The halo braid is a recent trend that is making a comeback–and for a good reason! This unique style lends a magical fairytale twist to your look and is perfect for both casual and formal occasions.
You might see this ethereal look gracing all kinds of venues, from bohemian looks at music festivals to polished styles at Paris Fashion Week.
Halo braids have an impressive appearance, but don’t be intimidated! Like all good updos, this braid takes a bit of practice, but they are entirely doable on your own!
What Is a Halo Braid?
A halo braid is a single Dutch or pull-through braid that wraps around your head and is pinned in place, creating–you guessed it–a “halo” appearance.
Some variations pin the braid close to the hairline, while others push it further back. The traditional halo braid incorporates all of your hair into one long braid, although it’s possible to experiment with a half-up-half-down look once you master the basics.
The choice is yours! This hairstyle is best suited for women with medi to long hair. If you have shorter hair, you can still accomplish the halo braid, but the process will be a little different.
Halo braids are great for all kinds of hair textures. If you have straight or wavy hair, this is a great updo for day two or three hair. Be sure to brush well and get rid of the extra oils to give your look a better hold and a clean look.
If you have kinky or curly hair, halo braids are an excellent choice for a hairstyle that is both protective and magical. Be sure to prep your hair by shampooing, conditioning, and moisturizing beforehand.
How To Make a Halo Braid
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do a halo braid. The process for medium to long hair is different from the process for shorter hair.
Ensure your hair is brushed and detangled, free of excess oil, and completely dry. It helps to familiarize yourself with the French or Dutch braid before attempting this style!
Keep a comb, bobby pins, and hairspray on hand. If you have kinky hair, it may be helpful to have a product ready to smooth down flyaways.
Halo Braids for Medium to Long Hair
This process aims to create one single braid to wrap around your head.
- Part your hair neatly. Either a middle or side part is fine.
- Starting at the front of your head, take up three strands on the right side of your part. Begin your Dutch braid: left strand under the middle, then right under the middle, etc.
- Slowly incorporate pieces of hair into the side strands. Gradually braid them in under the middle strand. The braid as a whole should thicken.
- Continue braiding down the side until you reach your nape.
- At this point, you’ll want to change your hand position to ease the process. Then, braid across the center of your nape to the other side.
- Braid upwards along the other side of your head. You may have to reposition your hands again.
- When you reach your part (the beginning of your braid), braid your hair as usual until you reach the end of your hair. Secure it with a hair tie.
- Wrap the free-hanging braid around your head. Tuck the end into the braid to hide it and pin everything in place. Spritz with hairspray for extra hold.
Halo Braids for Short Hair
If you have shorter hair, the process will be more similar to creating a crown braid, which consists of two braids that overlap to create the illusion of a single braid wrapped around the head.
- Follow the same first four steps for braiding halo plait on long hair.
- Once you reach your nape, braid normally until you reach the ends of your hair. Make sure to secure it–small hair ties are easier to conceal at the end.
- Repeat this process on the other side.
- Cross the braids at your nape and wrap them up around your head. Tuck the ends inside the main braid and pin them in place. Spritz with hairspray to hold in place.
Watch the following tutorial to learn how to do a halo braid on short hair.
Halo Braids Ideas
1. Loose Braid
Loose braids are trending nowadays. Start the braiding from behind the ear and move around the head while pulling the hair loose for a chunky carefree appeal. Set off the look by tugging out some strands and curling them.
2. Middle Part
Wear a halo braid differently with a middle part and the braid wrapped along the hairline. The hair is secured at the back while the subtle lilac strand contrasting against the blonde braided hair sets this style distinct from others.
3. Double Halo Braids
You need these gorgeous half braids in your life to flaunt your wavy hair. The strands at the top are braided into two Dutch braids while the remaining hang loose at the back. The creamy-blonde highlights peeking through the honey-blonde hair take this look to another level.
4. Medieval Look
This braided bun will make anyone look like a medieval princess. The rich auburn locks are styled into a braided halo around the head extending from one ear to the other. Secure the remaining hair into a neat bun to complete the style.
5. Tilted Hat Style
Show off a halo plait hairstyle with a chic twist. The golden-brown hair is entwined into a chunky braid with uniform loops all along the length. The braid is tilted on one side reaching the eyebrow to make it appear like a hat.
6. Fancy Finish
Looking for a halo braid hairstyle to be worn on a fancy occasion? Have a look at this style where the braid sits on the top of the head with a side-parted hair framing the face which is covered with an oversized embellished hair accessory.
7. Jaw-Length Bangs
Push the braids further away from the forehead to make space for jaw-length bangs at the front. The bangs can be middle-parted or side-parted depending on your choice. Two neat braids instead of one top off this icy platinum blonde hair look.
8. Halo Updo
This is another stunning style where the braid is pushed farther away from the front to make space for a sleek middle part. Strands are pulled loose to create a messy braid with a floral headband on the crown.
