Tutorial: How To Create a Four-Strand Braid

Meet your new everyday go-to: the four strand braid.

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four strand braid final look

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If you’re looking for a hairstyle that offers maximum impact with minimal effort, you’ve come to the right place. The DNA of a four strand braid might lie in a classic weaving technique of three equal sections, but it looks decidedly fancier (and more fashionable) than its smaller counterpart. Ready to learn more? Follow along with our step-by-step four strand braid tutorials and discover more ways to wear the look below…

How to Do a Four-Strand Braid

1

Add texture.

Giving your hair some grip will make it easier to braid. Mist TRESemmé One Step Volume 5-in-1 Volumizing Mist all over your tresses and comb through if needed to remove any tangles.

 

four strand braid textured base
2

Divide your strands.

Use your fingers or a comb to divide the hair into four equal sections. 

four strand braid section hair
3

Start weaving.

Take strand number one from the far left and weave it over strand number two (next to it). Then weave it under strand number three and finally over strand number four.

four strand braid cross over
4

Repeat.

Repeat this over-under-over process as you braid down the hair (where strand number one now becomes strand number two and so on). Practice makes perfect, so if it takes you a couple of tries to get the weaving style right, don’t panic!

four strand braid continue braiding

 

5

Secure your braid.

Leave about an inch of hair loose at the bottom so your braid doesn’t look frayed at the end and then secure with an elastic.

Give it some extra hold with a few sprays of Suave Extreme Hold Aerosol Hairspray.

 

four strand braid secure
6

Finished!

Happy with your final look? Great, now go show it off to the world. 

four strand braid finished look

Now you’ve totally mastered the four-strand braid, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Check out these cute ways to style it and show off you weaving prowess.

Four Strand Braid Hairstyle Inspiration

four strand braid high ponytail
We’re loving this four strand high ponytail. Credit: Instagram.com/leauxmane

1. Four Strand High Ponytail

Looking for a more workout-friendly option? Use your new weaving skills on a high ponytail to create the ultimate gym-ready braid. This technique also works well on longer locks, especially if you’re looking for a high-impact finish.  Credit: @leauxmane

Having trouble with your baby hairs? Tame them with a little bit of the Bed Head by TIGI Wax Stick fora sleeker finish.

four strand braid French
Not for the faint hearted: the four strand french braid. Credit: Instagram.com/cravenhairbytrisha

2. Four Strand French Braid

If you’re feeling extra confident, try your hand at a four strand French braid. Use the same weaving technique, pulling in small amounts of hair from either side of the braid as you move down towards the nape of your neck. We promise the results are worth the extra effort. Credit: @cravenhairbytrisha

a woman with milkmaid braid on her brown hair smiling while wearing a sunglasses
The four strand milkmaid braid is giving us serious summer vibes. Credit: Instagram.com/Tindrashairart

3. Four Strand Halo

We’ve officially found your new festival season hair: the four strand milkmaid braid. Follow our tutorial to nail the basics of the look and then adopt the four strand weaving pattern into your braid. Perfection. Credit: @Tindrashairart

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