Winter Braided Hairstyles for Curly Hair: 10 Ideas

Cold dry air, beanies, scarves, wool and static are hard on curls, and Winter Braided Hairstyles that stays neat is the answer most mornings. A braid keeps the lengths bundled, the ends tucked away from the cold, and the shape held under a hat, so you stop fighting frizz by midday. That is the whole point of these winter braids curly hair ideas: ten braids for curly hair that work with winter, not against it, grouped by the winter problem they solve.

The 10 styles below are grouped by the winter problem: four that sit flat under hats and scarves, three that stay neat in wind all day, two a little dressier for winter parties, and one weekend protective style for readers who want a break from daily styling. The nine quick styles are all under 10 minutes, loose and gentle, and none of them pulls tight. All you need is a brush, a spray bottle, leave in conditioner, and a few soft elastics.

How to Make Winter Braids Last

Before the styles, the method, because a braid built on dry winter curls slips out by lunch and frizzes by the time you reach the shops. Start on lightly damp curls, never on dry tangled curls, because dry curls snag and hurt, and a braid built on tangles slips out fast. Work a little leave in conditioner and curl cream through the lengths first, then comb from the ends up with a wide tooth comb. Never go out with damp hair. Damp hair in freezing air turns stiff and can snap at the ends, so dry your hair fully before you leave the house, and braid on second day hair when you can, because the curls have more grip than freshly washed hair. Wear a satin lined beanie or a silk scarf under a wool hat, so the hat slides over the braid instead of rubbing it. Tuck the braid inside the coat collar before you wrap the scarf, so the scarf rubs the coat and not the ends. Smooth a drop of oil over the finished braid to tame dry air frizz and static. And never pull tight. A tight braid hurts, and it slips, and winter dry edges break more easily than summer edges. The same loose and quick logic works all year, and our 10 curly braided hairstyles for busy moms uses it for mornings when you have only a few minutes for yourself.

Under Hats and Scarves, Sits Flat

These four lie flat under a beanie or a hood, and they survive the hat coming off indoors without turning into a flat mess. Each one takes 5 to 10 minutes, and each one keeps the ends tucked away from the cold. For the full map of braids, our 15 braided hairstyles for curly hair covers everything from five minute morning braids to protective styles.

1. Milkmaid Braids Under a Beanie

Part the hair down the middle, braid each side down to the ends in a simple three strand braid, then cross the two braids over the crown and pin them flat, tucking the ends fully underneath so nothing sticks out. These are two braids crossed over the crown and pinned flat, ends fully tucked, not one braid wrapped around the head, which is why a beanie sits smooth on top with no lumps. It takes about 10 minutes, and it is the neatest hat braid on this list, because the braids lie flat against the head instead of bulging under the hat.

2. Two Hidden Braids Under a Beanie

Part off two small sections at the nape, braid each one in a simple three strand braid and tie the ends, then let the rest of the curls fall down over them so the braids hide completely. These are two small braids at the nape, hidden under the beanie, the curls worn down over them, not visible pigtails, which is what makes this one feel like loose hair with a secret. It takes about 8 minutes. The hidden braids stop the curls at the back from tangling under a scarf, and nobody can see them until you lift the curls.

3. Half Dutch Braid with Curls Down

Start at the front hairline and Dutch braid back along the centre part, adding small sections as you go, then stop at the crown, tie it off with a soft elastic, and let the rest of the curls fall free. Dutch crosses under so the braid sits raised, and it stops at the crown, not a French braid and not a full Dutch braid to the ends, which is what makes it a six minute style instead of a ten minute one. It takes about 6 minutes, and it is the best first Dutch braid to learn, because the Dutch part is short and the curls below hide any unevenness.

4. Face Framing Braids with Curls Down

Take a thin section at each temple, braid each one in a simple three strand braid, and leave the ends loose with the curls instead of pinning them back. These are two thin braids framing the face, ends left loose, not pinned back with clips and not cornrows, which is what keeps this one soft instead of scraped back. It takes about 5 minutes, the fastest on this list. The thin braids keep the front curls out of your eyes on a windy day, and the loose ends blend into the curls so the style looks finished without trying hard.

Wind Proof, Stays Neat All Day

These three are built to survive wind, wool scarves and a long cold day, and still look neat at the end of work. Each one takes 8 to 10 minutes, and each one holds because the braids are anchored well, not because they are pulled tight. Braid them the night before when you can, and the morning is only a quick refresh. The same 10 minute logic works for grown ups all year, and our 10 curly braided hairstyles for busy moms uses it for busy mornings.

5. Scarf Woven Braid

Take a soft satin scarf and use it as one strand of a three strand braid, braiding it in with two sections of hair from the nape down, then tie the end and tuck the tail under the coat collar. This is a wide soft scarf woven in as one strand of the braid, not a thin ribbon, so the braid itself keeps the neck warm, which is what makes it a winter braid and not just a pretty one. It takes about 10 minutes. The scarf adds grip, so the braid holds on soft curls, and the satin stops the wool coat from rubbing the ends.

6. One French Braid into a Low Ponytail

French braid from the front hairline straight down the back to the nape, adding small sections as you go, then gather the braid and the rest of the curls into a low ponytail and tie it off. This is one French braid down the back into a low ponytail, not two braids and not a bun, which is what makes it the simplest wind proof style on this list. It takes about 8 minutes, and it survives a windy walk without a strand coming loose, because the French braid anchors the front and the ponytail holds the length.

