TL;DR: Braiding layered hair is tricky due to varying lengths, but with prep and the right techniques, you can achieve flawless styles. This guide covers step-by-step tutorials for French, Dutch, milkmaid, and fishtail braids, plus essential tips and product recommendations to tame flyaways, add grip, and keep your braids intact.
- Layered hair is hard to braid due to uneven lengths and frizz.
- Prep with dry shampoo, detangling, and smoothing products.
- Use tight braids, bobby pins, and hairspray for hold.
- Includes beginner steps and tutorials for:
- Classic three-strand braid
- French braid
- Dutch braid
- Milkmaid braid
- Fishtail braid
- Extensions and toppers work well with braids for added length and style.
Even if you know how to braid hair, braiding layered hair is a whole different story! You may have short layers sticking out all over the place. Your tension may be wonky and all over the place. Frizz and flyaway hairs may even make wearing your hair down the more attractive option.
But you don’t have to settle for a sloppy braid! In this guide, we’ll teach you how to braid layered hair like a pro. We’ll even include a step-by-step on how to braid hair in trendy styles, like Dutch and French braids.
Continue reading to learn how to master braiding layered hair and rock the look of your dreams!
Why is Braiding Layered Hair So Tricky?
Your stylist achieves the layered look by cutting your hair strands to different lengths. While that looks incredible when you’re wearing it loose, braids are another story.
Uneven lengths of hair can make it hard to maintain even tension. Braids rely on every section of hair doing its part to hold the other sections in place. When one section is too short, the whole thing quickly falls apart. Even worse, when shorter sections of hair are mixed in with long ones, shorter pieces tend to pop out.
And you’re really working on hard mode if your hair is naturally curly or wavy! Shorter strands tend to slip out of the braid, becoming frizzy. They give even the neatest braids an unfinished, sloppy appearance.
That leads a lot of ladies to ask, “Can you braid layered hair, or is it a lost cause?”
With the right tips, you can absolutely braid layered hair! Better yet, you can do it neatly, without facing the issues discussed above. All it takes is some prep work and the right products. With our tips, you’ll be rocking Dutch plait hair, milkmaid braids, and more!
Before you start…
When it comes to braiding hair with layers, a little preparation goes a long way! Here is how we prep when we know we want to show off a braided style.
Start with Dirty Hair
Yes, this sounds crazy, but it works! The extra grit in unwashed hair offers enhanced texture, reducing slip. We save all our most ambitious styles for “second day hair.” Dry shampoo is about to become your new bestie!
Brush Those Tresses
When you braid, you’re essentially weaving your hair. You wouldn’t start a weaving project with tangled, knotty materials! Use a detangling spray, if necessary, to ensure your hair falls neatly before you begin.
Aim for Product Perfection
Our biggest secret to successfully braiding layered hair is product. To create a polished look and keep flyaways at bay, we recommend using a smoothing cream or gel. It keeps things tidy and in place. You won’t have to redo your braid again, and again, and again!
Our Tips for How to Braid Layered Hair without the Headache
Our hair braiding tutorials all rely on putting the following tips into action. They are key to achieving the most beautiful braid every single time! If you already know how to braid, these might be the troubleshooting tips you need to keep your braid from falling out.
- Use texturizing products to add grip and reduce slipping.
- Start with a tighter braid to help hold shorter layers in place.
- Try braids that hide ends, like French hair plaits.
- Secure with bobby pins or mini elastics for extra hold.
- Finish with hairspray to tame flyaways and keep the braid intact.
Is braiding layered hair tricky? Yes.
Does it involve more steps? It does.
But is it worth it? Absolutely!
Let’s jump into the tutorials that will help beginners and seasoned pros master braiding with confidence.
Putting layered hair in a braid (for beginners)
New to braiding? Here are six simple steps to teach you how to braid layered hair. Once you master this process, you can give more complex braids a shot!
- Divide your hair into three sections
- Cross the right strand over the middle strand
- Apply gel or cream
- Cross the left strand over the middle strand
- Repeat the weaving: Continue the weaving process, alternating between the right and left strands. Maintain a consistent tension to keep it straight and neat.
- Secure with an elastic band
French braid with layers
Yearning to put some adorable French plaits in your hair? This classic style is tidy, fashionable, and very European! Plus, French hair plaits hide your ends, making the whole braid appear neater.
- Section your hair: Begin by parting your hair at the crown, creating three sections.
- Initiate the weaving: Start the braid by crossing the right strand over the middle, followed by the left strand crossing over the middle piece.
- Keep incorporating additional hair: With each successive cross, incorporate additional hair from each side into the braid. This gradual incorporation creates the signature woven pattern. When you get to the shorter parts of your braid. That’s when it’s time for extra strong styling gel.
- Continue the weaving: Repeat the weaving process, moving downward towards your neck. Ensure you have a steady and consistent tension.
- Secure with an elastic band
Dutch braids for layered hair
What’s Dutch plait hair? It’s basically an upside-down French braid! Rather than tucking strands in, you’ll create a more pronounced plait. It’s a trendy, eye-catching alternative to a classic!
Here’s how to do it.
- Section your hair: Divide your hair into three sections.
- Underhand weaving: Unlike the overhand technique of the French braid, begin the Dutch braid by crossing the right strand under the middle. Follow this by crossing the left strand under the middle.
- Incorporate additional hair: Like the French braid, incorporate additional hair from each side with every underhand cross. This technique creates the distinctive Dutch braid look, where the strands appear woven beneath the hair.
- Apply gel or cream
- Continue the weaving: Progress downward, consistently adding hair to the braid. The Dutch braid's charm lies in its inverted appearance, creating a raised effect on the layered hair.
- Secure with an elastic band
Milkmaid braids for layered hair
Now that you can do a French and Dutch braid, you can handle the trendy milkmaid braid! You’ll create your choice of plait, pigtail-style, then crisscross them like a crown. It’s a sneaky style that looks like it requires a ton of effort. In reality, it’s as simple as braiding, pinning, and walking out the door!
- Part your hair down the middle
- Braid each section: French or Dutch braid each section individually. Start from the crown of your head and progress toward the nape of your neck. A Milkmaid braid has one on each side, so it’s perfect to keep layers at bay.
- Apply gel or cream
- Secure the braids: Once both braids are complete, cross them over the top of your head, positioning them like a crown. Secure each end with bobby pins, creating the classic milkmaid braid style.
- Loosen the braids: Gently pull at sections of the braids to loosen them, achieving a softer and more relaxed look.
- Secure any loose ends
Fishtail braid for layered hair
The fishtail braid is another trendy style perfect for layered hair. Like the French and Dutch braids, fishtail braids hide your ends. That makes the whole style appear neater and more polished.
Plus, this braid is deceptively easy, even for newbies. This is how to master the look.
- Divide your hair into two sections
- Take a thin strand from the outer edge: From the outer edge of the left section, take a thin strand and cross it over to the right section.
- Apply gel or cream
- Repeat on the other side
- Continue alternating sides: Continue this alternating process, pulling tight to create the distinctive fishtail pattern. Make sure to smooth out at every twist, because those layers are harder to hide at the end.
- Secure with an elastic band
How to Braid Hair with Layers like a Professional
When it comes to braiding layered hair, practice makes perfect! And we have an awesome secret to share. You can also use these tips to braid with hair extensions! Braided hair toppers look super cute, too.
Hello mermaid hair, the Oscars are calling!
Ready to add length and shine to your everyday look? Shop luxury hair extensions from The Lauren Ashtyn Collection.
