How to Create the Perfect Effortless Braided Hairstyle

Bad hair day? Skip the fedora and rock this effortlessly-chic braided hairstyle instead. In under 20 minutes, you’ll look like you jumped straight out of the glossy pages of a fashion magazine spread. A narrow French braid, messy waves and pinned-back sides come together to create the perfect wearable look.

Want to watch the video tutorial? Scroll to the bottom or click here.

The key to achieving a carefree editorial feel is to pump up your hair’s volume and texture. We do that by creating flat iron waves and then applying Texture AIIR, the first crystal-infused dry texture spray. The result is tousled, perfectly messy texture and lots of beautiful body.

For this style, you’ll need a long tail comb, sectioning clips, a clear elastic, bobby pins, your favorite flat iron and lots of Texture AIIR. Here’s how to achieve the perfect effortless braided style:

Step 1: Start with dry, well-combed hair. Using a long tail comb, create a one-inch-wide section from the center of your forehead back to the crown of your head. Comb your section straight back, and secure the hair on either side with large clips.

Step 2: French braid your one-inch section until you reach the ends. Secure the braid with a clear elastic.

Step Three: Add waves to your hair using a flat iron. Working with 2-inch sections of hair, place your iron into the hair with the tip pointed towards the ground. Close your iron and give it a half turn towards your face. Continue to rotate your flat iron as you slide down the section. Give your iron a gentle tug as you move through the ends to create a soft wave. Repeat with all of the hair that isn’t braided.

Step Four: Get messy… texture, that is! You don’t want to look TOO perfectly pretty. Texture AIIR adds grit to your hair for dirtied-up bedhead that is still soft and feminine. Apply it all over by lifting your hair up in horizontal sections and spraying Texture AIIR underneath. You’ll get an instant boost of fullness and undone, piece-y texture.

Step Five: Comb back the right side of your hair, from the braid to just above your ear. Secure the section in place with a row of vertical bobby pins behind your ear (for an understated editorial look, choose pins that match your hair color ). Repeat on the other side.

Step Six: Finish with an all-over blast of Texture AIIR to keep your style in place from the café to the club. Use your fingers to rough up the waves for an edgy, careless finish.

Effortless Braided Hairstyle Video Tutorial

Make this editorial hairstyle streetwear-ready by pairing it with your favorite monochrome outfit or a simple white t-shirt and jeans. Want to get even more on-trend styles, tips and tricks delivered straight to your inbox? Click here to join our community of sustainable hair + beauty lovers! (Plus, be the first to know when we launch new products.)

If you try this editorial braided hairstyle, snap a pic and tag us on Instagram @aiirprofessional! You are our greatest inspiration, and we love seeing how you express your style. ♥

Looking for more ways to use a dry texture spray to create perfectly imperfect hairstyles? Check out our Dry Texturizing Spray Ultimate Guide.