How to Make a Thick Reverse Braid Headband

The braided headband keeps hair from falling in your face.

Keep your hair away from your face using the braided headband hairstyle; the braided hair goes across the top of the head in a headband pattern. This take on the traditional straight-back French braiding method is best accomplished with a Dutch braid, which inverts the French braiding technique by requiring that hair strands be braided under rather than over the middle strand. While some companies have begun marketing braided headbands in various hair colors, braiding your own hair ensures a perfect-fit, no-slip hair accessory.

Things You'll Need

• Two elastic hair bands
• Comb
• Two hair pins

Instructions

1. Part a section of your hair from ear to ear in the front of your head. Make this parted front section 3 inches wide for a thick headband braid. Comb this hair forward and pull the back section securely into a tight ponytail using one of the elastic hair bands.

2. Comb all of the hair in the front section of your head to one side, beginning at your ear and stretching over the top of your head in the direction you want the braid to go. Tilt your head in the direction of your hair so that one ear is facing the ceiling and all of your hair is hanging downward on the opposite side.

3. Start your braid at the top of your ear by sectioning off three strands with your fingers. Alternate one of the outer strands under the middle strand, making this the new middle strand. Alternate the opposite outer strand under the middle strand. This strand will become the middle strand.

4. Add hair to only one side of the braid as you alternate the strands. This should be the side of the braid that faces the front of your head. Alternate strands on the other side of the braid without adding any additional hair to the strand. This is called the half-braiding technique.

5. Continue to alternate strands until you reach the end of your hair. Secure the end of the braid using the other elastic band. Remove the ponytail from the back section of your hair and comb it down.

6. Pull the braid back and wrap it around to the middle of your head. Pin it up with two hair pins.

7. Style the loose hair in the back as desired.

References

• YouTube; Half Dutch Braid Hair Tutorial; January 2011
• Sephora: Thick Braidie Headband Styling Accessories