24 Easy Waterfall Braid Hairstyles To Try In 2024

The ultimate guide to styling an elegant waterfall braid hairstyle without anyone's help

Reviewed by Quarita Futrell, Licensed Master Cosmetologist
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech
Edited by Subhrojyoti Mukherjee, MA (English)
Fact-checked by Anu Pallavi, BA  • 

Beautifully intricate and elegant, the waterfall braid hairstyle is truly a sight for sore eyes!

If you want to learn how to achieve a waterfall braid, today is your lucky day. Scroll down to check out a DIY tutorial and 24 classy waterfall braid hairstyles that you should try out.

While it may seem hard, this braid style is very easy to try. Whether flaunting an updo, a low bun, a ponytail, or letting your hair fall naturally, you can elegantly enhance other hairstyles by simply weaving in a waterfall braid. No wonder this hairstyle has become a popular hair trend in the world of fashion and beauty.

These handpicked hairstyles are sure to tickle your creative hairstyling side.

Get your DIY creative juices flowing. Keep reading.

protip_icon Before You Get Started
  • Waterfall braid hairstyles look better on straight hair than curly or wavy hair, as the cascading waterfall-like effect is prominent.
  • Waterfall braid hairstyles look great on diamond-shaped faces, as they frame the face perfectly.
  • A texturizing spray is a must for waterfall braid hairstyles, as it helps define the braided sections of the hair.

How To Make A Waterfall Braid

Image: YouTube @Milabu
What You Need
  • Hair pins
  • Comb
How To Do
  1. Pick up some hair from one side, near the front.
  2. A waterfall braid consists of three sections: top, middle, and bottom. Weave a stitch as you would a regular braid and drop the new bottom section.
  3. Pick up a new section of hair from the top, making it the new top section.
  4. Weave another stitch.
  5. Keep repeating steps 3 and 4 until you reach the other side of your head.
  6. Pin the braid underneath your hair to cover the ends.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Apply texture powder to your hair before braiding. This will make your braids look fuller and voluminous.

Note: To understand better how to weave a waterfall braid, check out this article.

You can search for video hair tutorials on YouTube to learn how to create variations of this waterfall braid.

Now that you know how to weave a waterfall braid, let’s look at 24 gorgeous ways to style it.

24 Best Waterfall Braid Hairstyles

1. Slanted Half-Waterfall Double Braids

Slanted Half-Waterfall Double Bra
Image: Shutterstock

Once you have enough practice with weaving a single waterfall braid, why not experiment with two of them one below the other! Make them a slanted waterfall halfway at the back and then do a regular 3-strand the rest of the way. The charm of the hairstyle lies in the harmony of these little details.

2. Entwined Waterfall Half Updo

Entwined Waterfall Half Updo
Image: Shutterstock

Half updos are in right now. From casual to semi-formal looks, they are ruling the roaster of laid-back yet stylish hairstyles. This style creatively uses the freefalling waterfall strands to entwine under the braid for a sophisticated-looking half-updo. This positively gives it an edge over other kinds of half-dos.

3. Classic Waterfall Braid

Classic waterfall braid
Image: Shutterstock

Classics, by definition, are timeless. So, when in doubt, just opt for a classic waterfall braid. When you are just starting out, try a bigger waterfall braid as it is easier to do. Once you get the hang of it, go for smaller braids – like the one pictured above.

4. Rose Waterfall Braid

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A post shared by Anna Loves Braids (@annalovesbraids) on

Weave waterfall braids on both sides of your head and weave their tails together in a regular braid. Then, wrap the braid around in a bun. Pancake the braided bun to make it look like a rose. This is a great hairstyle for prom!

5. Waterfall Half Ponytail

Image: Instagram @harymay_hmua

This is a pretty hairstyle that is quite easy to achieve. The key is to keep the braid loose, so you can pancake it at the end. This will also add a chic messy touch to this look. This is the perfect hairstyle to sport with a boho outfit.

