As someone with curly hair (type 3a, whattup) that loves to frizz up and poof out, I’ve tried pretty much every possible braided updo in existence in an attempt to look ~cute~ without having to deal with my curls running wild in the middle of summer. And honestly, the winning style I always come back to is a braided bun. Why? Because Ze Braided Bun (we fancy) is both incredibly pretty and pretty low-maintenance. So it’s perfect for a protective style, a lazy style, an I-can’t-deal-with-this-heat style—whatever.
And to get you on my level of excitement, we, the good people at Cosmo, created three gorgeous braided bun tutorials that combine cornrows, French braids, and double three-strand braids so you can wrap up your natural hair and live your best life.
1. How to Do a Braided Bun With Cornrows
Even if you’re an absolute summer-lover, I’m willing to bet you’re not a fan of the frizz and flyaways that those swampy, humid summer months bring. Enter: this cornrow bun. Because 100 percent of your hair will either be braided or twisted up, it’s a killer protective style that’ll be slower to dry out and frizz up (although not totally invincible, so make sure to hydrate hair every morning with a leave-in conditioner mist). Plus, since this is such a long-lasting style, you won’t have to think about touching your hair for three to four weeks. Just tie down your braided bun at night with a silk scarf, and smooth your flyaways with some edge-control gel.
Here, Brooklyn-based celebrity braider Stasha Harris of Magic Fingers Studio demonstrates how to create this gorgeous bun. Watch and learn, then check out the best edge-control gels, below!
TUTORIAL: Braided Bun With Cornrows
Hicks Total Transformations Edges Styling Gel
Shine ’n Jam Magic Fingers for Braiders
2. How to Do a Folded Braid French Twist
Okay, trust: This braided French twist is so, so easy yet looks ridiculously pretty—which is basically the ultimate hairstyle goal, right? For this braided bun style, Ursula Stephen, celeb hairstylist who works with Ciara and Zendaya, worked with the model’s natural curly-wavy hair texture, but if you’re dealing with stick-straight hair, try adding some grit and texture with a curling wand (or curling iron) and some salt spray. And if your natural curls feel a bit too slippery for this style—nothin’ more annoying than flyaways pokin’ out as you’re trying to braid—rake a curl cream through your hair to better hold the style.
Now that you’ve prepped your hair, follow the steps below to complete the look, then check out your lineup of French-braiding products.
TUTORIAL: Folded Braid French Twist
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
3. How to Do a Double-Braided Bun
This braided bun is So. Damn. Sleek. Which, sure, sounds kinda like a nightmare to maintain when you’re in the middle of a humid summer, but trust me when I say that this look is totally easy to recreate—and keep laid—as long as you have the right products (hint: serums, creams, and gels). To get the mega-slick, shiny look, rake three pumps of a cream-serum hybrid through your dry roots, combing it through your hair until it’s evenly coated. (If your curls need way more hold than a serum, try combing a strong-hold gel through your slightly damp hair before pulling it into a bun.)
Once your hair is sufficiently prepped and smoothed, follow along with the steps below, then check out the best serums and gels to get this braided-bun hairstyle.
TUTORIAL: Double Braided Bun
Beija Flor Naturals Creme Brulee for Kinks, Curls and Coils
The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian 24 Karat Gold Twisting Gel
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
