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Last year, it seemed like everyone was taking all their beauty trend cues from the ‘90s: The bixie haircut, thin eyebrows, and extra-dark lip liner returned with a vengeance. Throughout 2025, though, we’ve seen more of the 2010s’ influence, especially when it comes to hairstyles. Side bangs and deep side parts have made a comeback, and the undercut has received a braided upgrade. We’re here to talk about the latter look.
According to Shanna St. Cyr, a New York City-based braider, side braids are poised to be this fall and winter’s biggest braid trend. It’s a hybrid style, combining cornrows plaited, going down on one side of the head (to mimic a side-shave buzzcut) with a sew-in cascading down on the other side. For someone who wants to mimic the cool flair of having one side of your head shaved without actually doing any clipping, St. Cyr says these braids are the ideal option.
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St. Cyr points to Cassie Ventura’s now-infamous 2009 partial buzzcut as one of the inspirations for the braided look. “In the streets of New York, everyone's calling it the Cassie braid,” she says. Helena Koudou, a New York City-based braider, confirms Cassie’s influence “I remember when Cassie came out with this style and girls were willing to shave their heads,” she says. “We now have a style that’s more convenient.”
St. Cyr also sees Beyoncé’s influence in the look. “I feel like it’s Lemonade braids reinvented,” she says, referring to the long blonde cornrows the singer had in the visuals for her sixth album.
We saw glimpses of the style on it-girls like content creator Rese this summer, but braiders predict it will really take off in the colder months. The edgy vibe of side braids is a natural departure from the more flowy, feminine styles that usually dominate in the summer (like boho braids).
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It’s more functional, too. “People loved cornrows [in the front] and curls in the back as a summer style,” St. Cyr says. However, the stylist notes that it's hard to wear a hat with that style. Shifting the cornrows from the front to the side and switching out a curly sew-in for a straight or wavy one allows you to wear a knit hat or a fitted cap without it looking bulky, making this style perfect for the cooler months.
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If you’ve read this far, you’re probably seriously considering getting side braids. However, before attempting to DIY the look, St. Cyr strongly urges you to schedule an appointment with a professional braider. Even if you can finesse cornrows yourself, she warns that making sure your sew-in lays flat, nailing a crisp part, and getting the placement of the cornrows just right can be tricky. “It can look bulky if you don't know how to layer the weave to be flat on one side,” she says.
Also, be sure to have a few inspo photos with you so your stylist knows exactly what you’re hoping for—especially for the braid side. “The cornrows can be any design you want,” says Koudou. “Two girls can have Cassie braids that look slightly different in the way the cornrows are created.” You can opt for zigzag cornrows, which may give your look a grungy vibe or a swirly pattern to add a more feminine touch.
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How to maintain your side braids
When it comes to maintaining your side braids, follow the general protective style upkeep rules, including moisturizing your scalp weekly with a lightweight braid spray. Koudou says you’ll also want to tie your hair down at night, as doing so is pivotal to making the look last as long as possible (about three to four weeks).
How to style your side braids
“This style requires using heat to blend your hair with the weave, so be prepared to curl or flat-iron it when it’s time to step out,” Koudou says. She recommends always using heat protection before wielding your hot tools. We love the Best of Beauty winner, Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist, a lightweight formula that protects hair from temperatures of up to 455 degrees Fahrenheit. She also suggests using flexi rods or a satin heatless curl headband on the sew-in before you head to bed. “That way, when you wake up, you have juicy bouncy curls with some fresh cornrows,” she says.
