Waterfall Braid Tutorial: How to Do a Waterfall Braid

If you’re looking for a new braiding style that will have people asking how you did it, but isn’t too hard to do on your own hair, let us introduce you to the waterfall braid. This dreamy style creates a braid that’s attached to the head like a french braid, but also features loose tendrils flowing from the braid. How to waterfall braid? To create a waterfall braid, divide the section you’re beginning with into three equal pieces, and begin braiding using the french braiding technique. Cross the upper piece of hair (whichever is closest to your part) over the braid into the middle, then cross the lower piece over the braid into the middle. On your next stitch pick up and add some hair to the upper piece of hair as you cross it into the middle, then cross the lower piece over and into the middle, adding some hair into this piece at the same time. On your third stitch (or whenever you’d like to begin the waterfall effect) cross the upper piece over as you’ve been doing. But this time, instead of crossing the lower piece over into the middle of the braid, drop this section of hair and pick up a new piece from directly behind it to cross over into the middle of the braid. The piece you dropped will be left trailing out of the braid, creating a waterfall effect that begins to take shape once the braid is further along. Continue repeating this last stitch for as long as you’d like your braid to have a waterfall effect. If you need some more inspiration, take a look at our favorite waterfall braid styles!

This waterfall braid creates a simple headband across this ultra long hair, and doesn’t take any longer than a french or dutch braid.

To make a two strand waterfall braid, begin with only two strands of hair, twisting one section over the other. Pick up a section of hair from the top of the braid, but instead of adding it in, slip it through your two twisted pieces, and drop to create the waterfall. Continue on using this technique, never adding pieces into the braid, but simply weaving them through your two strand twist.

Perfect for any bride with long locks and a bohemian chic style, this look uses a waterfall braid and a regular three strand braid to create a halo effect. Accessorize with a flower garland or crown of ivy to complete the forest fresh look.

To make more of a statement with your waterfall braid, use thicker strands to create a pronounced waterfall, and curl hair in deep ringlets afterwards.

This waterfall features a more diagonal shape, continuing all the way down the neck instead of stopping in the middle of the back of the head. To hold the braid in place at the end, you can tie it off with a clear elastic or pin in place.

To get this headband braid, create a waterfall braid beginning at each temple, and tie them together where they meet at the back of the head.

Instead of finishing your waterfall at the back of the head and pinning it in place, this look continues braiding down the hair using a simple three-strand technique. Try this style if you’re looking for a waterfall that will stay in place during busy days, or for anyone with finely textured hair that’s difficult to keep in place using pins alone.

Create a waterfall braid ending either at the back of the head or off to the side, and tie off with an elastic. Braid the trailing hair in a simple three-strand braid, then pick up this braid and gently roll it into a spiral shape to create the pictured flower, pinning in place once you’ve got the desired shape.

The waterfall technique is great for showing off hair with layered or multidimensional color like this pastel rainbow hair.

To get this waterfall style, you’ll want to begin a braid near the top of the head, braiding down towards one ear as you go. Use the regular waterfall technique, but drop the section of hair towards where your bun will be, and keep these pieces secure with a clip as you go. Once the braid is finished, unclip the pieces of hair you dropped from the braid, and gather them up with the rest of your hair, tying it together in your favorite bun or ponytail.

Waterfall braids work for shorter hair, too! This braided headband looks just as good on a bob as it does with super long hair.

To make your waterfall braid wrap all the way around your head, continue braiding around the back of the head and towards the opposite temple. Once you’ve finished, you can tie off with an elastic to secure the braid or continue with a simple three strand braid down to the ends.

This double waterfall style looks impressive, but isn’t much more complicated than a single style. Once you’ve got your first waterfall completed, begin a second braid right underneath where the first one began. Where you reach the step where you’d pick up hair to add to the braid, use the pieces that were dropped from the first braid. Drop pieces from the bottom of the second braid as you normally would, and the end result will be two connected waterfall braids.