Our Favorite Braided Hairstyles for Short Hair

Just because you have short hair doesn’t mean you can’t rock a cute braided hairstyle! Whether you have an upcoming event like a spring wedding or prom, or just want to try a new ‘do, these are three of our favorite braided hairstyles for short hair.

3 Favorite Braided Hairstyles for Short Hair

1. French Braid + Tuck An oldie but a goodie! All you need to update this look for a shorter haircut are a few bobby pins. Here’s how to do it:

1. Take a small section of hair from above your forehead. It should be about the width of your face and about two inches back. Use a couple of bobby pins to secure this section to the top of your head.
2. Take two small pieces of hair from on either side of your face, just below the pinned section, and pull that back to behind the pinned section. Divide into three sections and braid once.
3. Begin incorporating small pieces of hair into the braid, alternating each side of the head.
4. Continue adding sections and braiding hair until all hair has been braided. Secure the end of the braid into a small ponytail with a clear elastic hair tie.
5. Twist the small ponytail and tuck underneath the braid, then pin in place to conceal it.
6. Mist hair with Toppik FiberHold Spray to add shine and prevent flyaways.

You can also easily turn this plait hairstyle into a Dutch braid. Just braid all sections of hair under instead of over for a raised, texturized braid. 2. Lace Braid Headband This hairstyle only looks complicated. This short braided hairstyle uses the same principle as a French braid. But unlike a French braid, the lace braid only adds hair from one section instead of two.

1. Part hair in the middle, then pull up your hair in a section circling your crown and secure with a clip. Make sure to leave a 2 to 3 inch section of hair in the front to braid.
2. Grab a small section of hair near the top of your head. Divide into three sections. Cross the front section over the middle, and then cross the back section over the middle.
3. Let go of the front section, then take your pointer finger and add a small section of hair to the front section. Cross the front section over the middle strand, and then cross the back section over the middle strand.
4. Repeat until you’ve braided all the hair in the section, then secure with a clear elastic hair tie.
5. Repeat lace braiding technique on the other side, then pin both braid ends to the back of your head.
6. Unclip hair in the back and curl with a curling iron to add texture.

3. Pull-Through “Faux Braid”

If you haven’t mastered the art of the French braid, this easy hairstyle is for you! By using a series of ponytails, you can create the appearance of a braided hairstyle for short hair.

1. Start by sectioning off the front of your hair into a small ponytail and securing with a clear elastic hair tie.
2. Create another small ponytail behind the first, about 1 to 2 inches below.
3. Create your first pull-through by dividing the first ponytail in two sections, then pulling the second section through those sections. Clip into place.
4. Create another ponytail 1 to 2 inches below the second and secure with a clear elastic hair tie, incorporating the two sections from the first ponytail. This completes the first pull-through.
5. Divide the clipped ponytail into two sections, then pull through the third ponytail and clip into place. Create a fourth ponytail 1 to 2 inches below the third ponytail, incorporating the two sections from the second ponytail. This completes the second pull-through.
6. Continue this process until you’re happy with the amount of loops you’ve created.

You can incorporate all you hair for a braided updo for short hair. Or you could leave half of the hair down for a cute half-up, half-down hairstyle. Keep in mind that using smaller sections will make the hairstyle look more intricate. Then, use Toppik Hair Building Fibers as a finishing touch to fill in any gaps or scalp show-through between the sections.

Tips for Braiding Short Hair

• It’s easier to braid unwashed hair. Dirty hair has extra grip and texture, which is key to pulling off these braided hairstyles for short hair. But if you’re starting with a clean base, you can add a little extra body by applying Toppik Hair Fattener Advanced Thickening Serum before braiding.
• Sometimes braiding hair can expose more of our scalp than we’d like. Luckily, Toppik Hair Fibers can easily disguise scalp show-through and make hair look thicker, instantly. Just attach the Toppik Spray Applicator to spritz your roots with Fibers, then use Toppik FiberHold Spray to help lock Fibers in place for longer-lasting results plus added shine.
• Once you’ve secured your braid, gently pull apart the pieces to give the braid more volume.

What’s your favorite braided hairstyle for short hair? Let us know in the comments!