Cozy Locks: 40 Adorable and Practical Braided Headband Hairstyles to Elevate Your Everyday Style

Braided headband styles are very popular, especially during the summer months. Able to redeem a bad hair day, these braids work beauty and comfort into any hair length or texture. Not sure where to start? Check out the ideas below for both how-to tips and style inspiration when you’re ready to try your hand at this romantic, easy trend.

Why Braided Headband Styles?

It’s an easy way to introduce a cool accent into your daily hairstyle that will also keep your locks from falling into your face. So sit back, and check out some of the best headband hairstyles online!

1. Two-Strand Braided Headband

Messy hair is well-loved by today’s young women, so jump on board by trying this hairstyle that only requires two strands and some height. Pin in place to keep things secure, but don’t worry too much if something falls out of place. With this hairstyle, a beautiful mess is encouraged.

2. DIY Waterfall Headband

Waterfall braids look so complex, but they’re actually very easy to learn. In fact, this style doesn’t even use a real one – rather, just comb hair back, make a thin braid and then pull pieces from the front through the braid, placing it across the head.

3. French Braided Headband

French braid your hair across the center of the top section and add in some soft curls for a finished look. Combining a headband style with curls can quickly transform this style from something simple into a fancy appearance that’s appropriate for all occasions.

4. Messy Braided Waves

This is the perfect curly hairdo for a boho bride who is getting married outdoors. If you have thick hair, a loose braid can get lost, especially if it is textured. Add a flower or leaves to make it really stand out.

5. Small Cornrow Headband

A headband braid does not always have to be big and bold; sometimes a delicate option is all that you need to take your style up a notch. A thin braid works best for women who have shorter wispy pieces around the hairline or bangs because it holds better without slipping.

6. Two-Tone Braided Updo

If you are a young lady in search of an appropriate style for any formal event, this French braid is a surefire winner for women with long hair. The messy texture and double braid will show off your beautifully blended brown and blonde highlights.

7. Braided Headband with Messy Bun

Instead of a scarf or bedazzled headband, why not try a front braid to accent your casual updo? It works best with a high bun because you can really show off the intricacy of the braid and make it the focal point of the style.

8. Sparkly Accent Headband

When your hair is all one color or pale, a braid headband can get lost in the look especially from far away. Combat this with a thin sparkly headband that will catch the light and draw attention to the detail in the plait.

9. Double Braided Headband

If you don’t know how to do a Dutch or fishtail braid, there is a simple trick to fake the appearance of one. Place two medium sized braids of equal width next to each other to make them look like one large braided band. Blend with loose waves and a heavy side bang.

10. Hippie Braid Headband

Just because you are rocking a braided look does not mean that your headband always has to be blended into your strands. Take a cue from the hippies and pull your braid across your forehead. If you want to be a true “flower child,” add a bright yellow bud.

11. Light and Dark Braided Headband

Playing with color and texture are two surefire ways to make a braided headband pop, and this look does both. The thin braid adds a textural element to highlight the large dark braid. Because the front detail is the focus, make sure to keep the rest of your style soft and uncomplicated.

12. Elegant Ash Blonde Headband

Braided hair does not always have to be the shining star of your style. Sometimes you can use a plait as a subtle boost to your overall look. Because the color is so pale, the braid easily blends in with the texture of the loose curls in the hairdo.

13. Creative Jeweled Headband

If you’re into cos play, where you dress up as a character from your favorite movie, TV show or game, a Dutch braid is the perfect thing to anchor a bedazzled barrette and make it look more like a full headband. This is a great look for fans of World of Warcraft or something similar.

14. Braided Headband for Formal Event

A headband braid will give a dramatic touch to a basic loose low updo. A slight bouffant provides volume throughout the crown and keep the style from going flat, while also balancing out the heaviness at the bottom of the hairstyle.

15. Bold Braided Look

You can still achieve a bold braided look without extremely long hair. The key to make it pop is by incorporating a soft color with balayage highlights. Have some fun by playing around with different braiding patterns. This style combines Dutch and fishtail braids.

16. Classic Braided Updo

This cute look is all about letting your natural beauty shine through. The spiraled bun is glamorous without being gimmicky. It’s clean, classic and chic; perfect for a bride, wedding guest or any formal event that you have on the horizon.

17. Lovely Braided Headband

You can still wear a braid headband with dark hair even if you think the detail won’t pop as much. Just make sure to keep heavy bangs and messiness in the front to a minimum. If your hair isn’t long enough to pull off a full bun, try adding extensions to bulk it up.

18. Casual Braided Headband

Sometimes less is more, especially when you are just trying to let your hair down and have some fun. If you are planning a beach trip or a tropical vacation, this loose style is a good fit because it’s casual but the braid makes it look pulled together.

19. Stacked Headband

The same way that you can stack your layers to create volume in a style, you can also stack braids in a headband look. By intertwining a smaller braid with a larger one, you can not only create visual interest but also build up thickness in your look.

20. Retro Braided Headband

This updo may seem like a blast from the past with the beehive and low bun, but the braided headband makes it modern. It’s an ideal look for a woman who loves vintage fashion and the glamorous side of life.

