How to Style a Bow Braid

A bow braid adds small, loop-shaped details to a French braid for a playful hairstyle with plenty of texture. The technique takes a little patience and is considered medium to hard, so having someone help can make it easier while you learn. Once you understand how to pull each loop through the braid, you can choose how many bows to add and where to place them.

How to create a bow braid

Start with a French braid in the position you prefer. The bows are formed from small sections of hair beside the braid and pulled through its woven sections with a hairpin. Work slowly and use small, even sections for a more consistent result.

1. Make a French braid. Braid the hair where you want the finished style to sit. Keep the braid secure, but avoid pulling so tightly that it is difficult to thread hair through it.
2. Dampen a small section. Take a section of hair just behind the braid and lightly spritz it with water. Slightly damp hair is easier to shape into loops.
3. Insert a hairpin. Slide the top of the hairpin through one section of the braid, leaving enough of the pin accessible to guide the loop.
4. Form a loop. Pick up a very small piece of hair and bend it into a loop. Thread the loop through the hairpin.
5. Pull the loop through. Hold the hair loop and gently draw the hairpin downward, guiding the loop through the braid. Use light pressure to avoid pulling the section loose.
6. Repeat and tidy. Continue along the braid wherever you want another bow. Tuck any leftover ends behind the bow, underneath the braid.

Styling tips for a bow braid

The shape and finish of the bows can change the overall feel of the hairstyle. For a relaxed look, leave the loops slightly uneven and softly textured. This can work especially well with sleek, straight hair, where a less polished finish adds contrast. For smoother, more defined bows, a small amount of hair wax can help control flyaways and shape the loops.

• Keep each section small so it can pass through the braid without becoming bulky.
• Check the placement in a mirror as you work, especially if the braid curves around the head.
• If a loop becomes loose, gently adjust it rather than pulling hard on the braid.
• For a different placement, the bow braid can be worn near the front hairline, including on hair without bangs.

Making the bow braid easier

This style can be challenging the first time because one hand guides the hairpin while the other controls the loop. An extra set of hands may help, particularly when working at the back of the head. If you are new to French braiding, practice that braid separately before adding the bows. Take breaks as needed and keep the sections manageable; steady, gentle movements make the technique easier to control.

Final thoughts

A bow braid combines a French braid with small pulled-through hair loops, making it easy to adapt to different placements and finishes. Start with a few bows, use lightly damp hair to shape the loops, and tuck the ends underneath for a tidy result. With practice, you can create a more polished or intentionally undone bow braid to suit the occasion.

— Katie