9. Oversized Updo
Keep hair away from the face with this look. The blonde locks are teased and styled into an oversized high bun with tight halo braid at the front that look like a headband. This style is simple yet classy.
10. Braided Design
Go for this braided hairstyle with weave that looks like art. The braided halo circles around the head like a headband with an intricate braided design in the middle. Leave two long braids loose with beads at the ends. This look may demand for hair extensions.
11. Half a Halo
Break the halo into two parts for a change to bring these much-needed gorgeous halo braids into your life. The auburn-copper hair is middle-parted and braided on either side. Some loose strands at the front add a soft finish to the look.
12. Elegant Hairstyle
Have a look at this elegant braid hairstyle where the strands are braided into a perfect circle around the head with a fancy hair comb. Draw out a few strands and the front and back and curl them up. This look is ideal for brides and bridesmaids.
13. Wild Twist
Although halo braids are considered an ethereal hairstyle, you can wear them with a wild twist. The front consists of sleek layered middle-parted bangs with two thin braids along the sides and messy fishtail braids. Keep the strands at the back braided too.
14. Crown Braid
This is the most simple and classic style of halo braid, created by ensuring that you pull each braid as tightly as possible and include all of your hair in the braid before securing it neatly behind your ear.
The two-tone blonde balayage hair color of this look serves to emphasize the braid, giving it more of a halo effect.
15. Chunky and Textured Wrap Braid
If you have very long hair, you can create a chunky and textured braided halo hairstyle by starting your plaiting process behind your ear and using loose strokes to create your braid.
This will ensure the fullness of your hair is at the front of your head and enable you to work with its natural texture.
16. Milkmaid Braid
Pulling curls out of your braid is a great way to soften your style and inject it with extra femininity. Having curls around your face will create a natural frame and lend softness if you have a square or oval face shape.
17. Braid With Flower Embellishment
The halo braid is the perfect style for evening events and formal occasions. To inject a little glamour into your look for after dark, add flowers, gem barretts, and other feminine accessories to ensure your style really stands out from the crowd.
18. Braid with Side Swept Bangs
If you have a long face shape and rely on bangs to create softness and shorten your forehead, then don’t worry: you can work these bangs into your style and still wear a beautiful halo braid on natural hair.
To create this side bangs, separate out any hair you don’t want to include in the braid and hold it in place with a hair clip before you begin working on your style.
19. Double Dutch Braid
If you are blessed with ultra-long hair, you can amp up your style by creating a double Dutch crown braid! Simply continue wrapping your hair around your head until all of the lengths has been distributed: this will make your halo hair look much fuller and more impactful.
20. Half-up Hair
Love the look of a halo braided hairstyle but still want to show off the length of your hair? It is possible to have the best of both worlds! Use the length of your hair to create a braid without working to your nape, then wrap this around your head to create a demi-halo effect.
21. Halo Braid For Short Hair
Though it is much harder to create a classic halo braid if you have short hair, you can nod to the style by creating a demi halo from the front of your hairline.
Simply braid your hair on either side of your parting and sweep it to the back of your hair, securing in place with bobby pins.
22. Vibrant Red Halo Braid
Whilst most images tend to show braids on angelic blonde braids, they look just as fabulous if you rock a brighter and more vibrant hair color. The braid style is a great way to show off the incredible red tone of this beautiful length of hair.
23. Braid with Blunt Bangs
Rocking blunt bangs doesn’t mean you can’t also experiment with a halo braid. It’s easy to incorporate your bangs into a halo, alternatively, create your halo around them and use them to create a frame for your bangs, lending your look a modern feel.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about halo braids.
Halo braids should be started at the front of the head right next to the part. Whether it’s a middle or side part is up to you. For shorter hair, using a side part may make the illusion of one continuous braid easier.
Halo braids are most easily done with medium to long hair. This allows all of your hair to be gathered into one braid, which can then be wrapped around your head.
Halo braids are possible to create with shorter hair, but it may be challenging to accomplish the appearance of one continuous braid. You can try a looser braid or half-up-half-down variation to help this illusion.
If you choose to get your halo braid done professionally, the cost will probably be between $100 and $200.
This is a very popular wedding style, so this price may vary depending on other treatments you choose to get done in addition to the braiding, such as adding extensions, curling, or dying.
However, if you’re doing them for yourself, all it costs is time and a bit of practice!
This depends on your hair texture–and how many bobby pins and hairspray you use! Barring any wild activities, a halo braid is a pretty sturdy hairstyle.
Tighter braids will hold a little better than the loose, teased braids. If you are wearing this as a protective hairstyle, halo braids will last up to 6 weeks.
Yes, you can create a halo braid with extensions, using them to add volume to your braid if you have thinner hair or add length to shorter hair.
Just be sure that they are securely in place and are woven in gradually with your natural hair for a seamless transition.
While these two words have been used interchangeably, there are a few minor differences. Halo braids are composed of one single Dutch braid that begins at the front of your head and wraps continuously around the head.
A crown braid is usually composed of two braids–French or Dutch–that start at the nape and overlap when wrapping around the head.