Lockdown Challenge: 21 Easy & Fun Braid Hairstyles So You Look Insta-Ready Everyday

While you are not able to step out of the house due to the current 21-day lockdown, it doesn’t mean that you need not look your best or Insta ready every day. In fact, our suggestion is, you use this time to learn and practice some easy but high-fashion hairstyles. Something that makes you look stunning all day long. And what can be better than a few sleek, loose and twisted hair braids? Other than just being able to click several oozing snaps, there are other benefits of looking your best every day too. Such as, you will feel enthusiastic, confident and happy all day long. For women, especially their hair’s condition makes a huge difference.

Melissa Hughe, National Technical Head, Schwarzkopf Professional India spoke exclusively to HZ about hair braiding and said, "it is an ancient art that can be traced back to 3500 BC! Braids apart from being symbolic and cultural also played a functional role in keeping hair away from the face and eyes. Today, braids continue to play an important role in hair fashion. They instantly transform one's look adding femininity, elegance and an artistic twist. There are so many different types of braiding techniques known across the globe today, and each of them requires one thing in common – Practice! The more you practice the more adept your fingers get!"

She also talked about her personal favourite braids. "The fishtail braid is a classic and one of my favourites, easy to execute and looks great when made neatly and even when in a mess! A messy updo with braids and twists – Looks natural yet elegant and oh so easy to pull off for any occasion. The milkmaid braid is cute, is elegant, very feminine and can be worn casually as well as for a social event, across age groups! The braided bun/ braided top knot – the braid adds so much character to the bun and topknot! Braids add dimension to any hairstyle one may be wearing. With practice, they are quick and easy to execute. Braiding has a rich history and culture and will always remain in fashion!" added Melissa. Now that we have leaernt so much about braids, here are a few of them that can make you appear beautiful on both your good and your bad hair days. 

Milk Maid Braids

• For this hairstyle, you need not have totally silky hair. If the scalp and the roots are a bit greasy, the milkmaid braid hairstyle is likely to conceal it. 
• Start by brushing and detangling your hair with the help of a wide-tooth comb to remove any knots all around. 
• Take a parting comb, part your hair in the middle to create an equal left and right sections. Apply hair clip on one side to start working on the other. 
• Braid your hair simply and secure using a small elastic band. Repeat the process on the other side too. For making the braids look thicker, gently pull the braid open. 
• Now take both the tails and place over the crown section of your head. Don’t overlap, simply place next to each other without leaving any space. 
• Pin the left tail under the right, then simultaneously right tail under the left one. Secure using 2-3 bobby pins. Criss-cross the pins for better grip. 
• Once done take out a few hair strands from the front and from around your ears to create a bit messy look. 

Messy Braided Pony

• This hairstyle won’t work if your hair is not silky or smooth. If there is grease, the hairstyle will end up looking dull. 
• Since it’s a messy hairstyle, need no detangle your hair all the way through. You should just be able to part your hair into sections. 
• After brushing gather all of your hair into a high ponytail. Smoothen any bumps with fingers on the crown area. 
• Use a tight band that can hold up the weight of the hair long enough. If you have thick hair, give support to the ponytail by applying two bobby pins below the hair tie. 
• Take a hair strand and wrap around the band to hide it. Secure the end with a bobby pin, right below the band. 
• Now grab two thick sections of hair from the tail and start making fishtail. The third section must be used from the middle portion of your ponytail. 
• While braiding keeps gently pulling the braid to open it a bit. Remember you want a messier look. 
• Once done, secure with another elastic band. In the end, again pull the braid open to achieve the final look. 

Pull Out Braid

• Start by removing any hair knots and neatly brushing through. Gather full hair in a ponytail. Give the crown section a little bit volume by lugging on strands near the tail. Secure with an elastic band. 
• Take a small section of hair from the underside of your ponytail and wrap it around the band. Secure the ends with the help of two bobby pins. Insert the pin at the base of your ponytail.
• Take two hair strands, one from the right and another from the left outside and pull them together in the centre. Leave one-inch space and tie them together with an elastic band. Gently pull the hair from that one-inch area to make it look fuller. 
• Repeat the previous step by taking two small hair strands from your ponytail and tying them on the top of each tied section. You will see the tail now giving an illusion of braid. 
• Repeat the same step till you reach the bottom of your hair length. Do not forget to keep tugging gently at each strand. Lastly, secure everything with an elastic band.  

