Ribbon braids are exactly what they sound like: ribbons woven or tied into braids, turning a basic style into something with texture and color. The current shift is toward softer, lived-in color and natural texture, which means ribbons in muted or pastel tones pair well with face-framing layers and curtain bangs.
This collection of 16 Trendy Ribbon Braids covers the range from intricate salon styles to quick DIY tie-offs, so there is something for every skill level and hair type. Whether your hair is fine and tends to fall flat or thick and needs a secure hold, these ideas show how a ribbon changes the shape and the staying power of a braid.
Thick Blonde Box Braids With Colorful Ribbon Weaves
Two thick, wavy blonde braids hang forward over the shoulders, each one woven through with ribbons in a spectrum of bright colors. The middle parting keeps the weight balanced, and the wavy texture gives the style volume that straight braids just can’t match. This is a look for medium to thick density hair that already reaches mid-back, anything shorter and the ribbon detail gets lost in the shuffle.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back blonde box braids with colorful ribbon weaves. The salon application is required here; plan for a touch-up appointment every six to eight weeks to keep the braids tight and the ribbons from fraying. A texturizing spray on the roots before braiding helps the style hold its shape longer, though the ribbons provide most of the visual impact.
Mid-Back Coily Braids With Pink Ribbon and Lace
How does coily hair handle ribbon weaving without looking like a craft project? By using the hair’s natural grip. Here, thick, coily black braids are interwoven with bright pink ribbons and strips of white lace, creating a dense, textured look that holds everything in place. The back view reveals multiple braids cascading to mid-back, each one a deliberate part of the whole.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back coily braids with pink ribbon and lace accents. The coily texture grips the ribbon better than straight hair does, so the weave stays put without constant adjustment. Professional braiding is recommended. This level of detail takes time, and the result is a style that looks carefully assembled. A setting lotion applied before braiding adds longevity to the hold.
Dark Brown Braid With Vibrant Multi-Colored Ribbons
A single thick, straight dark brown braid runs down the center of the back, ribbons in blue, pink and green woven through at intervals for a deliberate pop of color against the dark base. The middle parting keeps the line clean, and the straight texture lets the ribbon pattern read clearly without texture getting in the way. Ask your stylist for: mid-back dark brown braid with woven multi-colored ribbons. Specify the ribbon colors you want. The contrast works best when the shades are saturated and the base is dark. This is a salon-only style; the weaving technique requires precision to keep the ribbon evenly spaced and secure.
Thick Dark Brown Dutch Braid With Gold Ribbons
A standard three-strand braid lies flat against the head. A Dutch braid sits raised, like it is resting on top of the hair. This one is a thick, dark brown Dutch braid running straight down the back, gold ribbons criss-crossing through every section and small gold floral accents tucked in along the way. The raised structure gives the ribbon more surface area to show, so the gold reads as a deliberate detail.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back dark brown Dutch braid with intricate gold ribbon weaving. The Dutch technique requires a salon visit. It is not a quick DIY, and the ribbon placement needs a steady hand. The hold is excellent: the raised braid stays intact for a full day with minimal loosening, and the gold ribbon does not slip out of the weave. A light-hold hairspray on the finished braid helps keep flyaways from competing with the ribbon pattern.
Dark Brown Wavy Crown Braid With Light Pink Ribbons
Does a crown braid with ribbons actually stay put, or does it unravel by lunch? The answer depends on texture. Here, dark brown wavy, thick hair is shaped into a crown braid that wraps around the head, light pink ribbons woven in for a soft contrast against the brown. A wispy fringe frames the face, and the middle parting keeps the front balanced.
Ask your stylist for: dark brown wavy crown braid with wispy fringe and pink ribbon detail. Apply a texturizing spray to the lengths before braiding. The grip it creates keeps the ribbon from sliding out of the weave. The fringe is styled separately with a small round brush and a blow dryer; it needs a quick refresh between washes to hold its shape. The crown braid itself holds for a full day if pinned securely, though the wavy texture does soften the braid over time, which is part of the appeal.
Ash Blonde Braids With Black Ribbon Layering
Two thick, wavy braids in ash blonde reach mid-back, with a black ribbon woven through to create a subtle layered effect and visual depth. The cool-toned base keeps the design polished, but ash blonde can look flat if the ribbon is too thin or spaced too wide. Ask your stylist for: mid-back ash blonde braids with black ribbon weaving. A dense ribbon placement prevents the braid from looking sparse. The main drawback is that the cool tones and dark ribbon offer less contrast against ash blonde than they would against a warmer base, so the effect is understated.
Pinkish Blonde Braids With Sheer Ribbon Bows
Two pinkish blonde braids sit at mid-back, each finished with a sheer light pink ribbon bow, plus a matching bow securing the top. The wavy texture gives the bows something to grip, so they stay put and do not slide down the hair. Ask your stylist for: mid-back pinkish blonde braids with sheer pink ribbon bows. This is a spring or early summer look, suited to a bridal shower, garden party or graduation brunch. The sheer ribbon keeps the style from looking like a dress-up accessory, and the pinkish blonde base ties the whole thing together without competing with the bows.
Blonde Straight Braid With White Ribbon Detail
A single thick blonde braid extends to mid-back, with a white ribbon featuring gold lettering woven directly into the plait. Straight texture gives it a clean finish. This is a salon-only proposition: the ribbon must be sewn or braided in as the hair is sectioned, and the lettering has to stay centered. Ask your stylist for: mid-back blonde braid with integrated white ribbon and gold lettering. A DIY version with a pre-lettered ribbon tied around the finished braid is possible, but the woven-in effect is noticeably more refined. A trim every six to eight weeks keeps the braid ends neat, and a smoothing serum before styling prevents flyaways from distracting from the ribbon detail.
