How to Braid Your Beard Plus 30 Epic Examples
A braided beard can transform your look from that of an average Joe to a village-raiding, sword-swinging Viking. However, few men know how to braid hair, and even fewer know how to braid beards.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled some of the best tips and tricks for braiding a beard, along with a list of the most popular braided beard styles.
Braided Beards: The Essentials
The length of your beard is the most crucial factor when trying to braid it. You’ll need to grow your beard to at least 3 or 4 inches to create even the simplest braid. You should also keep your beard clean and healthy to make the whole process much easier.
It takes real effort to maintain a beard properly. If you’ve just started sporting one, these basic grooming habits will help keep it in shape for braiding.
- Wash: Wash your beard regularly to keep it free of dust and protect it from damage caused by external factors like pollution. Try a couple of different beard cleansers until you find one that suits your beard type.
- Oil: Look for a high-quality beard oil to strengthen your beard from the roots. Beard balm is a solid alternative and generally produces similar conditioning effects.
- Comb: Comb your beard regularly. It keeps growth on track, prevents it from looking scruffy, and distributes your natural oils evenly from roots to tips.
- Trim: Know when to trim. Beards often grow unevenly, and neglecting your beard trim can throw off the entire shape.
- Shave: Clean up facial hair above the cheek line and below the neckline. A crisp neckline and a sharp cheek line make the whole beard look more polished.
How to Braid Your Beard Yourself
You can always seek professional help to braid your beard. But if you’d rather handle it yourself, we’ve broken the process down into 8 straightforward steps to help you create a basic beard braid.
- Comb your beard thoroughly to make sure it’s free of tangles. A smoothing cream or a few drops of beard oil will make this much easier.
- Select the section of the beard you want to braid and separate it into three distinct strands.
- Use one hand to hold the left strand and your other hand to hold the middle and right strands. When holding two strands in one hand, keep them separated with a finger.
- Pull the right strand over the middle strand, stopping short of the left strand.
- Pull the left strand over the middle strand, stopping short of the right strand.
- Repeat steps four and five until you reach your desired braid length.
- Finish with colored rubber bands or beads for extra flair.
- Follow steps 1 through 7 on any other sections of your beard.
Popular Braided Beard Styles
The braided beard trend has come and gone for centuries. Whether you do it yourself or bring in a professional, choosing the right beard braiding style can completely change your look. Here are some of the most popular ways to wear it.
1. Long Single-Braid Full Beard
The long single-braid is one of the cleanest braided beard styles out there. Start braiding right below the chin and work your way down the full length of the beard. Comb out the rest of your beard around it for a well-groomed, polished finish.
2. Whisker Cornrow
This style demands a thick, dense beard with serious volume. It involves braiding the sideburns and either merging them into one long braid below the chin or letting them hang individually. Clean up any excess hair along the perimeter to keep the outline sharp.
3. Braided Beard With Beads
Adding beads to your braided beard is one of the easiest ways to make it pop. Switch up your bead colors to match your outfit or express your mood. Tie in additional smaller braids to create more anchor points for beads, or pull the whole braided beard together with one large centerpiece bead as a focal point.
4. Braided Goatee With Long Chin Braid
The braided goatee is one of the more stylish options in the braided beard lineup, and it’s especially popular among younger guys. Grow out a long goatee, then trim or shave the rest of the beard clean. The contrast between the bare cheeks and the single chin braid gives it a sharp, focused look.
5. Viking Double Braided Beard With Beard Rings
This braiding style produces one of the most commanding Viking beard looks you can wear. You’ll need serious length and density to pull it off. Tie two separate braids, one on each side of the chin, and work them down to their full lengths. Comb out the rest of the beard around them for that ferocious, battle-ready finish.
6. Goatee With Single Loose Braid
You’ll need a thick beard for this loose braid style. Braid your beard as you would for a long braided beard, then gently loosen the strands for a more relaxed finish. This style creates a rustic look, so you’ll need to properly maintain the rest of your beard to pull it off.
7. Long Full Beard With Fishtail Braid
To pull off this style, create a fishtail braid in the center of your beard and let the rest of the beard drape naturally around it. Make sure you shape your cheek line when wearing this braided beard style so the overall look stays clean and intentional.
8. Long Full Beard With Knotted Ponytail Braids
Use a rubber band to create a beard ponytail. This style requires a serious amount of facial hair. Comb the beard down and add a rubber band or decorative thread to fasten it all together.
9. Zigzag-Inspired Braid
Feeling adventurous with your beard? Embrace your inner trendsetter with the Zigzag Braid. This boldly braided style is perfect for those with longer, denser beards.
It breaks from the conventional braid, showcasing a distinctive zigzag pattern that demands attention and adds genuine artistic flair to your facial hair.
10. Chin Curtain With Braid
Why not blend two styles into one? The Chin Curtain With Braid does exactly that. With a full, thick chin curtain as its base, this style incorporates a single braid at the center, adding a compelling focal point.
Ideal for men with naturally strong beard growth, this look strikes a solid balance between rugged and refined.
11. Mustache With Braid
Get ready to reinvent your classic mustache by adding an unexpected braided element. Grow your mustache to a considerable length, then braid a small section in the middle. A small band or bead can secure the braid, offering a one-of-a-kind twist on the traditional mustache.
Perfect for those seeking a standout look with just a hint of whimsy.
12. Soul Patch Braid
For a minimalist yet quirky touch, consider the Soul Patch Braid. Let your soul patch grow until it reaches a length suitable for braiding. Once you’ve created a small, tight braid, secure it with a band or bead.
This style suits guys with sparse facial hair or anyone who prefers a subtle statement over a full commitment.
