Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Braids in 6 Easy Steps

Ready to create a “bubbling” look that “floats” attention your way? Then you’re in the right place as this guide won’t “burst your bubble!”  Below you’ll learn how to do a half-up half-down bubble braid with our easy to follow tutorial. After you'll find step-by-step instructions for 7 advanced variations.

Half-up half-down bubble braids are perfect for medium to long hair, and work great for both thick and thin locks.  Best of all, if you have an oval, square or heart shaped face, this look accentuates and highlights your features to give you dimension and depth.

So if you're ready to create a look that is “bubbly”, fun, and can be worn from formal events to music festivals, let’s get “popping!”

How to Do a Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Braid

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You will need:

• Brush
• Multiple hair ties
• Hair clip
• Bobby pins
• Hairspray

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Brush your hair to remove any tangles and knots.
2. Split your hair horizontally and secure the bottom portion of your hair with a hair clip. 
3. Secure the top portion of your hair and then hold it in place with a hair tie at the point closest to your scalp.
4. Place another hair tie a couple of inches down from the first one, and repeat the process by adding more hair ties at an equal distance all the way down.
1. To add some extra personality, use TELETIES as they add a pop of color to your bubble braids.
5. Once you’ve added all your hair ties, loosen the hairs between them by pulling at each section to create the “bubble” look.
1. If you have fine or thin hair, tease the strands or add a thickening spray for bigger bubbles.
2. Leave a gap of 2-3 inches between each hair tie for well-defined bubbles.
6. To finish the look, remove the hair clip and lightly spritz hairspray to set the style in place and avoid stray hairs or flyaways. 

Once you get good at doing the half-up half-down bubble braid, there’s advanced options to make this look as unique as you are.  Here are seven of our favorites with where they can be worn to.

Dutch Braid Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Braid

The Dutch braid half-up half-down bubble braid is perfect for anyone with long hair as it requires extra length to pull in the layers and turns your hair into a showstopping centerpiece that can be worn down your back.  It’s especially flattering if you have an oval or heart-shaped face as it helps create the illusion of width.  

1. Brush your hair to remove any tangles and knots.
2. Take a small section of hair from the front of your head on one side of your face and divide it into three equal parts.
3. Begin a Dutch braid by crossing the right strand under the middle strand and then crossing the left strand under the middle strand. Add a small section of hair to the right strand and cross it under the middle strand. Repeat on the left side, adding hair to the left strand and crossing it under the middle strand.
4. Continue the Dutch braid, adding hair to each strand until you reach the crown of your head.
5. Repeat on the other side of your head so that you now have two Dutch braids meeting at the crown of your head.
6. Take a small section of hair from the back of your head, just below the braids, and create a small ponytail with a hair tie.
7. Divide the ponytail into two sections and tease each section to create volume.
8. Add another hair tie to the teased section about an inch down from the first hair tie.
9. Repeat step 8, adding more hair ties every inch down the ponytail's length. Gently tug on each section of the hair between the hair ties to create the "bubble" effect.
10. Repeat steps 7-9 with the other half of your ponytail.
11. Take one of the braids and wrap it over the top of the teased ponytail, and tuck the end of the braid under the ponytail. Secure with bobby pins.
12. Repeat step 11 with the other braid and spray with hairspray.

Messy Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Braid

The messy version is a fun and easy-to-manage hairstyle that adds texture and volume to your hair. It’s an excellent choice for casual or semi-formal events as it is more fun than formal, and is a low-maintenance style so you can enjoy your day without worry.  Best of all it can be created quickly, making it perfect when you’re short on time or want more of your day back.  

1. Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
2. Take a small section of hair from the crown of your head and secure it with a hair tie into a ponytail.
3. Take another small section of hair below the first ponytail and create a second ponytail about an inch below the first one.  Use your fingers to gently tug your hair between the two hair ties to create a bubble.
4. Continue adding sections until you reach the nape of your neck.
5. Once you've reached the nape of your neck, secure your remaining hair into a regular ponytail.
6. Use your fingers to gently tug on the bubbles to create a messier, more relaxed look.

Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Ponytail

This style is one of the easiest to create, and looks great with TELETIES when you want to add pops of color.

Going to or participating in a sports event? Add the team colors.  Need to create a fun look for a night out, use colorful hair ties that match or accent your outfit?  This style keeps your hair in place so you can enjoy your time, not worry about hair falling everywhere.

