3 Braid Hairstyles You Can Do in Under 5 Minutes

Let’s be real: Who doesn’t love a good-looking braided hairstyle? But, at the same time, who doesn’t also adore sleep? Well, we’re firm believers that the two shouldn’t be mutually exclusive, so we’ve rounded up a few intricately braided hairstyles that look a whole lot harder than they really are. Armed with the right hair style products—we’re looking at you, hair spray and texture spray—as well as five minutes, you’ll be able to look effortlessly gorgeous while still showing that you take the time to primp your appearance. Ready to discover your new favorite hair styles? Grab a rat tail comb, some elastics, a few bobby pins, and keep scrolling!

Braided Hairstyle #1: Pull-Through Braided Pigtail Buns

Pig tails aren’t just for little girls. Give them an upgrade by braiding them!

What you’ll need:

Rat tail comb

Lobster clip

Clear mini elastics

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Part your hair

Using your rat tail comb, trace a line down the center of your head and divide your hair evenly on both sides. Make sure to comb out all knots and tangles so that they don’t get in the way come time for braiding.

Step 2: Start on one side

Before you begin sectioning and braiding, clip your other half of hair out of the way using a lobster clip. From there, use the tail end of your rat tail comb to section off about two inches of hair back from your hairline. Tie this hair off with a clear mini elastic. Once your first section of hair is tied off, tie another section of the same size off directly below it. Split the tail of your first section and wrap it under your new section with another elastic. Continue adding more hair into the process as you work your way down your head. Once you reach the nape of your neck you’ll no longer need to incorporate more hair in with your tails, simply split, tie, split, tie all the way to the ends.

Step 3: Pancake your pull-through braid

Starting at the end of your braid, gently tug at each pull-through section to give your braided hairstyle a more voluminous end look.

Step 4: Repeat on the other side

Follow the same instructions all the way to the ends for a symmetrical finish. If you notice any strands peeking out, pop in a few bobby pins to streamline your look.

Step 5: Seal your look

Since this braided hairstyle isn’t a traditional braid, your strands may be more prone to slipping out of your hair ties or frizzing up mid-day. So, give your final look an allover spritz of hair spray. This can help lock your look and give it a nice sheen.

Braided Hairstyle #2: Dutch Crown

If you think that you don’t have the skills to master this royal-looking braided hairstyle, think again. You’re sure to be surprised at just how simple it is to look like a queen.

What you’ll need:

Rat tail comb

Clear mini elastics

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Part your hair

Use the tail end of your rat tail comb to divide your hair into two equal halves.

Step 2: Prep your hair with hair spray

Before you begin braiding, spray your hair with hair spray and run your comb through it to give it just enough hold to help keep your braids secure from the get-go.

Step 3: Dutch braid each side of your hair

The goal is to create tight Dutch pigtails from your hairline all the way down to your ends. Tie each off with a clear elastic. Once your braids are tied off, gently pull them apart to create a more voluminous base for your crown.

Step 4: Pin up your braids

One at a time, pin up your pigtails, popping a few bobby pins in along the way. Once you reach your ends, tuck them under and pin them in place so that they’re hidden from view. Once everything looks perfectly pinned, tug at your braids a bit more anywhere you crave a little extra volume.

Step 5: Finish with high-shine hair spray

This braided hairstyle is supposed to look like a crown after all! To pump up the shine and create the braided crown of your Insta-inspired dreams, finish off your five-minute braided ‘do with an allover spritz of shine-enhancing hair spray.

Braided Hairstyle #3: Braided Back Messy Bun

Who doesn’t love a good messy bun? Instead of just throwing your day two tresses up in a wispy knot, try rocking this braid-accented messy bun instead.

What you’ll need:

Rat tail comb

Clear mini elastics

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Air-Blown Texture Mist

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Part your hair

For this look, create a deep side part so that you can create a voluminous braid on the fuller side of your part.

Step 2: Accentuate your day two tresses

Instead of worrying about washing your hair, embrace the season’s lived-in look with a few quick spritzes and scrunches of texture spray.

Step 3: Braid your hair

Starting at your hairline, grab three pieces of hair and begin weaving a French braid back towards the crown of your head. Once you reach the crown, gather up the rest of your hair and tie it up into a messy octopus bun.

Step 4: Perk up your braid

To give your braided ‘do a bit more style, gently tug at each weave of your French braid to create a more voluminous, blogger-approved plait.

Love a good braid but looking for something else that’s still simple? Check out our article, 8 Easy Ponytail Hairstyles.