Headband braids are a cute and easy style to get your hair off your face during a workout, to make out-of-sight side bangs, or to style unwashed hair. This is one of the best styles to give the impression that you are trying hard, which is actually very simple! Try these methods to make a headband braid.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Traditional Headbands
Step 1. Comb your hair
To create a smooth braid, your hair should not be tangled. Freshly washed hair is very difficult to braid because it is very slippery, so use hair that has been dirty for a few days to make your headband. You can use wet or dry hair, although if you start with wet hair you will end up with wavy hair when you remove the braid.
Step 2. Part your hair
Your braid will look like a headband, so it should run from ear to ear. Use the comb to make a smooth, even section of hair in a flat, horizontal manner, running across your head from behind one ear to behind the other. Avoid jagged or wavy cleavage lines; the straighter the better. Pull the rest of your hair and make a ponytail.
Step 3. Part your hair
Comb your hair horizontally along your head, starting at the base of one ear. When it's neat, divide your hair into three equal sections starting at the base of your hair.
Step 4. Start braiding
Use all three sections of hair to create a traditional braid. Take the right half, and cross it through the middle. Then, do the same with the left side, crossing it through the middle.
Step 5. Combine more hair
As you braid, take a small section of hair from the separate hair to add to the three sections of the braid. Take the part on the right, join it with the right, and cross it through the middle. Take the part on the left, join it with the left, and cross it through the middle.
Step 6. Continue braiding
Continue all the way past your head above the hairline, adding sections of hair as you braid. Your braid will look thin when you start, but will get thicker as you add more sections of hair.
Step 7. Finish your braid
As you get closer to your ears, finish your braid by tying it with a clear hair band. The ends of your braid will blend in with the loose hair, or you can combine them in a hair tie. You can also choose to braid your hair in the usual way to the ends, then tie the ends in a ponytail.
Method 2 of 2: Making Inverted Headbands
Step 1. Comb your hair
To start your braid, you need to have tangle-free hair. Comb your hair to untangle frizz, and spray a little water if your hair is unruly. Avoid braiding your hair the same day after you wash your hair, because it will be slippery because it is clean and difficult to braid. If possible, wait 1-2 days since you last washed your hair to create this braided hairstyle.
Step 2. Part your hair
Your braid will look like a headband, so it should run from ear to ear, just like when you wear a headband. Use a comb to make a smooth, even section of hair in a horizontal manner, running across your head from behind one ear to behind the other. Avoid jagged or wavy cleavage lines; the straighter the better.
Step 3. Part your hair
The reverse braid starts the same way as a traditional braid, with three sections of hair. Comb all of your hair in the same direction, from one ear to the other. Then, on the ear where you started your comb take three equal sections of hair.
Step 4. Start braiding
You'll start with a traditional braid, but unlike a regular braid or a headband, you'll be working through the bottom of your section of hair instead of the top. Take the left section of hair, then move it under the middle section of hair. Then, take the left side of the hair and move it under the middle section of hair.
Step 5. Add hair
As you work the braid, you will add sections of hair into it. As you move the right section of hair, take a bit of hair and combine it with the right section of hair before moving it through under the middle section of hair. Do the same on the left, taking the extra hair and moving it under the middle section of hair.
Step 6. Continue braiding
Continue all the way past your head above the hairline, adding sections of hair as you braid. Make sure you always add hair from the bottom instead of the top, to make your braid stand out against your head. Your braid will probably be thicker on the side you finish on than the side you started on, as a result of adding hair.
Step 7. Finish your braid
As you get closer to the ear on the opposite side, finish your braid by tying it with a clear hair band. Comb the ends of the braids with your fingers, so you can recombine the remaining unbraided hair with your loose hair. You can also choose to braid your hair in the usual way all the way to the ends, then tie the ends with a hair band.
Step 8. Done
Tips
- For an added playful touch you can tie the rest of your hair in a ponytail, side ponytail, two pigtails, a casual bun, or just let your hair down.
- Spray with a light hairspray to prevent your hair from curling or falling out, do not use a hard hairspray to prevent your hair from becoming stiff.