Dark Brown Wavy Braids With Black Ribbon Bows
How do you get those bows spaced evenly without the ribbon bunching up? The trick is to tie each bow as you braid, not after. Two thick dark brown wavy braids hang to mid-back, with black ribbons tied at intervals along each one. Ask your stylist for: mid-back dark brown wavy braids with black ribbon bows. Start with a small elastic at the top, then section the ribbon into equal pieces before you begin. Tie the first bow about two inches down, then continue braiding. A spritz of texture spray on the wavy sections gives the ribbon something to grip, so the bows stay in place rather than migrating as you move.
Mid-Back Braids With Green Ribbon Criss-Cross
Multiple straight braids reach mid-back, with vibrant green ribbons woven through in a criss-cross pattern and a small blue bow at the top. The design is playful and precise, but there is a practical trade-off. Ribbons that cross over each other inside a braid create friction points, and over time the ribbon can fray or snag on clothing. Ask your stylist for: mid-back braids with green ribbon criss-cross pattern. The dark brown base provides a clear canvas for the bright green, so the pattern reads clearly. This is a festival or event style, not a daily one. If the ribbon does start to fray, the entire braid may need to be redone rather than repaired in sections.
Mid-Back Wavy Blonde Braids With Pink Ribbon Bows
Two thick, wavy blonde braids run to mid-back, each finished with a delicate pink ribbon bow, and a middle parting keeps the whole thing symmetrical. This style genuinely shines on hair that already has some wave and density, because the texture gives the ribbons something to hold onto without the braids looking skimpy. Fine, straight hair can work, but you will want a texture spray at the roots to keep the braids from sliding apart by lunch.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back wavy blonde braids with pink ribbon bows. Tie the bows after braiding, not during, so you can adjust the placement and tighten the ribbon without unraveling your work. Brush out gently to preserve the wave pattern underneath.
Mid-Back Straight Brown Braids With End Ribbons
What happens when you tie ribbons at the end of a braid rather than weaving them in? The braid stays the main event, and the ribbon becomes a removable accent you can swap out in seconds. Here, two long, straight brown braids reach mid-back with grey and white ribbons knotted at the tips, and a middle parting keeps the look clean. Ask your stylist for: mid-back straight brown braids with ribbons tied at the ends. Secure the ribbon with a tight knot and trim the ends, then change the color whenever you feel like it. The braids themselves hold their shape for a full day with no touch-ups.
Shoulder-Length Fine Braids With Bows and Pearls
The mistake people make with fine hair and embellished braids is adding the weight before the structure is solid. These shoulder-length, light brown wavy braids keep white ribbon bows at the top and scatter small pearls throughout, which is charming until the braid loosens. The fix is a texturizing spray on damp hair before braiding, which gives each section enough grip to hold the pearls and bows without slipping. Ask your stylist for: shoulder-length loose wavy braids with ribbon bows and pearl accents. The pearls can shift during the day, so use small clear elastics at each pearl to anchor them.
Mid-Back Ponytails With Braided Accents and Ribbons
This style builds two low ponytails from thick, straight dark brown hair, then adds braided accents that wrap around the base before light-colored ribbons are tied over them. The braids here are structural, not decorative: they hide the hair elastic and give the ribbon a textured surface to grip. Ask your stylist for: mid-back ponytails with braided accents and light ribbons. Braid each accent section tightly before wrapping it around the ponytail, then secure with a pin before adding the ribbon. The finished look holds for a full day of activity without the ponytails sagging, because the braid acts as a second anchor.
Dark Brown Braided Bun With Ribbon Accents
Why wear a braided bun to an evening event when a plain chignon does the same job? Because the ribbon changes the whole register. This dark brown, thick wavy hair is gathered into a low braided bun with two long braided tails left hanging, and a black ribbon is woven into the bun as a bow and also tied along the tails. Small gold hair accessories dot the bun, adding a second shimmer without competing with the ribbon. Ask your stylist for: dark brown braided low bun with ribbon accents on tails. This is a salon-level style for weddings, holiday parties or any occasion where a plain bun feels like a missed opportunity.
Single Dark Brown Braid With Multiple Ribbon Bows
This braid is a study in spacing: one dark brown plait, mid-back length and straight, punctuated by black ribbon bows tied at even intervals down its spine. The middle parting keeps the canvas clean, so the repeating bows look like deliberate decoration. This is not a five-minute morning style; it is a salon-leaning project that asks for patience and a second set of hands to keep the ribbon tension consistent.
Thick, straight hair holds the structure best, giving each bow a crisp backdrop. Ask your stylist for: a mid-back single dark brown braid with multiple black ribbon bows. Expect to set aside about an hour in the chair: the braiding itself is quick, but tying and adjusting each bow so they sit evenly takes real precision. The style stays intact through a full day of movement, though you will want to sleep with a silk scarf to keep the bows from crushing before a second wear.
Final Thoughts
For a subtle touch, tie ribbons at the ends of a basic braid. For a bolder statement, weave them through the entire length of a Dutch or box braid. The ribbon color and placement are yours to choose.
- Trim braids every 6-8 weeks to maintain shape and remove split ends.
- Refresh ribbon colors or replace worn ribbons as needed.
- Use a light-hold hairspray to tame flyaways before braiding.
- Carefully unravel braids to avoid snagging or breakage, especially with delicate ribbons.
Ribbon braids are your playground for color and texture.
