Hair Care

The Only Braid Styles You'll Ever Need to Master

Riding the braid wave? With these step-by-step instructions, you'll nail down 15 gorgeous braid styles in no time

by Amanda Montell

10 of 16

Best Braid Style No. 6: French Free-Flow If you've got your French braid technique down, the natural next step is to master this soft, romantic, half-up French braid. Add this to your collection of braid styles, and make sure to Instagram the stuffing out of it.

How to:
1. Part your hair as normal. Take a section at the crown, two or so inches from the hairline, and divide it into three equal pieces of hair.
2. Create one stitch of a regular braid, crossing the outside strands over the one in the center.
3. Grab a new, smaller section of hair from the left side, underneath the larger top section.
4. Add this new section to the left strand of the top section, and cross it over the middle strand.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the right side.
6. Continue creating your half French braid this way, crossing new sections from the left and right sides as you go.
7. When you get to the end, secure with a small, clear elastic. Then, gently pull at the sides of the braid to make it look more loose and natural.
8. Finish by misting with a medium-hold hairspray.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Best Braid Style No. 5: Knots on Knots

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Older comments

I love braids and would try each and every one!!!

by littlebit_angel Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 12:13PM Report as inappropriate

didnt get how to do the last one, which was the best look.

by annisa_nye Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:11PM Report as inappropriate

I love braids but I can't follow any of the instructions. All the pictures look really nice but I'll prefer a video

by Jessica2010 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 07:52PM Report as inappropriate

I love braids! Will most definitely try some of the easier ones.

by Sari Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 07:01PM Report as inappropriate

Great ideas, I sometimes forget that these styles exist too, besides just having your hair down or waved/curled up.

by Chantilly Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 05:07PM Report as inappropriate

Like this one..looks simple to do.

by shiral_miller Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 10:44AM Report as inappropriate

I like braided hairstyles. They add such texture and femininity. I\'ve been using braided styles on my medium length hair as I grow it out, and am looking forward to more length to try more braid styles.

by ReflxnsOfGrace Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:25PM Report as inappropriate

I love the fishtail braid

by LittleBunny Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 08:02PM Report as inappropriate

I soooo regret cutting my hair now

by schien Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 02:16PM Report as inappropriate

I love fishtail braids and they are supposed to be easy to do, but I just can't figure it out!

by Chris213 Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 07:20AM Report as inappropriate