Clare, a beauty blogger, shared her personal experience of creating an easy yet stunning waterfall half ponytail hairdo in her blog post. “The funny thing is, I wasn’t really into wearing waterfall braids on myself until recently. I don’t know why, because it’s such a pretty braid! (i).” She also talks about the versatility of the hairstyle and states, “Another thing I think is amazing about waterfall braids is the fact that they work even on really short hair, I’ve seen them done on a-line bob hair cuts etc.”

6. Intricate Waterfall Braid

Intricate waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

The waterfall braid might seem intricate at first, but over time, it’ll become a cake walk for you. If you have already mastered it, here’s how you can take it up a notch with this intricate waterfall braid that takes Khaleesi braids to a whole new level!

7. Deep V Waterfall

Deep V waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: IStock

This is another hairstyle that you might see on Game of Thrones or Vikings. Weave two waterfall braids on either side of your head. Twist their tails to form individual twists. Join them together a little above the end of your hair to form the deep ‘V’.

8. Elegant Waterfall Braid

Elegant waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: IStock

The waterfall braid looks elegant on its own, but you can spruce it up with some delicate flowers to add a romantic touch to the looks. It creates a forest aesthetic and makes you feel like a nature princess.

9. Crown Waterfall Braid

Crown waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

If accessories aren’t your thing, don’t worry. This crown waterfall braid is its own accessory. Even though the crown is made from your hair, it stands out and looks beautiful.

10. Messy Waterfall Braid

Image: Instagram

Everyone’s looking for the perfect messy hairstyle, and I bring you my contender: the messy waterfall braid. It’s perfect for any event and looks great on any type of clothing too. Talk about versatile!

11. Double Waterfall-Single Fishtail Braid

Image: Shutterstock

This hairstyle reminds me of waterfalls that lead into a single stream. It looks stunning. Weave two waterfall braids beginning at the sides and ending at the back hairline. Join the waterfall braids and weave them into a single fishtail braid to achieve this look.

12. Waterfall Fishtail Braid

Image: Shutterstock

Weave your lovely tresses into a fishtail braid. But here’s the waterfall twist – instead of simply adding hair from one braid section to another, keep adding hair from the sides. This will make it look more like a French braid down the center.

13. Double Waterfall Fishtail Braids

Image: Shutterstock

This a great hairstyle for young girls. Part your hair down the middle and weave two waterfall braids on each side. Instead of adding hair only to one section of the braid, add hair to the top and bottom sections as well. Once you reach the back hairline, secure the waterfall braids with elastic bands. Weave the remainder of your hair into fishtail braids.

14. Bohemian Braid

Image: Shutterstock

Bohemian braids are the Ariana Grande of hairstyles. They are stunning, and everyone is talking about them. To add a more “Grande” touch to it, style them in a high ponytail. If you have a short or wide face, add a pouf to make it look long and slender.


protip_icon Quick Tip
You may accessorize this waterfall braid hairstyle with fresh flowers or faux blooming clips in between braids.

15. Cascading Waterfall Braids

Image: Shutterstock

This hairstyle looks cool and is easy to achieve once you get the hang of waterfall braids. Pick up some hair from one side and weave it in a semi-crown waterfall braid. Once you reach the other side, pin the extra hair within the braid to hide it from view. Weave the sections that you dropped from the waterfall braid into individual braids. Pancake the waterfall braid to make it look like a rope and finish off the look.

16. Slanted Waterfall Braid

Image: Shutterstock

I don’t know what it is about them, but slanted hairstyles seem to be all over my Insta-feed these days. Be it with dreads or braids, the slant is making a statement with all hairdos. It looks especially cool on curly hair.

17. Curly Waterfall Braid

Curly waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Styling your waterfall braid in curls can add a romantic touch to it. It also adds volume and depth to your locks. Don’t style the curls in tight coils, though. Keep them loose, so they flow freely.

18. Headband Waterfall Braid

Headband waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: IStock

Who doesn’t like styling their hair in a pretty band? Instead of using an accessory, you can weave your hair in waterfall braid from ear to ear to create a headband effect. It looks incredible! Getting the headband to look as neat and aligned as in this picture might take some practice, but keep at it!

