3D split braid

A 3D split braid is a fun and easy variation on the regular 3 strand braid. Before you cross your strand over another, you split the strand in two and then you cross one section over and one section under the next strand. This creates an almost square looking braid.
Up for a challenge by adding in hair? Make sure to check out the video tutorial linked below. Important: always first split the strand and cross it over and under the next strand before adding in hair. This new hair gets added to the middle strand, which is the strand you've just split.

The technique:
3D split braid tutorial (with adding in hair)

Ideas:

The Dutch 3D split braid, as explained in my tutorial.

A variation on the Dutch 3D split braid: Dutch braid a small part, then create a ponytail and braid the hair from this ponytail. Then turn it into a bun.

The regular 3D split braid, started in a ponytail.

The first 3D split braid I've ever done myself, started without a ponytail, with a flower accent braid in Christmas colors.

A variation on the regular 3D split braid: two small 3D split braids, brought together at the back of the head.

Chain link braid

This braid may seem complicated, but it's actually a combination of 2 twists (rope braids). Important is to remember how you're doing your twist as both twists need to be done the same way. Then you twist the two twists around each other. Keep your direction in mind here. If you've created your twists by twisting the strands to the right and then crossing the right strand over the left strand, then you first need to crosss your left twist over the right over. The other way around: if you've created your twists by twisting the strands to the left and then crossing the left strand over the right one, then now cross your right twists over the left one.
By twisting in the opposite way, your braid will start to look like a 'chain' - hence the name 'chain link braid'.

The technique:

Chain link braid tutorial (from CuteGirlsHairstyles)

Ideas:

A high ponytail with the chain link braid.

A side chain link braid.

A chain link braid also makes a cute accent braid.

The chain link braid was used here to create a bun by turning the braid around the elastic that created the starting ponytail and then pinning the braid into place.

A stacked braid made from a French braid and a chain link braid.

A fun variation: the chain link braid as accent braid with a Dutch braid, used together for a corset braid.

Rope braid / twist

One of the easiest braids is the rope braid or twist: a two strand braid made by twisting the strands. Really quick and easy, but still different than a regular braid. So: perfect for when you want something different with your hair and don't have much time!

The technique:
Rope braid tutorial

Ideas:

The easiest way to do the rope braid / twist, is with all of the hair. For a looser hairstyle you can start without an elastic, if you want a tighter twist, then start from a ponytail.

Small rope braids make a cute accent braid, like with this 5 strand headband braid.

A rope braid can also be used to be turned into a bun!

Lucy's hairstyle from the movie Prince Caspian is also made from twists.

Do a twist on each side of the head and then pin them to the other side to create a crown braid. If you like, you can add braids as accents.

A twist can be used to pull another braid through. Here, four braids have been pulled through the twists.

Rope braids are also fun to create a heart with!

Hairstyles with memories

Sometimes when you do a braid you can remember exactly when you did this braid before. It can be because you recently mastered the braid and you can remember the first time the braid turned out the way you wanted or it can be because you did this braid for a special occasion. This special occasion can be anything - a party, a celebration, a graduation... Most likely, if the braid was for a special occasion, you'll have photos of the hairstyle or at least the hairstyle in a photo. When you look back at the photo, you'll probably remember the moment exactly: what you did or said, what happened and where the photo was taken.

Vacation photos can bring back memories too, of course. For me, vacation photos also means hairstyle photos, so when I look back at a hairstyle photo, I'll remember exactly where we were, if we liked it there and if anything special happened that day. One of the vacation hairstyle photos below, for example, was taken on the day my boyfriend proposed to me. Now, when I have that same hairstyle again, I always remember that day.

Do you have hairstyles / braids with a memory as well? I'd love to hear about it in a comment below or on the Facebook page of Miriam's Vlecht Lessen!

A braid with a memory: the first time my 7 strand ribbon braid actually turned out the way I wanted it to turn out!

Another braid with a memory: with this hairstyle I became a finalist in an Instagram braiding contest for the first time.

I remember this day exactly: we took the train to go to a vacation event, but the train broke down and we had to wait on another train station. When we finally arrived at the vacation event, I booked a trip to the USA & Canada, a trip during which I met my boyfriend. When we came back home after the event, my mother's bike was stolen from the train station. A day I won't likely forget!

Another special braid: this was the hairstyle I did when I went to my grandmother's funeral. She always loved my knotted bracelet braid, so I did it for her.

Not a hairstyle I'm really proud of, but the memory is nice: this photo was taken in Sri Lanka when we visited our first temple. It was raining a little bit and we just had a bit of thunder and we had to walk around barefoot on top of a mountain. The view was beautiful, though, and this was one of the best moments during our Sri Lanka trip.

Taken in Yellowstone during our last vacation trip. This is where my boyfriend proposed to me, right next to the Old Faithful geyser. This hairstyle is now my favorite hairstyle! I wonder why... ;)

One last fun memory: I always love 4 strand slide up braids as they're quick, easy and great to see, but the background is even more special - it's where they're building our very first house. This was when we were allowed to visit the ground for the first time. The house should be finished in April/May/June 2019, so I'm sure I'll have another fun hairstyle photo with a memory coming up then!

How to: feathered 5 strand braid with French braids and bun

How to: feathered 5 strand braid with French braids and bun

Helpful tutorials:
5 strand Dutch braid tutorial
French braid tutorial
3 strand braid tutorial

You'll need:
Elastics
Bobby pins
Flower pins if desired

How to do this hairstyle?

