A Figure Eight Braid

A figure eight braid is an elegant updo made by arranging three braided ponytails into two stacked buns. The finished style has a graceful, intertwined look, yet it uses a straightforward sequence of braiding, wrapping, and pinning. It can suit a holiday gathering or another occasion when you want a dressed-up hairstyle without a complicated technique.

How to Create a Figure Eight Braid

Before starting, have a few hair elastics and bobby pins ready. Divide the ponytails as evenly as you can; keeping them similar in size helps the finished buns look balanced. If you prefer a softer, more relaxed result, gently loosen the braids before wrapping them.

1. Make three ponytails. Separate the hair into three sections and secure them as ponytails, arranged one above another. Aim for roughly equal-sized sections, though slight differences can be adjusted as you style.
2. Braid each ponytail. Braid the hair in each ponytail and secure the ends. Keep the braids comfortable and consistent, without pulling so tightly that they are difficult to wrap.
3. Loosen the braids if desired. Gently pull at the outer loops of each braid to make it look wider and fuller. Loosen them a little at a time so the braid stays intact.
4. Form the top bun. Wrap the top braid into a loose bun and hold it in place with several bobby pins. Tuck in the end so it does not stick out.
5. Form the bottom bun. Wrap the bottom braid into another loose bun and secure it with bobby pins. Check that both buns sit comfortably and feel stable.
6. Connect the two buns. Bring the middle braid around the bottom bun, then guide its end upward toward the top bun. Pin it in place to create the flowing figure-eight shape.

Finishing and Adjusting the Style

From the side, the hairstyle appears as two stacked braided buns. The middle braid creates a visual connection between them, giving the updo its figure-eight effect. Add or reposition bobby pins wherever the braids feel loose, and check the style from the front and sides before finishing.

For a neater look, keep the braid loops less loosened and tuck the ends carefully beneath the buns. For a fuller, more casual finish, gently widen the braids before wrapping them. The amount of loosening is a matter of preference, but small adjustments are easier to control than pulling the braid apart all at once.

Why Try This Figure Eight Braid?

This figure eight braid combines simple individual braids into a more detailed-looking updo. The key is the order of the wraps: secure the top and bottom buns first, then use the middle braid to travel around the lower bun and up toward the upper one. Take a moment to make sure each section is pinned securely, especially where the middle braid meets either bun.

By Rebecca