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How to do bubble braids

Want an alternative to French braids and fishtails or looking to elevate your standard ponytail? Bubble braids are here to help! Follow our step-by-step guide to rock this modern, bold and playful style.

Step 1: Preparation
Step 2: Start at the front
Step 3: Build a bubble
Step 4: Take two
Step 5: Join up
Step 6: And repeat
Step 7: Tidy up

Beautiful woman with bublle braids against a black background.

Want an alternative to French braids and fishtails or looking to elevate your standard ponytail? Bubble braids are here to help! Follow our step-by-step guide to rock this modern, bold and playful style.

Bubble braids work best on shorter textured hair with lots of volume. You don’t need to be a professional hairstylist to get the look, but you do need TRESemmé.

Now, go get your bubble braid on! Here’s how to do bubble braids.

Step 1: Preparation

Preparation is key, not only to achieving this look, but also to take care of your hair. Braids involve a lot of pulling and tugging on your hair and the elastics you use might create tension which could lead to breakage. To strengthen your hair, apply TRESemmé Beauty-Full Strengthening Leave-In Conditioner, while your hair’s still damp and comb it through. This lightweight strengthening treatment makes it easier to manage and style, while also reducing hair breakage.

Remember, bleached hair needs extra care. Get tips to look after dyed hair.

Step 2: Start at the front

Woman teasing out a model's curly brown hair.

Gather a triangular section of hair at the front hairline. Spray TRESemmé TRES TWO Extra Hold Non-Aerosol Hair Spray at the roots to create a strong foundation. Brush the section into a ponytail using a toothbrush.

Step 3: Build a bubble

Two stylist's teasing and spraying a model's mini ponytail.

Tease the roots of your mini ponytail and spray on TRESemmé Volume Clean Dry Shampoo, making sure to massage throughout your hair. This will absorb excess oil, leaving your locks volumized, restored and refreshed. Brush over it to create a big and bold bubble shape.

Find out more about how to use dry shampoo.

Step 4: Take two

Stylist creating a second triangular ponytail beneath the first.

Clip the first section away and create another triangular pony beneath the first and secure with an elastic.

Step 5: Join up

Stylist securing the second bubble ponytail with elastic.

On the last loop of the elastic, add the first bubble and secure with another elastic.

Step 6: And repeat

Close up of model's head showing two bubble's in her pony tail.

Repeat throughout the length of the hair. Duplicate on the other side if you’re going for double bubble braids, or just keep it all centered for one large bubble braid.

Step 7: Tidy up

Stylist securing the bubbles in model's ponytail with bobby pins.

Use French pins and bobby pins to shape the bubbles throughout. Spray TRESemmé TRES TWO Extra Hold Non-Aerosol Hair Spray onto a toothbrush to smooth flyaways on the sides of the head.

And you’re all set!

Looking for a fun look for longer hair? Here’s how to do a bubble ponytail