In case you haven’t noticed, braided headbands are shaping up to be one of the hottest hair trends of summer. Celebs such as Jennifer Lawrence, Dianna Agron and Lauren Conrad have all been spotted sporting the Boho babe look. For a twist on the traditional ‘do, though, why not try a French braided headband? They’re cute, carefree and easy to do.
Step 1: Detangle your hair
Before you begin your braid, you’ll want to make sure your hair is completely smooth and free of tangles, notes Nick Penna, Jr., owner and lead stylist of SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham, Massachusetts. Use a wide-tooth comb to get rid of knots if your hair is wet or a detangling brush if your mane is dry. This will make braiding much easier and less painful. If your hair is wet, Nick recommends applying a shape paste or gel to towel-dried hair in order to keep your braid in place and to prevent pieces from falling out as you create the style.
Step 2: Start French braiding
Grab a section of hair below your ear and begin French braiding upward toward your forehead, pulling 1-inch-wide pieces at a time, says Nick. “To make braiding across your head simple, flip all of your hair over to one side and cock your head in that direction as you work.” Nick suggests loosely pulling portions of hair together to create a more natural, free and Boho chic look.
Note
If you want to attempt a regular, braided headband, your hair must be long enough so that the braid is able to make it across the length of your head on its own, says Nick. “Take a piece of hair from right behind your ear (around two inches in width) and begin braiding the hair as normal. Once the braid is completed, loop it across your head and use two bobby pins to pin the braid behind your ear and secure it.”
Step 3: Continue braiding across your head
Continue braiding from your forehead around to the bottom of your head. If your hair is long enough, keep on braiding until the braid reaches the original starting point below your ear, except on the opposite side of your head, says Nick.
Step 4: Tie it off with a clear elastic
“When your braid is complete, tie a small, clear elastic band to the end and tuck it underneath the thicker section using bobby pins to secure it in place.” To fashion a look of volume, Nick says to push the smaller end fragments of the braid beneath the larger ones — this will lift up the front, thicker portion of your braid. Finish your look off with a spritz of medium-hold hairspray and you’re good to go!
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