As a mom, I learned early on that some days you are lucky to fit in a 5-minute shower and a quick brush through your hair before you’re rushing out the door. Actually, you’re really fortunate if you can be in the bathroom alone for one hot minute. Over the years, I realized I needed to develop some quick hairstyles to keep up with the limited amount of time that I had before juggling the bazillion things on my plate. One of my favorite go-to styles is a braid. It’s very versatile and easy! I’m going to share 5 braid variations that will look like you spent 20 minutes in the bathroom but will actually only take less than 5 minutes!
First thing’s first, gather your styling tools. A comb, brush, hair spray, water mister, hair elastics and your favorite hair accessories.
The first braid is my basic side French braid. All other variations shown in this post will begin with this basic braid. The first step is to side part your hair with a comb and section off the hair around the crown of your head.
Next, begin your braid with three small sections. As you braid grab a tiny bit of hair and add it to the two outside sections of the braid. This will create a tiny French braid at the crown of your head. Secure it with an elastic hair tie about half way down.
Congratulations! You’ve just created your first easy style. You can add to this style by curling or flat ironing the unbraided portion of your hair. Since I’m normally short on time, I just run a brush through my hair a go. Don’t forget to set your braid with a spritz of your favorite hairspray.
For the next hairstyle you will need to start with the basic side French braid demonstrated above. Gather your hair (including the end of your side French braid) and create a standard braid to one side of your head. The hair elastic from the French braid will be incorporated and hidden in the larger braid.
Secure the braid with an elastic and voila! You have yourself a second braided hairstyle. Use your favorite accessories to highlight your personal style. Again, set the braid with a bit of hairspray.
The third style will once again start with the basic French braid from the first style. Gather your hair to one side (including the end of the French braid) and secure it with an elastic. 
Place a second elastic hair tie about one to two inches down from the first.
Create a hole between the two elastics by gently pulling the hair into two sections.
Loop the very ends of your hair through the hole you just created and pull the ends all the way through. 
You should now have a “V” shaped design in the area of your hair that is between the two elastic ties.
Repeat the looping technique as many times as you’d like or until your run out of hair to work with.
To begin the fourth style, start with the basic side French braid. Take a small section of hair from the opposite side of your head than the French braid. Create a standard braid using that section and secure it with a hair elastic.
Pull both braid to the back of your head, creating a “crown” and secure with an elastic hair tie.
Once again, you can curl or flat iron your hair at this point if you’d like. Don’t forget to add your hair bling!
The final hairstyle begins with the two braids from the style just demonstrated above (style 4). Once you have create your “crown” by joining the two side braids, gather all of your hair to one side of you head. Separate into three sections and create a standard braid. The elastic from the “crown” braid will be hidden in the fold of the larger braid.
Set the style with your favorite hairspray and don’t forget to add your favorite accessories!
Go ahead and try some of these quick braided hairstyles or combine them to create your own. Have fun with it! If you have shorter hair, no worries! Try starting with style 1 or 4. And don’t underestimate the power of a good hair accessory!
