French Braid Half-Crown

I don’t know about you, but I adore braid crowns. Whether they are giant or small, across the top or back of the head—I just love them all!

Since the first braid that most of us learn is the French braid, I thought I’d share with you a simple way to take an easy braid up a notch with a few small tweaks that make it feel a bit more special.

Related: 25+ Easy Hair Tutorials for Any Occassion

First, create a side part on whichever side of the face you prefer (you can also do a center part with this one, but I think it’s especially pretty with a side part).

On the larger part of your head, divide the front 3″ section of hair into three equal parts. Cross the front section over the middle section as in the photo above so that the front and middle sections switch places. Pull sections tight.

Next, take your back section and cross that over the middle section so that they switch position and pull tight as well.

Gather some hair from your front hairline to add into the front section (as shown above) and then cross that front section over the middle section, switching places again and pulling tight.  

Repeat process by adding segments of hair to the back and front sections and crossing over and switching places with the middle section (pulling tight each time) until you have a braid that is just above the top of your ear.

Finish out your braid by braiding out the rest of the hair and use a small hairband to secure the braid together.

Repeat the braiding process on the other side of your part. 

Gently pull your braid sections out from each other to “pancake” the braid and make it fuller on both sides.

Wrap your left braid around the back of your head and secure in place with bobby pins underneath your right braid. Wrap your right braid around to the left and tuck the end under the corresponding spot on the opposite side. Secure with bobby pins.

 Once your braids are pinned in place, use a curling wand to wave the bottom half of your hair, and use a light hairspray to set the style.

Pretty! Definitely a great spring/summer hairstyle and a good festival look, too. If you haven’t ever tried “pancaking” your braids to pull them apart and make them fuller, it’s a great trick to getting thicker braids and one that I just learned in the last year or two.

And if you haven’t gotten into the world of braiding at all yet, what are you waiting for! Dive right in! xo. Laura

Looking for more hair tutorials? Check out 25+ Easy Hair Tutorials for Any Occasion!