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Just like fashion, beauty trends evolve each year. From makeup aesthetics to nail designs, each season births a new batch of fads to keep up with. Hair is no exception, as the way we cut, color, and style is often influenced by what’s happening around us. Braids are the perfect example of this. Each year, specific braid styles are brought back, oftentimes reimagined with a new flair. Ahead, we tapped protective style experts to fill us in on the braid trends we can expect to see in 2025. From knotless braids to freestyle cornrows, keep scrolling to see their predictions.
Meet the Experts
- Oyindamola “Oyin” Peterson has been braiding hair professionally for ten years. She founded Asali Hair, a hair braiding service based in Augusta, Georgia.
- Sadé Ambali is a hair braider with over 10 years of experience. She currently services clients in Brooklyn, New York’s lauded Braided New York shop.
- Kymbah is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in natural hair. She’s based in Tucker, Georgia.
01 of 10
Goddess Braids
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Goddess braids have been a popular go-to for years. The reason? “Girls just love curls,” Peterson says. She believes the braid trend, which features long braids and pieces of loose curly hair, will continue to be a highly requested style for the year.
02 of 10
Flip-Over Fulani Goddess Braids
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While the flip-over (or versatile) method can be applied to various braid styles, it’s commonly seen with Fulani braids. Clients at Asali Hair often request a trio with a flip-over, Fulani, and goddess mash-up. “The flip over-goddess Fulani braids with a sew-in in the back gives [the] fullness of curls to the style without the inconvenience of having a lot of hair in one’s face,” Peterson explains.
Ambali says sectioning is everything in achieving a flawless flip-over braid install. "Braiders should create clean, precise partings and ensure the foundation is structured properly, especially around the hairline and the top portion," she explains. Ambali adds that parting small, well-spaced sections in these areas "allows for a natural, full, and seamless flip in multiple directions."
She also warns against braiding too tightly, which can restrict flexibility at the roots. Instead, a firm but gentle grip will keep the braids secure without compromising their movability.
03 of 10
French Curl Bob
@asali_hair / Instagram
“French curl braids have blown up because they offer the best of both worlds: sleek, polished braids at the roots with soft, voluminous curls at the ends,” Ambali says. “The style gives a luxurious, effortless look while being versatile and protective.”
Peterson credits TikTok specifically with making the French curl bob so popular. "I currently have this style installed, and some of my clients have requested it," she says.
To get this braided bob look, your braider will use the boho style technique, leaving out some pieces of the French curl extensions as they braid. For the “fluffy,” voluminous bottom, your braider will tie the ends of the extensions a few inches past your natural hair and leave the remaining part of the extension unbraided.
04 of 10
Koroba Braids
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We can thank the Nigerian Yoruba tribe for Koroba braids—they're truly a work of art. The term "Koroba" translates to calabash, or basket, and refers to the basket-like shape created using the ends of the braids. The hairstyle's popularity has spread across the diaspora, as more braid wearers have been spotted in the do. Kymba says these braids are a great option for anyone wanting to try something different from common braid styles.
05 of 10
Mohawk Braids
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There’s nothing new under the sun, as proven by the resurgence of braided mohawks. Like flip-over Fulani braids, you can style a braided mohawk in various ways by flipping or securing the hair in different directions. “Mohawks are very bold and daring, and you can do so much with the style,” Kymba says.
For this look, our experts see many clients opt for small and mid-size braids that reach their mid-back or waist. Loose wavy ends or curly pieces are also highly requested with braided mohawks.
06 of 10
Butterfly Stitch Braids
@asali_hair / Instagram
"Butterfly braids are trending because they offer a soft, voluminous, and effortlessly stylish look," Ambali tells us. "The slightly distressed, looped effect gives the braids a boho-chic feel, making them perfect for clients who want a natural-textured style without the stiffness of traditional braids."
Peterson adds that we can expect to see more of the style in the summer. A significant benefit to the look is that it can easily be braided into a low bun or tucked chignon, keeping the neck and face hair-free and cool. She recommends creating the foundation of the look with a traditional stitch braid using minimal kanekalon extensions. Then, braid the butterfly braid with French curl extensions on top of the stitch braid.
07 of 10
Bora Bora Braids
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Bora Bora boho braids, a name coined by New Jersey-based Nigerian master braider Omobolanle Ajao, are among the most in-demand styles. The difference between Bora Bora braids and goddess braids is that the former incorporates significantly more loose hair.
"My clients have been obsessed with the Bora Bora knotless braids," Peterson says. "This was my most requested style in 2024, and it has followed the same trend [in 2025], servicing an average of 40 clients monthly for this particular style. For my braiders, a tip to achieve this style is to install your curly pieces on the top part of the braid, not on the sides." She says that laying the pieces on the top helps to cover more of the braid, which gives the appearance of a full install.
08 of 10
Boho Bob
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"As we approach the spring and summer months, I believe the boho bob will be trending," Peterson says. She says the short style is versatile, so you can wear it down or style it into a bun.
"[Boho bobs] are a carefree, romantic, and effortlessly stylish look that blends structure with softness," Ambali adds. "[The look meets] the current demand for soft glam and undone beauty."
09 of 10
Freestyle Cornrows
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For those who embrace spontaneity, freestyle cornrows are a look worth trying. If you book this style, your braider will create a cornrow look based on what they’re feeling at the moment. “Everyone wants to be different, and this is perfect because the options to pick from and create are unlimited,” Kymba says. “You can get this style back to back, and it can be different every time.”
10 of 10
Small Knotless Braids
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Knotless braids are a classic, and they will always be relevant. However, Peterson says we can expect an increase in smaller-sized knotless looks. "There is nothing regular or ordinary about a simple small knotless install," she says. "This has been an all-time trend." She says the timeless braids give clients a flawless finish that frames their faces and lies flat on their scalps.