13. Inverted French Braid
Dare to be different with the Inverted French Braid, an artistic spin on the classic French braid. Starting at the chin and working upward, add strands from the sides as you progress. This fresh approach to braiding works beautifully for those with long, thick beards, delivering an eye-catching look that’s hard to ignore.
14. Box Braid Style
Bring a touch of modernity to your beard with the Box Braid. Dividing the beard into small, square sections, each individual braid creates a uniform and structured appearance. This contemporary style works best for guys with thick, full beards, adding a sharp, avant-garde edge to the overall look.
15. Eye-Catching Intricate Braiding
If you’re all about making a statement, this style is right up your alley. Head to your local barbershop and request a stylish, complex braided design. Ideal for those with full, thick beards, this show-stopping style will spark conversations wherever you go.
16. Accessorized Beard
For those who find braiding challenging but still want a similar look, the Accessorized Beard is the perfect alternative. Divide your beard into several sections and use rings or beads to create a visually compelling style. This technique lets you add real personality to your beard while keeping the process simple and manageable.
17. Multiple Braids and Beads
Why settle for one braid when you can have several? Multiple Braids and Beads carries an adventurous energy that a single braid simply can’t match. Create several braids throughout your beard, adding beads for a touch of island flair.
This look is perfect for beach trips or warm-weather adventures.
18. Subtle Braid on a Full Beard
For a more understated approach, grow out a full, scruffy beard and add a small braid at the center of your chin. This style offers a creative touch without being overly flashy, perfect for guys who want just a hint of flair while keeping a rugged, masculine appearance. Secure the braid with a small band or bead for added visual interest.
19. Petite Braid
For those with a smaller beard, the Petite Braid is an excellent way to add texture and interest to your facial hair. Simply weave a few strands into a small, tight braid and secure it with a band or bead. Small in size, but it absolutely packs a punch.
20. Twin Braids
Twin Braids are a great way to switch things up and add some excitement to your beard. Instead of one large braid, create two smaller ones on either side. If you have a longer mustache, incorporate it into the braids for a unified, cohesive look.
21. Extension-Enhanced Braids
Shorter facial hair doesn’t have to limit your styling options. This look combines French, twist, and bubble braid techniques, incorporating extensions for added length and texture. Use hair ties to create structured bubbles and bring some serious flair to your beard.
22. Double Twist Braids
For those with thick, coarse beards, Double Twist Braids are an excellent option. Start by detangling your facial hair and separating it into two sections. Then create a three-strand braid all the way down, adding extensions as needed.
Secure the ends with an elastic band for a neat, tidy finish.
23. Triple-Braid Style
Divide your beard into three sections and create individual braids in each, resulting in the Triple-Braid. This look is perfect for those with full, thick beards, as it adds real texture and dimension to the facial hair. Secure each braid with small beads or bands for a long, impressive fishtail appearance.
24. Low French Braid
The Low French Braid is a Viking-inspired look that begins at chest level rather than at the chin. Perfect for those with long beards, it delivers a striking, commanding appearance. Incorporate extensions for added length and texture, and use hair ties to keep the structure clean and defined.
25. Ponytail-Braid Combo
For those with a thinner beard, the Ponytail-Braid Combo is a sharp way to switch things up. Divide your beard into small sections and secure each with elastic bands, creating a ponytail-like appearance throughout. This style is impressive and sets you apart from the crowd.
26. Braided Bangs
If you have longer facial hair around the upper cheeks and sideburns, try the Braided Bangs style. Part the hair evenly and create a braided section on either side, securing each with a small band or bead. It’s a bold look for men who want to add extra detail near the top of the beard.
27. Celtic Braid
Embrace your inner Celt with the Celtic Braid. This detailed style features a series of smaller braids woven together, creating a complex yet visually stunning appearance. Perfect for those with longer, thicker beards who want something with real depth and craftsmanship.
28. Bold Braids With Sideburns
Combine bold braids with stylish sideburns for a look that commands attention. This style features a single braid at the chin and multiple braids along the sideburns, creating a striking, cohesive appearance from jaw to chin.
29. French Braid Goatee
Add a touch of sophistication to your goatee with the French Braid Goatee. This style involves braiding the goatee with a classic French braid technique, creating an elegant, refined appearance that elevates the whole look.
30. Simple Three-Strand Braid
Sometimes simplicity is best. The Simple Three-Strand Braid is a classic, straightforward approach to beard braiding. Divide the beard into three strands, braid them together, and you’ve got a clean, polished look that never goes out of style.
31. Half-and-Half Braid
Looking for something daring? The Half-and-Half Braid combines a braided section with an unbraided section of the beard for a contrast-driven look. It works best for those with longer, thicker beards who want to show off both texture and length.
32. Geometric Braids
Add some geometric flair to your beard with Geometric Braids. This look involves creating a series of small, carefully arranged braids in a geometric pattern, offering a fresh and modern take on beard braiding that’s as much art as it is grooming.
33. Colorful Braids
Why not add some color to your beard? With Colorful Braids, you can incorporate vibrant hues into your braids for a bold, eye-catching appearance. This style works best for those with longer beards who aren’t afraid to go all in.
34. Single Chin Braid
For a simple yet elegant touch, try the Single Chin Braid. This look involves braiding a single section of the beard at the chin point, creating a clean, polished appearance that works on almost any beard length.
35. Diamond Braids
For a truly unique look, try Diamond Braids. This detailed style involves weaving small braids together to create a diamond-shaped pattern, adding serious texture and visual interest to your beard.
A well-maintained beard gives you plenty of options when it comes to braiding. You can explore different styles based on whether you’re working with a short or long beard length. Experiment with a few before you commit to the one that suits you best.
Hopefully, this guide on how to braid your beard has given you a solid starting point for finding your next favorite braided style.
