Hairstyles always get taken up a notch when there's a braid involved. Even more, braided updos are a trend we continue to see everywhere from red carpets to casual coffee dates.
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1
Double Crown Braid
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There are few things chicer than the updo Lily Collins wore to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 10th Annual Governors Awards. Her double braid adds more dimension to her sleek, middle-parted bun.
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2
Piled High Bun
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Selenis Leyva's braid ties her entire look together. Her oversized messy bun gets a more polished look thanks to a chunky braid wrapped around the base.
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3
Crown Braid With Waves
Instagram/Sarah Potempa
Emily Blunt is known for her acting chops, but she is unofficially our official braid crown queen. The future Mary Poppins, with help from styling pro Sarah Potempa, had her wavy low bun accented with sleek braid.
One of our favorite protective styles is the cornrow-bun combination that Tracee Ellis Ross had at the Annual Nominees Night. For the best copycat results, we recommend using an edge control to keep the braided bun as sleek as possible.
For the easiest way to get celebrity-inspired braids, look no further than Kate Bosworth's simple Dutch braid.
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6
Braided Loops
Instagram/Chris Appleton
You may need to hire a friend (or two) to help you recreate Jennifer Lopez's braided updo, but it will be worth it. Separate your hair into sections and then style them to make an artistic bun like this one by Chris Appleton.
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7
Box Braid Top Knot
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There's nothing more regal than a dramatic top knot. Here, Teyonah Parris shows how to take over the Toronto Film Festival red carpet. If you want to try this on your own hair, we suggest waiting a week or so after getting your box braids so they can loosen a bit.
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8
Dutch Fishtail
Instagram/Sarah Potempa
Stylist Sarah Potempa posted this as a throwback, but it's a timeless updo. Reese Witherspoon's hair is both unique and sleek as it starts as a fishtail braid and transforms into a chic low bun.
Lucy Hale's sweet and classic style is complemented by this low bun with a French braid at the crown of her head. With a more casual side part, she can easily take this hairstyle from day to night.
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10
Subtly Braided Messy Bun
Instagram/Sarah Potempa
Look closely and you'll see the small braided pieces woven throughout Emily Blunt's hair. Whether you want to dress up your casual day look or keep your hair away for a nighttime gathering, this is an ideal bun for almost any occasion.
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11
Fishtail Ballerina Bun
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Sarah Hyland's low ballerina-style bun looks plain and simple. But it gets an extra oomph with a thin strand of a fishtail braid wrapped around the base.
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12
Double French Braided Buns
Dimitrios Kambouris//Getty Images
Amanda Seyfried had two times the fun when she showed up to a premiere wearing this updo. There's so much happening here, and her stylist took it even further when her braids were pulled into mini buns at nape of her neck.
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13
Plaited Low Bun
Paras Griffin//Getty Images
You could call Mary J. Blige's hairstyle the mullet of braided updos. It's business in the front with a super sleek middle part, but then the party happens when her bun is accented by a wraparound braid.
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14
Braided Top Knot
Instagram/Chris Appleton
We're used to seeing Ariana Grande in a high pony, but this stylized top knot works for any activity. Pro stylist Chris Appleton started with three mini French braids at the top, and then wrapped a larger long braid around her bun.
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15
Peekaboo Braided Bun
Instagram/Sarah Potempa
Stylist Sarah Potempa called this hairdo she created for Margot Robbie a "peekaboo" braid. During a press tour in Tokyo, Robbie rocked this braid that started at the nape of her neck and was woven through and around her messy top knot.
Sometimes, you just need to stick with a classic. This year, Lea Michele walked onto the GLAAD Media Awards red carpet in this smoothed down, pulled back Dutch braid.
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17
Messy French Braid Crown
Instagram/Bridget Brager
Stylist Bridget Brager helped Evangeline Lilly get this perfectly imperfect messy bun, which featured an oversized French braid crown.
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18
Top Knot With Mini Braids
Matt Winkelmeyer//Getty Images
We can count at least two different types of braids wrapping around Mackenzie Foy's ultra-chic top knot. And while the Nutcracker star is only 18, this look can work on anyone.
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19
Accessorized French Braid Bun
Mark Sagliocco//Getty Images
This is the last time we are using Emily Blunt as braided updo inspo, we swear. But we simply couldn't get enough of this one, which featured a glamorous gold leaf hairpiece.
Blake Bakkila has been writing about everything from pop culture to lifestyle products for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com, WhattoExpect.com, Health.com, and in the print and digital versions of Real Simple and People.