If You're Obsessed With Braids, You Need to Follow These Instagram Feeds

True story: when I first learned to french braid, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I was so obsessed, I wanted to run around and braid the hair of all my friends (and of all my dolls), and sit for hours in front of the mirror doing my own.
I was around eight, and because I was the only person I knew that could french braid, I felt superspecial.

Despite my plaiting skills, I've discovered that 16 years later, I am not the braiding genius that I thought I would be. Thankfully, there are others whose styling careers have flourished a bit more than my own — and they're sharing their work via Instagram.

From box and fishtail plaits to cornrows and woven waterfalls, the types of braids these stylists have mastered are infinite. While we're a bit envious, we're not complaining, just as long as they continue to let us ogle their creations from our iPhone screen. Get your double-tapping thumbs ready and read on.popsugartapping thumbs ready and read on.

@Braidsxtwy

Los Angeles-based braider @Braidsxtwy wows with her perfectly executed box braids, cornrows, boxer braids, cali rows, and more. Though she focuses on styles inspired by African-American culture, she works with a variety of hair types — a versatility that has helped her earn a highly respected reputation (and wide client base!) throughout LA. 

@AuroraBraids

When two sisters from Norway started an Instagram account to showcase their love for braiding, they probably didn't know they'd end up being one of the top hairstyle pages on the social platform. With 151 thousand followers tuning in to see their crafty creations, the duo behind @AuroraBraids has proved their interest in plaiting is more than that: it's pure talent. 

@KirstenZellers

Though not every image showcased on @KirstenZellers's account includes a plait (or two), the blogging beauty tends to favor this style for her blond locks. Luckily for us, she shares how to achieve her bodacious braided looks on her YouTube channel and blog.

@HairRomance

The inspiration is infinite on the @HairRomance feed thanks to a combination of submission posts and images from Christina, the account's owner. Twisted braids, intertwining braids, crown braids, waterfall braids — if it exists (or, even if it hasn't before), you'll find it in this feed.

@MissySueBlog

Mother, YouTuber, and Instagram powerhouse @MissySueBlog is without a doubt one of the best-known braiders on the social media scene — just ask her 472 thosuand followers. All images are her own, which just goes to show the immense amount of talent that Missy uses to achieve her whimsical, intricate, and totally awe-inspiring 'dos.

@LilithMoonLife

The only thing better than @LilithMoonLife's braids? Seeing her plaits posed in front of the stunning scenery in her home country of France. Her long blond locks give us serious hair envy but, thankfully, you can get your own Lilith Moon-inspired style via her YouTubetutorials. 

@BraidsByJordan

At just 18 years old, Jordan is the plait prodigy I had hoped to be. @BraidsByJordan packs a one-two punch of inventive styles and stunning backdrops — a combination that makes her photos breathtaking on every possible level. 

@BestBoxBraids

Box braids are traditionally a method for styling natural hair and are one of the most iconic looks for women of color. @BestBoxBraids shows off the best examples of this style from across Instagram. 

@TwinTresses

Though twin sisters Liz and Emily haven't been on the Instagram scene all that long, they’ve quickly proven that @TwinTresses is a hairstyle account worth following. The gals weave their own manes and don't disappoint with their photos. Though they've stuck to some of the more basic braid varieties thus far, we expect to see more and more creativity to come with experience. 

@HairByMissKellyO

If you prefer your braids to look a little more brazen, then @HairByMissKellyo is a must follow. Her neon, pastel, and rainbow braids are almost too pretty to be real — except for the fact that she dyed each mane herself. She has a keen understanding of the way color and coifs play off one another and is able to create surreal vibrancy that is only accentuated by her plaited styles. 

@BeyondthePonytail

@BeyondthePonytail, run by hairstylist and self-proclaimed braid enthusiast Angela Cattaneo, features stunning plaits from across Instagram. You can post your own masterpiece and tag #beyondtheponytail to be featured — Cattaneo and her team often pull from many of the other accounts on this list to create their curated feed of hair magic. 

@InstiBraid

With 1 million followers, @InstiBraid is perhaps the most popular crowdsourced braid account on Instagram. This superchic account — started by two Florida-based teens for fun — has become a hotbed of hair inspiration and eye candy. 

@Flettemia

Maria Sindre-Bjelke, the Norwegian/Swedish Instagrammer and YouTuber behind@Flettemia, posts stunning photos of braids of her own creation. Her designs look like they jumped straight out of a storybook, a style that jives perfectly with her often pint-sized models.

@BraidsGang

With an emphasis on braids best for natural hair, @BraidsGang often features box braids, twists, and dreads. You'll definitely want to join this #GirlGang. 

@BraidsBySophieG

Not only is the woman behind @BraidsBySophieG a talented stylist, but she also has truly gorgeous red hair, which she uses as the foundation for her fantastic plaits. 

@BraidsByLia

There must be something in the water in Scandinavia, because the master weaver behind@BraidsByLia also hails from Sweden. Her fishtail, waterfall, twisted, and french styles are photographed in front of outdoor landscapes, adding to the feeling that these plaits are perfect for a girl on the go. 

@ErinElizabethh

A modern-day Jill-of-all-trades, @ErinElizabethh shows off her braid creations on Instagram, offers insight into how to DIY them on her YouTube channel, and blogs about her passion for styling. Based in Canada, Erin also works as a graphic designer, and her training is quite evident in her eye for composition, color palettes, and lighting. 

@N.Starck

Danish mom @N.Starck pushes the limits of the traditional braid, creating cage braids, five-strand braids, dutch braids, and other incredible styles that will have your jaw hitting the floor. She often uses her daughter as a model, so other moms can be inspired to whip up these masterpieces themselves.