I don’t know about you, but I adore braid crowns. Whether they are giant or small, across the top or back of the head—I just love them all! Since the first braid that most of us learn is the French braid, I thought I’d share with you a simple way to take an easy braid up a notch with a few small tweaks that make it feel a bit more special!
First, create a side part on whichever side of the face you prefer (you can also do a center part with this one, but I think it’s especially pretty with a side part). On the larger part of your head, divide the front 3″ section of hair into three equal parts. Cross the front section over the middle section as in the photo above so that the front and middle sections switch places. Pull sections tight.
Next, take your back section and cross that over the middle section so that they switch position and pull tight as well. Gather some hair from your front hairline to add into the front section (as shown above) and then cross that front section over the middle section, switching places again and pulling tight. 
Repeat process by adding segments of hair to the back and front sections and crossing over and switching places with the middle section (pulling tight each time) until you have a braid that is just above the top of your ear.
Finish out your braid by braiding out the rest of the hair and use a small hairband to secure the braid together.
Repeat the braiding process on the other side of your part. 
Gently pull your braid sections out from each other to “pancake” the braid and make it fuller on both sides.
Wrap your left braid around the back of your head and secure in place with bobby pins underneath your right braid. Wrap your right braid around to the left and tuck the end under the corresponding spot on the opposite side. Secure with bobby pins. 
Once your braids are pinned in place, use a curling wand to wave the bottom half of your hair, and use a light hairspray to set the style.
Pretty! Definitely a great spring/summer hairstyle and a good festival look too. If you haven’t ever tried “pancaking” your braids to pull them apart and make them fuller, it’s a great trick to getting thicker braids and one that I just learned in the last year or two. And if you haven’t gotten into the world of braiding at all yet, what are you waiting for! Dive right in! xo. Laura
28 Comments
I love it!
Wow! I like french braid half crown. Thanks for you post!
I love how simple yet unique this is! I’m growing out some botched bangs right now, but I’d love to try this out when I can!
I definitely am going to have to try this on my hair!! Love it. New fun hair ideas for work.
nice girl! =) This looks so pretty!
This looks so pretty!
Hey Laura! Thanks for the hair tutorial. I did this hair style today and it’s perfect for work. Do you use a certain anti-frizz serum? My braids came out all sorts of frizzy!
So cute! This is one of my favorite warm-weather hairstyles.
I am in love with this look. I’m terrible at braiding my own hair (my arms get tired, lol) but I’m definitely going to try to master this crown braid! 🙂
This looks so cute! I never manage to get it to look so neat, need to give it a proper go!
Kirsty xx
kirstyeelizabeth.com
That hair style is so perfect for summer. Love it x
Tiffany Tales – Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
This is so cute! Such a great summer look!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Oh, that hairstyle is beautiful, I’m going to have to try it out! 🙂 x
http://chloeharriets.com/
Braids are so pretty, my hair is too thin it never works right though sigh
Lauren
livinginaboxx | bloglovin
Love love loving this hairstyle. You can never go wrong with a braided crown.
This is so beautiful, I wish I had long hair to do this!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Lovely hair style! Too bad I have black hair so it won’t show, love your blog still <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
This is such a beautiful hairstyle! I’d love to try this one day, it’s so much more simple than I thought xx
http://mylovelierdays.com
I’ve been seeing so many beautiful braided hairstyles pop up – I need to try them already!!
www.wonderlandsam.com
I love wearing half braids, so comfy!
Great tutorial! I have always struggled with braided hairstyles.
Laila from Townhouse Palette
Very cute braid
The Pink pineapple
New post:http://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/
So pretty! Curious, do you think this would work with a collarbone-length cut?
So pretty!! I just cut my hair short, so sad I can’t try this yet 🙁
xo
Phyllis
http://desgeulasse.com/
This looks incredible, you’ve done an amazing job on the braid. It looks so gorgeous and would be perfect for an event!
Cyber Mermaids | Alternative beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog
Beautiful! I love the back but I’m wondering what the front looks like since the only images included were from side angles.
I love it!
www.libertylife.me
I love braids but usually can’t stand to have all of my hair up (slightly insecure, haha), so this is perfect. It’s great for summer!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com