Need an easy everyday curly hairstyle? Try this curly braided top knot hairstyle tutorial.
The braid adds a fun detail to a regular top knot. Being one of my go-to styles, I love finding new ways to wear a bun. You can check out my basic curly top knot tutorial here or find 15 ways to wear a top knot here.
Thank you for your encouragement and support for my new everyday curly hairstyles series. I used to straighten my hair about 50% of the time and now I’d say it’s less than 20 % of the time. I wear my naturally curly hair more than ever. It’s true that the more you wear your hair curly, the better your curls look.
If you have curly hair, share your everyday curly hairstyles on Instagram with the hashtag #HReverydaycurls so we can all be inspired by real curly hairstyles.
Curly Braided Top Knot Hairstyle Tutorial
What you need:
- Hair bungee
- Bobby pins
Step-by-step:
- Make a deep side part and take a section by your part to start your braid. Split this section into three equal parts.
- Begin your French braid, only adding in hair from the hairline. Cross the left over the middle, then the right over the left. On the next section, add in hair from your hairline. Don’t add in hair from the back.
- Continue braiding along your hairline. As you reach your temple, stop adding in hair and finish in a regular braid (plait).
- Gather your braid and the rest of your hair together in a high ponytail. Use a hair bungee to secure your ponytail in place.
- Twist your ponytail into a bun and pin in place with bobby pins. If you have fine hair, try this curly top knot tutorial. If you have long hair, try my variations below.
Styling Tips
- When braiding curly hair, work with your curls and let them dictate the size of your braid. I usually take larger sections when braiding curly hair. Also take in whole curls, rather than trying to break them up. This minimises the frizz.
- Use a hair bungee. You can use a regular hair elastic on your ponytail but I find a hair bungee is so much easier when you have curly hair. It allows you to get a tight hold on your ponytail without ripping or pulling at your hair.
- You can find hair bungees at Adore Beauty or Folica.
Variations
- If you have a fringe / bangs, you can leave them out or include them in the braid. If you’re growing out your fringe, this braid is perfect for keeping those short layers back off your face.
- If you have long curly hair, why not add more detail to your bun? Try braiding your ponytail into a rope twist braid or a regular braid before creating the bun.
- Not confident with braiding? Just twist your hair back instead of braiding it.
I hope you liked this tutorial. Please pin it to Pinterest or share it if like it.
If you try it in your hair, I’d love to see a photo. You can tag me on Instagram at #hairromance and #HReverdaycurls
I’m slow to this post. It’s my second time of ’embracing my curls.” I first did it after years of straightening a couple of years ago. I didn’t straighten my hair for almost a year and my curls became long, defined ringlets. The problem was that I didn’t have a good hair cut, so a lot of the time I found the shape to be truly frustrating! I eventually had my hair cut into a bob! Now I’ve had a child and am battling the baby hairs, I’ve only straightened my hair a handful of times in the past few months and finally saw a hair dresser who knows how to cut curls (though I long for my hair to be long again). Anyway, I just want to say thankyou for these posts my curls are still quite undefined and very dry & frizzy so these up dos really help!!
Hi V, thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it xx
Love this! Such great advice for curly hair styling!
Check out my blog at braidsandbikinis.com
Cheers!
I love this hairstyle, definitely will be trying it!
http://stylinghappiness.blogspot.co.uk
Styling Happiness xoxo
Thanks Sarah! x
Amazing!!!
Thanks Anita! Hope you give it a try in your hair xx
Just like Sonia, I, too, am not great at anything besides the most basic braid. But I am so, so happy to see you doing more curly hair tutorials! My hair is naturally curly and I am so over seeing so many hair tutorials for people with naturally straight or very slightly wavy hair. I’m also not skilled/patient enough to straighten my hair (last time it was straightened was in 2006!) and I love my curls, but it’s always great to have a few hair-dos in the arsenal for when I’m over just wearing it down or on 2nd/3rd day wear.
Thanks so much Kristen! I really appreciate your kind comment 🙂 I know exactly what you mean about only seeing styles in straight hair. I’ve got more curly hairstyles planned but I’d also add that don’t be put off by straight hair tutorials. Most of mine work just as well in curly hair (and often look even better 😉 )
I seriously love your curly hairstyles. It’s so hard to find hairstyles I can do without straightening or curling it with a curling iron.
Thanks Caitlin! I really appreciate your comment as I felt the same. I have a few more curly styles to post soon too 🙂
This hairstyle is utterly divine. Love it! I still cannot braid for the life of me. Perhaps a one-on-one lesson in exchange for accommodation? And wine?! x
DEAL! And I think I win in this exchange xx
This works so well on curly hair! But don’t you find it difficult to do French and Dutch braids on it? I always struggle because all the hair gets knotty and it looks awful haha.
But I love the twist on the usual braided updo, very nice! 😀
Julia x
Check out my last post here: http://juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/edinburgh-photo-diary-part-i.html
Thanks Julia! I know what you mean with braiding curls but as in the tips, work with your curls. I try and grab a complete curl to add in to the braid instead of taking in an exact section of hair. If you try and split the curls you get major frizz for sure x
Looks awesome. Curly, clean and very refreshing.
Thanks Nathan 🙂
I love this style, I’ll absolutely give it a try. I too have naturally curly hair. After years of straightening it I’ve decided to embrace the curl. I’m so glad you say the more you wear your hair curly the better the curl because my curls don’t seem as good as they used to be!
Thanks Claire! It takes some time for your hair to recover but it will remember how to curl 🙂 Stay strong & good luck x