You know that feeling when you want your hair totally out of your face but you still want to look like you actually tried? That’s where the dutch braid with bangs comes in. It is basically the cooler, more athletic cousin of the French braid. While a French braid tucks hair under for a flat look, the Dutch style crosses strands over to create that 3D, "popping" effect. Add bangs into the mix, and you've got a look that works for a 6:00 AM HIIT class or a wedding in the woods.
Honestly, it’s a lifesaver.
But there’s a massive catch. If you don't blend the transition between your fringe and the braid properly, you end up with weird "wings" of hair sticking out near your temples. Nobody wants that. The goal is a seamless flow where the bangs look intentional, not like an afterthought you forgot to pin back. Whether you’re rocking curtain bangs, blunt fringe, or those wispy "bottleneck" bangs that are everywhere right now, there is a specific way to make this work without losing your mind.
Why the Dutch Braid with Bangs is the Hardest Easy Style
Most people think braiding is just about finger dexterity. It's not. It’s about tension. When you add bangs to a Dutch braid, you’re dealing with two different hair lengths that have completely different agendas. Your bangs want to lay flat and move forward. Your braid wants to pull hair back and up.
If you have short, blunt bangs—think Zooey Deschanel vibes—you aren't going to braid them. You just aren't. If you try, they’ll spike out of the braid like a hedgehog. Instead, you have to "anchor" the braid exactly where the bangs end. This creates a frame for your face. On the flip side, if you have grown-out curtain bangs, you can actually weave them into the braid. This is the ultimate "I haven't washed my hair in four days" camouflage.
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Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, who works with Kim Kardashian, often emphasizes that the prep is more important than the braid itself. He’s right. If your hair is too clean, it’ll slip. You need grit. Think dry shampoo or a sea salt spray. Without it, your Dutch braid will start saggy and end up a mess before lunch.
The "Pin and Tuck" Fallacy
People often try to force their bangs into the braid with a dozen bobby pins. Don't do that. It looks messy and feels like you have metal stabbing your scalp all day. If your bangs are too short to reach the braid naturally, let them live their best life. Style them separately with a round brush or a flat iron, and let the Dutch braid start about an inch behind the hairline.
Texture is Everything
If you have fine hair, a dutch braid with bangs can look a bit thin. You’ll want to "pancake" the braid. This basically means gently pulling at the edges of the loops once the braid is secured. It makes the braid look twice as thick. Just be careful—pull too hard, and the whole thing unravels. It’s a delicate balance.
For those with curly or coily textures, the Dutch braid is actually a fantastic protective style. It keeps the ends tucked away and minimizes manipulation. Just make sure you’re using a high-quality edge control or a botanical gel to keep the transition from your bangs to the braid looking crisp.
How to Actually Do It (Step-by-Step for the Rest of Us)
First, section off your bangs. Use a tail comb. Seriously, a tail comb is the only way to get a straight line. Clip the bangs forward so they don’t get caught in the crossfire.
- Sectioning: Take a triangle of hair right behind your bangs. Divide it into three equal pieces.
- The First Cross: Take the right strand and cross it under the middle strand. Now, the original right strand is your new middle.
- The Left Side: Take the left strand and cross it under the new middle strand.
- Adding Hair: This is where people mess up. Before you cross the right side under again, pick up a small section of loose hair from the side and add it to the right strand. Now cross it under.
- Repeat: Do the same on the left. Keep your hands close to the scalp. If your hands are hovering six inches away, the braid will be loose and floppy.
- The Transition: Once you reach the area above your ears, decide if you’re merging the bangs or leaving them out.
If you’re merging curtain bangs, start incorporating them when you’re about three "links" into the braid. If you have blunt bangs, stop the braid's forward progress right where the fringe starts.
Dealing with the Mid-Day "Frizzies"
It happens to everyone. You finish the braid, it looks perfect, and two hours later, tiny hairs are escaping like they’re staging a prison break. This is especially true for the dutch braid with bangs because the short hairs of the fringe are so close to the braid's start point.
Keep a clear mascara wand or a dedicated edge brush in your bag. A tiny bit of hairspray on the wand can slick those flyaways back down without making your whole head feel crunchy.
Face Shapes and Braid Placement
Not all Dutch braids are created equal.
- Round Faces: Try a single Dutch braid down the center or two "boxer braids" that start high on the head. This adds height and elongates the face.
- Square Faces: Keep the braids a bit looser. Soften the look by pulling out some tendrils around the ears, especially if you have wispy bangs.
- Heart Faces: Side-swept bangs paired with a Dutch crown braid work wonders to balance a wider forehead.
The Mistakes You’re Probably Making
You’re probably grabbing too much hair at once. We all do it when we’re in a rush. But if you grab huge chunks, the braid looks clunky and loses that intricate "Dutch" definition. Take small, consistent sections. It takes longer, but it stays all day.
Another big one? Braiding wet hair. While it seems like a good idea for "beach waves" later, hair is most fragile when it’s wet. Stretching it into a tight Dutch braid can cause breakage, especially around the delicate hairline where your bangs live. Wait until it’s at least 80% dry.
Why Bangs Change the Game
Bangs act as a visual anchor. Without them, a Dutch braid can sometimes look a bit severe, pulling all the hair back and exposing the entire face. For some, that’s great. For others, it feels like being in a wind tunnel. The bangs provide a "buffer." They soften the forehead and make the style feel more "hair-down" even though your hair is technically up.
Real-World Scenarios for This Look
Think about a music festival. It’s hot, you’re sweaty, and you’re outside for 12 hours. A dutch braid with bangs is the gold standard here. The braid keeps your neck cool, and the bangs keep you looking like an actual person in photos rather than a bald egg.
Or consider the "Clean Girl" aesthetic. A tight, polished Dutch braid with perfectly styled curtain bangs and a bit of hair oil for shine is the peak of that look. It’s sophisticated but looks effortless.
Essential Tools for the Job
- Tail Comb: For clean sections.
- Boar Bristle Brush: To smooth the hair before you start.
- Non-Snag Elastics: Plastic ones are better than fabric for the ends of braids.
- Dry Texture Spray: Gives the hair "grip."
- Lightweight Pomade: To keep the braid edges sharp.
Actionable Next Steps to Perfect Your Braid
Stop trying to learn this in front of a mirror while you're already running late for work. That is a recipe for a meltdown. Instead, try this:
Practice on "second-day" hair tonight before you shower. The natural oils in your hair will make it much easier to handle than freshly washed, slippery strands. Start by mastering the "under" movement of the Dutch braid on a simple three-strand section without adding hair. Once your fingers have the muscle memory, try the full braid.
If your bangs are in that awkward "growing out" phase, use the Dutch braid to tuck them away entirely. It’s much more stylish than a row of clips. Just apply a tiny bit of wax to the tips of the bangs before weaving them in to ensure they stay tucked under the braid loops.
Finally, don't be afraid to pull it apart. A "perfect" braid often looks a bit stiff. Once you're done, use your thumb and forefinger to gently tug at each loop of the braid, starting from the bottom and working your way up. This creates volume and hides any slightly uneven sections. If you have bangs, give them a quick blast with a blow dryer and a round brush to finish the look. You’re done. Total pro status.