This curly side braid is your everyday curly hairstyle solution. It’s quick to do and will stand up to any weather too.
One of the reasons I started braiding my hair was that I didn’t have time to wash my hair in the morning. I would do anything for a few extra minutes in my warm bed before work.
So if you need some motivation to learn to braid, then this curly side braid hairstyle will help you to get more time in bed.
Plus you can save time washing your hair. I mean, who has time to wash their hair every day? I don’t even recommend everyday washing as it is too drying on most hair types.
Instead, wear an easy updo or braid to keep your hair out of the way. My everyday curly hairstyle tutorial series is your second day time-saver.
If I had to choose, I’d say my favourite braid in curly hair is the Dutch braid. That’s the reverse of the French braid, sometimes called an inside-out braid. I love how Dutch braids add detail in curly hair.
Today’s tutorial could convert me back to the French braid. It’s really quick to do and it’s such a fun style. This curly side braid tutorial is easy for all hair types: straight, wavy or curly. Anyone can do it.
If you’re not confident with braids, check out these tips for braiding curly hair and grab a copy of my braids ebook to learn all the basics with step-by-step tutorials.
Easy everyday curly hairstyles – the curly side braid tutorial
What you need:
- Small clear hair elastic (or one to match your hair colour)
- Bobby pin
Step-by-step tutorial:
To create the side ponytail, we’ll angle the French braid diagonally across your head from the top left to the bottom right.
If you prefer to wear your ponytail on the left side, just start your braid from the top right.
- Take a large section of hair to start your braid. I take a section from the top of my head to my left temple. Split this into three equal sections.
- Begin your French braid, adding in hair from both sides. Cross the left section over the middle, then the right over the left. As you cross over the next section, add in hair from the left side. Continue, adding in hair to the next section from the right and so on.
- Remember to aim your braid diagonally. When you reach your neck, secure your hair in a side ponytail.
- Cover your elastic. Take a small piece of hair from your ponytail and wrap it around your elastic. Wrap the end around a bobby pin and secure in place underneath.
You’ve asked for more picture of the front of my hairstyles too. I get pretty awkward taking photos of my face but I hope this helps you to understand the styles better.
I used the volume from my curly hair to shape the front. If your hair is sitting flat you can gently backcomb the hair to add some extra height.
Hairstyling tips:
Embrace messy hair. You don’t need to be perfect when braiding curly hair. It’s practically impossible to take neat and exact sections so work with your curls.
Pay attention to accessories. Accessories can really add to a style. Chunky elastics can really detract from the look. I recommend buying some small, clear elastics for these styles. They are practically invisible in the finished look and make a big difference. I like these Lady Jayne ones and if you’re in the US, try these ones.
How to stop the slip: if you have layers or your hair is too soft and keeps slipping from the braid, I have the solution. My favourite styling powder solves the problem. Sprinkle a little on your hair or any layers that are poking out. Then push them back into the braid. This powder makes them stay put. I love it.
I hope you liked this tutorial. If you did, please pin it on Pinterest or share it.
If you try this braid in your hair, I’d love to see a photo. You can tag me on Instagram at #hairromance and #HReverdaycurls
I’m so happy I found this site, I have curly hai, quite like yours except it’s a lot longer, and I’ve been running out of quick hairstyles. My one question is, with my hair, if I French/Dutch braid it, I always have to braid the end of my hair instead of leaving it in a ponytail because by the time I’m done braiding it, my hair is poofy and ridiculous. What can be done to fix this?
Thanks. 🙂
Hi Lauren, I’m so glad you landed here too! You can find more of my curly hair posts here. OA have a trick that I do and I hope I can explain it clearly. When I’m braiding, instead of adding in sections across my hair, I just pick up pieces of hair near my hairline. This means that the braid sits over the top of the rest of my hair. That way, I don’t break up all the curls and make my hair frizzy. It also makes my ponytail fuller as there’s less hair incorporated into the braid. Does that make sense? Let me know and I’ll try and shoot a tutorial on this. Christina x
I’d love if you did a tutorial on this! I had the exact same thought as Lauren.
thanks for the reminder Jessica – I will shoot a tutorial on this! xx
Hey! Your so awesome! I just found this site, I have crazy curly hair and you have helped me a lot!!! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks so much Naomi! Hope I can help you to love your crazy curls xx
I LOVE this. keeps the el natural curls in place but adds some pretty whilst being really practical!
Thanks Amy! This is definitely a new fave of mine x
I have absolutely the right kind of hair to try this out but find my arms ache so badly when I’m braiding! I”m not a scrawny weakling either and can happily bench press an 8 year old but braiding, not so much. Any tips for this?!?
Hi Vicki, make sure you relax your shoulders as you braid as it can make it uncomfortable. Sometimes I hold the braid with one hand and give the other arm a rest and repeat on the other side. With practice you get much faster and you won’t get tired. Also take bigger sections so the braid is quicker to finish. This takes less than a minute to do in my hair 🙂
Thanks for this tip I have this problem too.
Thanks Tabitha! x
thanks loads for this, I’m going to try this for sure. 🙂
Thanks Vicki! This is a weekly fave for me 🙂
OMG!
I love it . It works just fine in my hair
Yay! That’s awesome Yazmin, thanks for trying it 🙂
Oh this is sooooo pretty! Love it. x
Thanks beautiful! I think this one is going into my weekly curly hair-drobe x
I absolutely LOVE this braid style! I would have never of thought to leave the end as a ponytail. It looks gorgeous x
Thanks lovely! I don’t mind a ponytail every now and then 😉 xx