19. Unicorn Waterfall Braid

Image: Instagram @shana_echavarria

Unicorns are magical creatures and, it’s safe to say, so is this hairstyle. A little color never hurt anyone, so why not go all out and get your unicorn on? A waterfall braid done with this gorgeously colored hair will look like a unicorn tail.

20. Waterfall Updo

Updo waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Often we see braids being worked into updos, and it looks incredible. You can take it up a notch with this stunning waterfall braided updo. It is not too difficult to achieve and is perfect for prom night!

21. Highlighted Waterfall Braid

Highlighted waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Just got new highlights? This is one of the best ways to flaunt them. The highlights add depth and dimension to the braid that looks absolutely stunning.

22. Crowned Waterfall Updo

Image: Shutterstock

This hairstyle takes intricate beauty to a whole new level. Whoever styled this has my full admiration. This crowned waterfall updo is sure to make you feel like the queen that you are. STUNNING!

23. Dutch Waterfall Braid

Dutch waterfall braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

This gorgeous Dutch waterfall braid is definitely one for the keeps! This fun hairdo appears intricate when it requires no extraordinary effort and exudes endless charm and Its minimalist nature makes it not look too overpowering and suitable for any and every event. So whether you wish to rock this look for a business meeting or brunch date with beau, it is guaranteed to have everyone’s eyes locked on you.

24. Waterfall Braid With Beach Waves

Blonde waterfall braid with beach waves
Image: Shutterstock

Another stunning waterfall braid hairstyle we are adoring at the moment. The blonde waterfall braid with soft beach waves is perfect for a fun picnic plan. This modest hairstyle screams femininity and elegance with the gorgeous braid, while the beachy waves bring in the casual vibes. This hairdo is sure to fetch you never-ending compliments.

These waterfall braid hairstyles enhance your natural hair texture. So, you should follow a proper and regular hair care routine to ensure your hair is beautiful and healthy. You can enhance any of these hairstyles with some decorative hair accessories.

Infographic: 8 Gorgeous Waterfall Braid Hairstyles

The waterfall braid is a versatile hairstyle that you can easily experiment with. It looks pretty and chic, making it suitable for every occasion and event. If you need some inspiration and ideas to reinvent this elegant and classic hairdo, check out the infographic below for some unique waterfall braids that you can rock.

best alternatives for hydroquinone (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

The waterfall braid hairstyle may seem tricky but it is very easy to learn. You can style waterfall braids in various styles. Classic waterfall braid, rose waterfall braid, waterfall half ponytail, intricate waterfall braid, deep V waterfall, elegant waterfall braid, crown waterfall braid, messy waterfall braid, double waterfall-single fishtail braid, waterfall fishtail braid, and double waterfall fishtail braids are a few ways to style waterfall braid hairstyle. Initially, a waterfall braid may look tough, but you can style it gorgeously with practice. Choose the hairstyle that best suits you to flaunt your style.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my waterfall braid looking great all day?

Apply a little setting spray to your hair before styling them into waterfall braids locks. To retain this fresh look, spray some more. Avoid touching your hair very often or resting your head too firmly on any surface.

How can I make my waterfall braid look more formal?

Wash, condition, and moisturize your hair with a serum to make it easy to braid them. Take proportionate partitions of hair to the braid with precision. It will give you an organized look making you appear more formal. Avoid doing messy braids for more formal settings.

Does a waterfall braid work best on long hair?

Though you can try it on any length, waterfall braids look best on long straight hair. Waterfall braids can help achieve the classic dreamy look.

Does a waterfall braid work best on short hair?

Yes, waterfall braids can look good on short hair, especially on bob and lob cuts. The only thing to remember is to start your hair a little high on the head.

Key Takeaways

  • Beautifully intricate and elegant, the waterfall braid hairstyle is very easy to try.
  • All you need is a comb and some bobby pins.
  • Whether flaunting an updo, a low bun, a ponytail, or letting your hair fall naturally, you can elegantly enhance other hairstyles by simply weaving in a waterfall braid.
waterfall braid hairstyle

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to create a beautiful waterfall braid in this easy-to-follow tutorial. Follow along step-by-step to get the perfect look.

Personal Experience: Source

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