Duck & Dry Braids Salon in London

London's Go-To Braids Salon

London's go-to braids salon is where good braids start with the hands doing them. At Duck & Dry, our professional stylists have years of experience with braids, working across every hair type and length, from relaxed everyday styles to detailed styles built for an occasion, at any of our London salons. That experience shows from the first braid to the last, and you'll feel the difference walking out.
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Our Signature braids

Duck & Dry Braided Hairstyles

If you want a braid that actually holds, you're in the right hands. Braiding is a skill our stylists have spent years getting right, and they plait every hair type, from fine hair that needs grip to thick hair that needs taming, shaping each style around your length, texture and the finish you're after. Festivals, holidays, weekends away or simply because you fancy a change, our braids are built to hold their shape and still look like you. Choose a style, sit back, and leave with braids you won't need to keep checking.
Explore our signature braids below, each one made to suit you and built to last.
Woman with braided hair on a plain background
Woman with braided hair wearing gold hoop earrings on a plain background
Woman with a fishtail braid hairstyle on a plain background

Woman with braided hair wearing gold hoop earrings on a plain background

Textured and Relaxed

Braided Twist

A twisted plait with the texture left in. Rather than weaving it tight, we twist the sections and loosen them through the crown, so the braid keeps movement and sits soft against the head. Softer than a classic plait, and just as secure.

Woman with braided hair on a plain background

Two of a kind

Twin Plaits

Two neat plaits with a playful, modern twist. We weave each side smoothly down the head for a full, clean look that keeps its structure from day to night. Chic, neat, and reliably secure.

Woman with a fishtail braid hairstyle on a plain background

Tightly Woven

Perfect Fishtail

A tightly woven fishtail with a refined finish. Rather than a loose weave, we finely interlock small sections down the back for a sleek, sculpted finish with maximum definition. More detailed than a classic plait, and impeccably neat.

Side profile of a thick braid for long hair, styled from the hairline to below the shoulder

Short braided style on a wavy bob

Bride in lace gown wearing a halo braid updo, bridal braids by Duck & Dry London

Braids made for your hair

  • Long Hair Braids
    Long hair gives us the most to work with, from a single braid down the back to styles woven close to the head or wrapped around the crown. We shape the length so the braid holds its weight and stays neat.

  • Short Hair Braids
    Short hair braids beautifully, it just needs a different approach. We work close to the head and use the length you have, so the style sits neatly against a bob or a crop and holds without slipping.

  • Bridal Braids
    Your wedding hair carries the whole look. We braid it to hold, soften the front to frame your face, and shape the style around your dress, your veil and any pins or accessories you plan to wear with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does my hair need to be to get braids?

Most braids need around shoulder length to sit properly, though shorter hair can still be braided. On shorter hairstyles like a bob we work closer to the head and use the length you have, so the style sits neatly and holds without slipping. Very short or heavily layered hair gives you fewer styles to choose from, and your stylist will talk you through what works with your length before they start.

Can I get bridal braids at Duck & Dry?

Yes, we braid hair for brides and bridesmaids at all our salons. Bridal braids are woven to hold through a long day, softened at the front to frame your face, and shaped around your dress, your veil and any pins or accessories you plan to wear. Trials are available ahead of the wedding so you can see the finished look and adjust it before the day. We also style hen dos and pre-wedding celebrations, with group styling tables, a prosecco bar and half day or full salon hire available across our locations. Enquire here.

How much do braids cost in London?

Braids at Duck & Dry start from £40 for The Express, which is the style only, or £45 for The Classic, which includes a wash. Final pricing depends on the style you choose and the length and thickness of your hair. You can see the full menu on our pricing page.

What braid hairstyles can I get at Duck & Dry?

We offer three signature braids: the Braided Twist, Twin Plaits and the Perfect Fishtail. The Braided Twist is twisted loosely and eased out through the crown so it keeps its movement. Twin Plaits sit as two neat plaits woven smoothly down each side of the head. For a sleeker finish, the Perfect Fishtail interlocks small sections down the back so the pattern stays sharp. Bring a photo if you have another braid in mind and your stylist will work to it.

How long do braids last?

Most braids stay neat for several days, and longer with a little care. How long depends on the style and on your hair. Tight, close braids last longest, while looser styles start to slip once they've been slept in and washed a few times, and fine or very smooth hair loosens sooner than thick or textured hair. Sleeping on silk, keeping the braids dry between washes and tucking any loose pieces back in will help ensure they hold their shape before they need redoing.

How do I wash my hair with braids in?

Wash the scalp, not the braids. Dilute your shampoo with warm water, apply it along the parts and hairline, then massage softly with your fingertips rather than your nails. Rinse by letting the water run from the scalp down the length so the suds carry through the braids on their own, and follow with a light conditioner on the lengths if your hair needs it. Rubbing or scrunching the braids is what causes frizz, so keep the handling gentle and let them dry fully before you sleep on them.

Do braids damage your hair?

No, not when they're braided properly and the weave isn't pulled too tight. Most of the damage people associate with braiding comes from too much tension, from wearing the same braids week after week without taking them down, or from pulling a style out in a hurry. Our stylists braid with enough tension to hold the style without dragging at the roots, work lightly around the hairline and any finer, more fragile pieces, and take a braid down as carefully as they put it in. The condition of your hair comes first, so if a look would need more tension than your hair can comfortably take, we'll say so and braid it looser or start it further down the head, where there's less pull on the roots.

Do I need to book in advance for braids, or can I walk in?

Walk-ins are welcome, though we recommend booking in advance to secure the day and time you would like. Weekends and the evenings before events fill quickly, and bridal or group bookings should always be arranged ahead. Book online to check live availability.