Hairstyle Tutorial – Side braids with braids

Looking for a way to pretty up your braid? Just add another braid!

I played around with plaits in purple hair and I love how simple these styles are to do. By braiding one of your sections, then braiding them all together you create a beautiful hairstyle. The best bit is it looks far more complicated than it really is.

I loved doing these hairstyles in my niece’s hair but you can easily do these in your own hair.

We made two tutorials, one for a three-strand braid and a slightly harder four-strand braid. Start with the first tutorial and once you’ve mastered it, try the second style.

Hairstyle Tutorial – Side braids with braids – Three-strand

Step-by-step

1. Brush your hair around to the side where you want your braid to sit.
2. Separate a small section from underneath to become your mini braid.
3. Braid the small section – split it into three and cross the right side over the middle and the left over the right. Continue crossing the strands over all the way down. Secure the end of the mini braid with a bobby pin or small hair elastic.
4. Split the rest of your hair in two and make the mini braid the middle section of the new braid. Cross the right section over the braid, then the left section over the right. Bring the braid over the middle and continue crossing the sections to form your braid.
5. Secure the end of your braid with a small, clear hair elastic.
6. Stretch your braid by pulling gently at the sides to make your braid look wider.

Styling Tip

Don’t skip the step where it says to S-T-R-E-T-C-H out your braid. This is so important in creating a thicker looking braid and emphasising the style.

Now onto the four-strand version…

Hairstyle Tutorial – Side braids with braids – Four-strand

Step-by-step

1. Brush your hair around to the side where you want your braid to sit.
2. Separate a small section from underneath to become your mini braid.
3. Braid the small section – split it into three and cross the right side over the middle and the left over the right. Continue crossing the strands over all the way down. Secure the end of the mini braid with a bobby pin or small hair elastic.
4. Split the rest of your hair in three and make the mini braid the second section of the new braid. Take the section on the far left and bring it over the braid next to it, then under the next section. Repeat the opposite for the section on the right: it goes under the section next to it, then over the next section. If you number the sections as positions 1, 2, 3, 4 starting from the left, it will be easier to understand. Section 1 goes under section 2 and over section 3. Section 4 goes over section 3 and under section 2. Repeat: Section 1 goes under section 2, and over section 3, and so on. Continue until all of your hair is braided.
5. Secure the end of your braid with a small, clear hair elastic.
6. Stretch your braid by pulling gently at the sides to make your braid look wider.

Styling Tip

Keep practicing! It will take a little while to get the hang of this braid.

Remember, the pattern of over, under, under, over. Saying the pattern aloud while you braid helps you keep track of the next step.

Thanks to my niece for being such a gorgeous model and thanks to my husband for taking the tutorial photos!

This braid is perfect for wearing under a hat and looks stunning in long hair. My hair is not quite long enough to do this hairstyle. I might use some clip-ins to try this in my hair.

How would you wear this braid in a braid? I’d love to see a photo if you try it x