
How to master the braided bob
Discover the incredible versatility of the chin-length chop when you start bringing braids into your bob.
If there’s one beauty trend that’s truly taken the world of street style by storm, it’s undoubtedly the bob. The chin-grazing cut lends itself to endless hairstyles, including another fashion favourite – braids, glorious, braids.
Chunky, micro, unicorn or French – the braided bob is remarkably versatile. Add a braid to a blunt bob, shape your locks into a plaited updo or mix up braids and buns for a playful look - these styles offer gorgeous ways to shake up your short tresses.
Double braided buns
Give standard space buns an ultra-glam upgrade with this unique braided bob hairstyle. The half-up, half-down spin on the look keeps hair off your face without taking attention away from the chic length of your locks. Here’s how to do it:

step 1:
Create a centre parting using the ghd tail comb.
step 2:
Separate the top section of your hair from the bottom, creating a halo parting, then divide into two equal sections.
step 3:
Starting with the left side, gather hair at the top of the forehead and section into three equal sub-sections. Cross the two outer strands underneath the middle strands instead of on top. Continue until you reach the crown of your head.
step 4:
Secure the braid with a hair tie and repeat step 3 on the right side of your hair.
step 5:
Form a bun on both sides by twirling the remaining top section of hair on the left side around your index finger to create a loop and securing with a hair tie.
step 6:
Repeat on the other side and spritz with ghd final fix hairspray to hold your braided bob in place.

Unicorn braid
One thick, straight braid down the centre of your parting is all you need to make a serious style statement. Wear it with boho waves, sleek and straight locks or tousle it up into a punky Mohican – you might even find your own unique take on this braided bob beauty.
step 1:
Using your thumbs, trace up from the edges of your eyebrows until you meet your hairline.
step 2:
Once you reach the hairline, section your hair into three equal parts – two at the side and one down the middle.
step 3:
Lift the section of hair between your thumbs and twist it, pinning it loosely on top of your head.
step 4:
Using your hands, gather what’s left on the sides of your head into a low ponytail and secure with a hair tie.
step 5:
Take the very front of your hairline from the middle section and separate into three equal parts.
step 6:
Cross the outer strand under the middle strand, then take the other outer strand and cross it under the middle strand. Repeat this three-strand pattern down the back of your head until you reach the start of your ponytail.
Tip: The tighter you pull on your plait, the sharper the unicorn braid. You can always pull at the edges later if you want a looser version.
step 7:
Keeping hold of the bottom of your braid, take out the hair tie from the rest of your hair and re-tie it so that the braid runs straight down the centre of the ponytail.
step 8:
To finish, spritz the braid ghd final fix hairspray.
Tip: Spray party glitter onto your braid for ultimate unicorn magic.
Braided headband
Add oomph to a textured bob with a festival-worthy plait. This chunky braid keeps things simple and only takes a few minutes to do, so you can get on with your day looking flawless.

step 1:
On dry hair, tip your hair upside down and spray the root area with ghd root lift spray for quick volume. Blow-dry using the ghd air® hairdryer.
step 2:
Take a section of hair just above the ear and split into three pieces.
step 3:
Cross the outer strand under the centre strand, then take the opposite outer strand and cross it under the centre strand. Repeat this three-strand crossover all the way through to the ends of your hair.
step 4:
To flatten your braid to create a headband, lightly pull and stretch out each section until the plait is loose and chunky.
step 5:
Pull the plait across the very front of your hairline and secure with a pin on the opposite side for a gorgeous headband effect.
step 6:
Spritz ghd final fix hairspray onto your braid to secure the look

Braided updo
Even with shorter tresses, this next-level updo is still within reach. Inject big volume into your locks by curling your hair using the ghd curve® creative curl wand before you create your braid. For special occasions, add instant romance to the look by adding delicate florals to your braided bun hairdo.
step 1:
Prep your damp hair by spraying the roots with ghd root lift spray for braids that stay put all day. Pull a ghd radial brush in an upwards direction as you blow-dry to create bouncy locks.
step 2:
Leaving two 2-inch sections of hair loose at the front of your face, brush the rest of your hair into a low ponytail using the radial brush. Secure with a hair tie.
step 3:
Twirl the ponytail and then twist it around itself, forming a doughnut-style bun, then secure with hair pins.
step 4:
Take one section of the hair left over at the front and begin French braiding from forehead to ear. To do this, separate hair into three sections at the top of the section, pull the outer strand under the centre strand, then take the opposite outer strand and cross it under the centre strand.
step 5:
Repeat this three-strand plait until you reach the end of your hair, adding hair into the braid as you continue plaiting. Fasten the braid into your bun with a pin.
step 6:
Repeat steps 4 and 5 on the other section of leftover hair.
step 7:
Mist with ghd final fix hairspray for an updo that will last all day.
Double French braids
Double-up on the French plaits with this sweet way to flaunt a braided bob. Here’s how to weave this glam look into your short tresses:

step 1:
Get braids that last by prepping hair with ghd root lift spray before blow-drying. Work ghd smooth and finish serum through the mid-lengths and ends once dry for a luxurious finish to this braided bob.
step 2:
Split hair into a middle parting using the ghd tail comb to create two equal sections. Clip one side away to keep the sections neat.
step 3:
On the opposite side, gather hair at the top of the forehead and divide into three equal sub-sections. Cross the two outer strands underneath the middle strands instead of on top.
step 4:
Continue plaiting down the side of the head, adding hair to the outside sections as you go.
step 5:
Keep plaiting until you reach the nape of your neck and secure with a hair tie.
step 6:
Repeat on the other side.
step 7:
Mist lightly with ghd final shine spray to tame any frizz or flyaways.
Tip: Braid tightly to lift your features and highlight cheek bones, then pull braids apart with fingers once finished to give a chunky, undone finish.
Experimenting with the braided bob can unleash a range of glam hairstyles, creating romantic Grecian finishes and strong unicorn plaits in a few simple steps. Master these flawless styles and you’ll be a bob devotee for life.
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