Braided hairstyles are all the rage this year and there seem to be endless styles for hair that is really long or hair that is super short, but what about hair that is right in the middle? If your mid-length hair is in a bit of a styling rut, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best braid tutorials for mid-length hair and we’re sure you’re going to love them. If you’re wondering which hair products you’ll need to create these looks—don’t worry—we’ve recommended several products from the Mizani portfolio of products.
Cornrowed Chignon
Begin with clean, dry, detangled hair and part your hair in rows of your desired thickness. Once you’ve mapped out where you want your braids to go, begin cornrowing your hair straight back until you reach the ends. Secure each braid with a small, clear hair elastic. After you’ve braided your entire head, gather all of the braids into a low chignon and secure it with another elastic.
Braided Half-Updo
Begin by cleansing and conditioning using Thermasmooth Shampoo and Conditioner. Spritz 25 Miracle Milk throughout the hair to help detangle your mane, then apply Thermasmooth Sleek Guard Smoothing Cream to prep before blow drying the hair in 2-inch sections.
Part the hair horizontally from one ear to the other. Using True Textures Curl Define Pudding, braid or flat twist the front section of hair back in the direction of a high ponytail. Then, create medium flat twists with the remaining hair from the back of your head. Set hair under a hooded dryer. Release the flat twists from the back section and fluff.
As a final touch, pull the twisted front section into a ponytail and secure with bobby pins. Release only the ends and fluff to build volume. Finish with HRM Humidity Resistant Mist and HD Shyne Spray for flexible hold and shine.
Braided Bantu Knots
Regular bantu knots are easy to create at home, but we suggest heading to a professional for cornrowed bantu knots because they require a bit of planning. Be sure to bring lots of inspiration photos to give your stylist a clear idea of what you want. You and your stylist will settle on a final design before he or she begins crafting your cornrows. After cornrowing your entire head, your stylist will take the leave out from your braids and twist it into several bantu knots before securing them with a bobby pin or hair elastic.
Upside Down Braided Bun
This hairstyle takes a little bit of skill—especially considering that you’ll have to braid your hair while your head is upside down. If you can’t braid your hair while your head is flipped over, you may want to consider heading to the salon for a professional to create the style for you.
Braided Bangs
Braids are a stunning hairstyle perfect for any occasion, but they’re also the perfect way to keep your pesky bangs out of your face. If you’re sick and tired of always pushing your bangs out of your eyes, split your bangs in two, craft a small braid with each section of hair and pin them away from your face with two bobby pins.
Crown Braid
Who said crowns were just for royalty? Channel your inner queen with this stunning crown braid. Begin your braid at the bottom left side of your nape, bringing the braid completely around your head until you return to the beginning. Tuck the remaining hair into the braid to create a seamless look and secure it with several bobby pins. Set your look with HRM Humidity Resistant Mist and HD Shyne Spray for flexible hold and shine.
Loose Dutch Braids
Braids often create very structured hairstyles, but they don’t have to be like that. If you love the look of Dutch braids but are going for more of a bedhead vibe, give these loose ones a try. By leaving the braids unsecured, you get a laid-back hairstyle with all of the elegance of braids. If you want to ensure your loose braids last all day, place some u-shaped bobby pin throughout your braids to keep them in place.
Dutch Braids To Ponytail
This is the perfect way to elevate your basic low ponytail. Simply part your hair down the middle of your head and craft two Dutch braids beginning at your hairline and going all the way to the nape of your neck. Gather the remaining hair at the nape of your neck and secure it into a low ponytail with a hair elastic.
Half-Up Braided
To begin, part your hair down the middle to the crown of your head. Take a medium-sized segment of hair from both sides of your part and create two fishtail braids. Secure each completed braid with a clear elastic.
Then, take one braid, wrap it around the back of your head, and use several bobby pins to secure it in place. Repeat the same steps with the opposite braid. Once you’ve wrapped both braids around the back of your head, tuck the ends into your hair for a seamless final look.
Braided Side Updo
Begin by cleansing and conditioning with True Textures shampoo and conditioner. Then, spritz 25 Miracle Milk throughout the hair to help detangle and finger comb True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion through your locks from roots to end. Scrunch True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly into the ends of your strands and diffuse your curls on medium power and low heat to set the hair.
Section off some hair on the right or left side of your head. Using the sectioned off hair, create three or four flat twists. Use hair pins to secure the flat twists in place. Fluff the remaining hair by using a pick at the roots to create dramatic volume.
Interested in personalized advice about braided hairstyles? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.
Thermasmooth Shampoo
A hair straightening shampoo that prepares hair for smoothing.
Thermasmooth Sleekguard Cream
A styling cream that conditions, smoothes and eliminates frizz.
Curl Define Pudding
A luxurious curl activator that elongates coily to extremely tight texture types.
Humidity Resistant Mist Hairspray
A humidity-resistant anti-frizz spray delivering light hold.
True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion
A hair lotion for curls that adds definition and enhances texture.
True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly
A curling jelly that enhances natural styles without frizz.
