The side braid is a type of hairstyle that falls on the shoulder. It looks especially good with parted bangs or for a romantic and almost disheveled look. To learn how to do this hairstyle, try one of these methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Simple Side Braid
Step 1. Brush your hair well
Knots would make it more difficult to weave.
Step 2. Part your hair
Since the side braid look is asymmetrical, part one side; it doesn't matter if left or right. The tail will not stay behind the nape.
If you're aiming for a romantic look, it doesn't have to be a neat and clean line. If you want a more cheeky hairstyle, try doing it in a zig zag style
Step 3. Gather all the hair on one side
If the part is on one side, the hair must be on the other. Check that the shorter locks are not short enough to come out of the braid.
- If the part is on the left, collect the hair on the right and vice versa.
- If you have medium length hair or too short for the side braid, try making two braids or pigtails. Or try one of these braids, making it at the hairline.
Step 4. Divide the hair into three sections
The area behind the ear will be the starting point of the braid, so don't move it once started
Step 5. Starting from behind the ear, braid your hair as you usually do
Grab one of the outer strands and pull it over the middle one, then take the other outer section and pull it towards the center. Repeat, weaving the three strands all the way through.
Step 6. Stop at the desired height
Better to stop before the locks get too short and poke out of the sides of your braid.
Step 7. Once finished, secure it with an elastic and fix any unruly strands
If you want, spray some hairspray.
If you want your braid to be neat, use hairspray and bobby pins to secure it; if you prefer it to be saucy, let out a few strands
Step 8. Leave out a few shorter strands if you want
This will soften the look, so if you want a parted bangs or a few strands to curl and drop at your neck, leave them out now.
Method 2 of 4: French Style Side Braid
Step 1. Before starting to braid, brush your hair to remove knots
Decide on which shoulder to drop the braid and then brush your hair in that direction.
- If you want to part, do it on the opposite side of where you collect your hair; if you weave them on the right shoulder, make the row to the left and vice versa.
- You can also leave the parting as it is and simply pull the hair to one side.
Step 2. Gather the hair on one shoulder and pull the braid behind the opposite ear
If you collected them on your left shoulder, start weaving behind your right ear. Start by separating a small section of hair from the hair that goes behind your neck.
- The purpose of this braid is to wrap the braid behind the head and then over the shoulder for a more romantic final look.
- Another option is to make this hairstyle starting from the top of the head. You can start from the line. To do it this way, follow the same steps; the only difference is the height at which you will begin to weave.
Step 3. Divide this part of hair into three strands and start braiding as you usually do
Take one of the outer strands and slide it over the central one, then the other outer strand and slide it under the central one. Don't go any further; do it only once.
Step 4. The rest of the braid will be French; incorporate more hair for the top half
Each time you weave a lock at the top move a part of the hair on the opposite shoulder to the one you are working on before continuing.
- Make sure you only add hair from that part of the braid so you don't spoil the design.
- Keep it tight, but separate the strands well.
- Once you get to the opposite side of your head, what was once a small braid should have encompassed all of your hair.
- If you start the braid at the top of the head, you will need to start braiding downwards and, once it gets below the ear, work horizontally. If you have very short hair, pin the braid to your ear using a bobby pin.
Step 5. When you reach the opposite ear, finish the braid in the traditional way
Once finished, it will start on one shoulder and drop onto the other.
Step 6. Complete the look by wearing a hair band
Secure the braid with an elastic and tame the unruly locks with the help of some hairspray.
Move the braid up a bit if you want a disheveled look. Loosen the braid to the desired height
Method 3 of 4: Dutch Style Side Braid
Step 1. Brush your hair to one side, making sure to remove any knots
Don't divide them into sections, this hairstyle works best with side-parted hair.
This hairstyle looks very good on long, non-layered hair, which otherwise would not stay inside the braid
Step 2. Collect your hair
Start braiding starting from the eye opposite the shoulder where the hair is. Take a section of about 5 cm and divide it into three sections.
If the hair is on the right shoulder, start braiding from the left eye and vice versa
Step 3. Start weaving; pass the right section under the middle section and then the left section under the right section
Add hair to the middle section, which should now be on the right.
The Dutch braid is the opposite of the French one; instead of adding hair to be braided over, you need to pull the strands under the braid. This way the braid stays on top of the rest of the hair
Step 4. Continue adding hair as you weave
Keep the braid as attached to the face as possible. Add hair to the outside of the braid, pulling it from behind the head. Continue until you have added all the hair.
Step 5. Finish with a simple three strand braid
Once all the hair is added, continue braiding it in the traditional way, then secure it with a rubber band.
Method 4 of 4: Four-strand Side Braid
Step 1. Put all of your hair to one side, making sure to remove any knots
You can split them if you wish. If you do, remember to brush them on the opposite side where you pick them up
Step 2. Divide the hair into two sections, which you will also divide in half, so that you have four
Step 3. Start the braid
This hairstyle can be tricky, so dividing your hair into sections might be helpful. Number the locks from 1 to 4, from left to right. Pass the 2 over the 1 and then the 4 over the 3. You should always weave the right one over the left one. Then, pass 1 over 4, which will be left over right.
Repeat these steps until the end, renumbering the strands each time you start over
Step 4. Secure the braid with a rubber band once it reaches the bottom
Advice
- Braid your hair well, but not too tightly or the braid will be too stiff.
- Do not use hairspray on damp hair; it would make the braid stiff.
- Use hairspray on unruly locks.
- Try curling the tip of the braid or putting some gel on it to keep it tidy.
- If you have layered hair, use a conditioner or oil to keep your hair tidy and keep it from falling out of the braid.
- If you have layered hair, try leaving a few strands out.
