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A French braid headband is just what it sounds like. To create one, you French braid a small section of hair on the front of the head and use it as a headband to keep your hair or bangs out of your face. Read on to figure out how to do this cute and simple style.



  1. 1
    Learn how to braid and French braid. This article will not cover these methods extensively.
  2. 2
    Begin with tangle-free clean hair. If you have straight or wavy hair this will work best with dry hair. If you have curly hair that cannot be brushed when it is dry, try braiding your hair wet. However, be very gentle as the hair has a tendency to "snap" more easily when it is wet.
  3. 3
    Part your hair to either side. You can part it down the middle and do a French braid on both sides.
  4. 4
    Create a part for the hair you want to be in the headband, using a comb, pencil, pointy end of a makeup brush, fingernail, or something similar. Begin two to three inches (5-7.5cm) back on the part, and make sure to have a nice rectangular section of hair. You're going to be braiding the larger section of hair at least (versus the other side of your part).
    • If you're going to put your hair up into a bun or ponytail, end about two inches (5cm) above your ear and then move forward to create a nice right corner.
    • If you're going to wear your hair down, end at your ear.
  5. 5
    Put the hair that will not be braided (the majority of it) into a ponytail or clip. Just make sure it won't get in the way while you're braiding. Use a loose ponytail if you're going to wear your hair down so that you don't create a lump or crease.
  6. 6
    Begin French braiding. Starting at the part section off a small rectangular piece and separate it into three pieces. Cross the rightmost over the center. Then add some hair to what used to be the rightmost strand (now center) from the right side. Cross the leftmost over the center. Then add some hair to what used to be the leftmost strand (now center) from the left side.
  7. 7
    Continue French braiding until you've used all the loose hair in the braid.
    • Once you're done with that braid the rest of the hair with a normal braid and secure it at the end with an elastic.
  8. 8
    Finish it up. At this point you can also choose to braid the hair on the other side of your part. Do the following depending on your hair style that day:
    • Ponytail: Gather your hair into a ponytail, including the braid(s). If the braid becomes bumpy when you put it up, try twisting or bobby pinning it. Secured your ponytail with an elastic and you're done! You can also turn it into a bun. Twist the tail and wrap it around the base of the ponytail. Then pin or use another elastic to hold the bun place.
    • Down: For a quick fix, just pin the braid(s) back from your face with a bobby pin or clip. To make it quite literally a headband, bring the ends of the braid behind your head and under your hair. Then tie them together with an elastic.
  9. 9

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  • For a slightly different, more continuous look, start braiding from one ear all the way over the top of your head to the other ear.
  • Make sure it is nice and straight. Otherwise it won't come out well.
  • Hair spray and bobby pins are great for taking care of flyways and frizzy hair.
  • You can also do a dutch braid headband using this method, where the braid is raised instead of flat. Instead of crossing the strands over like one does when they french braid, just cross them under. It's a little trickier, but the final product is very pretty.
  • You may also be in a rush or hurry, or maybe you'll just try a different look, but you can do a normal braided headband as well, and just braid a patch of hair by the ear upwards, stretch it over the top and pin it on the other side. If your hair is long enough you could incorporate it into another hairstyle as well.
  • You can also start on one ear and braid all the way to the other one. To do so brush your hair straight back and section off a section at the front of your hair from ear to ear. Then braid the section and secure with an elastic as normal. This will take more time than braiding just one side of a part though.
  • If you are braiding both sides of the part, start each braid with the section of hair closest to your forehead, rather than starting both with the rightmost section. This will make the two braids more even.
  • This style does not have to be perfect, especially if you have layers that stick out.


  • Be careful if you are brushing or combing your hair when it's wet. Wet hair is stretchier so it has a tendency to snap. When it snaps it leaves a damaged end. Do not rip through your hair with a brush. Instead try using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb while your hair has conditioner in it to get the worst of the tangles out.
  • You want to make your braid firm so it doesn't flop around, but don't make it too tight. You don't want to have to stop wearing this style because you're giving yourself headaches!

Things You'll Need

  • Comb or brush
  • Hair spray or gel (optional)
  • Something to part your hair with
  • Hair ties/elastics
  • Bows or clips (optional)

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Braids and Dreadlocks

In other languages:

Español: hacer una trenza francesa en forma de banda, Deutsch: Eine Frisur mit Französischem Zopf als Haarband machen, Português: Fazer uma Trança Francesa, Italiano: Fare una Treccia Frontino alla Francese, Русский: заплести дракончиком ободок на волосах

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