21. Floral Braided Headband

At this point, floral crowns are pretty standard for music festivals or any outdoor event because they invoke the free-spirited nature of Woodstock. Since everyone will be wearing one, you want to do something to separate yourself from the pack, and a braid will do just that.

22. Fishtail Headband

The great thing about wearing a braided headband is that there are so many different types of braid patterns to try that every time you wear one it will look different. Stylist’s tip: dry shampoo will give hair messy texture and prevent the braid from slipping.

23. Voluminous Braided Headband

If you don’t know how to braid, or don’t have time to do an intricate style in the morning, an easy trick is to braid a hairpiece and wrap it around your head. Just secure with bobby pins and you’re good to go!

24. Double Braided Headband

For this style, you will need to know how to French braid. Hair will be braided twice, side-by-side along the hairline. Secure the braids near your ear with an elastic, pulling remaining strands into a messy side bun.

25. Simple French Braided Band

If you want to learn how to do a braided headband, it’s really best to learn how to French braid first. Even if you can’t usually French braid your own hair, you will find it much easier to accomplish when styling to the side. You have plenty of strands to work with and you can easily see what you’re doing. This braid is simply pinned behind the ear to create an effective headband look.

26. Subtle Side Braid

Here’s a simple braided headband tutorial that’s easy enough to learn on the first try. The trick is in strategically parting the hair in directions that deliver the biggest effect. Leave some side bangs in the front while combing back one side of the hair. Braid, starting at the part towards the ear, securing in place as you go. Curl your hair to soften up the style.

27. Thin Braided Headband Tutorial

For this look, all you need is a comb, hairpin and thin elastic. Take a thin section of hair and braid it, continuing the style by wrapping it across the head into a headband braid. Use a hair elastic and secure with a pin to hold the ends of the braid together throughout the day.

28. Banded Together

Using one thick braid or two thinner ones, this simple headband style allows hair to be up and out of the face without having to resort to a bun or ponytail. Fun and feminine, this style works on all hair types and lengths – if your hair isn’t long enough to go across the head, combine two braids that meet in the middle.

29. Headband Braid with Body

Tease the top underneath hair to bring body and boost to your braided look. Wrap two braids across the top of your head, bringing them forward enough to allow the “puff” of top hair to be the focal point. Then, either allow your locks to flow free or braid them together for a gorgeous Roman goddess-inspired style.

30. Sweet and Simple Braided Hair Headband

You won’t need a step by step guide to successfully pull off this style on the first try. Simply braid or twist one side strand and pin it across – allowing bangs, curls and top hair to flow free. This looks absolutely stunning on long hair.

31. Glamorous Double Braid Updo

This elegant updo turns the old and overdone style into a new do with a double headband braid. Putting a charming twist on the traditional low bun, the pinned curls look has jazzed things up to meet the expectations of bridesmaids and prom queens alike.

32. Fabulous Four-Strand Braided Hairstyle

An easy-going but cute half-up braid headband keeps your look casual while still looking fab. This is the kind of a ‘do that equally compliments your skinny jeans plus a tee-shirt and your little black dress and heels.

33. Braided Headband Updo for Formal Occasion

This amazing look takes headband hairstyles to a whole new level. Pinned up neatly in the back, with curls delicately framing the face, this updo makes a gorgeous hairstyle solution for any formal occasion that is coming your way.

34. Beautiful Basket-weave Braid

A classy take on an otherwise informal hairstyle, this basket-weave braid is a great idea for thick manes that are difficult to tame. Leave the bottom straight or curl the ends for a more done up look.

35. Dutch Braid with Wavy Ponytail

This swoopy braided headband is different from the norm because it doesn’t run along the hairline and around your head, as other headbands do. This particular braid goes straight back into the ponytail. Wear the hairdo on a chilled out Sunday running errands, or to a weekend party that your pals are throwing. It’s versatile and darling, whatever the setting.

36. Stunning Multi-Braid Hairstyle

For your next formal event, try this stunning style with headbands made up of two braids featuring different patterns; a fresh take on a classic look makes for a style that will have every head in the room turned in your direction.

37. Dutch Braid with Curls

If normally your hairstyle includes a longer side bang, try placing your headband braid further back and incorporate it into your regular do. This is a nice way to spice up your everyday look without having to put in too much additional effort.

38. Goddess French Braided Updo

Sleek, elegant, and simple, all things you want from an updo. This modern style headband braid is a perfect reminder that sometimes less is more. Because this hairstyle isn’t too formal, it can be worn for a variety of occasions, from important business meetings to your best friend’s wedding.

39. Dutch Braid Updo with Twisted Braid

This is a unique take on the braided headband with a section of hair behind the braid twisted back and fed into the low braided side bun. This style is one where most of the detail is on the top, and you can improvise when it comes to the bun, pinning and twisting your hair as you see fit.

40. Four Strand Headband Braid

This pretty braided headband follows the front of the hairline and tucks in underneath the length of your hair. The four strand braid makes a gorgeous look – from easy-going days with your gal pals, to a fancy dinner you have reservations at – this ‘do is definitely a crowd pleaser!

Headband braids are so “in” right now, you’re bound to see a whole variety whenever you’re out and about. Take a cue from these beautiful examples and create your own look – it doesn’t matter if your hair is long, short, thin or thick – there’s a braided headband that will work well for you.