New braid trends and styles are always emerging, breaking up the monotony of the regular braids that we all know so well. Instead of the typical straight back or side-to-side braiding pattern, your hair can now be parted into triangular sections, creating a geometric and visually interesting look known as the triangle braids.
Triangle braids offer a unique and stylish alternative to traditional braiding patterns, allowing for versatility in terms of design and styling options. The hairstyle has become increasingly popular for its modern style as it features triangular sections that resemble butterfly wings, which creates an eye-catching look.
Ahead is a step-by-step guide on how to switch up your hair look to triangle butterfly braids.
Steps:
Prepare your hair
Start by washing and conditioning your hair as you normally would. Detangle your hair using a wide-tooth comb or a brush designed for detangling. If desired, apply a leave-in conditioner or styling product to add moisture and make the hair more manageable.
Photo: Instagram/@hairadviser Section your hair
Using a rat-tail comb, create a triangular section at the front of your head. Start at your hairline and extend the section backward, forming a point at the top center of your head. Clip or tie away the remaining hair to keep it out of the way.
Divide the section
Within the triangular section, divide a small subsection at the front into three equal parts. These will be the strands you use for braiding. You can use hair clips or rubber bands to secure the remaining hair in the triangular section to keep it organized.
Begin braiding
To create the butterfly wing effect, you will use a variation of the Dutch braid. Start by crossing the right strand under the middle strand, then cross the left strand under the new middle strand. This is similar to the beginning of a French braid, but instead of crossing the strands over, you cross them under.
Add hair to the braid
After crossing the strands under, gather a small section of hair from the same side of the head as the strand you just crossed under, and add it to that strand. Cross the augmented strand under the middle strand. Repeat this process on the other side: gather a small section of hair from the same side as the strand you just crossed under, add it to the strand, and cross it under the middle strand.
Continue braiding
Continue adding small sections of hair to the outer strands and crossing them under the middle strand. As you move toward the back of the head, you can start angling the braid slightly downwards, following the shape of the triangle. This will create the butterfly wing effect.
Photo courtesy Secure the braid:
When you reach the desired stopping point, continue braiding the three strands without adding any more hair. Secure the end of the braid with a small hair elastic.
Repeat the process
Release the next triangular section of hair, clip or tie away the remaining hair, and repeat steps 3 to 7. Continue working your way backward, creating triangular butterfly braids until you have completed the desired number of braids.
Style and finish:
Once you have finished braiding all the triangular sections, you can style the remaining hair as desired. You can leave it down, gather it into a ponytail, or create additional braids or twists. Add any accessories or finishing touches you prefer, such as hairpins or decorative clips.
It’s important to note that while it’s possible to achieve the triangle butterfly hair look through a DIY process, it is recommended to seek the services of a professional hairstylist for optimal results.
Before getting these braids done, it’s important to remove any buildup from your roots by using a strong clarifying shampoo. Additionally, you have the option to add some color. You can go for a subtle, two-toned look or be bold with a vibrant color for a playful contrast.
To experiment with different baby hairstyles while wearing these triangle butterfly braids, it’s helpful to use a healthy and hydrating edge control product. When styling your edges several times a week, choose a hydrating formula that doesn’t leave flakes to minimize damage. Lastly, prioritize moisture.
Applying a good leave-in conditioner spray not only moisturizes your hair while it’s braided but also prevents your scalp from drying out. Moreover, leave-in conditioners can help maintain your braids and control flyaways. Simply spray it on before wrapping your hair with a satin scarf at night, and you’ll wake up with smoother braids.
