Skip to main content

Make a loose everyday braid

Bring dry, loose hair over one shoulder, divide it into three sections and alternate each outside section over the middle before fastening the end loosely.

A woman begins a side braid by moving the outside right hair section over the center while both hands keep three sections separate.

Step by step

  1. A woman holds three clearly separated sections of dry hair over one shoulder while a soft mauve tie rests on her wrist.
    STEP 1 OF 5

    Divide three side sections

    • Place a soft fabric-covered tie on one wrist and bring the dry, loose hair over one shoulder with both hands.
    • Split the bundle into three sections: left, center and right. Use your fingers to keep their edges distinct.
    • Hold the right and center sections separately in your right hand and the left section in your left hand.
  2. A woman begins a side braid by moving the outside right hair section over the center while both hands keep three sections separate.
    STEP 2 OF 5

    Cross the outside right section

    • Keep the center and right sections separated in your right hand and hold the left section in your left hand.
    • Move the outside right section over the center section and pass that outside section into your left hand.
    • Keep it separate from the original left section. The section you just crossed now sits in the center.

    Track the three sections by position rather than by their original names: outside right, center and outside left.

  3. A woman continues a side braid with both hands controlling alternating hair sections near her shoulder.
    STEP 3 OF 5

    Cross left, then alternate

    • You now hold two sections in your left hand. Move the outside left section over the center and pass it into your right hand.
    • Keep it separate from the section already there. The strand you just crossed becomes the new center.
    • Repeat outside right over center, then outside left over center. Regrip after each pass so all three sections stay distinct.

    The photo shows the hands at a later crossing, when the center can be partly hidden. Follow the written outside-over-center transfers and keep three separate sections.

  4. A woman supports one continuous side braid while adjusting a soft lavender tie above its single loose tail.
    STEP 4 OF 5

    Secure the free ends

    • Stop while enough unbraided ends remain for the tie to open around them without bending or catching hair.
    • Pinch the braid above those ends with one hand and slide the tie off your wrist with the other.
    • Open and wrap the tie only until it holds comfortably; keep the last crossing and roots loose.
  5. A woman undoes the lower crossings of her side braid, separating three connected sections with both hands after setting the lavender tie on the counter.
    STEP 5 OF 5

    Remove the tie and undo the braid

    • Support the braid above the tie with one hand. Use the other to open or unwind each loop and slide the tie off the free ends.
    • Set the tie aside. Starting at the bottom, use both hands to lift the last crossed outside section back out from the center.
    • Reverse one crossing at a time toward the shoulder until every crossing is undone and the hair hangs loose.

About 2–5 min hands-on for making one loose side braid and later undoing its crossings. Start with dry, detangled hair; wear time is separate.

Practical editorial estimate, not measured. Length and braiding practice change the time; this covers one braid, not a full set.

You’re done when…

The braid was held by a comfortable tie without root pulling, and takedown is complete when the tie is off, every crossing is reversed and the hair hangs loose.