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Make a loose everyday braid

A loose side braid keeps long hair together during the day. Working over one shoulder lets you see and reach the sections as you braid.

Step by step

  1. A woman brings loose dry hair forward over one shoulder, with a soft tie on her wrist.
    STEP 1 OF 7

    Bring the hair over one shoulder

    • Put a soft fabric-covered tie on one wrist. Bring dry, detangled hair over whichever shoulder is easier to reach.
    • Hold the lengths in front of you without pulling at the roots. Let short layers stay out if they do not reach.
  2. A woman holds three separate sections of dry hair over one shoulder, with a pale lavender-gray tie on her wrist.
    STEP 2 OF 7

    Separate three sections

    • Split the gathered hair into three roughly equal sections. Keep them separate all the way to the ends.
    • Hold the middle section and one outside section in the same hand, with a finger between them. Hold the other outside section in your other hand.
  3. A woman begins a side braid by moving one outside section over the middle, keeping three sections separate.
    STEP 3 OF 7

    Cross one outside section over the middle

    • From the hand holding two sections, bring the outside section over the middle and pass it into your other hand.
    • Keep it separate from the section already in that hand. The section you just moved is now the middle.

    Start from either side. Follow the sections in your own hands; you do not need to match the left and right sides of the photo.

  4. A woman crosses from the other side of a braid, with three distinct unbraided sections visible below the crossing.
    STEP 4 OF 7

    Cross from the other side, then repeat

    • Your other hand now holds two sections. Bring its outside section over the new middle and pass it back to the first hand.
    • Repeat from side to side, moving one outside section over the middle each time. Keep three sections separate below your hands.
    • Move your grip down as the braid grows. Stop before the ends become too short or uneven to hold separately.

    Keep the crossings comfortable. If the ends tangle together, pause and separate them before the next pass.

  5. A woman supports one continuous side braid while adjusting a soft lavender tie above its single loose tail.
    STEP 5 OF 7

    Fasten the unbraided ends

    • Pinch the last crossing with one hand. With the other, take the tie off your wrist and open it around the unbraided tail.
    • Pass all the ends through. Add only enough wraps to hold, keeping the final crossing loose.
    • Let go and turn your head gently. If the braid pulls at the roots, undo it and start lower or more loosely.
  6. A woman supports her intact side braid while opening the pale lavender tie around its unbraided tail for removal.
    STEP 6 OF 7

    Open the tie before taking it off

    • When taking the braid down, hold it above the tie. Open the outer loop and guide the tail back through to undo that wrap.
    • Repeat until one open ring remains, then ease it off the ends. Free caught hairs with your fingers and put the tie aside.
  7. 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 7 OF 7

    Undo the crossings from the bottom

    • With the tie off, find the lowest crossing. Use both hands to lift the section lying on top back out to its side.
    • Undo one crossing at a time, working up toward the shoulder. Keep the loose ends separate so they do not knot.
    • Continue until the hair hangs loose. Pause to free any snags rather than pulling the braid apart.

About 2–5 minutes hands-on to make one loose side braid and later undo it. Detangling, drying and wear time are separate.

Editorial estimate, not measured. Longer hair, tangled ends or learning the hand movements can take more time.

You’re done when…

The braid stays together without pulling at the roots, and its tie holds the ends comfortably. For takedown, remove the tie first and undo every crossing until the hair hangs loose.