7. Double French Braids into a Low Bun

Part the hair down the middle, French braid each side from the front hairline to the nape, then gather the two braids together and coil them into one neat low bun at the nape, pinning it in place. These are two French braids meeting in one low bun, not one braid and not a ponytail, which is what makes this one the most secure style on this list. It takes about 10 minutes, and it is the best pick for a long cold day, because a bun has no loose ends for the wind to catch.

Festive Winter and Winter Party

These two are a little dressier, for a winter party, a festive dinner, or a night out, and they still take under 10 minutes. Keep the braids loose and soft, because a relaxed braid photographs better than a pulled tight one. The velvet and gold here are winter dressy, not Christmas specific. If you want the full festive list, our 12 Christmas hairstyles for curly hair has twelve braids with Christmas accessories.

8. Loose Side Dutch Braid with a Velvet Bow

Part the hair to one side, Dutch braid from the front hairline over one shoulder, crossing the strands under each other as you go, and finish the braid with a velvet bow tied at the end. This is Dutch, swept over one shoulder with a velvet bow, not down the centre back and not a plain three strand side braid, which is what makes it party ready. It takes about 8 minutes, and the braid over the shoulder shows off the velvet bow in photos.

9. Braided Ponytail with Gold Cuffs

Gather all the curls into a low ponytail and tie it with a soft elastic, then braid the tail in a simple three strand braid all the way to the ends, sliding a gold cuff onto the braid every few inches as you go. This one is low, fully braided to the ends, with gold cuffs spaced down the braid, not high, not twisted, and not half braided with the ends left free, which is what makes it the dressiest ponytail on this list. It takes about 9 minutes. The gold cuffs catch the light, and the full braid keeps the length tidy under a coat.

One Weekend Protective Style

This last style is not a morning style, and it does not belong in the quick groups above. It is for readers who want to stop styling every morning for a few weeks, and it takes a weekend afternoon to put in.

10. Stitch Braids with Curly Ends

Part the hair down the middle, then feed in small sections with a stitching technique, braiding each row back from the front hairline, and leave the curly ends free at the back. This is a weekend install of about 2 hours, not a morning style, and it is worn 2 to 3 weeks. These are stitch braids fed in with a stitching technique and curly ends, not plain straight back cornrows and not box braids, which is what makes them the only stitch braid style on this site. Moisturise little and often while it is in, with a light mist of water and leave in conditioner and a drop of oil on the scalp. Take it down gently after 2 to 3 weeks at the most, and sooner if the roots have grown out or the scalp feels uncomfortable. Take the braids down one at a time, detangling from the ends up before you wash.

How to Keep Winter Braids Gentle

Braids stay gentle when you protect them at night and take them out with care. Before bed, undo the day braids and put the curls in one loose braid, so the hair does not knot overnight. A satin pillowcase or bonnet helps too, because cotton dries curls and roughs up the edges. Use soft snag free elastics only, never tight bands, and never use a rubber band on curly hair. Moisturise little and often in dry air, with a light mist of water and leave in conditioner. In the morning, take braids out gently with a little detangler, and comb from the ends up. If a braid hurts, stop. Loosen it or take it out and try a looser one. A braid that hurts is too tight, and no style is worth tears. Take a protective style down sooner if the edges feel sore. These are day styles, so take them out at night and let the curls rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop braids from frizzing in dry winter air?

Start with damp curls and a little leave in conditioner, which seals the curl before you braid. Braid gently, without pulling the sections tight, and smooth a drop of oil over the finished braid with your palms. A satin lined beanie or a silk scarf under a wool hat stops the hat from rubbing the braid.

Can I wear braids under a beanie without ruining them?

Yes, if the braid lies flat. Pick a style from the first group, like the milkmaid braids or the two hidden braids, because flat braids slide under a beanie instead of bulging. Wear a satin lined beanie or a silk scarf underneath, so the hat slides instead of rubbing, and smooth the edges with your palms when the hat comes off indoors.

Which styles survive wind and snow?

The Group B styles are the ones to pick: the scarf woven braid, one French braid into a low ponytail, and double French braids into a low bun. They hold because the braids are anchored well, not because they are pulled tight, and they have no loose ends for the wind to catch. Tuck the braid or the ponytail inside the coat collar on the worst days, and the ends stay out of the wind completely.

How long do winter braids last?

The nine quick styles are day styles, so they last from morning to bedtime. Take them out at night, detangle gently, and braid again in the morning. A loose braid before bed keeps the curls from knotting overnight, so the next morning starts easier. The one protective style, the stitch braids, lasts 2 to 3 weeks, then take it down gently and moisturise.

What if my scalp gets dry under braids in winter?

Moisturise little and often, with a light mist of water and leave in conditioner, and a drop of oil massaged gently onto the scalp. If the scalp stays sore or itchy, take the braids down and let the scalp rest before you braid again.

Braid It and Forget the Cold

Pick a hat day braid for Monday, a wind proof braid for the coldest day, and a festive braid for the weekend, then repeat the favourites next week. Start with the milkmaid braids on the first cold morning, because they lie flat under a beanie, then try the scarf woven braid on a windy day, and save the velvet bow for a winter party. And if winter calls for more ideas, our 12 Christmas hairstyles for curly hair has the full festive list, while our 10 curly braided hairstyles for busy moms and our 7 easy curly braids for busy moms have the same quick logic for busy mornings. For the full map of braids, our 15 braided hairstyles for curly hair covers everything from five minute morning braids to protective styles.