5-Minute Hairstyle: How to DIY a Half-Up Braid in Just 3 Steps
We’re two weeks deep into our November B+C Book Club pick, Me, My Hair, and I: 27 Women Untangle an Obsession, and we can’t stop thinking about our tresses. We’ve covered our craziest and most traumatic hair fails, but now we’re ready for some major hair wins, starting with a glam Dutch braid that still lets you wear your hair down. Whether your hair is recovering from a disastrous cut or you’ve been priming your locks for your next fancy ‘do, this hair how-to is a surefire winner.
STEP 1: SECTION HAIR
Start by brushing your hair to remove any tangles, then use a fine-tooth comb to make a big section on the front top of your head. Pull that section of hair together and clip it in place. Then make a low pony with the remaining hair.
STEP 2: DUTCH BRAID
Take three equal sections from the top of your head and start Dutch braiding. Dutch braids are basically like opposite of a traditional French braid — you weave the hair underneath the middle section instead of over the top. This gives the braid a cool 3D effect.
Keep on braiding until you get to the end of your braid and secure it with a clear elastic. You should be able to glimpse the final result now — which should look like this. Exciting, right?
STEP 3: ADD VOLUME
Now the fun begins! Start pancaking your braid bit by bit to create the illusion of fullness and extra volume. Don’t be afraid to yank a bit here and there, because the messier the better with this look.
FINAL TOUCHES
Lastly, it’s time to loosen up the remaining hair and add some final touches. Teresa’s natural texture is already wavy, so we just decided to add some random, loose curls with a flat iron. To get the look, take a one-inch section of hair and twist the flat iron away from your face and all the way down. Repeat until you’re completely satisfied with the result and you’re good to go!
This is such a fun, versatile half-updo that you can wear pretty much everywhere. Also, you can definitely mix it up with a high pony of a regular french braid. Don’t be afraid to experiment — the sky is the limit ;)
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