respect and credit where it is due.

An Elegant Single Braid

The simplest curly braided look is also one of the prettiest: a single braid running through otherwise loose curls. Whether it is a chunky three-strand down the back or a slim braid tucked along one side, the smooth plait gives the eye somewhere to rest while the curls do their thing around it. It is the easiest entry point into braided curls.

Leave the braid a little loose and let pieces fall out around the face, since a too-tight plait fights the softness you are after. A light styling cream smoothed over the braid keeps it neat while the curls stay free and full.

Double Dutch Braids

Two Dutch braids running front to back are a sporty, striking way to wear curls, with the braids sitting raised on the surface for real dimension. Unlike a French braid that tucks under, the Dutch technique crosses the strands beneath so the braid pops out, which is why it reads so boldly against curly texture. Leave the ends out in curls for the best of both worlds.

1. Dutch braids sit on top of the hair for raised definition
2. Brilliant for the gym, festivals, or a long active day
3. Let the tails burst out into free curls at the ends

A Regal Crown Braid

A crown braid circles the head in a ring of plaited hair, and on curly texture it looks quietly majestic. The braid forms a neat band. The curls can be tucked away for a polished finish or left to spill out for something softer. It is a favorite for weddings and events, where it photographs beautifully from every angle.

Made for Special Days

The style works best on hair that is at least shoulder length, since you need enough to wrap the full crown. Longer, looser curls give a delicate crown, while thick coily hair gives a fuller, more substantial one.

Secure it well with pins that match your hair color, and spritz the curls with a water-and-leave-in mix if they start to dry out during a long day. Comfort comes first. A crown braid should never feel tight.

Side-Swept Braids

Sweeping braids to one side is romantic, flattering, and seriously practical, pulling the hair off one shoulder while leaving a cascade of curls down the other. You can braid a section near the part and let it flow into loose curls, or gather everything into a side braid with curls bursting from the tail. Either way, the asymmetry is what makes it feel modern.

When someone sits in my chair wanting something soft for an evening out, this is often where we land. It frames the face. It shows off the curls. And it stays put through dinner and dancing without a fuss.

• Pulls hair off one shoulder for a flattering line
• Pairs a smooth braid with a cascade of loose curls
• Works for weddings, dates, and dressed-up evenings

A Braided Half-Up With Volume

The braided half-up is the everyday hero of curly braided styles. You braid back just the top and sides to keep hair out of your eyes, then leave the rest of the curls down for full volume and movement. It solves the face-framing problem without sacrificing the length and bounce you love.

For extra height, gently pull the braid apart once it is tied, a technique called pancaking, and tease a little volume at the crown. The result is a relaxed, full-bodied shape that takes about two minutes. Nobody needs to know that part.

• Keeps hair off the face while leaving curls down
• Pancake the braid for instant width and fullness
• A two-minute style that carries a whole day

Box Braids on Curly Hair

Box braids are a protective staple with deep roots in Black hair culture, sectioning the hair into neat squares and braiding each one, often with added length. On curly and coily hair they tuck the natural texture away safely for weeks, which makes them a genuine break for your strands rather than just a style.

You can leave the ends in curls, dip them in hot water to set a curl pattern, or add curly braiding hair for length and bounce. The versatility is part of why box braids have stayed beloved for generations.

Because they last so long, the install matters most. I tell every client the same thing before a protective set: speak up the moment it pulls. Braids should feel secure but never painful, since the goal is to guard your hair, and a set installed too tight defeats the entire purpose.

Cornrows Flowing Into Curls

Cornrows braided close to the scalp and then released into a burst of curls are a striking blend of structure and softness. The neat rows trace a pattern across the head before the hair erupts into texture, often at the back or crown, giving a sculptural, intentional finish. The contrast between the tight rows and the free curls is the whole appeal.

Cornrows are among the oldest braiding traditions in the world, with documented African heritage going back thousands of years, so they carry meaning well beyond fashion. Wearing them with that awareness, and supporting braiders who specialize in the technique, is part of doing the style justice.

A skilled braider keeps the rows even and the tension comfortable, which protects both the look and your hairline. For more on the technique, our cornrow hairstyles guide goes deeper into patterns and care.

Fishtail Braid Into a Curly Ponytail

A fishtail braid looks intricate but uses a simple two-strand technique, and against curly hair its woven, herringbone texture really stands out. Pull the curls up into a high ponytail first, then fishtail the tail and let the very end spring back into curls. The braid adds a detailed, crafted middle to an otherwise bouncy pony.

Loosen the braid slightly once it is done so the weave looks fuller and softer. On thick, curly hair a fishtail reads especially rich, since there is plenty of texture to fill out the pattern.

A Waterfall Braid for Curls

The waterfall braid is pure romance, weaving horizontally across the head while dropping strands of curls down like a falling stream. As you braid, you drop a strand with every pass and gather a fresh section, so curls cascade through and below the braid. It is delicate, dreamy, and perfect for showing off defined ringlets.

This one shines on looser curls and waves, where the dropped strands keep their shape as they fall. Set the released curls with a little gel beforehand so they hold the ringlet through the day.

A Loose Halo Braid

Cousin to the crown braid, the halo braid sits higher and looser, ringing the head with a soft, airy plait that lets curls peek through all around. Where a crown braid is neat and regal, the halo is relaxed and a touch undone, which makes it feel relaxed in a way that suits everyday wear. It is a beautiful option for keeping hair up on a hot day while still looking soft.