Tucked Messy Updo With Braids And Twists

• This is the perfect hairstyle to conceal grease and oil. With the help of a comb gather the top section of hair from your crown section and tie the section with a hair tie. 
• You want to make three equal sections, so do not forget that while gathering your first section. Temporarily, pin this section on the crown area to provide room for other ponytails. 
• Now collects another section of hair from the middle section of the head and tie off with another hair tie. Repeat the step to make the last ponytail at the bottom. 
• Now, start braiding all together in a French ponytail. The key is to incorporate hair strands from all three small ponytails. Continue until you reach the end and secure with another elastic tie. 
• Pull the braid outward to create a voluminous and fuller-appearing braid. Here comes the tricky part. Hold the top portion of the braid above the first hair elastic and secure it with a bobby pin. The purpose is to hide the elastic completely. 
• Roll the bottom of the braid under and clip it tightly. 

Hippie Braids

• This hairstyle is the most versatile one. It can be made on short or long hair and you can carry it on any occasion. 
• Start by taking a section from the left and the right portions. Now do a regular braid starting about two inches from the front of your hairline.
• Next, take the piece of your hair in front of the braid and an equal hair strand from the other side. Bring both backs and secure it with two bobby pins in the back of your head.
• The section on which you just secured your braid, take that braid that as well. And you are done. 

Neat Curved Braid Bun

• Detangle your hair properly, especially the front area. From the neckline split the hair into three equal sections and make one regular braid. Form the braid not in the middle but a little aside. 
• Secure the end with a black hair tie, as you totally want to hide the band. Use different colour depending on your hair colour. 
• Curve your tail to form a round as a bun. Secure the end of your braid inside and clip your bun in place with bobby pins. 

Fishtail Braid Updo

• Make the right partition, and divide it into two sections. From each side take a hair strand and braid it into a fishtail. 
• Keep both the tails a bit lose to create a little messier look. Once done tie the braids. 
• Now make a simple bun. It can be low or a bit high. Do not make it extra high, otherwise, it will destroy the look. 
• Wrap the first fishtail braid over the top of the bun by further going around it. Secure with pins. Open up the braid from the front once done. 
• Repeat the step with the other braid. Take out a few strands from the front lastly. 

Strand Side Braid

• Part your hair by leaving just 1/4th section in the left and rest on the right side. Take a piece of hair from the front, close to your hairline. Divide it into three sections and start braiding normally. Once done securely with a hair tie. , 
• Now, gather all your hair to the one side and place it behind your earlobe or lower. Pin all your short hair neatly. Once those are secure, then you can start your braid.
• Again, divide the hair into three sections, and then start braiding them all together. Tie the ends leaving two to four inches. Once finished, pull up the braid a bit by massaging it with your fingers. 

Mohawk Braid

• Brush your hair thoroughly. Take a section of hair from the crown area. try taking the section from the corner of the eyes. 
• Divide the section into two parts from the middle. Tie both backs into a low ponytail. Take a piece of hair from the underneath of the ponytail and wrap the hair tie and pin it. Repeat the step to cover the other side too. 
• Braid both the tails into a French braid. Now, from the very top start crossing each tail over to the other side.
• Keep braiding down the length and secure with a hair tie. Lastly, make a ponytail from the left out hair and place the braid on the top of it, secure with a hairpin. 

Dutch Pigtail Braids

• Comb thoroughly to avoid knots and place your hair backward. 
• Divide the section into three equal parts. You have to braid from the very top of your head. It will be a regular braid but instead of crossing each section from the top, braid by passing strands from underneath. An opposite regular braid. 
• Also, while braiding keep adding a small strand of hair to the right section.
• Secure the end with tie and use bobby pins for falling hair.

