Knotless Braids with Curls: 14 Ideas for Every Length and Size

Knotless braids with curls give you the flat, comfortable braids you love, plus a soft, bouncy finish that moves when you do. You’ll also see this look called hair braids with curls. The curls can sit at the ends, run loose through the whole length, or fall in big waves around your face.

Below you’ll find how the styles differ, how to pick a size and length, 14 ideas, and a few care tips to keep the curls from tangling.

What Are Knotless Braids with Curls?

Knotless braids start with your own hair, and the extra hair is added little by little as the braid goes down. There’s no bulky knot at the root, so they lie flatter and feel lighter than traditional box braids. The curls come in one of two ways: curly hair is added in as you braid, or the ends are set into curls after the braid is finished.

There are three looks you’ll see over and over:

• Curly ends. The braid runs most of the way down, then the last few inches open into curls.
• Boho. Loose curly strands hang out of the braids along the whole length, so the style looks fuller and a little undone.
• French curls. Big, soft, spiral waves, usually on longer braids.

Here’s how they compare side by side.

Choosing Size and Length

Size creates different moods. Small braids are delicate and are the slowest to do. Medium braids are the happy medium. Large and jumbo braids are quick and more dramatic, but bulkier at the part line.

Length changes how the curls behave.  For short braids, the curls will be tightly wound and bouncy. For waist-length braids, the curls will extend into loose waves because of the weight pulling them downwards. To get outstanding curls, keep your hair short, but for a more flowy look, go long.

Quick rule: the thinner your hair, the smaller the braid size should be, so your edges aren’t pulled as much.

How the Curls Get Into the Braids

Curls end up in knotless braids in two main ways. In the first, curly hair is fed in while the braid is being made, and the curl stays loose instead of getting braided down. That’s how boho and French curl looks are built. In the second, the braid is finished first, and then the loose ends are wrapped around small rods and set. That gives you neat, tidy curly ends.

Hair type is also important. Loose waves, water waves, and deep waves work best because they move most like natural hair and don’t tangle as easily. Braiding hair that is artificial is cheaper and holds curls well, but it may be stiffer.

14 Knotless Braids with Curls Ideas

Curly Ends

1. Medium Knotless Braids with Curly Ends

The one most braiders have done a hundred times. Medium braids down to the mid-back, then a few inches of spiral curls at the tips. Hard to get wrong, and it works with nearly every outfit.

2. Small Knotless Braids with Curly Ends

Small braids, small curls. They’re elegant and take time at the salon, so please schedule an appointment with enough time. Because they’re small, the curls move around a lot.

3. Large and Jumbo Knotless Braids with Curls in a High Bun

Fewer braids, bigger parts, and chunky curls at the ends. This is the quick option if you don’t want to sit for hours. Gather everything on top and leave a few curly-ended braids hanging at the front, and the bold size looks even sharper.

It’s also the heaviest of the bunch, so keep the length reasonable. More on large sizes in our knotless braids guide.

Length

4. Short Knotless Braids with Curls and Curtain Bangs

Chin-length braids, a middle part, and a few loose curly pieces up front that fall like curtain bangs. The curls at the bottom stay tight and bouncy. Nothing hangs in your face, and it’s light enough that summer heat doesn’t bother you.

5. Shoulder-Length Knotless Braids with Curly Ends

The ends sit around shoulder level, with a slight flip that adds a playful touch. It’s a practical length that’s easy to style, comfortable to sleep with, and simple to pull back on warm days.

6. Waist-Length Knotless Braids with Curls and a Low Ponytail

All that length pulled into a low ponytail at the nape, with one braid wrapped around the base to hide the elastic. The curls drop into loose waves at the bottom instead of tight spirals. Tying it back takes the weight off your shoulders, which matters when the braids reach your waist.

Ask your braider to keep the braids on the lighter side so your scalp isn’t carrying all of it.

Boho, French, and Goddess Curls

7. Boho Knotless Braids with Copper Curls

Loose curls left out all the way down, so each braid has little curly pieces around it. In copper it looks warm and glowy, especially with the top gathered up and the curls spilling down the back. It looks like a lot of work because it is, so book early.

8. Long Knotless Braids with French Curls

Soft, wavy spirals that blend in with the braids instead of sitting only at the ends. Honey and caramel tones show the shape off best. Still knotless? Yes. The braid is the same, and the French curl is just the hair added to it.

9. Knotless Goddess Braids with Curls

Boho’s more polished cousin, with a touch more curl. Our goddess braids guide goes into this style properly, so we’re keeping it short here.

Color

10. Red Knotless Braids with Curly Ends

Burgundy and deep red shades add a beautiful hint of colour to dark hair. They look brighter outdoors and deeper indoors. The curls reflect the light, making the ends stand out more. For a softer, professional finish, go with a dark wine-red shade.

11. Honey Blonde and Brown Mix with Curls

This mix uses two braiding hair colors, honey blonde and chestnut brown. The curls add another dimension, so the two shades catch the light in different ways.

Styled Up

12. Half-Up Knotless Braids with Curly Ends and a Curly Bun

The top section is pulled up into a bun made of the braids, and the rest hangs down with curly ends. The bun keeps hair off your neck, and the curls stop the whole thing from looking too plain. Good for days when you want a bit more shape.

13. Curly Knotless Ponytail with a Bow

Braids gathered into a ponytail, then opened into full curls. Add a satin bow and it’s ready for a party. The base here uses feed-in style braids, so you’ll find more versions in our braided ponytail guide.

14. Small Knotless Braids with Face-Framing Curls and a Top Knot

A top knot at the crown, with two long braids hanging at the front and curled at the ends. Those front pieces frame the face the way loose strands would in a normal hairstyle, with far less effort to keep tidy. Honey-caramel color suits it especially well.

Which Curl Style Fits You?

Still stuck between a few? Match your situation to the style below.

Styling and Care

The curls need the most maintenance, which is where your attention will go in this style.

• Mist the curls with water or a light leave-in now and then. Dry curls frizz and mat.
• Don’t over-product. Heavy creams weigh curls down and make them clump.
• Sleep in a silk or satin bonnet, or loosely pile the braids on top of your head.
• Keep the part clean with a light touch of edge gel. Too much leaves flakes.
• Comb out tangles at the ends gently, working up from the bottom.

Most people keep the style for several weeks. When the curls start to look rough or your roots grow in, it’s time to take them down.

What to Tell Your Braider

Show a photo, and point out what you like in it. “Curly ends” can mean three different things, so be specific.

Tell your braider about the curl style you want, whether it is ends, boho curls or French curls. Tell them the braid thickness and length you prefer, and whether you like tight or loose curls. If your scalp is sensitive, let your braider know before they start so they can ease the tension.

Frequently Asked Questions