• Sits higher and looser than a structured crown braid
• Lets curls poke through for a soft, airy finish
• A pretty way to get hair off the neck in summer

Relaxed Boho Braids

Boho braids lean all the way into the undone look, with loose, slightly messy plaits and plenty of curls left free and tousled. Think a couple of small braids framing the face, or a loose braid woven through curls you have barely touched. The whole point is that it should look like a happy accident you barely planned.

Add a few thin braids with tiny accessories for a festival feel, and skip the hairspray. Boho braids want movement and softness, so the more undone and natural the curls, the better the look reads.

Micro Braids With Curls

Micro braids are tiny, delicate plaits that can be worn throughout the hair while leaving the curls between them free. A scattering of micro braids through loose curls adds fine, intricate detail without committing to a full braided style, and they catch the light in a way that looks intentional and crafted.

Because they are small, micro braids are gentle when done well, but they do take patience to install. Keep them in for a set stretch and take them down carefully to protect the curls underneath.

Braided Headband With Curls

A braided headband takes a section from each side and braids it back across the crown, forming a band of plaited hair that holds the front off your face. The rest of your curls stay completely loose and full behind it, so you get the function of a headband built right into your own hair. It is one of the most practical curly braided looks going.

This style is a lifesaver on second-day hair, when the roots need taming but the curls are still good. Two minutes and a couple of pins, and a messy morning turns into a deliberate one.

A Braided Curly Updo

For a true occasion, a braided updo gathers curls up and incorporates braids through or around the style for structure and interest. A braid can wrap the base of a curly bun, snake through a pinned updo, or anchor the whole shape while curls spill out on top. It is the dressiest option here, and the one occasion where a professional set of hands really pays off.

The braiding gives an updo staying power that pinned curls alone often lack, holding the shape through hours of an event. Pull a few face-framing curls loose at the end so the finished look stays soft rather than severe.

• Braids add structure and hold to a curly updo
• Ideal for weddings, galas, and big events
• Leave face-framing curls loose to keep it soft

Pigtail Braids and Curls

Two braids, one on each side, are playful and youthful, and on curly hair they get an instant upgrade in texture. You can keep them tight and sporty, leave the ends in curls, or braid only halfway and let the rest spring free. Pigtail braids are a go-to for active days and a fun, casual weekend look. They are not just for kids.

Vary the part for a different feel: a center part is classic and even, while a zigzag part adds a playful edge. On coily hair, pigtail braids hold remarkably well and can carry you through several days.

An Undercut Braid With a Curly Top

For an edgier take, braids worked into an undercut pair shaved or closely clipped sides with a full curly top, sometimes finished in a high knot. A braid or two along the undercut adds a graphic, sculptural detail, and the volume up top keeps the whole thing balanced. It is bold, modern, and surprisingly low-effort once it is set.

If you pin the curly top into a knot, keep the ties loose to avoid stressing the roots. The undercut handles most of the bulk, so the top can stay soft, full, and easy to refresh.

Braided Bangs With Curls

When you are growing out a fringe or just want it gone for the day, braiding your bangs back is the neatest fix there is. A small braid running from the front along the hairline tucks the fringe away while the rest of your curls stay loose and full. It is a clever, pretty solution to the grown-out-bangs problem, and it doubles as a styling feature in its own right. If you are still deciding on a fringe, our curly bangs guide weighs the options.

• Braids grown-out bangs neatly off the face
• Doubles as a decorative detail along the hairline
• Leaves the rest of your curls loose and full

Accessorized Braids

Sometimes the braid is just the backdrop, and the accessories make the look. Gold cuffs, beads, ribbons, and rings threaded onto curly braids add personality and shine, a tradition that runs deep in many braiding cultures and still feels fresh today. A few well-placed cuffs can turn the simplest braid into a statement.

Choose smooth, snag-free accessories that slide on without catching the curls, and do not overload a single braid. A little metal against soft texture goes a long way, and the curls should still be the star.

Styling Tips

A few habits make every curly braided style look better and last longer. Start with hydrated hair, since a well-moisturized curl braids smoother and holds the shape, and braiding on damp hair with a little leave-in gives the cleanest result. Keep the tension gentle throughout, because a braid that hurts is a braid that is stressing your hairline, and protective styling should always protect.

Clients ask me how the braids in photos look so full, and the honest answer is pancaking: gently stretching each braid wider after it is tied. Most of these styles cost nothing but ten minutes, though a fresh set of box braids or cornrows at a salon can run $80 to $200 depending on length and detail.

At night, protect your work with a satin bonnet or pillowcase to keep frizz down and the braids neat, and mist with water and leave-in if the curls dry out. When it is time to take a style down, do it slowly and gently, then give your hair a break before the next install. For a softer everyday option between braided looks, our curly bob guide has wash-and-go shapes worth a look.

Braid It, Then Wear It Proudly

The reason curly braided hairstyles never go out of style is simple: they let you have it both ways. You get the structure, the staying power, and the face-framing neatness of a braid, plus all the volume, softness, and personality of your natural curls. From a single side braid to a full set of box braids, there is a version for every curl type, every skill level, and every kind of day.

So save the looks that caught your eye, start with something simple like a half-up or a headband braid, and work up to the styles you book a specialist for. Braid gently, honor the traditions behind the styles that have them, and wear the result proudly. Your curls were made for this.