Halo Braids 

• Split your hair into two equal sections from the front. Now, from one side take a hair strand start to Dutch braid beginning from the nape of your neck. 
• While your braid to the front keeping adding small sections of hair. Repeat the process on the other side of your hair. Lock the ends with hair ties. 
• Carefully bring both the halo braids together, and wrap around your head and secure with hairpins. 

Braided Top Knot

• Brush and tie your hair in a high ponytail. If your hair is heavy support by placing bobby pin below the hair tie. 
• Take a small section from the pony, and braid it all the way to the end. Lock with a hair tie. 
• Form a hair bun by twisting the remaining larger section of hair. Secure it in place with a hair tie.
• Take the braided hair and wrap it around the bun and secure tightly with bobby pins.

Topsy Fishtail Braid 

• From the very top grab a small section from the front left and right side, and twist towards the back and tie. 
• Create another small ponytail underneath the first one. Make a third pony below the second section. You are supposed to reach your neckline. Secure with a hair tie. 
• Now, French braid till the end and secure with a hair tie. Once done open the braid by pulling hair gently.

Low Bun with Braids

• Split your hair into two sections, parting it right from the middle. Divide one side into three equal strands, begin Dutch braiding. Keeping adding hair to the right strand before crossing. 
• Repeat the procedure on the other side too. Now, tie both braids into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck.
• Roll the loose ponytail into a bun and secure with bands and pins. 

Side-Swept Braid 

• Part your hair, start braiding on the side with the least hair. French Braid more strands under by adding hair to the strands as you go. 
• Continue the procedure until you reach the base of your neck and secure with pins. 
• After the braid is secured gently pull sections to give it a messier look.
• Comb the rest of the hair to one side. 

Twisted Crown Braid

• From the front, close to your hairline, take a portion of your hair. Split it into two sections. Braid both separately. 
• Take another section from either side, close to the first and braid them too. Once done, twist them both together. Secure them a hair tie at the back of your head. 
• Lose the crown section by running your finger through your hair. Take off the hair from the front to create small bangs. 

Side Double Dutch Braid

• Comb thoroughly to avoid knots and place your hair backward. Split your hair into two equal sections. 
• Start working from one side. Divide the section into three equal parts. You have to braid from the very top of your head. It will be a regular braid but instead of crossing each section from the top, braid by passing strands from underneath. An opposite regular braid. 
• Also, while braiding keep adding a small strand of hair to the right section. Repeat on the other side of the hair. 
• Secure the end with ties and use bobby pins for falling hair.

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Double-Bun Braids

• Split hair into two equal parts. Now take one side and divide it into three sections. 
• You have to make regular the upside-down braid. So pass the inner strand under the middle strand. Keep on adding hair strands while braiding. 
• Repeat on the other side. Try keeping your braid very tight. Secure both braids in the end with hair ties. 
• Now, round your hair into a pony. Repeat on the other side and secure your high buns. 

Waterfall Twist

• Divide hair into two equal sections.  Pick up a large section of hair on one side, close to the hairline. 
• Braid both sides separately all the way around the head. While braiding takes a little strand of hair from the head near the parting line and let it fall through the gapping of the braid. Repeat all the way through. 
• Lastly, lock the braid with ties and secure it around your head by crossing two bobby pins. 

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Boho Braids 

• Take a section of the hair, close to your front hairline. Braid it into a French braid. Keep adding hair while braiding to the right section. 
• Continue the french braiding until you use all your hair strands. Secure with a hair tie. 
• Slightly loosen up the french braid on your scalp using your fingers. Also, open up your braid a bit. 

Half Undone Braids

• You don’t need to be neat for this hairdo. You will have to make multiple thin braids all around your hair. 
• You can braid all your hair or just a few in the front and on the crown. 
• Start braiding one by one. Do not braid the entire strand, just half. 
• Do not secure with a hair tie. Instead, tie a knot from the hair strand itself and press with a flat iron. Repeat the process with all the braids.