Beautiful girl with red hair, hairdresser weaves a  braid close-up, in a beauty salon.
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Braids have become a staple style for it girls and influencers alike. The added bonus is they’re perfect for a workout. Wearing a braid will keep sweat-soaked strands off your face while exercising. Plus, the look is just as stylish post-workout.

We spoke to two top hairstylists for tips on exactly how to create the look. Here’s how you can rock this studio-to-street style.

Seeing double

Dutch or boxer braids (center-parted hair that’s braided from the top of the head on each side into pigtails) have held steady as a hair trend. They gained even more popularity and presence on your feeds when celebrities such as the Kardashians revived the look. According to Ryan Nickulas, celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert who works out of both New York City and Washington, D.C., it’s possible to DIY the much-requested style.

“The key to these braids is to weave each piece under rather than over,” Nickulas told us during an interview. “In a French braid, each section of hair is braided over. In these braids, the piece on the right goes under the middle and then the piece on the left goes under that, continuing until the ends.” This technique raises the braid upward, he explained. “The bigger the sections, the bigger the braid. It’s a dynamic, bold braided look.”

Prep and instructions

Begin with a quarter-size amount of a styling product. Work throughout your hair to create texture, which adds grip for the braids.

Part your hair down the middle with a comb to create two separate sections. Clip one side back to work on the first side.

On the opposite side, divide hair into three sections. Begin braiding by crossing the two outside strands under the middle strand. Continue weaving in this pattern, adding hair to the outside and continuing the braid under each time. Repeat on the other side. Secure each braid with a hair tie in a color similar to your hair color for a seamless finish.

French braid DIY

To create and style a single braid at the top or crown of the head, celebrity hairstylist Birgitte Philippides-Delaney for Sally Harlor recommends working in a downward motion. “First, determine the section of hair you want to braid,” she said in an interview. “Adding a braid accent looks fun and modern and helps prevent hair from getting in your face.”

Section off at least a 2- to 3-inch section of hair on the front of your head. Then, section off three smaller sections within the 2- to 3-inch section. She recommends applying either a mousse or smoothing liquid to help with the braiding process. Apply the product to the entire section of hair before braiding. “Your braid will look neater in appearance and it will be easier to braid,” explained the stylist. French braid the rest of the hair, using a hair tie to secure it about 2 to 3 inches from the end.

Opt for braids the next time you want a versatile hair look that can go straight from a workout to any event.