1. Brush your hair to remove tangles or knots.
2. Take a small section of hair from the top of your head, starting at the crown.  Pull this section of hair back into a ponytail and secure it with a hair tie.
3. Take another section of hair from just below the first hair tie, and wrap a hair tie around it to create the first "bubble" of your ponytail.
4. Gently tug at the hair between the two hair ties to create more volume and a rounded shape.
5. Repeat until you reach the nape of your neck. You can create as many or as few bubbles as you like.
6. Once you have created all the bubbles, secure your remaining hair into a traditional ponytail and spray with hairspray.

Braided Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Braid

The braided version is perfect for medium to long hair and want to experiment with something new and trendy.  You can show off two unique looks at once and never have to choose between single style looks again.  

1. Follow steps 1-2, except you will clip the top section of your hair out of your way.
2. Take a small section of hair from one side of the part and create a Dutch braid by crossing the sections under each other rather than over. Continue braiding down the side of your head until you reach the back of your head and secure it with a hair tie.
3. Repeat on the other side of your head so that you have two braids.
4. Release the top section of your hair and secure it in a high ponytail using a hair tie.
5. Take another section of hair from just below the first hair tie, and wrap a hair tie around it to create the first "bubble" of your ponytail and continue till the end of your hair.
6. Take the first braid and wrap it around the base of the ponytail, securing it with bobby pins.  Repeat with the second braid, wrapping it around the base of the ponytail in the opposite direction, and finish with hairspray to hold everything in place.

Fishtail Half-Up Half-Down Bubble Braid

The fishtail a touch of elegance and sophistication to your look, and is adaptable to formal and casual occasions.  It makes a "splash" at events and keeps your look "making waves" with the shape changing braid and pops of color.

1. Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
2. Divide your hair into two equal sections, one on each side of your head.
3. Take a small section of hair from one side of your head and create a fishtail braid, starting at the top of your head and continuing down until you reach the nape of your neck. Secure the end with a hair tie.
4. Repeat on the other side of your head.
5. Pull both braids to the back of your head and secure them together with a hair tie.
6. Take a section of hair from just below the first hair tie, wrap a hair tie around it to create the first bubble of your ponytail, and work your way down to the end of your hair.  Finish with hairspray to hold everything in place.

Twisted Bubble Braid

This look is a fun and distinctive hairstyle that stands out from other braids because of the twisting appearance.  It resembles a helix, it adds a “twirl” of excitement to your ensemble and a “whirl” to your do. This style looks amazing at music festivals, fashion shows, school dances, and other places where your look needs to stand out and want to be a spotlight attraction. 

1. Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
2. Divide your hair into two sections and twist them around each other, starting from the crown of your head and working your way down to the nape of your neck. Secure the end of the twist with a hair tie.
3. Next, take a small section of hair from the top of the twist and secure it with a hair tie about an inch or two down from the top of the twist.
4. Take another small section of hair from the twist, about an inch or two below the first bubble, and secure it with a hair tie.
5. Continue tying small sections of hair along the twist length and creating bubbles between each set of hair ties.
6. Once you have created bubbles along the twist's entire length, secure the braid's end with a hair tie.

Crown Bubble Braid

The Crown Bubble Braid complements long, thick, and voluminous hair as the bubbles in the braid create a stunning visual impact accentuating the length of your hair. Fit for a princess or a queen, it’s the “crowning style” when you’re ready to great your people and party like royalty! 

1. Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
2. Take a section of hair from the top of your head near your forehead, divide it into three equal parts, and braid these three sections together for a few inches to create a traditional braid.
3. Once you have a few inches of braid, create bubbles by taking a small section of hair from each side of the braid and securing it with a small hair tie.
4. Continue creating bubbles along the length of the braid, securing each section of hair with a small hair tie.
5. Once you have created bubbles along the braid's length, secure the braid's end with a hair tie.
6. To create the crown effect, wrap the braid around the top of your head, just above your ears.  Secure the braid with bobby pins, and spray with hairspray to hold.

Half-up Half-down bubble braids are a unique look that complements your personality and style.  They’re fun and can be customized for all occasions and looks.  And if you have an oval, square, or heart shaped face, this is quickly going to become your go-to look!  If you'd like more style guides like this, subscribe to our blog below.