These 26 Braided Updos Are Works of Art

True Whitaker with her braided updo. — @truewhitaker / Instagram

There are seemingly endless ways to wear braids, from ponytails to half-up styles. One of our absolute favorite looks, however, is a braided updo. It's a pretty and playful way to wear the protective style—and there are many ways to tweak an updo according to your tastes. You can go for a simple topknot or opt for ultra-cool space buns. Or you can decorate your updo with clips, charms, or chic ribbons to make the look feel more your own.

Ahead, we've rounded up 26 braided updos that prove the protective style has no limits.

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Braided Sculptural Updo

Brandee Evans wearing cornrows with structural braided abstract updo — Getty Images

Brandee Evans' small stitch braids lead into a gorgeous sculptural braided updo. Take this as a sign not to be afraid to experiment with abstract shapes when it comes to protective hairstyles.

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Goddess Space Buns

Willow Smith wearing knotless goddess braids in space buns — Getty Images

Singer Willow Smith styled her knotless box braids in two space buns. Letting the curly ends hang out adds another layer of playfulness to the look.

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Stitched Bun

Tina Kunakey in straight-back stitch braids leading to a braided bun — Getty Images

You really can't go wrong with stitch braids. Tina Kunakey's perfectly parted braids lead straight back into a middle bun. This look is a classic, fitting for both formal and everyday occasions.

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Messy Chic

Leave it to True Whitaker to craft the perfect messy chic braided updo. We Love LA and this cool girl's style.

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Bantu Knots and Fulani Braids

Singer and model Alicia Aylies knocked this Paris street-style moment out of the park. Her braided Bantu knots and beaded Fulani braids are stunning.

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Woven Bun and Swoop Bangs

Tiana Major9 in knotless box braids with high woven bun and swoop bang — Getty Images

Not only are knotless braids regal, but the styling options are endless. We're still stuck on Tiana Major9's stunning woven high bun and side swoop bang from the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards.

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Braided Chignon

Kiki Layne in box braids with chignon and front twist — Getty Images

We'll never tire of a chignon. Kiki Layne's low-braided bun is simple and elegant. Follow the actress' lead and twist a few braids in the front for an added twist.

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Platinum Chignon

Zoe Kravitz in platinum blonde box braids pulled into low chignon — Getty Images

Zoe Kravitz's icy blonde knotless braids are pulled straight back to achieve a tight low bun. Shaved sides give the chic 'do some edge.

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Effortless Space Buns

Marsai Martin wearing half-up, half-down braided look — @MARSAIMARTIN / INSTAGRAM

Marsai Martin never disappoints with her hair looks and knows how to get creative with protective styles. Case in point: her space buns. She styled her goddess braids in two buns, leaving a few pieces hanging in the front for balance.

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Half-Up and Half-Down

Letitia Wright in half-up half-down box braids with high bun and hair gems — Getty Images

Letitia Wright's half-up, half-down box braids offer a modern take on the childhood favorite style. The crystal gems tucked into her bun enhance the style's elegance.

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Double Buns

Stacy Ike in half-up half-down box braids with high and low bun — Getty Images

Pull your braids back into a high and low bun to create a unique updo style. This take is fun on its own, but the addition of pink thread throughout the buns adds extra razzle dazzle.

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Front-Facing Crown Braids

Bozoma Saint John in box braids sculpted into large side crown — Getty Images

Bozoma Saint John is known for her cool protective styles. For this look, her knotless braids were fish-braided into a gorgeous asymmetrical sculpture at the front of her face.

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Jumbo Braided Crown

Alicia Keys in two jumbo braids pulled up for an arch crown — Getty Images.

Alicia Keys opted for a jumbo crown braid that sits on her head like a halo. The sleek style is regal and mesmerizing.

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Micro Cornrow Bun

Lupita Nyong'o in micro cornrows going back into jumbo braided bun — Getty Images

Lupita Nyong'o is always a vision, and this look is no different. Here, the Oscar-winning actress wore micro cornrows leading to a large braided bun.

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Goddess Braids and French Roll

India Amarteifio in small boho braids with French roll — Getty Images

India Amarteifio's knotless goddess braids were softly pulled back into an elegant French roll. Classic box braids can achieve the same look, but goddess braids with loose curly pieces are a great option for a more romantic look.

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High Side Bun

Tai Beauchamp wears brown and blonde box braids in woven high bun with hair wrapped around the base — Getty Images

There are infinite ways to do a bun, and we love Tai Beauchamp's jumbo braided updo. Draping the bun to the side makes the style even more visually striking.

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Balloon Bun

Halle Bailey in large umbo box braids dome bun with braids wrapped around base — Getty Images

Halle Bailey continues to prove the versatility of locs, concealing her flowing locs into this balloon-like bun. The grandiose updo is one of our favorite looks from Bailey to date.

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Loose Braids Updo

Paloma Elsesser in ponytail with loose individual braids — Getty Images

Paloma Elsesser's braided updo feels effortlessly elegant. Though there's tons of intricacy to her look, the face-framing braids and lightly styled edges make the look feel more everyday.

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Tall Braided Updo

Actress Logan Browning looked absolutely beautiful in her cylinder structural updo. We can't help but think of the legendary Nina Simone, who wore similar styles at some of her most iconic appearances.

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Simple Braided Bun

Bailey Bass in a simple, elegant bun with loose braids — Getty Images

Bailey Bass kept it simple with a middle bun that is perfect for any occasion. The actress' base is slicked back on the sides with four braids at the top. Consider this style if you don't want to sit through a long braiding session.

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Chic Cornrow Bun

Sydelle Noel wears small and medium cornrows with loc rings and braided bun — Getty Images

Adding charms and accessories to a cornrow bun can take the look to the next level. Actress Sydelle Noel likes to accessorize her braided bun with a few gold hair rings.

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Cornrows and Curls

Tia Mowry in slicked back loose hair bun with three cornrows at the base — Getty Images

Tia Mowry has showcased a range of protective styles throughout her career. For this red carpet appearance, she went for an updo where the cornrows feed into her high topknot.

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Braided Halo Updo

Courtney Sauls in two jumbo braids wrapped into a halo — Getty Images

Here, Courtney Sauls wore two large braids softly wrapped around her head for a darling, angelic look. A few curly pieces were left out at the temples to amp up the sweetness of it all.

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Tucked Braided Updo

Tracee Ellis Ross in large straight back cornrows tucked at the ends — Getty Images

One of our favorite beauty and style icons, Tracee Ellis Ross, is no stranger to standout red-carpet hair moments. On this occasion, she wore jumbo cornrows tucked under at the ends.

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Braided Wreath Updo

Dania Gurira in high structured braided circle updo with long side bang braids — Getty Images

Danai Gurira always impresses us on the red carpet. The gorgeous actress is a stunner in waist-length braids pulled into a structured updo reminiscent of a wreath. Leave out a few braids to create a beautiful, flowy side bang.

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