Curly hair tutorial – the half-up braid hairstyle

Here’s one for the curly girls!

You’ve asked for more curly hair tutorials so I’ve created this half-up braid hairstyle just for you.

Don’t worry if you have straight hair, you can also wear this style with a couple of modifications which I’ll share below. The reason this style works so well in curly hair is because you can just leave the ends messy and it all blends in with your curls.

I recommend wearing this style in second day curls. If you pineapple your hair then you’ll still have pretty good curls on day two or even three. When the top layer of your hair gets frizzy, this is the hairstyle to disguise it.

My hair is quite thick, but this style works just as well in fine curly hair too.

For this version, I’ve taken the braid all the way across the front of my hairline. You can do a regular side part or go in the opposite direction. If you have a fringe / bangs you can leave them out or incorporate them into the braid. Always customise my hairstyle tutorials to suit your hair.

Curly hair tutorial – the half-up braid hairstyle tutorial

What you need:

• Bobby pins
• Hair elastic (optional)

Step-by-step:

1. Create a deep side part. I’ve gone right across and started this braid near my right temple as my curls were all messy at the front.
2. Take a section at the start of your part and split it into three.
3. Begin your Dutch lace braid – this is created by crossing the strands under each other and only adding in hair from one side. Cross the left section under the middle, then the right under the left. On the next section, add in some hair from your hairline and cross it under to the middle.
4. Continue braiding, only adding in hair from your hairline.
5. As you reach your left temple, begin to curve the braid around.
6. Switch the direction of the hair you add to your braid. The braid is still a lace braid, where hair is added in to one side but it changes as it curves. Instead of adding in from your hairline, add in hair from the top of your head. This helps to hold the braid in place and lets you angle it better around the back of your head.
7. To finish the braid – my curls hold the braid in place so I left the ends loose and used bobby pins to secure the braid. Add in a couple of extra pins along the length of your braid to hold it. You can also use a small hair elastic if you find your braid starts to unravel.

Styling tips

• Stretch out your braids – this is my favourite trick to make your hair look thicker and to emphasise the shape of the braid. Holding the end of your braid, gently pull at the sides of your braid to widen them.
• For straight hair – you’ll definitely need a small hair elastic to secure the end of your braid. Use a clear elastic or one that matches your hair colour. You can also wrap a piece of hair around the elastic to disguise it.
• Pin your braid flat – sometimes lace braids can lift as they’re only held down by hair on one side. Use bobby pins along the length of the braid to secure it and to make it sit flat. Only pin your braid once you’ve stretched it out.
• If your second day curls are too messy – try these tips to revive second day curls.

If you try this, I’d love to see a photo of your hair! Tag your photo on instagram #hairromance. Feel free to share my tutorial or pin it for later.

How do you style your second day curls?