How to create a braided headband

Jun 13, 2012 1:00 AM by Elizabeth Mitchell

Posted in How-To / Beauty & Style How-tos / Hair how-tos

How To... Get A Boho Chic Headband

In case you haven’t noticed, braided headbands are shaping up to be one of the hottest hair trends of summer. Celebs such as Jennifer Lawrence, Dianna Agron and Lauren Conrad have all been spotted sporting the Boho babe look. For a twist on the traditional 'do, though, why not try a French braided headband? They’re cute, carefree and easy to do.

Braided Headband Step 1

Step 1: Detangle your hair

Before you begin your braid, you’ll want to make sure your hair is completely smooth and free of tangles, notes Nick Penna, Jr., owner and lead stylist of SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham, Massachusetts. Use a wide-tooth comb to get rid of knots if your hair is wet or a detangling brush if your mane is dry. This will make braiding much easier and less painful. If your hair is wet, Nick recommends applying a shape paste or gel to towel-dried hair in order to keep your braid in place and to prevent pieces from falling out as you create the style.

Braided Headband Step 2

Step 2: Start French braiding

Grab a section of hair below your ear and begin French braiding upward toward your forehead, pulling 1-inch-wide pieces at a time, says Nick. "To make braiding across your head simple, flip all of your hair over to one side and cock your head in that direction as you work.” Nick suggests loosely pulling portions of hair together to create a more natural, free and Boho chic look.

Note

If you want to attempt a regular, braided headband, your hair must be long enough so that the braid is able to make it across the length of your head on its own, says Nick. "Take a piece of hair from right behind your ear (around two inches in width) and begin braiding the hair as normal. Once the braid is completed, loop it across your head and use two bobby pins to pin the braid behind your ear and secure it.”

Braided Headband Step 3

Step 3: Continue braiding across your head

Continue braiding from your forehead around to the bottom of your head. If your hair is long enough, keep on braiding until the braid reaches the original starting point below your ear, except on the opposite side of your head, says Nick.

Braided Headband Step 4

Step 4: Tie it off with a clear elastic

"When your braid is complete, tie a small, clear elastic band to the end and tuck it underneath the thicker section using bobby pins to secure it in place.” To fashion a look of volume, Nick says to push the smaller end fragments of the braid beneath the larger ones -- this will lift up the front, thicker portion of your braid. Finish your look off with a spritz of medium-hold hairspray and you’re good to go!

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Tags: braided hairstyles

Comments

Comments on "How to create a braided headband"

That is really cool but what do I do if my hair isn't long enough

I kinda like it but it's complicated it's real cute though.

i`ve tried all ways to keep in place but it just would not go and my hair is super sensetive to hairspray.

I have short hair too, and it's almost long enough to get to do the headband braid, but I can't quite get it tight enough to hold without weighing down my entire head with a can of hairspray. Any tips on getting a tight enough braid for shorter hair, or even on helping grow hair faster would be awesome! I can't wait to get this look to stay!

I love that look. It's so cute and easy going and trendy! Ican't wait for my hair to be long enough to do that. I love braids, and french braids seem to be really cute at the moment. Not that I don't love my short hair, but I miss being able to do braids and pigtails and stuff. It's growing out, but it's taking it's sweet time!