Switch up your everyday bun with some braids.
I called this hairstyle the double braid bun but there’s actually three braids that wrap around your bun. You can do this style with two braids, or four, and it’s easier than you think. Maybe I should have called it the triple braid bun, but double braid bun sounds easier to do, just like this style!
Long-time readers of Hair Romance will know of my love for the donut bun. You can find my 15+ ways to wear a donut bun post here.
Working with the basic foundation of this classic bun, you can create endless styles. For this style, I leave the front layers of my hair out of the bun and braid them back to wrap around the bun.
I like this updo for a party or wedding but it’s also quick enough to do during the week.
You don’t need to know how to French braid as this style only needs a basic 3-strand braid (plait). Read on for my tutorial and for an even easier variation.
Double braid bun hairstyle tutorial
Step-by-step
- Separate two sections at the front of your hair, about 1 inch all along your hairline. Pull the rest of your hair back into a low ponytail.
- Part your hair the side. On the short side (the right side for me) start to form one braid. Split it into three and form a basic braid (plait) by crossing the left over the middle, and the right over the left. Continue down your hair until the whole section has been braided.
- Wrap the braid around the base of your ponytail. If your hair is long, just wrap the braid once around your ponytail and include the rest of your hair into the pony.
- Now on the left side, take the lowest part of this section and braid it back to your bun.
- Next take half of the remaining section and form a second braid back to your bun.
- With the remaining section of hair, twist this back and pin in place next to your braids. I also like to gently backcomb the hair at the front to add some height. Then comb it lightly and pin it back.
- Place your donut bun padding at the base of your ponytail.
- Backcomb your ponytail to add volume. For a big bun you want to tease your hair and really spread out your hair so that the whole donut is covered.
- Wrap your hair around the donut padding and pin in place. Finish with a spritz of hairspray and you’re good to go!
Hairstyle Variation
I know this seems like a lot of steps, but I really just broke it down into detail so you can see exactly how to do it.
For an even easier variation, try twisting the hair instead of braiding the sections. Twist the front sections back and pin them around the base of your ponytail. Then style the bun as per the tutorial.
You can do a large, messy bun like I have or make a smooth and neat bun. You know I always love big hair, but you can make this style very work appropriate too.
What’s your trick to switching up your everyday bun?
I have really long hair (waist length) and still struggling with how to pin my hair after I put a hair donut around my ponytail. I seem to have so much left over that I can’t pin underneath! Do you have any suggestions? I’ve tried making a plait to wrap around the bun with the left over hair but I have layers so it can sometimes look messy..
Hi Jade, I normally recommend doing a plait at the ends of your hair to wrap the rest of your hair around but if this doesn’t work I do have another idea. Depending on how long your hair is, you could loop your ponytail in half. As you’re pulling your ponytail through your hair elastic, on the last pull leave the ends of your hair in your hair band. Then put the donut padding around your ponytail and make a bun with the looped ponytail covering the padding. You’ll probably need a fe more bobby pins, but you should be able to create that bun shape more easily. Hope this helps x