1. Divide the hair into three parts by parting the hair left off centre and right off centre.
2. Put an elastic around the left and right part to keep it out of the way. You can now start braiding the middle part.
3. Start a  5 strand Dutch braid with this and add hair once.
4. Before adding hair for the second time, slice off a small section of hair. Do this on both sides.
5. Repeat step 4 twice, so you have 3 loose strands. Of course you could do more, but make sure you have the same amount of loose strands on both sides. 
6. Finish off the 5 strand Dutch braid at the neck and add an elastic.
7. Now start a French braid on the left side. Use the loose strands from the left side of your 5 strand Dutch braid to add in. Finish off the braid near the neck with an elastic.
8. Repeat step 7 on the right side.
9. Now take all 3 braids together and put an elastic around them.
10. Use the hair from the ponytail to create a 3 strand braid. Finish off with an elastic.
11. Turn your braid into a bun and pin it into place with bobby pins. If you like, you can add some flower pins or other decorations.

Good luck!

Variation tips: instead of French braids you could also do Dutch braids and instead of a regular braid you could of course use another braiding technique for your bun.

How to: Simple and fancy bun

How to: Simple and fancy bun

Helpful tutorials:
3 strand braid tutorial
Twist (rope braid) tutorial

You'll need:
One big elastic
4 small elastics
Bobbypins
A flower or a bow if desired

How to do this hairstyle?

1. Start off with a ponytail with all of the hair.
2. Divide the hair into 4 parts: 2 parts with a little more hair and 2 parts with a little less hair.
3. Use the 2 parts with a little more braid to create 2 regular braids. Finish off with a small elastic.
4. Use the 2 parts with a little less hair to create 2 twist braids. Finish off with a small elastic.
5. Twist the braids and twists around the big elastic and pin them into place with bobbypins. Try not to twist the braids and twists too tight around the elastic.
6. If you like, you can give the bun a little color by using a flower clip or a small bow.

Good luck!

Tip: of course this bun can be done with all kinds of braiding techniques!

Flower braid

A braided flower in your hair can be created in hundreds of ways, but the technique is pretty much always the same: you do a braid, pancake one side and then bring the braid into the shape of a circle, making it look like a flower. The exception is the slide up flower braid - you don't pancake this braid, but you'll use the original braid to create a flower.
Below you can find a few ideas to use a braided flower in your hairstyle, but there's loads and loads of other ideas!

The technique:
Flower braid tutorial
Slide up flower braid tutorial

Ideas:

The flower braid as explained in my tutorial.

The slide up flower braid, as explained in my tutorial, combined with a French braid.

Another flower combined with a French braid, only now with a 'regular' flower braid.

Variation: try the flower braid with a 5 strand braid!

A waterfall braid finished off with a flower.

Fun as well: a flower braid with a ribbon braided into it!

Why only use part of the hair? Try the flower braid with all of the hair!

4 strand ribbon braid

Color always makes a hairstyle a little more fun. One of the ways to add color, is by using a ribbon. One of the easiest braids with ribbon is the 4 strand ribbon braid. The technique for this braid is the same as for the regular 4 strand braid, only the use of a ribbon makes it easier to see all of the strands. And of course you can add hair into a 4 strand ribbon braid as well, just like you would with a regular 4 strand braid!

The technique:
4 strand ribbon braid tutorial
4 strand French/Dutch braid tutorial

Ideas:

A ponytail with a 4 strand ribbon braid, as explained in my tutorial.

Actually it's the same hairstyle as above, only now with elastics added in, which gives you a bubble braid.

4 strand ribbon braids are fun as accent braids as well, for example with this flipped ponytail.

Once you've mastered the 4 strand ribbon braid, you can try to add in hair, like this 4 strand ribbon lace braid.

Another 4 strand ribbon lace braid: start with a ponytail, take hair on 1 side for the braid and take the hair you're adding in from the other side of the ponytail. This creates a really fun effect!

If you wanna go another step further, try adding in hair to both sides, like in a 4 strand French/Dutch braid. For the hairstyle in the photo the braid has been pinned down with bobby pins above the French/Dutch braided part.

Fishtail braid

A very populair braid is the fishtail braid: a braid with two strands. The best result is when you're taking small strands every time, but that does mean the braid will take longer (especially when you're braiding long hair).

The technique:
Fishtail braid tutorial

Ideas:

Instead of doing a fishtail with all of the hair you could also use the technique for an accent braid.

A fishtail is beautiful with a stacked braid.

If you have long hair, you can beautifully fold up your fishtail for a gorgeous updo!

A fuller looking fishtail can be created by pancaking the braid. Here the braid has been combined with lace braids.

So beautiful: this bubble fishtail braid with loops!

Have some extra time on your hands? Then try this double braided heart made out of fishtail braids!

French braiding

Apart from the regular 3 strand braid French braid is the most well known technique. It's also an easy technique and one I think you should master before trying more difficult techniques.

The technique:
French braid tutorial

Ideas:

Start a French braid, but stop when you've added in all of the hair. Put an elastic around it to create a ponytail and wrap a strand of hair around the elastic.

A French braid with part of the hair on the front side of the head.

Do a regular French braid. Then bring the end of the braid and pull the braid down underneath the hair you've added in. Pin into place with bobby pins.

Start a French braid on the side of the head. Turn the braid into a bun and pin into place with bobby pins.

Start a French braid on the side of the head. When you've added in all of the hear, create two strands and continue with a fishtail braid.

Start a French braid. On three places, leave out a strand of hair (take this strand from the middle of the hair, underneath the braid). When you've finished the French braid, use each strand of loose hair to do a Slide up flower braid.